Reapplicant with 36Q and 3.62 cGPA, Little Clinical Experience

[Turpulus]

Here are my stats:
Verbal 10, Physics, 11, Biology 15, Essay Q

Undergraduate Major Biopsychology, BCPM GPA 3.43, AO: 3.74, cGPA 3.62

Master's Degree: Toxicology, Graduate BCPM GPA: 3.63, AO: 3.54, cGPA 3.56

Went to U of Michigan

I have about 5 years of professional pharmaceutical research experience. Over 10 years of medically related research experience. For 2012, I was not accepted anywhere. The main concern the schools had was that I did not have enough clinical experience, even though my research was conducted at a hospital, I had little patient interaction. Currently I am volunteering in a hospital ER, which will give me patient interaction and physician shadowing experience. Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations? I received interviews at 4 schools: Tufts, Ohio State, NJMS, and Wayne State. I was waitlisted at all 4. Don't want to make the same mistakes this time around..

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[Unzbuzzled]

Here are my stats:
Verbal 10, Physics, 11, Biology 15, Essay Q

Undergraduate Major Biopsychology, BCPM GPA 3.43, AO: 3.74, cGPA 3.62

Master's Degree: Toxicology, Graduate BCPM GPA: 3.63, AO: 3.54, cGPA 3.56

Went to U of Michigan

I have about 5 years of professional pharmaceutical research experience. Over 10 years of medically related research experience. For 2012, I was not accepted anywhere. The main concern the schools had was that I did not have enough clinical experience, even though my research was conducted at a hospital, I had little patient interaction. Currently I am volunteering in a hospital ER, which will give me patient interaction and physician shadowing experience. Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations? I received interviews at 4 schools: Tufts, Ohio State, NJMS, and Wayne State. I was waitlisted at all 4. Don't want to make the same mistakes this time around..

I think you're doing exactly what you should be by volunteering in the ER. The fact that you were wait listed at four schools means that you were close to the mark with your grades and excellent MCAT. My advice is to continue with the shadowing and volunteering, apply as soon as possible for next year, and apply broadly.

 

[Fed]

Here are my stats:
Verbal 10, Physics, 11, Biology 15, Essay Q

Undergraduate Major Biopsychology, BCPM GPA 3.43, AO: 3.74, cGPA 3.62

Master's Degree: Toxicology, Graduate BCPM GPA: 3.63, AO: 3.54, cGPA 3.56

Went to U of Michigan

I have about 5 years of professional pharmaceutical research experience. Over 10 years of medically related research experience. For 2012, I was not accepted anywhere. The main concern the schools had was that I did not have enough clinical experience, even though my research was conducted at a hospital, I had little patient interaction. Currently I am volunteering in a hospital ER, which will give me patient interaction and physician shadowing experience. Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations? I received interviews at 4 schools: Tufts, Ohio State, NJMS, and Wayne State. I was waitlisted at all 4. Don't want to make the same mistakes this time around..

Have you considered retaking the MCAT? That "Q" in writing is a red flag for many schools.

I kid. Where did you apply? Lots of tops schools? You have a good application and I'm surprised you weren't accepted somewhere. Your GPAs are a bit low but that shouldn't be a problem. This cycle, make sure you get lots of low-tier schools and your state school(s) in the mix. Good luck.

 

[listentoadvice]

How is a "Q," which places the OP in the top quartile, considered a red flag? That's a pretty solid score in my book, considering the fact that I got an "O" and I'm attending a UC next year.

To the OP, don't even think about retaking the MCAT. A 35 is a fantastic score and your lowest section was the verbal, which was a 10, and that's very good. With that said, you're on the right path but I would add more physician shadow (i.e. find a PCP and a couple of specialists to shadow before you interview). In addition, find some leadership activities since med schools want leaders.

 

[Turpulus]

Have you considered retaking the MCAT? That "Q" in writing is a red flag for many schools.

I kid. Where did you apply? Lots of tops schools? You have a good application and I'm surprised you weren't accepted somewhere. Your GPAs are a bit low but that shouldn't be a problem. This cycle, make sure you get lots of low-tier schools and your state school(s) in the mix. Good luck.

I applied very broadly this year. I had my fantasy schools on the list like Harvard and John's Hopkins, but also lower ranked schools like UMDNJ, Wayne State, and a bunch of others. I also forgot to mention that because of my work schedule and the timing of my MCATS, I didn't get my primary application until October and my secondaries finished until December. I feel like the lateness played a huge factor although the schools won't ever admit that. Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to be as proactive as possible for next year.

 

[Turpulus]

One last quick question: I graduated from Undergrad in 2004 and my master's program in 2007. It feels like that was a lifetime ago and I feel like I'm a much smarter person since then, especially getting tons of real world scientific knowledge. Since my GPA is a little low, is it possible that they would put less emphasis on it and more emphasis on my more recent scientific pursuits? It sucks being judged on your activities from 2001, when I started college.

 

[gmcguitar4]

Unfortunately, your uGPA has huge weight in your application no matter what. If you recently took courses and aced them then, yes that would show something. It is unfortunate how it works, but they need those hard numbers to weed people out.

 

[MedBound1]

How is a "Q," which places the OP in the top quartile, considered a red flag? That's a pretty solid score in my book, considering the fact that I got an "O" and I'm attending a UC next year.

To the OP, don't even think about retaking the MCAT. A 35 is a fantastic score and your lowest section was the verbal, which was a 10, and that's very good. With that said, you're on the right path but I would add more physician shadow (i.e. find a PCP and a couple of specialists to shadow before you interview). In addition, find some leadership activities since med schools want leaders.

It was a joke. No adcoms give weight to writing score, which is why it's being removed next year.

 

[Catalystik]

Here are my stats:
Verbal 10, Physics, 11, Biology 15, Essay Q

Undergraduate Major Biopsychology, BCPM GPA 3.43, AO: 3.74, cGPA 3.62

Master's Degree: Toxicology, Graduate BCPM GPA: 3.63, AO: 3.54, cGPA 3.56

Went to U of Michigan

I have about 5 years of professional pharmaceutical research experience. Over 10 years of medically related research experience. For 2012, I was not accepted anywhere. The main concern the schools had was that I did not have enough clinical experience, even though my research was conducted at a hospital, I had little patient interaction. Currently I am volunteering in a hospital ER, which will give me patient interaction and physician shadowing experience. Can anyone give me any advice or recommendations? I received interviews at 4 schools: Tufts, Ohio State, NJMS, and Wayne State. I was waitlisted at all 4. Don't want to make the same mistakes this time around..

When did you start in the ER?
How many clinical hours have you accumulated?
How many shadowing hours do you have?
If you waited a month to apply, how would those hours change?
Are you also engaged in nonmedical community service?

 

[Osteoth]

I applied very broadly this year. I had my fantasy schools on the list like Harvard and John's Hopkins, but also lower ranked schools like UMDNJ, Wayne State, and a bunch of others. I also forgot to mention that because of my work schedule and the timing of my MCATS, I didn't get my primary application until October and my secondaries finished until December. I feel like the lateness played a huge factor although the schools won't ever admit that. Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to be as proactive as possible for next year.

Yes, applying broadly and early are two major factors that could increase the chance your application successfully finds its way to an ADCOM that likes you. Considering schools have rolling admissions, applying early seems to be crucial, and getting your secondaries in early equally as important.

 

[Fed]

I also forgot to mention that because of my work schedule and the timing of my MCATS, I didn't get my primary application until October and my secondaries finished until December.

This is probably your problem. I think I saw that 25% of apps are submitted on the first day of the cycle. Your odds of being accepted diminish every month after June. Your application is good (not great, but good) so lateness might have killed it.

How is a "Q," which places the OP in the top quartile, considered a red flag? That's a pretty solid score in my book, considering the fact that I got an "O" and I'm attending a UC next year.

To the OP, don't even think about retaking the MCAT. A 35 is a fantastic score and your lowest section was the verbal, which was a 10, and that's very good. With that said, you're on the right path but I would add more physician shadow (i.e. find a PCP and a couple of specialists to shadow before you interview). In addition, find some leadership activities since med schools want leaders.

No comment necessary

 

[notbobtrustme]

If you waited a month to apply, how would those hours change?

What's the point of this question? If he puts down average hours/week, hits the box saying that the activity is on-going and then submits, that's no different than waiting a month with those exact same parameters. That is, unless he's actually documenting the numbers in the description, and even then, you can do a lot of fudging because adcoms won't see anything until mid-July at the earliest.

 

[theseeker4]

I applied very broadly this year. I had my fantasy schools on the list like Harvard and John's Hopkins, but also lower ranked schools like UMDNJ, Wayne State, and a bunch of others. I also forgot to mention that because of my work schedule and the timing of my MCATS, I didn't get my primary application until October and my secondaries finished until December. I feel like the lateness played a huge factor although the schools won't ever admit that. Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to be as proactive as possible for next year.

I think I found your problem...

Apply earlier this year and keep up clinical volunteering and shadowing, apply broadly, and you should be accepted.

 

[saveourpens]

Lol I have almost the exact same stats and also started volunteering to get more clinical experience when 4 interviews turned into 3 wait lists and a rejection. Good luck to the both of us.

 

[Turpulus]

When did you start in the ER?
How many clinical hours have you accumulated?
How many shadowing hours do you have?
If you waited a month to apply, how would those hours change?
Are you also engaged in nonmedical community service?

I'll be starting in the ER this weekend. I'll be working 8 hours a week until I get accepted to medical school. The ER program is also combined with physician shadowing. When interesting cases come in to the ER, I get to shadow a physician. Currently, I'm not involved in non-medical community service, but I have been many times in the past. I'm still working a 40 hour week at my pharmaceutical job performing medical research. I would hope that the admissions committee that not everyone applying has a summer vacation from school and that some people have to work.

 

[Turpulus]

Lol I have almost the exact same stats and also started volunteering to get more clinical experience when 4 interviews turned into 3 wait lists and a rejection. Good luck to the both of us.

Same situation huh? We really should compare notes then. To everyone else: Thanks so much for your advice. It really helped build my confidence back after getting knocked down. Also, one last question. Do schools look down on your application if you reapply to them for 2013 while you are still sitting on their 2012 waitlist? I could be on the waitlist until August, but I definitely want to get my applicaiton in before then/ Thanks!

 

[IDrads]

The main concern the schools had was that I did not have enough clinical experience, even though my research was conducted at a hospital, I had little patient interaction. Currently I am volunteering in a hospital ER, which will give me patient interaction and physician shadowing experience.

This leads me to believe you talked to NJMS admissions after being waitlisted (and are doing the ED volunteer program I once did, and loved!). If so - good. Keep following their advice, keep in touch throughout the year. If I guessed wrong, I suggest talking to NJMS admissions about what their concerns might have been.

 

[darkjedi]

I'm pretty sure the writing score is completely useless. I scored an O and got into a top 5 school, no one cares about it.

It seems you have moderately similar stats to me. I highly recommend applying broadly, and by broadly I mean like 20+ schools. Continue picking up good experiences and update the admissions committees in a few months with updates.

 

[lehieuVICTORY]

yes, I also think you are doing very well