Re-applicant - what do I do?

[drbollywood]

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Hey all, I applied to only MD programs last year (for the Fall 2016 acceptance round) with the following credentials:

sGPA: 3.48
cGPA: 3.54
MCAT: 34

Service/Shadowing:
35 hrs shadowing an ophthalmologist
50 hrs shadowing a nephrologist
150 hrs volunteering in a medical health camp in India
50 hrs volunteering in local Hospital
bunch of leadership in college

I applied to both OOS schools and a few instate schools. Got rejected from all OOS schools pre-interview and rejected from instate schools post-interview. I have a few questions.

1) How do I go about improving my application? I currently accepted a medical scribe job in order to increase the number of clinical hours. I plan on taking additional science courses at a local university to improve my sGPA. Is there anything else that I can do to boost my application?
2) Does it make sense for me to apply in this coming cycle (for Fall 2017) or should I wait until I complete the 2016-2017 activities and add them to my resume before applying?
3) What are my chances for DO schools? Do many DO programs want students to have extensive DO shadowing?

Thanks, and good luck to all pre-meds!

 

[GrapesofRath]

What state? Where all did you apply?

Biggest issues I see is in your ECs really arent doing you favors. Clinical experience is largely abroad while you want it domestically. Rather limited non clinical service is another weakness. It's all rather limited and nothing stands out here.

Your stats are competitive. More DIY PB work can only help if you do well particularly if you dont live in a good state for MD admission. I would personally vote to wait a cycle as you are statistically a competitive MD candidate and boosting your ECs will make a big difference. My two cents is take the time to do it right now in terms of building your application rather than trying to rush things and just see whatever DO school might take you. Make an investment in yourself now by boosting your application to get into the best med school you can now and it will pay off enormous dividends down the road and greatly enhance your options in your career in medicine.

If you do apply to DO schools, youll be fine there: your stats are way above average and that MCAT is close to the 99th percentile amongst DO matriculants. Only issue is that 34 expiring at a number of schools by the 2017-18 cycle which is something youll have to check to see in particular if your state schools will accept that 34.

Also would be a good idea to call some schools(particularly state schools) for feedback and see if there are any other concerns they can spot with your application.

 

[drbollywood]

What state? Where all did you apply?

Biggest issues I see is in your ECs really arent doing you favors. Clinical experience is largely abroad while you want it domestically. Rather limited non clinical service is another weakness. It's all rather limited and nothing stands out here.

Your stats are competitive. More DIY PB work can only help if you do well particularly if you dont live in a good state for MD admission. I would personally vote to wait a cycle as you are statistically a competitive MD candidate and boosting your ECs will make a big difference. My two cents is take the time to do it right now in terms of building your application rather than trying to rush things and just see whatever DO school might take you. Make an investment in yourself now by boosting your application to get into the best med school you can now and it will pay off enormous dividends down the road and greatly enhance your options in your career in medicine.

If you do apply to DO schools, youll be fine there: your stats are way above average and that MCAT is close to the 99th percentile amongst DO matriculants. Only issue is that 34 expiring at a number of schools by the 2017-18 cycle which is something youll have to check to see in particular if your state schools will accept that 34.

Also would be a good idea to call some schools(particularly state schools) for feedback and see if there are any other concerns they can spot with your application.

I live in NC, so applied to schools like UNC, ECU, and Wake Forest. Only got interviews at UNC and ECU. No interviews at schools like UMiami, Maryland, Georgetown, NYMC, or Boston.

Trying to figure out where I can improve my application to at least get an interview in OOS schools.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I live in NC, so applied to schools like UNC, ECU, and Wake Forest. Only got interviews at UNC and ECU. No interviews at schools like UMiami, Maryland, Georgetown, NYMC, or Boston.

Trying to figure out where I can improve my application to at least get an interview in OOS schools.

Like I said above it's all in the ECs where you need to improve. Call the schools in your state to see if you can get additional feedback

IMHO I wouldn't reapply until you address the weaknesses you described. Your very lucky Brody UNC and Wake will accept the old MCAT for the 2017-18 cycle. That would be my goal here to apply then and spend the next year addressing your weaknesses

 

[italiancowgirl]

Wait a cycle. Where is your service to underserved communities? What other jobs or leadership experiences help you? What have you done to show them you know why medicine, and why to pick you in medicine?

You have to prove you understand yourself and the field well enough to be certain in your decision and prove competence so you can be successful. Get feedback from the schools where you applied and read more in the forums to better understand what is expected of an applicant to be successful.