Really stumped! Please help!

[Food]

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Still not getting any more interview invites guys =(

I'm really not sure what more I can do at this point. I've added over 150 hours of shadowing in this re-application as well as 2-3 volunteering activities with intense clinical focus. I know my GPA isn't great, but with the MCAT shouldn't my application as a whole be competitive?

I'm basically stuck with the 1 interview just like last cycle (diff. school though). Even the school that interviewed me last cycle hasn't interviewed me this year.

Should I go for a 3rd application or just go to the Caribbean?

 

[Gabby]

It's still really early in the season. I think you're jumping the gun. But to be safe, maybe add some DO schools? I'd go DO wayyyyyyyy before hopping to an island.

 

[PinkIvy08]

if you notice, there seems to be a lull right now in interview invites. Personally, I think after Oct 15th, when some people get in places and hopefully withdraw apps/decline interviews from other places, there will be a boost in interview invites. Right now, it's kind of quiet for everyone.

No need to get worried for a few more months...

 

[flip26]

if you notice, there seems to be a lull right now in interview invites...Right now, it's kind of quiet for everyone...No need to get worried for a few more months...

Agreed.

OP: You would be an ideal candidate for an SMP: low, but not too low, GPA, coupled with a killer MCAT. I would go that route if the cycle fizzles before going offshore...

 

[J ROD]

Your GPA is not that low. I would wait and see. It is still early somewhat.

Did you have that MCAT score last year? Did you ask schools what da problem is?


Maybe its because you went to the "School of Rock"! 😀

 

[Gabby]

Agreed.

OP: You would be an ideal candidate for an SMP: low, but not too low, GPA, coupled with a killer MCAT. I would go that route if the cycle fizzles before going offshore...

Personally, I think this is very risky. If you talk to adcoms, they'll tell you the same thing. An SMP should be an absolute last resort because if you falter at all, you're done. If the OP doesn't want to consider DO schools, then I'd enroll in a post-bacc and take a year of upper-level science courses and rock them before enrolling in an SMP.

 

[flip26]

Personally, I think this is very risky. If you talk to adcoms, they'll tell you the same thing. An SMP should be an absolute last resort because if you falter at all, you're done. If the OP doesn't want to consider DO schools, then I'd enroll in a post-bacc and take a year of upper-level science courses and rock them before enrolling in an SMP.

Ehh, he is fast approaching "last resort" territory. I agree an SMP is last resort, and very risky.

I don't understand people who, not able to go allo, immediately leap frog DO and head to the islands...I agree with you that DO should be in the picture. Not sure I understand why he didn't apply to at least some DO schools this cycle...none indicated on his MDApps...

He will have difficulty moving the needle on his GPA very much in a post bacc...

Oh well, I wish him luck.

 

[Gabby]

Ehh, he is fast approaching "last resort" territory. I agree an SMP is last resort, and very risky.

I don't understand people who, not able to go allo, immediately leap frog DO and head to the islands...I agree with you that DO should be in the picture. Not sure I understand why he didn't apply to at least some DO schools this cycle...none indicated on his MDApps...

He will have difficulty moving the needle on his GPA very much in a post bacc...

Oh well, I wish him luck.

You're right that his GPA won't move much, but he can show a strong upward trend. If someone is on the borderline, as he is, and they take an extra 25-30 science credits with a 4.0 (remember that post-bacc gets its own column on the application so they will see that 4.0), it can only help his application. It's a "safer" option than an SMP at this point, in my opinion. Of course, I agree that DO should be part of the picture and should enter the picture long before talk of the Caribbean comes into play.

 

[faith2]

I think there will be more invites soon, but I am curious too why did you not apply to DO? what does SMP mean? I have to believe more invites are out there somewhere I hope....😍

 

[J ROD]

I think there will be more invites soon, but I am curious too why did you not apply to DO? what does SMP mean? I have to believe more invites are out there somewhere I hope....😍

Special Master's Program. If you get a really high MCAT compared to your low GPA, then you try to get into these programs. It helps prove you can do the work and sort of "make up" for a low undergrad GPA. They are expensive and sort of a last option on salvaging a low GPA when you want MD especially.

I have seen 38MCAT, 3.4/3.3 GPA get in plenty of times so I am a little shocked and wondering what else may be the problem.

 

[dingyibvs]

Apply to DO only if you believe you want to become a DO.

SMP = Special Masters Program, which is like a post-bac program, except it sometimes guarantees you an interview(I think for maybe Georgetown it could guarantee admission?) at the affiliated school if you do well.

 

[Food]

I'm starting to suspect my LORs, specifically 1 LOR.

And yes I had this MCAT on last year's application. I want an MD so I can practice globally. DO doesn't have international recognition yet.

 

[Food]

Your GPA is not that low. I would wait and see. It is still early somewhat.

Did you have that MCAT score last year? Did you ask schools what da problem is?


Maybe its because you went to the "School of Rock"! 😀

Yeah, last year it seemed a lot if it had to do with a lack of activities / experience. I thought I addressed it this time around...

 

[Food]

Even with a post-bacc GPA though, there is no guarantee I'd get in. My MCAT is also only good for 1 more cycle.

 

[calimed214]

I'm starting to suspect my LORs, specifically 1 LOR.

And yes I had this MCAT on last year's application. I want an MD so I can practice globally. DO doesn't have international recognition yet.

Just curious, where else in the world were you specifically wanting to practice?

 

[Food]

Just curious, where else in the world were you specifically wanting to practice?

I wanted to do NGO work, in many 3rd world countries. Specifically, middle-east / south asia. Most people there haven't heard of DOs.

 

[ShyRem]

I think you need to look at the other parts of your application. A 3.3/3.4 isn't that horrible. Perhaps call some of the places that rejected you and ask to talk to an admissions person to find out why you're not having any luck.

 

[fahimaz7]

I'm shocked that you haven't gotten in yet. A 3.4/38 will normally get in. Did you get waitlisted? How many schools? I'll second what other people have said.... It's still really early in the cycle.

Good luck. What are you doing in your off year?

 

[Just Joshin]

I'm starting to suspect my LORs, specifically 1 LOR.

And yes I had this MCAT on last year's application. I want an MD so I can practice globally. DO doesn't have international recognition yet.

Don't go DO if you don't want, but the above is not true. DOs have international recognition in MANY countries and are also accepted at Doctors Without Borders and similar organizations. Neither MD nor DO has practice rights everywhere.

 

[Just Joshin]

I wanted to do NGO work, in many 3rd world countries. Specifically, middle-east / south asia. Most people there haven't heard of DOs.

NGO takes DOs

 

[Food]

Don't go DO if you don't want, but the above is not true. DOs have international recognition in MANY countries and are also accepted at Doctors Without Borders and similar organizations. Neither MD nor DO has practice rights everywhere.

Sorry, you are right. I should have said DOs dont' have as much international recognition yet.

 

[Food]

NGO takes DOs

Thanks for the info. I still don't know if I'll go for DO though.

 

[J ROD]

I would say you definitely need to figure out what the problem is. Your numbers are good. It has to be a red flag somewhere in the app. See if one of the admissions staff will tell you something.

 

[Food]

I would say you definitely need to figure out what the problem is. Your numbers are good. It has to be a red flag somewhere in the app. See if one of the admissions staff will tell you something.

Well when I asked earlier this year (before 2nd AMCAS) the ones that responded to me only mentioned GPA and activities. Nobody said anything about LORs or essays...🙁

 

[dingyibvs]

I'm starting to suspect my LORs, specifically 1 LOR.

And yes I had this MCAT on last year's application. I want an MD so I can practice globally. DO doesn't have international recognition yet.

Did you call every school and ask for reviews last year? I asked them about all aspects of my application to make sure that my essays and my LORs are fine. You know what else you could try? You could ask Becky at the UF letter service to check to see if your letter is negative or not. Explain your situation to her and she might lend a hand, obviously don't ask for details. One of my letter writers wrote mine extremely fast, so I doubted if he did it write and had her check it, and she was fine with it.

 

[Food]

Did you call every school and ask for reviews last year? I asked them about all aspects of my application to make sure that my essays and my LORs are fine. You know what else you could try? You could ask Becky at the UF letter service to check to see if your letter is negative or not. Explain your situation to her and she might lend a hand, obviously don't ask for details. One of my letter writers wrote mine extremely fast, so I doubted if he did it write and had her check it, and she was fine with it.

Hm...Okay, I think that's a pretty good idea with Becky. I think as far as calling up the schools go, I specifically talked to Dr.Roller from FIU earlier this year before I had submitted my secondary. She never mentioned a LoR, rather a lack of volunteering, etc. But FIU is the only school I spoke to over the phone. The rest were by e-mail and the few (about 1/3) that responded didn't mention an LoR problem.

 

[Dr Bartlet]

So you'd rather go to the Carrib than go DO? Worst decision of your life. In case you don't know this, as a Carrib graduate, you may not be able to work globally at all. Prime example of the letters after your name prompting someone to do something unbelievably stupid.

 

[fahimaz7]

So you'd rather go to the Carrib than go DO? Worst decision of your life. In case you don't know this, as a Carrib graduate, you may not be able to work globally at all. Prime example of the letters after your name prompting someone to do something unbelievably stupid.

I would go DO before I would have gone to the Caribbean. No doubt.

 

[IntelInside]

I am having the same situation as the OP, except I havent been asked to attend 1 interview yet.....I am really stumped too. My gpa is 3.53 and sgpa is 3.58 with a 32 MCAT.

 

[J ROD]

I am having the same situation as the OP, except I havent been asked to attend 1 interview yet.....I am really stumped too. My gpa is 3.53 and sgpa is 3.58 with a 32 MCAT.

I can only guess that while your numbers are not bad...they are not great either. The GPA and MCAT are right below averages or at it. So, your app does not stand out.

I would think you would get some interviews at least. Call some schools and see what they say......

 

[fahimaz7]

I can only guess that while your numbers are not bad...they are not great either. The GPA and MCAT are right below averages or at it. So, your app does not stand out.

I would think you would get some interviews at least. Call some schools and see what they say......

You're a pharmacist, right? What state is your medical school in?

 

[J ROD]

you're a pharmacist, right? What state is your medical school in?

Last yr of pharm school. SC

 

[Food]

So you'd rather go to the Carrib than go DO? Worst decision of your life. In case you don't know this, as a Carrib graduate, you may not be able to work globally at all. Prime example of the letters after your name prompting someone to do something unbelievably stupid.

Can you elaborate?

 

[Food]

By the way, if you're going to tell me I'm making a stupid decision, at least elaborate on it. Is there any evidence that if I come from the Caribbean I won't get at least some residency? I've taken a look at the match lists from Ross/SGU from last year and a sizeable majority of their graduates did match. Obviously it was mostly in obscure programs in Family Practice / I.M. but people did match into a lot of Surgery and ROAD residencies too. I think with SGU/Ross the only real risk I'd be running would be falling victim to their 30% dropout/fail rate. After that, I think I could land at least a family practice residency.

To be honest though, as of right now, I'm willing to take another shot at U.S. MD schools, even if it means retaking the MCAT.

 

[J ROD]

Retaking a 38 MCAT is not going to help. Probably hurt....(go down!)

Your GPA is the only thing then! Maybe do a year of post bac and boost it up some. If your clinical volunteering and shadowing are good now, then I would just wait and see.

Did you talk to the school that interviewed you last year and ask why you have not been granted an interview after getting the volunteering and shadowing as requested? That seems most odd to me. They might can give you the most insight as to what the problem is.

To me, you should be getting interviews and maybe one or two acceptances in FL.

Just goes to show this process is wild!!

 

[Food]

Retaking a 38 MCAT is not going to help. Probably hurt....(go down!)

You're right! I just meant I'll retake it if my MCAT score expires. My score is from 2008 so it's only good for 1 more application cycle. But if I'm re-applying for a 2nd time I will take 2 years off, not just 1. This way I can have a post-bacc GPA factored in plus additional experiences/activities.

Your GPA is the only thing then! Maybe do a year of post bac and boost it up some. If your clinical volunteering and shadowing are good now, then I would just wait and see.

Did you talk to the school that interviewed you last year and ask why you have not been granted an interview after getting the volunteering and shadowing as requested? That seems most odd to me. They might can give you the most insight as to what the problem is.

To me, you should be getting interviews and maybe one or two acceptances in FL.

Just goes to show this process is wild!!

They said that they tend to invite re-applicants for interviews later, rather than sooner. I might just have to wait it out like everyone is saying!

 

[J ROD]

I would start working on getting in some classes now and not waste that MCAT unless you can def reproduce it again. Taking Spring classes and Summer, then update Fall next year.

I would chill out and see what happens now and prepare for Spring classes.

 

[Gabby]

By the way, if you're going to tell me I'm making a stupid decision, at least elaborate on it. Is there any evidence that if I come from the Caribbean I won't get at least some residency? I've taken a look at the match lists from Ross/SGU from last year and a sizeable majority of their graduates did match. Obviously it was mostly in obscure programs in Family Practice / I.M. but people did match into a lot of Surgery and ROAD residencies too. I think with SGU/Ross the only real risk I'd be running would be falling victim to their 30% dropout/fail rate. After that, I think I could land at least a family practice residency.

To be honest though, as of right now, I'm willing to take another shot at U.S. MD schools, even if it means retaking the MCAT.

I think the poster was referring to your desire to practice globally. I've also been told that Caribbean graduates don't have international practice rights like U.S. MDs or U.S. DOs do. There are also licensing issues in some states, according to the Caribbean forum on SDN.

 

[Food]

I think the poster was referring to your desire to practice globally. I've also been told that Caribbean graduates don't have international practice rights like U.S. MDs or U.S. DOs do. There are also licensing issues in some states, according to the Caribbean forum on SDN.

Yeah, I got it now. I've been spending some time on other threads that pertain more to the MD vs DO debate. As far as licensing for Carib MDs -

Ross / SGU / AUC grads are able to practice in all 50 states. I'm pretty sure that if they are licensed to practice in most of the US states, international practice shouldn't be a big deal. But you are right - the lesser known Carib schools are a pretty bad route. Anyway, I'm researching the topic more carefully. I do think I should take more time to think about the MD vs DO issue than to just jump the gun and go Caribb. Right now though, I am leaning more heavily towards giving US MD another shot. I'm not willing to give up on it and go DO or Caribbean.

 

[womp]

I think you should not consider Caribbean with your MCAT.

Try adding a few more MD schools, not using the one LOR that you suspect, you still have time (assuming you have more than 3 letters). Rush and Albany only require 2 letters. Add some DO schools too if you don't mind that path.

We could almost be stat twins (lower GPA than you, same MCAT), but I have 8 interview invites now. You need to drop that fishy LOR.

 

[Gabby]

Yeah, I got it now. I've been spending some time on other threads that pertain more to the MD vs DO debate. As far as licensing for Carib MDs -

Ross / SGU / AUC grads are able to practice in all 50 states. I'm pretty sure that if they are licensed to practice in most of the US states, international practice shouldn't be a big deal.

Using that logic, DOs have practice rights in all 50 states, but you felt it would deter you from practicing globally.

Anyway, I'm just telling you what I've learned over the years. Whether it's practicing overseas or in the U.S., there is less stigma attached to the DO degree. Don't assume that just because you have practice rights in all 50 states, you can practice anywhere you want with a Caribbean MD. I think giving U.S. MD another shot is a good idea.

 

[Food]

I'm going to put a detailed history of my bad course grades. Perhaps this has something to do with it:

Freshman year:
Bio 1 / Lab - C+ / C
Gen Chem 2 / Lab - B / B+
Organic 1 - C+
Physics 1 - B

Summer:

Organic 2 / Lab - C / B+

Freshman year BCPM / overall GPAs - 3.10 / 3.19
Sophomore year BCPM / overall GPAs - 3.57/3.64
Junior year BCPM / overall - 3.45 / 3.47
Senior year BCPM / overall - 3.21 / 3.33

So I don't really have a great trend. In addition to those Cs in freshman year, I also have Cs in the following:

Junior year - C+ in a 3000 level mathematical proofs course
Junior year - C+ in an upper level Chem. lab (1 credit)

Senior year - C in a 4000 level upper level Chem. lab (2 credits)

Is it just that my GPA itself isn't super bad, but the trends / Cs are killing me? Is there anybody with a similar academic record but high MCAT who has interview invites?

 

[Food]

Using that logic, DOs have practice rights in all 50 states, but you felt it would deter you from practicing globally.

Anyway, I'm just telling you what I've learned over the years. Whether it's practicing overseas or in the U.S., there is less stigma attached to the DO degree. Don't assume that just because you have practice rights in all 50 states, you can practice anywhere you want with a Caribbean MD. I think giving U.S. MD another shot is a good idea.

okay

 

[J ROD]

I'm going to put a detailed history of my bad course grades. Perhaps this has something to do with it:

Freshman year:
Bio 1 / Lab - C+ / C
Gen Chem 2 / Lab - B / B+
Organic 1 - C+
Physics 1 - B

Summer:

Organic 2 / Lab - C / B+

Freshman year BCPM / overall GPAs - 3.10 / 3.19
Sophomore year BCPM / overall GPAs - 3.57/3.64
Junior year BCPM / overall - 3.45 / 3.47
Senior year BCPM / overall - 3.21 / 3.33

So I don't really have a great trend. In addition to those Cs in freshman year, I also have Cs in the following:

Junior year - C+ in a 3000 level mathematical proofs course
Junior year - C+ in an upper level Chem. lab (1 credit)

Senior year - C in a 4000 level upper level Chem. lab (2 credits)

Is it just that my GPA itself isn't super bad, but the trends / Cs are killing me? Is there anybody with a similar academic record but high MCAT who has interview invites?

The bad grades in the required prereqs might be a problem. I agree with the above. That LOR must be not so great. I would start with those classes and show you can do better if needed.

 

[Food]

The bad grades in the required prereqs might be a problem. I agree with the above. That LOR must be not so great. I would start with those classes and show you can do better if needed.

I can't retake classes that I have Cs in, can I?

 

[womp]

My trend was bad too, most of my bad grades occurred in junior year, and I had a slew of withdraws. So there's no way your grades are worse than mine. The only thing I can think of is the bad LOR to derail your application. I just got accepted to my state school today, still have 7 schools to go.

 

[J ROD]

I can't retake classes that I have Cs in, can I?

I think you can....

 

[Food]

My trend was bad too, most of my bad grades occurred in junior year, and I had a slew of withdraws. So there's no way your grades are worse than mine. The only thing I can think of is the bad LOR to derail your application. I just got accepted to my state school today, still have 7 schools to go.

Okay - I'll get on that ASAP.

 

[calimed214]

I think you can....

I think it depends on the school. Some will not allow you to enroll again in classes you got a C or better in, although you could possibly graduate and go back through Open University to retake it that way. Other schools might let you retake it, but it won't count toward your GPA (or something along those lines). I would definitely look up the rules at your school.

 

[J ROD]

I think it depends on the school. Some will not allow you to enroll again in classes you got a C or better in, although you could possibly graduate and go back through Open University to retake it that way. Other schools might let you retake it, but it won't count toward your GPA (or something along those lines). I would definitely look up the rules at your school.

Yeah, I was thinking of going back not in a formal program and completing classes.