Reapplication Advice

[TDHG]

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[lpp06]

I would say that for your GPA/MCAT you applied a bit too narrow for MD and should have applied DO as well. Of those 7 UofM was a far reach so your effective list is about 6 schools long.

Remember that the average GPA of a matriculated student is 3.7 and MCAT is 31.

 

[TDHG]

Thanks for the responses. And yeah I do agree U of M is kind of a reach, but since I work at the hospital and know a lot of the docs there, I feel like I might as well give it a shot. MSUCOM would be really cool to attend, as I would like to live close to home near my family. The only downside is the post-graduation options are more limited for DO from my understanding. A few of my friends from MSUCOM had trouble finding residencies/research opportunities of their choice.

 

[gamieg]

what's your mcat breakdown?
do you have any publications?
how many hours have you scribed (clinical experience)?
volunteering in research doesn't really count as volunteering, just research.

 

[TDHG]

what's your mcat breakdown?
do you have any publications?
how many hours have you scribed (clinical experience)?
volunteering in research doesn't really count as volunteering, just research.

128/125/126/126
Working on publications currently.
I would estimate about 1000 hours of clinical experience, and I will have more by the time I reapply.

 

[gamieg]

128/125/126/126
Working on publications currently.
I would estimate about 1000 hours of clinical experience, and I will have more by the time I reapply.

while I agree with the above that your school list was narrow, I think the question of why medicine keeps on nagging at me with your strong science and research background.

your stats are on the lower end for MD programs, so I think you need to be really honest with yourself about whether you'd be willing to go to a DO program. in other words, is becoming a doctor more important or the MD more important? you'll get a lot of different opinions on this, but it's an important personal decision.

if becoming a doctor is more important, apply both and more broadly (and on day one when applications open), gain more shadowing and nab a physician shadowing letter (DO preferred for DO schools), and get more eyes on your personal statement. if you're set on MD, I'd consider retaking the MCAT and killing it before reapplying.

also what was your masters GPA? and did you apply early/late and what was your secondary turnaround time?

 

[TDHG]

while I agree with the above that your school list was narrow, I think the question of why medicine keeps on nagging at me with your strong science and research background.

your stats are on the lower end for MD programs, so I think you need to be really honest with yourself about whether you'd be willing to go to a DO program. in other words, is becoming a doctor more important or the MD more important? you'll get a lot of different opinions on this, but it's an important personal decision.

if becoming a doctor is more important, apply both and more broadly (and on day one when applications open), gain more shadowing and nab a physician shadowing letter (DO preferred for DO schools), and get more eyes on your personal statement. if you're set on MD, I'd consider retaking the MCAT and killing it before reapplying.

also what was your masters GPA? and did you apply early/late and what was your secondary turnaround time?

Thanks again for your response. I appreciate it!

I would also agree that the above school list was narrow, partly because it is very expensive for me to apply, and because ideally I would like to pay in-state tuition and live relatively close to my family.

I don't think I currently have the time to invest to be where I'd like to be for another MCAT take because of working full time and other obligations. Performing similarly could be detrimental to my overall application. While I'm aware my stats are on the lower end of the MD spectrum, I still feel that it is not unreasonable to apply for MD programs again. That being said, I would be open to apply to DO schools as well. I work with a few fantastic family medicine DOs, and my own PCP is a graduate of MSUCOM. My only hesitation for applying to DO programs are the potentially more limited post-grad options.

I have always been interested in science and medicine, but did not seriously consider medical school until after I finished undergrad. During my time performing cancer research between undergrad and grad school, I became very ill for several months and learned I have a few chronic conditions. Long story short, I shifted from wanting to be involved solely with research to wanting to directly help others going through similar situations. Attending graduate school further solidified that I did not want to continue with a PhD, because the research is a little too specific for me. Through patient interaction and working with physicians, I have found that this is what I would love to do in the future.

I think possibly my biggest mistake for this cycle (besides not having the most impressive GPA or MCAT score) is applying late in the cycle. I took the MCAT in August and waited to apply after I received my score in September. I turned in all my secondaries within three days of receiving them.

Currently, I have asked a few of the schools I have been rejected from for feedback. So I'm hoping their recommendations line up with my own goals for reapplication.

 

[precisiongraphic]

Thanks again for your response. I appreciate it!

I would also agree that the above school list was narrow, partly because it is very expensive for me to apply, and because ideally I would like to pay in-state tuition and live relatively close to my family.

I don't think I currently have the time to invest to be where I'd like to be for another MCAT take because of working full time and other obligations. Performing similarly could be detrimental to my overall application. While I'm aware my stats are on the lower end of the MD spectrum, I still feel that it is not unreasonable to apply for MD programs again. That being said, I would be open to apply to DO schools as well. I work with a few fantastic family medicine DOs, and my own PCP is a graduate of MSUCOM. My only hesitation for applying to DO programs are the potentially more limited post-grad options.

I have always been interested in science and medicine, but did not seriously consider medical school until after I finished undergrad. During my time performing cancer research between undergrad and grad school, I became very ill for several months and learned I have a few chronic conditions. Long story short, I shifted from wanting to be involved solely with research to wanting to directly help others going through similar situations. Attending graduate school further solidified that I did not want to continue with a PhD, because the research is a little too specific for me. Through patient interaction and working with physicians, I have found that this is what I would love to do in the future.

I think possibly my biggest mistake for this cycle (besides not having the most impressive GPA or MCAT score) is applying late in the cycle. I took the MCAT in August and waited to apply after I received my score in September. I turned in all my secondaries within three days of receiving them.

Currently, I have asked a few of the schools I have been rejected from for feedback. So I'm hoping their recommendations line up with my own goals for reapplication.

Applying late (after August 31st) for MD with other than a perfect application (or URM status) is a recipe for disaster. I think you'll have success if you apply more broadly next year. Through in some later (October-November) DO programs to round out your applications and give yourself a backup plan.

 

[TDHG]

Applying late (after August 31st) for MD with other than a perfect application (or URM status) is a recipe for disaster. I think you'll have success if you apply more broadly next year. Through in some later (October-November) DO programs to round out your applications and give yourself a backup plan.

Do you have any MD schools that you would recommend for people with my stats? Forgive me if there's a list that's been posted 1000 times, I'm new here.

 

[PatchA]

Do you have any MD schools that you would recommend for people with my stats? Forgive me if there's a list that's been posted 1000 times, I'm new here.

Invest in MSAR - best $25 you'll spend

 

[TDHG]

I received feedback from a few of my applications. They wanted more of a personal story from my primary application, rather than what I did and what I learned from it. Coupled with a new personal statement, I should be fine according to the MD schools I contacted. My personal statement wasn't bad per se, but I've heard it's generally a good idea to write a new one if things go sour.

I am going to apply much more broadly next cycle to both MD and DO schools. Thanks again for all your feedback!