Re-applicant - do I need to work on my GPA?

[dtx_17]

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Hey everyone,
It's looking like I may have to reapply next year. I still have 1 interview next month which I'm hoping goes well, but if it doesn't, I need to start planning for reapplication now. I'm a TX resident but my TMDSAS app this cycle was hurt by the fact that I submitted my primaries in mid-August (I know, I know). I'm planning on retaking my MCAT in April, and I have spent this year scribing.
My big question is, if I improve my MCAT, and I have more healthcare experience, do you think I can get in to a TX school next cycle?
cGPA 3.7, sGPA 3.4, MCAT 505 (hoping to get 510+ in April)

 

[Catalystik]

Hey everyone,
It's looking like I may have to reapply next year. I still have 1 interview next month which I'm hoping goes well, but if it doesn't, I need to start planning for reapplication now. I'm a TX resident but my TMDSAS app this cycle was hurt by the fact that I submitted my primaries in mid-August (I know, I know). I'm planning on retaking my MCAT in April, and I have spent this year scribing.
My big question is, if I improve my MCAT, and I have more healthcare experience, do you think I can get in to a TX school next cycle?
cGPA 3.7, sGPA 3.4, MCAT 505 (hoping to get 510+ in April)

1) What happened to your sGPA? What is your sGPA trend?
2) Do you continue to add nonmedical community service hours, too?
3) Did you interview at TCOM?

 

[dtx_17]

1) What happened to your sGPA? What is your sGPA trend?
2) Do you continue to add nonmedical community service hours, too?
3) Did you interview at TCOM?

1. It was on an upward trend but dipped junior year (I got a C in biochem) then went back up
2. Yes. I plan on beginning volunteering starting this new year as well.
3. I did not. I really hoped to, it's close to home and that's where I'd ideally like to go.

 

[Catalystik]

1. It was on an upward trend but dipped junior year (I got a C in biochem) then went back up
2. Yes. I plan on beginning volunteering starting this new year as well.
3. I did not. I really hoped to, it's close to home and that's where I'd ideally like to go.

1) What clinical experience (hours and duration) did you list?

2) What no medical volunteer (hours and duration) did you already list?

3) What are your shadowing hours and did you include primary care? Have you met a DO?

4) Will your sGPA be higher by June? What?

 

[dtx_17]

1) What clinical experience (hours and duration) did you list?

2) What no medical volunteer (hours and duration) did you already list?

3) What are your shadowing hours and did you include primary care? Have you met a DO?

4) Will your sGPA be higher by June? What?

1. Scribing 1500 hours, Shadowing 150 hours, Medical Mission to Kenya
2. Volunteering at an elementary school mentorship program 2 years, Campus wide community service programs 6 semesters, volunteering at assisted living facility
3. Shadowed various specialties as well as primary care. Noted special interest in practicing primary care in application. Worked with 5+ DOs regularly while scribing. Received an MD letter and a DO letter for apps this cycle.
4. I've graduated so no

 

[Catalystik]

1. Scribing 1500 hours, Shadowing 150 hours, Medical Mission to Kenya
2. Volunteering at an elementary school mentorship program 2 years, Campus wide community service programs 6 semesters, volunteering at assisted living facility
3. Shadowed various specialties as well as primary care. Noted special interest in practicing primary care in application. Worked with 5+ DOs regularly while scribing. Received an MD letter and a DO letter for apps this cycle.
4. I've graduated so no

1, 2, & 3) on the Primary application look good. I can't see that more will make you a better candidate.

Other than the later-than-optimal application timeframe, so-so but not lethal MCAT, and C in a med school-relevant class, did you have any legal/IA-type issues, less-than compelling essays, lack of research &/or peer leadership (these latter two are not essentials, but can help moderate other negatives) to explain a non-robust application cycle?

And what are your thoughts on TCOM's lack of response?

Any chance of taking Biochem 2 and getting an A?

 

[dtx_17]

1, 2, & 3) on the Primary application look good. I can't see that more will make you a better candidate.

Other than the later-than-optimal application timeframe, so-so but not lethal MCAT, and C in a med school-relevant class, did you have any legal/IA-type issues, less-than compelling essays, lack of research &/or peer leadership (these latter two are not essentials, but can help moderate other negatives) to explain a non-robust application cycle?

And what are your thoughts on TCOM's lack of response?

Any chance of taking Biochem 2 and getting an A?

No legal issues (what is an IA issue?); I feel like essays can always be improved but they were concise, grammatically correct, and honest; I took part in gathering information for some minor, unpublished research my professor conducted during the medical mission, and had a fair amount of peer leadership in non-medically related organizations.

No idea what to think on TCOM's lack of response, except that I may have submitted the app late. I thought I submitted a pretty solid application to DO schools but here we are.

I guess I could in the fall, if I were to reapply, but I really would prefer to save the money.

 

[pewpew95]

No legal issues (what is an IA issue?); I feel like essays can always be improved but they were concise, grammatically correct, and honest; I took part in gathering information for some minor, unpublished research my professor conducted during the medical mission, and had a fair amount of peer leadership in non-medically related organizations.

No idea what to think on TCOM's lack of response, except that I may have submitted the app late. I thought I submitted a pretty solid application to DO schools but here we are.

I guess I could in the fall, if I were to reapply, but I really would prefer to save the money.

IA = institutional action, anything from cheating to having alcohol in dorms while underage

 

[Catalystik]

No legal issues (what is an IA issue?); I feel like essays can always be improved but they were concise, grammatically correct, and honest; I took part in gathering information for some minor, unpublished research my professor conducted during the medical mission, and had a fair amount of peer leadership in non-medically related organizations.

No idea what to think on TCOM's lack of response, except that I may have submitted the app late. I thought I submitted a pretty solid application to DO schools but here we are.

I guess I could in the fall, if I were to reapply, but I really would prefer to save the money.

IA is Institutional Action. Examples: getting disciplined by your school for alcohol in a dorm, cannabis use on campus, cheating, fights, downloading music illegally, suspension, etc.

 

[dtx_17]

@Catalystik & @pewpew95 Oh I see. Nope none of those! Unless you count when I had Limewire back in middle school.

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik & @pewpew95 Oh I see. Nope none of those! Unless you count when I had Limewire back in middle school.

Then hopefully an improved MCAT score and earlier application are the only interventions necessary for success.

Were you to decide on a Biochem 2 remediation effort, you'd want the grade evident before reapplication, ideally.

 

[dtx_17]

Then hopefully an improved MCAT score and earlier application are the only interventions necessary for success.

We're you to decide on a Biochem 2 remediation effort, you'd want the grade evident before reapplication, ideally

I see. Thank you so much for your time and input!!