Reapp Advice and School List Help

[wannabecomedian]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently preparing for reapplication, but wondering where I went wrong in my first cycle. Some info- I applied in the 2023-24 app cycle and only received 2 interviews. Waitlisted at both Wayne State (IS) and UCincinnati (OOS), but was ultimately rejected off the waitlist at Wayne. Still holding out hope for Cinci.

cGPA: 3.8 (will be a 3.84 in new cycle)
sGPA: 3.65 (will be a 3.7 in new cycle)
MCAT: 517 (took in Aug 2022)
Michigan resident, attended top public institution
Received LORs from 2 English profs (i'm a creative writing minor), 2 science, 1 research PI, 1 MD physician
No red flags, felt all of my letters were good.
I submitted first day AMCAS opened, and all of secondaries were turned in within 2 days of receiving as I pre-wrote a majority.

Clinical volunteering: NICU 125 hrs completed at time of app, around 190 for new
Non-clinical volunteering: Planned Parenthood patient escort (50 hrs old app, 100 new), bridal shop (165 hrs old, 220 new)
Teaching/tutoring: Physics TA (65 hours), Student-Athlete tutor (10 hrs old bc just started, 100 new)
Shadowing: 50 hours (neurology, psychiatry, neonatology, palliative)
Leadership: exec board member for school mental health paper (220 hrs old, 350 new)
Research: no pubs or presentations, but 500+ hrs old app, and 1000+ for new app
Hobbies: dance, reading, football

For the new application, I will add working as PCT as a new activity... however this won't start till July. Meaning a majority of hours would be anticipated instead of completed. I want to submit my primary next week (everything else is ready). Would it count negatively against me if I don't have too many hours completed beforehand? Trying to balance the hours without sacrificing timing of this new cycle.

My app had a focus on mental health and my experiences leaned towards neuro/psych. I think my PS for the last application may have been too creative and didn't truly get to the heart of why I wanted to go into medicine. Interestingly, my Wayne interview said my PS was one of the best she read though... Either way, I've completely revamped my PS this time and I believe its stronger.

If I had to guess the pitfalls in my application, it would be low clinical experience and top-heavy school list. If I'm missing something, please let me know.

Old School List: (only applied MD)

CMU, Oakland, Wayne, MSU, UMich, Ohio State, Case Western, UCinci, UToledo, Northwestern, Duke, UChicago, Boston U, Cornell, Yale, Emory, Pittsburgh

New School List:

Oakland, Wayne, MSU, Umich, Western U, Ohio State, Cincinnati, UToledo, Einstein, Hofstra, MCW, UMass, Iowa, UMiami, Hackensack, Temple, Rosalind, Jefferson, SLU, Illinois, Mayo? (wanted to include one reach school that I hadn't applied to before)

Does this new school list look okay? Also wondering if I should apply to any DO schools. Any advice would be appreciated.

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[chilly_md]

You have minimal clinical experience and low community service. Volunteering in a bridal shop does not sound like it fits that category. 2 interviews given that and your school list is good, but the other Michigan schools passed on you (why no Western Michigan?).

Anticipated hours don’t count. Schools with lower median MCATs and GPAs often expect more service hours.

 

[wannabecomedian]

the bridal shop was a second-hand non profit and all proceeds were donated to a cancer support community. We used our shop to raise more money for mental health and peer support resources at the CSC. So I often interacted with clients whose loved ones had cancer. Does this align more with community service?

 

[chilly_md]

the bridal shop was a second-hand non profit and all proceeds were donated to a cancer support community. We used our shop to raise more money for mental health and peer support resources at the CSC. So I often interacted with clients whose loved ones had cancer. Does this align more with community service?

Not significantly for service-oriented schools. More like fundraising.

 

[wannabecomedian]

You have minimal clinical experience and low community service. Volunteering in a bridal shop does not sound like it fits that category. 2 interviews given that and your school list is good, but the other Michigan schools passed on you (why no Western Michigan?).

Anticipated hours don’t count. Schools with lower median MCATs and GPAs often expect more service hours.

didn’t apply to Western Michigan because I didn’t want to pay private tuition amount if I was going to be in-state, but added it for this cycle.

I was hoping that by shifting my school list I’d have a more successful cycle. I’m planning on getting more community service (either through PP or volunteering at my temple’s kitchen) but now I’m worried that I won’t see different results

 

[chilly_md]

didn’t apply to Western Michigan because I didn’t want to pay private tuition amount if I was going to be in-state, but added it for this cycle.

I was hoping that by shifting my school list I’d have a more successful cycle. I’m planning on getting more community service (either through PP or volunteering at my temple’s kitchen) but now I’m worried that I won’t see different results

It would be nice if you could add another 50 hours to PP over the next couple weeks before submitting.

You could try:

All MI schools
Ohio State
Cincinnati
Einstein
Hofstra
Rochester
Iowa
USF Morsani
Miami
Nova MD
Hackensack
Jefferson
Temple
Rosalind Franklin
Illinois (high tuition FYI)
Saint Louis
Belmont
Vermont
Tufts
Colorado
Dartmouth
NYMC
Albany
Wake
Brown
UVA

If you are fine with DO, you can try:

MSU
Western
KCU
PCOM
Marian
Any of the Touros
NYIT

 

[wannabecomedian]

Okay, I can get those hours in. Should I not reapply to UToledo? Thank you for the help!

 

[chilly_md]

Okay, I can get those hours in. Should I not reapply to UToledo? Thank you for the help!

No, they are an IS focused school and they didn’t show interest last year.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Not significantly for service-oriented schools. More like fundraising.

I'll say that selling at a thrift store to help a nonprofit is better than typical fundraising. I might take a pass for this. But as a reapplicant, you need significant improvements that show you have addressed the deficiencies.

 

[wannabecomedian]

That makes sense. I will wait a little longer so I can put end of June and July’s completed PCT hours and rest of the year as anticipated, hopefully it’ll be enough. I will also raise my non-clinical volunteering.
Other than that, what do you think of this school list?

UMich
Western Michigan
Oakland
Wayne State
MSU MD
Cincinnati
Ohio State
Rosalind Franklin
University of Iowa
Saint Louis University
Albert Einstein
Hackensack Meridian
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Temple University
Hofstra
UMassachussetts
UVA
Wake Forest
UMiami Miller
USF Morsani

For DO: KCU and MSU

 

[chilly_md]

That makes sense. I will wait a little longer so I can put end of June and July’s completed PCT hours and rest of the year as anticipated, hopefully it’ll be enough. I will also raise my non-clinical volunteering.
Other than that, what do you think of this school list?

UMich
Western Michigan
Oakland
Wayne State
MSU MD
Cincinnati
Ohio State
Rosalind Franklin
University of Iowa
Saint Louis University
Albert Einstein
Hackensack Meridian
Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Temple University
Hofstra
UMassachussetts
UVA
Wake Forest
UMiami Miller
USF Morsani

For DO: KCU and MSU

It is too few schools for a reapplicant on both the MD and DO side. Closer to 30 MD and a total of 5 for DO would be better.

 

[ddhopeful]

If my guess is correct, you had no gap year when you applied. That will stick out especially when your clinical experience and volunteering is weak. Among those I know, who had similar stats (good but not exceptional) and no gap year, less than half got even a single A from ranked MD schools. Almost no one got over 4 interviews. If you take a gap year to address your deficiencies, you will be successful. All things being equal, many programs will choose a re-applicant over a first time applicant because they value the determination and persistence.

 

[wannabecomedian]

That’s a good point. I’ll add a few more schools to my list. I’m hoping with increased hours and the gap year PCT hours it should help along with a revised PS. If I wait an additional year (apply for 2026) I believe my MCAT will expire and I’m not ready to retake that lmao

 

[ddhopeful]

That’s a good point. I’ll add a few more schools to my list. I’m hoping with increased hours and the gap year PCT hours it should help along with a revised PS. If I wait an additional year (apply for 2026) I believe my MCAT will expire and I’m not ready to retake that lmao

UMich odds are very low. I would replace it with UIC or MCW unless you can afford to apply to both.

 

[wannabecomedian]

I agree it’s low, was going to keep it bc I did my undergrad there and shadowed multiple physicians at this hospitals but idk is it not worth it? Was thinking I could add Indiana, Nova, VCU, Vermont and UCLA to my list.

 

[chilly_md]

I agree it’s low, was going to keep it bc I did my undergrad there and shadowed multiple physicians at this hospitals but idk is it not worth it? Was thinking I could add Indiana, Nova, VCU, Vermont and UCLA to my list.

Nova, VCU and Vermont are fine to add.

 

[wannabecomedian]

Why isn’t Indiana a good option?

Nova, VCU and Vermont are fine to add.

 

[chilly_md]

Why isn’t Indiana a good option?

You can if you want. It is majority IS. The OOS slots go to residents of surrounding states, but there are better options you should prioritize like Rochester or Tufts.

 

[wannabecomedian]

You can if you want. It is majority IS. The OOS slots go to residents of surrounding states, but there are better options you should prioritize like Rochester or Tufts.

I switched it out for Rochester. What are your thoughts on reapplying to UMich? Or should I replace it with a school like USC Keck

 

[chilly_md]

I switched it out for Rochester. What are your thoughts on reapplying to UMich? Or should I replace it with a school like USC Keck

It is your in-state school that you were at for undergrad. They did not show interest last time, but I suspect you would feel best if you tried again. Applying to schools like UCLA and Keck is unreasonable with where your clinical and service hours are at, particularly after you have gone through a cycle trying similar schools like Northwestern and Boston.

 

[wannabecomedian]

you're right, I needed that reality check. I'll take some time to think about Michigan.

 

[ddhopeful]

I would add Stony Brook. You pay IS tuition starting 2nd year. Personally, even Miami and USF seem low odds though not as low as UMich. I would try UCF and FAU instead. Your MCAT may be too high for Nova MD and they do yield protect quite a bit.

 

[wannabecomedian]

Thanks for the info about stony brook! I’ll probably swap it with Nova. I think UCF has a 6-8 math credit requirement, but I only have 4

 

[wannabecomedian]

looking at vcu, it looks like they also require 2 semesters of math. does anyone know why/what they use to reject applicants so early? was looking at previous school threads and people got pre-II R in July. also, i have temple, SKMC, rosalind, and wake forest on my list. i know these are low-yield w/ avg MCAT 512-514 but is it okay to have on my list still?

 

[chilly_md]

UCF and FAU take few OOS students. USF has been known for taking high MCAT OOS students in the past

 

[chilly_md]

looking at vcu, it looks like they also require 2 semesters of math. does anyone know why/what they use to reject applicants so early? was looking at previous school threads and people got pre-II R in July. also, i have temple, SKMC, rosalind, and wake forest on my list. i know these are low-yield w/ avg MCAT 512-514 but is it okay to have on my list still?

Those schools are fine to have. The user above applied to MD/PhD programs, which do not look at state residency since they are very small cohorts.

 

[wannabecomedian]

is it worth switching out umich with ucla? i just found out my family member got a job there as an attending, but i don’t know how impactful that is.

 

[chilly_md]

is it worth switching out umich with ucla? i just found out my family member got a job there as an attending, but i don’t know how impactful that is.

No, UCLA is unrealistic and your family member starting a job there is not going to help

 

[ddhopeful]

UCF and FAU take few OOS students. USF has been known for taking high MCAT OOS students in the past

Only 62.5% of matriculants at UCF and 65.8% at FAU are IS. That’s lower than average for state public medical schools. Hence, they are fairly OOS friendly.

https://www.aamc.org/media/5976/download

 

[chilly_md]

Only 62.5% of matriculants at UCF and 65.8% at FAU are IS. That’s lower than average for state public medical schools. Hence, they are fairly OOS friendly.

https://www.aamc.org/media/5976/download

FAU has a small class size so it is still not really OOS friendly. Many students also end up in FL for undergrad or are from surrounding states in the South, so they likely have that as a tie.

 

[ddhopeful]

FAU has a small class size so it is still not really OOS friendly. Many students also end up in FL for undergrad or are from surrounding states in the South, so they likely have that as a tie.

When I interviewed there, only 1 other person besides me was doing their undergrad at a Florida school (University of Miami). Everyone else was from Hopkins, Michigan, Duke, UNC, WashU, Case Western etc. They could be residents of Southern states, no way for me to know that. I think the proximity to the beach (only 1-2 miles away) is attracting many OOS students to apply.