Re-App, its about that time

[HeresHoping62]

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Hello,
So, this story may sound very similar to the others posted in this forum (hey, it is Re-app) but I was hoping for some sort of advice, being that my current advice is coming from MDs who went to school about 15 yrs ago and have very little idea of what the process is like today.

I applied this year for the first time, and took the MCAT twice. I graduated from undergrad in 2006 (with a year of honors biochemistry research), went straight into a masters program, thinking I was going to pursue my phD. Unfortunately, the program was not for me, I realized that I really needed patient contact, not just lab work all day long. So once I finished my Masters, I got a job working in a local hospital doing breast cancer prevention/survivorship research. I took both MCATs while working full time (horrible idea) after taking a Kaplan course, and actually scored worse than my diagnostic both times (11V 10BS 6PS first time, 10V 11BS 8PS second time).
Therefore my best score was either a 29Q or a 30Q (for a school that uses the best combo of scores).
My undergrad GPA was ~3.7 for both science and non-science GPAs, and I had an abundance of leadership activities. I have also presented my research at several conferences, and have started a support group for children who have a parent undergoing cancer treatment.

This cycle, my first, I applied to 18 schools, rejected pre-interview at 14, and still holding on to that sliver of a chance I will be granted a very late interview at the final 4 still granting interviews.

Since I am staring down the barrel of re-application, I am wondering how to improve my application, since very little has changed since my previous application. All I can think of is improve my MCAT score. Advice?

 

[dragonfly99]

You need to show you can/will do some volunteer hours in a health care setting for free, if you have not yet.
I wonder if you applied late, and/or the personal statement or LOR's were not great, because I would think even with the 29 MCAT you should have gotten at least some interviews, with your GPA.

I don't disagree with retaking the MCAT, but this time make sure that you study a ton for the physical sciences part. You CAN pull up your score on this section. A lot of the stuff on there you can memorize or drill it into your head. I increased my score on that section from 9 to a 15 after taking a prep course and studying for a couple of months. Those are probably not typical results, but raising the score is possible...I think it would be much easier than raising your verbal score, for example. Don't fixate on just the MCAT, though...there has to be something else going on if you got no interviews.

I would apply to >18 schools as well. Try 30, and apply to ones that you have a reasonable shot to get in without a high MCAT score.

 

[HeresHoping62]

Yes, my application was in very late. I am also considering moving back home to NY from MD, UMD is my #1 choice, but there are so many more state schools in NY that residency there would be more advantagous I think

 

[bellakk]

I think it was your late app that hurt you, and how late is late? Were you just completed a few days before the deadline? your GPA is excellent and your MCAT is pretty good, esp w/ such a high GPA.
I think med school selection consideres in-state/out-of-state more important that residency selection. I think you'll have to live there for a certian number of months before you can be considered in-state again. Even if you dont move back, any sort of ties to the state would be good, such as parents who still live there.
I would call all the schools, esp the pre-interview rejections to find out why you didnt get an interview. I think you may need better LoR's or a better statement.
Volunteering for a hospice might be good, but I dont think it would make or break you.
Be ready for June 1st this year!!