Reapplicant, humbled, and grateful for any advice

[high5]

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Hey,

Let me first say thanks. Good advice here, really does help out a lot.

So as far as my situation. I'm a NJ resident and double majored Econ and Bio. My uGPA is 3.2. My BCPM is a 2.98. However it is a strong upward trend (last 2 years on Dean's List and around ~3.7+) I went to the BU SMP and finished with a 3.8. I took the MCAT before my SMP and got a 32 (11BS 11V 10BS)

When I applied after the first year of my SMP I had 0 shadowing, 0 lab research, 0 clinical volunteer hours (Bad I know...I figured I would do it later on and send update letters)

I was fortunate enough to get an interview at Wayne State and BU. Alt list at Wayne State and deferred at BUSM.
Since July
-100+ hours volunteering at hospital (continuing throughout year)
-Research Intern at a Cancer Institution (~30 hrs a week till May, writing a thesis for completion of my program)
Since August
-shadowing various doctors (currently 25+ hours but will continue throughout year)
-became Co-Coordinator of a service organization/academic elective at BUSM that provides basic necessites and basic medical care to the homeless while also teaching medical and graduate students in the elective about impotant issues that affect the health of the homeless population
-tutoring biochem, endo, physio for BU dental, grad, and medical students

In my interviews, both my interviewers seemed impressed that I was improving upon my application's major weaknesses. Both stressed to provide update letters to my other schools...thinking I would get more interviews...unfortunately, I followed that advice but it hasn't really helped.

I'm hoping for the best, but I want to prepare for the worst. I am happy I feel I'm on the right track and would love to hear any advice on how I can improve my application so that the next cycle I will be more successful.

My plan is to retake the MCAT sometime in May/June hoping for 34-36 range and continue my ECs and look for a job. My question is whether I should immediately reapply for next cycle or continue to strengthen my application and wait a year before applying again? If there is any other advice or thoughts dont hesitate to chime in. Thanks!

 

[Quik]

It sounds as though you're plugging major holes in your application with the shadowing, volunteering, etc. Your MCAT score is good, though I think it could still be better to offset your low GPA. Do you think your SMP has helped your MCAT subject skills enough to take it again and improve? You might consider that.

Regardless, I would certainly re-apply. I hold the theory that many borderline to even strong applicants (such as yourself) are rejected by many schools in the first application cycle, to test committment. I have no statistics to back this up, but many anecdotes from friends who've been rejected in one - seven cycles... then accepted. Not to scare you, but definitely re-apply this cycle, and continue to strengthen your ap.

Good luck.

 

[MJB]

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't waste my time and money on re-taking the MCAT. I don't think that's the problem with your app.

Play the numbers game and apply BROADLY.


I'm guessing you've ruled it out, but you may want to consider applying D.O. if you have any interest at all.

 

[high5]

Thanks for all the advice. I also talked to an advisor at BU, pretty much said the same thing. Reapply in summer, take MCAT if you think you'll do significantly better. They did tell me to only to apply to <10 schools...but I probably won't follow that part. I'll mix in some DO also.

Thanks again.

 

[Gavanshir]

By deferred at BUSM do you mean that you were rejected from BUSM? Also, did you apply to your state schools UMDNJ and RWJ?

 

[jadealer]

Maybe take a couple UG BCMP courses and do well to try to bump up your BCMP GPA above a 3.0 even though you did a SMP.. I've heard that alot of schools have 3.0 UG GPA count offs.. so it seems you're super close.. might be worth anotehr class or two and get A's and bump it up.

 

[Way2Swanky]

No need to retake the MCAT. Even if you get 34-36 it will only marginally help you, if at all. But if you score lower, that will definitely hurt. As a previous poster wrote, your MCAT is not the problem with your app.

Hey,

Let me first say thanks. Good advice here, really does help out a lot.

So as far as my situation. I'm a NJ resident and double majored Econ and Bio. My uGPA is 3.2. My BCPM is a 2.98. However it is a strong upward trend (last 2 years on Dean's List and around ~3.7+) I went to the BU SMP and finished with a 3.8. I took the MCAT before my SMP and got a 32 (11BS 11V 10BS)

When I applied after the first year of my SMP I had 0 shadowing, 0 lab research, 0 clinical volunteer hours (Bad I know...I figured I would do it later on and send update letters)

I was fortunate enough to get an interview at Wayne State and BU. Alt list at Wayne State and deferred at BUSM.
Since July
-100+ hours volunteering at hospital (continuing throughout year)
-Research Intern at a Cancer Institution (~30 hrs a week till May, writing a thesis for completion of my program)
Since August
-shadowing various doctors (currently 25+ hours but will continue throughout year)
-became Co-Coordinator of a service organization/academic elective at BUSM that provides basic necessites and basic medical care to the homeless while also teaching medical and graduate students in the elective about impotant issues that affect the health of the homeless population
-tutoring biochem, endo, physio for BU dental, grad, and medical students

In my interviews, both my interviewers seemed impressed that I was improving upon my application's major weaknesses. Both stressed to provide update letters to my other schools...thinking I would get more interviews...unfortunately, I followed that advice but it hasn't really helped.

I'm hoping for the best, but I want to prepare for the worst. I am happy I feel I'm on the right track and would love to hear any advice on how I can improve my application so that the next cycle I will be more successful.

My plan is to retake the MCAT sometime in May/June hoping for 34-36 range and continue my ECs and look for a job. My question is whether I should immediately reapply for next cycle or continue to strengthen my application and wait a year before applying again? If there is any other advice or thoughts dont hesitate to chime in. Thanks!