MD Reapplicant, LizzyM 67, trying to improve my app

[Acewus44]

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Basic Info:
-Reapplicant, three years out of school
-Applied in the cycle of 2016-2017 but only submitted primaries. They were late therefore decided not to submit any secondaries and wait for next cycle. Applied in the cycle of 2017-2018 however became complete at all my schools early October due to receiving late LORs (could be a potential reason why I did not receive any interviews)
-Male, White, First-gen
-IL resident
-B.S. from a public state school

Stats:
cGPA: ~3.9 sGPA: ~3.9
MCAT:502 (127/123/127/125), 506 (129/125/127/125) The biggest problem on my app. I understand that this score is kind of low for MD schools however I studied very hard for it the second time for 4 months and I feel I have hit a plateau. I’m hoping my EC’s, LORs, and essays can offset it.

EC's for 2017-2018 cycle:
I would like your opinion on my research EC. It is somewhat different from your average applicant and I feel like it could stand out.

Clinical
-180hrs (1 year) clinical volunteering in patient transportation

Non-clinical
-250hrs (1.5years) non-clinical volunteering, tutoring refugee students and helping them adjust to the U.S school system

Shadowing:
-70hrs (2 summers) shadowing a group of transplant surgeons

Research:
-2500+ research (3 years), I initially volunteered at a research lab and was then soon hired (the PIs appreciated my hard-work).
-50hrs Biotech Startup, the lab then became a biotech startup and I was considered a founding team member.
-150hrs cell isolation and transplantation team member
-275hrs assistant surgeon on non-human primates (assisted an attending physician in surgery, amazing experience, I learned so much from him)
-3 posters/presentations
-1 publication (mid-author)

Hobbies:
575hrs (6+ years) saxophonist

LORs:
Have 4 good LORs

Improvements so far for the next cycle:
Non-clinical:
-Resumed my position tutoring and aiding refugee students back in November

Clinical:
-in the process of finding a place to volunteer at

Research:
-more hours in all categories
-another publication with two more submitted, hopefully they get accepted before June (all mid-authors)

Hobbies:
-still play the sax

Application:
-I will be fine-tuning my essays and submitting everything on day 1this time

School List:
Albany
Rosalind Franklin
Cooper
Creighton
Drexel
EVMS
FIU
Quinnipiac
TCMC
GWU
Georgetown
Indiana
Temple
Loyola
MCW
NYMC
OUWB
Penn State
Vermont
SLU
Jefferson
Tufts
Tulane
Arizona, Tucson
Arizona, Phoenix
Illinois
VCU
Wake Forest
Wayne
West Virginia
All new schools opening

Would appreciate opinions in what I can do to improve and my chances.

 

[Faha]

Cooper, Indiana, FIU, West Virginia, Wayne State, TCMC and the Arizona schools accept very few non residents with your MCAT scores. Include the new schools (NOVA MD, Seton Hall, California University, Roseman). You should also apply to at least 8 DO schools and you are competitive for all DO schools. An early application in June with all secondaries submitted by July is important.

 

[Acewus44]

I appreciate the reply, Faha. Is there a possibility that my ECs/essays/secondaries/early application can offset the MCAT especially as a reapplicant?

 

[Goro]

Basic Info:
-Reapplicant, three years out of school
-Applied in the cycle of 2016-2017 but only submitted primaries. They were late therefore decided not to submit any secondaries and wait for next cycle. Applied in the cycle of 2017-2018 however became complete at all my schools early October due to receiving late LORs (could be a potential reason why I did not receive any interviews)
-Male, White, First-gen
-IL resident
-B.S. from a public state school

Stats:
cGPA: ~3.9 sGPA: ~3.9
MCAT:502 (127/123/127/125), 506 (129/125/127/125) The biggest problem on my app. I understand that this score is kind of low for MD schools however I studied very hard for it the second time for 4 months and I feel I have hit a plateau. I’m hoping my EC’s, LORs, and essays can offset it.

EC's for 2017-2018 cycle:
I would like your opinion on my research EC. It is somewhat different from your average applicant and I feel like it could stand out.

Clinical
-180hrs (1 year) clinical volunteering in patient transportation

Non-clinical
-250hrs (1.5years) non-clinical volunteering, tutoring refugee students and helping them adjust to the U.S school system

Shadowing:
-70hrs (2 summers) shadowing a group of transplant surgeons

Research:
-2500+ research (3 years), I initially volunteered at a research lab and was then soon hired (the PIs appreciated my hard-work).
-50hrs Biotech Startup, the lab then became a biotech startup and I was considered a founding team member.
-150hrs cell isolation and transplantation team member
-275hrs assistant surgeon on non-human primates (assisted an attending physician in surgery, amazing experience, I learned so much from him)
-3 posters/presentations
-1 publication (mid-author)

Hobbies:
575hrs (6+ years) saxophonist

LORs:
Have 4 good LORs

Improvements so far for the next cycle:
Non-clinical:
-Resumed my position tutoring and aiding refugee students back in November

Clinical:
-in the process of finding a place to volunteer at

Research:
-more hours in all categories
-another publication with two more submitted, hopefully they get accepted before June (all mid-authors)

Hobbies:
-still play the sax

Application:
-I will be fine-tuning my essays and submitting everything on day 1this time

School List:
Albany
Rosalind Franklin
Cooper
Creighton
Drexel
EVMS
FIU
Quinnipiac
TCMC
GWU
Georgetown
Indiana
Temple
Loyola
MCW
NYMC
OUWB
Penn State
Vermont
SLU
Jefferson
Tufts
Tulane
Arizona, Tucson
Arizona, Phoenix
Illinois
VCU
Wake Forest
Wayne
West Virginia
All new schools opening

Would appreciate opinions in what I can do to improve and my chances.

With a 502 MCAT scorer, you're circling the drain for MD schools.
I suggest:

Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Oakland-B
Your state school(s)
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova or LUCOM, for different reasons

 

[Faha]

I appreciate the reply, Faha. Is there a possibility that my ECs/essays/secondaries/early application can offset the MCAT especially as a reapplicant?

An early application is the most important factor.

 

[Acewus44]

An early application is the most important factor.

Thank you again, Faha

With a 502 MCAT scorer, you're circling the drain for MD schools.
I suggest:

Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Oakland-B
Your state school(s)
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova or LUCOM, for different reasons

Thank you for replying, Goro. Do you believe my first MCAT score will stick out like a sore thumb even though everything else on my app is excellent? I understand that the MCAT is the most important factor, but I have seen people receive IIs to MD schools with my most recent MCAT score. Yes, my scores will average out to a 504, but I know people who have taken the MCAT countless times with the recent score being the average to MD schools they were accepted to.

 

[Trollest]

Thank you again, Faha



Thank you for replying, Goro. Do you believe my first MCAT score will stick out like a sore thumb even though everything else on my app is excellent?

Beside research and that high gpa of yours, I am having trouble finding another "excellent" thing on your app. The app is competitive for sure, but then we have to factor the fact that you are non URM, and have applied twice with no II.

I dont know why, but i just feel like those clinical hours are a bit low for a reapplicant

 

[Acewus44]

Beside research and that high gpa of yours, I am having trouble finding another "excellent" thing on your app. The app is competitive for sure, but then we have to factor the fact that you are non URM, and have applied twice with no II.

I dont know why, but i just feel like those clinical hours are a bit low for a reapplicant

That is my error, I just meant if everything else on an application is excellent. I wasn't specifically talking about my app. My application isn't the best nor do I see it as competitive with that MCAT score. I understand that not getting any II can look troublesome. I have been trying to improve me app each cycle because I really want to pursue a career in medicine. The first cycle I did not submit any secondaries. Does that look bad?

Thank you, I will be trying to find more clinical volunteering.

 

[Trollest]

That is my error, I just meant if everything else on an application is excellent. I wasn't specifically talking about my app. My application isn't the best nor do I see it as competitive with that MCAT score. I understand that not getting any II can look troublesome. I have been trying to improve me app each cycle because I really want to pursue a career in medicine. The first cycle I did not submit any secondaries. Does that look bad?

Thank you, I will be trying to find more clinical volunteering.

The LM matter as well my friend! 67 is awesome! I can't really answer the bolded statement, @Goro or any other adcom can sure. But as a re-applicant, you have to ace the following question "what have you been since your last app?". And i just hope the answer to this question isn't more research.

 

[Acewus44]

The LM matter as well my friend! 67 is awesome! I can't really answer the bolded statement, @Goro or any other adcom can sure. But as a re-applicant, you have to ace the following question "what have you been since your last app?". And i just hope the answer to this question isn't more research.

100% agree with you on this. Thank you so much!

 

[Goro]

Thank you again, Faha



Thank you for replying, Goro. Do you believe my first MCAT score will stick out like a sore thumb even though everything else on my app is excellent? I understand that the MCAT is the most important factor, but I have seen people receive IIs to MD schools with my most recent MCAT score. Yes, my scores will average out to a 504, but I know people who have taken the MCAT countless times with the recent score being the average to MD schools they were accepted to.

My apologies, I didn't notice that you were a 2x taker. A 4 point improvement isn't going to be that impressive, and many schools will average your scores.

I thus modify my list to:
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland U Beaumont
Loyola
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
WVU
MCW
Creighton
VCU
Albany
Your state school(s).
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova or LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM is suspect given the details of the Larry Nassar case.

 

[Acewus44]

My apologies, I didn't notice that you were a 2x taker. A 4 point improvement isn't going to be that impressive, and many schools will average your scores.

I thus modify my list to:
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland U Beaumont
Loyola
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
WVU
MCW
Creighton
VCU
Albany
Your state school(s).
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova or LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM is suspect given the details of the Larry Nassar case.

Thank you for the correction, Goro.

 

[bengirlxD]

Hey man. I got almost the same stats as you (my MCAT score is between a 504-507) . I applied this cycle and received 11 IIs by applying to the right places. Check out my mdapps link for my school list. Apply as early as you can and really put some effort into those secondaries. It is an upward hill to climb but playing the right cards may get you an acceptance.

 

[Acewus44]

Hey man. I got almost the same stats as you (my MCAT score is between a 504-507) . I applied this cycle and received 11 IIs by applying to the right places. Check out my mdapps link for my school list. Apply as early as you can and really put some effort into those secondaries. It is an upward hill to climb but playing the right cards may get you an acceptance.

bengirlXD! As creepy as it sounds I followed you a bit throughout the cycle rooting for you and you did phenomenal, congrats! Thank you for the words of encouragement! I will be giving it my all next cycle. Submitting everything early and putting my heart into my secondaries.

 

[bengirlxD]

bengirlXD! As creepy as it sounds I followed you a bit throughout the cycle rooting for you and you did phenomenal, congrats! Thank you for the words of encouragement! I will be giving it my all next cycle. Submitting everything early and putting my heart into my secondaries.

Thanks! Hoping the best for you next cycle!