Hi I am a 3rd time applicant for 2017 cycle. Currently working as a medical scribe, volunteering, and studying for retaking the MCAT.
I originally applied out of college thinking that my MCAT would carry my GPA, but was unable to get off a waitlist. I then did an SMP (thinking my grades were the big issue in my application). After the SMP I had professional help with my essays and applied to a wide range of schools. I did not apply DO because I was unsure about them and believed (foolishly) that I would be a competitive MD applicant and I could save several thousand dollars. Now I do not really know what was the main issue with my application and would love any feedback.
Year in school: Graduated at a top 15 school in 2015 and graduated from a SMP program in 2016
Country/state of residence: OH
Schools to which you are applying: Albany, Case Western, CMU, Cooper, Drexel, EVMS, Geisel, GW, Hofstra, Howard, Indiana, U of Buffalo, Temple, Loyola, MCW, Meharry, MSU, NYMC, NeoMed, Oakland, Quinnipiac, Rosalind F, Rush, Thomas Jefferson, SUNY downstate, SUNY upstate, Ohio state, Toledo, UVM, Tufts, UC, U of Illinois, U of Missouri, VCU, Virginia Tech, Wanye, Stryker, Wright (32 total, same list as this year, and will be applying DO)
Cumulative GPA: Undergraduate 3.35, SMP 3.8
Science GPA: Undergraduate 3.3, SMP 3.8
MCAT Scores: 35 (12,11,12) I will need to retake this if I do not get in this cycle.
Research: Published paper in eLife, acknowledged in another paper from the same lab, and capstone project (mini-thesis) with research at my SMP institution. (500 hours, over two years plus thesis work)
Volunteering (clinical): Admittedly my weakest section, I am in the process of starting to volunteer at a local children's hospital.
Specialty of interest: Pediatrics or cardiology
Graduate degrees: Masters of Science is Physiology
Interest in rural health (y/n): Yes, grew up in a rural area
Thank you very much for any comments and feedback you may have.
I originally applied out of college thinking that my MCAT would carry my GPA, but was unable to get off a waitlist. I then did an SMP (thinking my grades were the big issue in my application). After the SMP I had professional help with my essays and applied to a wide range of schools. I did not apply DO because I was unsure about them and believed (foolishly) that I would be a competitive MD applicant and I could save several thousand dollars. Now I do not really know what was the main issue with my application and would love any feedback.
Year in school: Graduated at a top 15 school in 2015 and graduated from a SMP program in 2016
Country/state of residence: OH
Schools to which you are applying: Albany, Case Western, CMU, Cooper, Drexel, EVMS, Geisel, GW, Hofstra, Howard, Indiana, U of Buffalo, Temple, Loyola, MCW, Meharry, MSU, NYMC, NeoMed, Oakland, Quinnipiac, Rosalind F, Rush, Thomas Jefferson, SUNY downstate, SUNY upstate, Ohio state, Toledo, UVM, Tufts, UC, U of Illinois, U of Missouri, VCU, Virginia Tech, Wanye, Stryker, Wright (32 total, same list as this year, and will be applying DO)
Cumulative GPA: Undergraduate 3.35, SMP 3.8
Science GPA: Undergraduate 3.3, SMP 3.8
MCAT Scores: 35 (12,11,12) I will need to retake this if I do not get in this cycle.
Research: Published paper in eLife, acknowledged in another paper from the same lab, and capstone project (mini-thesis) with research at my SMP institution. (500 hours, over two years plus thesis work)
Volunteering (clinical): Admittedly my weakest section, I am in the process of starting to volunteer at a local children's hospital.
- International volunteer at a general hospital (120 hours, over one month)
- Work-study with Veterinarian (60 hours, over two months) [Occurred freshman year]
- Undergraduate shadowing: General pediatrics (60 hours, over one semester) [Part of a school program]
- Graduate shadowing: Liver transplant, emergency department, pediatric neurology (80 hours, over two semesters)
- Medical Scribe (~300 hours, currently doing)
- Undergraduate tutoring, elementary school students (60 hours, over 2 semesters)
- Graduate tutoring, elementary-high school students (100 hours, currently doing 2 hours per week)
- Team leader for a annual community service event (45 hours, over 3 years)
- Team leader for Relay for Life (120 hours, over 4 years)
- Orientation/student ambassador and move-in coordinator (80 hours, over 4 years)
- Ronald McDonald House volunteer (70 hours, currently doing 4-6 hours per week)
- Fraternity treasurer (120 hours, over two semesters)
- IFC executive/judicial member (120 hours, over two semesters)
- Enjoy skiing, running, hiking, and join community outdoor clubs when I can.
- Ski Instructor (1,200 hours over 4 years) [High School]
- Medical Scribe (~300 hours, currently doing)
Specialty of interest: Pediatrics or cardiology
Graduate degrees: Masters of Science is Physiology
Interest in rural health (y/n): Yes, grew up in a rural area
Thank you very much for any comments and feedback you may have.