Re-applying and losing hope

[kitty222]

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Hi,
I am a 26 year old with an uGPA of 3.3 and sGPA of 2.9. I took my MCAT 4 times already. I was really ill the first time I took it and of course that was not the best decision.
07/31/2009 11 08 O 10 29O
08/19/2006 08 08 Q 10 26Q
04/22/2006 08 08 O 09 25O
04/16/2005 06 06 O 06 18O
I took a year off from undergrad and worked as a psychiatric clinician for people with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. After that year I was in a Master’s program in Anatomy and Neurobiology where I took Anatomy and also Physiology with the medical school class ( I got a B) in both, and the following year I was one of the TAs for the Gross Anatomy course for 1st year medical students. I graduated the Master’s with a cGPA of 3.4 and sGPA of 3.3. Since then I have worked a year as a medical assistant and am working as a clinical research assistant at the state medical school/ hospital. I have a great recommendation letter from the MD that I was an MA for, and some solid other recommendations. I was a volunteer for the local army base ( support for families), an American Red Cross CPR/First Aid volunteer instructor, I have continued to work a second job as a bartender ( I have always had a second job since my freshmen year of undergrad). In undergrad, I co-started a community service club, was the VP of the Political Science club, involved in a minority club, was a research assistant in the Neuropsych lab and a mentor for incoming freshman. I also lost my parent in an early age and wrote that on my personal statement.
I applied to both MD and DO schools this year and only got 1 interview to a DO school. I am still waiting on a decision from them. But in the mean time I want to prepare on re-applying if need be. This is my 2nd application cycle.


Should I
a) Re-take the MCAT? I feel wary about this as then it would be my fifth time taking the MCAT
b) Should I retake some of my undergraduate science courses at the local community college? I got a C+ in Orgo 1, Orgo 2 and Microbiology.
c) Any other changes to my application or any other helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[flip26]

Don't retake - that die is cast.

The GPA from that master's program hurt you...ouch.

Not sure I would recommend going back to boost UG GPA, either.

What state do you live in? Are you competitive at all at a state school?

Otherwise, if medicine is your goal, consider DO strongly. (edit: OK, I see you applied DO...you may get in there...wow, I would pull out all the stops with a really strongly worded Letter of INTENT - do you have anything you could update, too?)

And don't rule out PA or NP.

 

[Catalystik]

With your current MCAT score, and recent academic work, I'd think you should be a good candidate for DO schools. Have you shadowed a DO and gotten an LOR from that source? Did you apply to DO schools with a variety of selectivity? I'm at a loss as to why you weren't accepted. What do you feel might be an explanation? Did you apply late?

 

[kitty222]

Yes I did apply late. My secondaries were complete mid to late October. And I think 1 was complete November. I don't have an LOR from a DO, they were all from MD.

 

[flip26]

Yes I did apply late. My secondaries were complete mid to late October. And I think 1 was complete November. I don't have an LOR from a DO, they were all from MD.

This explains at least some of it.

Those late apps killed you.

And not having a DO letter has to be hurting you at the DO schools.

I suggest reapplying EARLY this cycle, and getting in some DO shadowing, plus obtain a letter...you have very little chance with MD, but a fighting chance with DO.

When you say "all LORs" were from MD, are you indicating you didn't have the requisite prof letters (2 sci / 1 non-sci)? I hope that isn't what you meant...

 

[kitty222]

Oh no no, I had 2 science recs and 2 non science recs, as well as an MD letter.

 

[ShinyDome19]

Kitty your application sounds A LOT like my'n did. I had taken the MCATs 4 times..scored a 18, 21, 25, 25. I had an overall undergrad GPA 3.05 (2.9X - science and 3.1X non-sci). My Grad. GPA was a 3.85. While your Grad GPA was lower, your MCATs were significantly higher than my'n. I was rejected initially the first year I got a 25 on the MCATs; I had applied around October, no interviews at DO, 1 at my state school - Rejected. Applied much earlier this time and got an interview at my 1st choice DO school - Accepted; and the same MD school - Waitlisted.

I would say based on how similar our stats our, you have a decent chance at a DO school...But, definately apply early, it made a huge difference for me. Definately get a DO letter too.

 

[kitty222]

ShinyDome19, thanks for sharing your experience! I am really in need of some inspiration and advice so every bit helps!

 

[searun]

OP, I would seriously consider applying to a Physician's Assistant program. You will have alot of responsibility, a very nice paycheck (as much as $100,000 in some places), much less debt, and you will not have to undergo the agony of training for 7-10 years post college. I think that you can get credentialed as a Physician's Assistant in two or three years post college.

PA can be a pretty sweet deal for someone who wants to work in the medical field. Look into it.

I also agree that you should strongly consider the DO route if you are bound and determined to be a physician. Frankly, I would not waste my time on applying to MD programs again, if I were you.

 

[TexasPhysician]

You really need to submit your app next year on day 1. Applying late HURTS especially when you are a weak applicant.

Having to take the MCAT 4 times to reach 29 will make many schools think you will never pass your USMLE Step exams.

A strong gpa will sometimes overcome MCAT fumbles, but every gpa you have is below average.

If you are a URM, that would help also. Bilingual or trilingual? You need to REALLY set yourself apart.

 

[MiniMoo]

Your sGPA is extremely low for both MD and DO programs. I would retake some of the classes you did poorly in to raise your GPA. Shouldn't take too long as DO schools utilize grade replacement. Get some DO shadowing in and a DO LOR. Then apply early.