Reapplicant advice

[medoctoroneday]

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Hi,

This cycle hasn't gone as well as I hoped it would've. I've had 5 interviews -> 1 rejection, 3 waitlists, and one pending decision. I still have hope that one of my waitlists will work out, but I am preparing to reapply just in case. Here's the stats I applied with this cycle:

• Chemistry major 3.98 GPA
• 515 MCAT (131/128/128/128), took this in April 2024 I think it's still valid at vast majority of schools?
• 150 hours Crisis Text Line volunteering
• 80 hours meaningful hospital volunteering
• 165 hours paid clinical as a home health aide
• 100 hours research
• 100 hours shadowing
• First year premed mentor in college, tutor, freshman orientation class teacher, fraternity philanthropy chair/president, club rugby for one year

To prepare to reapply I've been working as a scribe in the emergency department and volunteering with a local food shelf. I anticipate 1000 hours of scribing and 150-200 hours of food shelf volunteering by the time I resubmit. Is there anything I'm missing, and with these additional experiences should I consider applying DO this cycle?

Edit: Also just wanted to toss in I don't believe the waitlists are results of poor interviewing. In 2/5 of my interviews I was actually specifically told my interviewer was going to strongly recommend me for admission or that this was "probably the best interview they've ever had." I applied broadly to 32 schools that are mostly below my stats and OOS friendly.

 

[Dral]

I think you have everything covered. I do not think your writing should be an issue since you got the interviews. However, if you got 5 and none translate to an acceptance, I would not rule interview issues out. I'd figure out a way to practice them and get feedback just in case.

Yes, it could be due to bad luck, but I wouldn't just assume that.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Mission fit is the key to success. It appears you have underestimated that piece. Not having 150 hours of food bank experience when you submitted your application often screens out applicants. Crisis text line doesn't count as much. Clinical hours also seem relatively light.

That said, you are on multiple waitlists, and you can only attend one medical school. Continue preparing for a reapp and build your clinical and non-clinical community service experiences (food bank especially), but you could be lucky when CYMS CTE season begins.

 

[medoctoroneday]

I think you have everything covered. I do not think your writing should be an issue since you got the interviews. However, if you got 5 and none translate to an acceptance, I would not rule interview issues out. I'd figure out a way to practice them and get feedback just in case.

Yes, it could be due to bad luck, but I wouldn't just assume that.

I'm gonna try to get feedback from schools I interviewed at before reapplying, hopefully that's helpful. I guess I haven't ruled out that possibility but more just assumed my low clinical hours/volunteering were a more likely cause of not receiving acceptances post interview. Thanks for the feedback.

Welcome to the forums.

Mission fit is the key to success. It appears you have underestimated that piece. Not having 150 hours of food bank experience when you submitted your application often screens out applicants. Crisis text line doesn't count as much. Clinical hours also seem relatively light.

That said, you are on multiple waitlists, and you can only attend one medical school. Continue preparing for a reapp and build your clinical and non-clinical community service experiences (food bank especially), but you could be lucky when CYMS CTE season begins.

Unfortunately had health issues that hospitalized me for 2 months and severely impacted my ability to work/volunteer in person until somewhat recently. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[Dral]

It won't hurt to get feedback, but most people aren't going to be up front and tell you that you're interviewing skills are awful. It could be that they were just fine, but just didn't wow them.