Reapplicant who needs advice

[IntelInside]

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So here are my stats: 3.43 cGPA 3.58sGPA 32O MCAT. I applied this cycle and received 3 interviews: (2 rejections and 1 waitlist)

Here are my extracurriculars:

Volunteer work:
St. Johns Hospital CCU/ICU (Feb 2008 – Dec 2008)
Kings County Hospital (Feb 2010 – Present)
International Volunteer work in the Dominican Republic (July 2007 – Aug 2007)
Infant and Child Learning Center (Nov 2009- Present)

Physician Shadowing:
Emergency Department Doctor

Leadership:
MCAT Instructor (Oct 09 – Present)
Comparative Physiology Workshop/Team Leader (Sept 2008 – Jan 2010)

Research:
Academic Associate at Kings County Hospital (Feb 2010 – present)
Microalgae biofuel research (Sept 09 – Present)
Poster Presentation (May 2010)

Misc:
Deli Clerk at Village Gourmet (May 2007 – August 2009)
Sales Representative for Golden Touch Transportation (Jan 2007 – June 2009)
Kalberman Award (May 2009)


What can I do to improve my success next application cycle? SMP???

 

[MiniMoo]

I don't think you need to go the SMP route. I think your previous application was pretty weak in the recent clinical volunteering department. At the time of application, all you had was less than a year of volunteering back in 2008 at St. Johns and about a month of international work back in 2007? Not enough. Keep working at Kings County. Accrue more recent hours. I would try to get more shadowing in as well with different specialties. Continue with the teaching/research. Also did you apply early and broadly enough?

 

[IntelInside]

I don't think you need to go the SMP route. I think your previous application was pretty weak in the recent clinical volunteering department. At the time of application, all you had was less than a year of volunteering back in 2008 at St. Johns and about a month of international work back in 2007? Not enough. Keep working at Kings County. Accrue more recent hours. I would try to get more shadowing in as well with different specialties. Continue with the teaching/research. Also did you apply early and broadly enough?

2ndaries were sent in early sept and I did apply broadly (around 22 schools). I am also nervous that my gpa is too low

 

[PinkIvy08]

add in more shadowing, preferably with a diff type of doc

submit AMCAS in June and turn in all secondaries within a week. You should be fine. Sept wasn't late, but it wasn't as early as possible.

How diversified was your school selection?

 

[MiniMoo]

2ndaries were sent in early sept and I did apply broadly (around 22 schools). I am also nervous that my gpa is too low

Your GPA is lower than average but, IMO, not enough to warrant an SMP and shouldn't hold you back from an acceptance if your ECs and everything else are solid. If you're able to still take classes to boost up your GPA a bit then do that but I don't think it will make a huge different to be honest. If you had to choose between GPA or ECs, I would say your ECs are weaker at this point.

Apply earlier as well. Submit your primary in June. Submit your secondaries ideally within a couple days of receiving them or within a week at the most.

 

[dragonfly99]

agree with increasing the volunteer hours and physician shadowing
I agree the GPA is low. Trying taking one class/course at a time. Biology classes, or even something like psychology if you need an easy class. It might be hard to drag up the GPA much, but I think recent academic work is always a good thing.

 

[Food]

I think you're okay academically...just be aggressive with the other aspects. Definitely get feedback from the one school that rejected you. Your school selection is also pretty important - did you apply to all your state schools?

 

[IntelInside]

I think you're okay academically...just be aggressive with the other aspects. Definitely get feedback from the one school that rejected you. Your school selection is also pretty important - did you apply to all your state schools?

I am getting feedback from one of my state schools that rejected me after I interviewed there and yes I did apply to all my state schools. ATM while I wait for them to review my file and tell me what I should do I think I will apply to some SMPs (just in case). BU MAMS is looking pretty good with their volunteer programs, shadowing opportunities, and ability to boost my GPA