Reapplication: what can be improved, chances of getting in. MCAT 31, cGPA 3.86

[darthsubway]

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Hi, I'm looking for some advice/perspective like others here.

Here are my stats:
first MCAT: 27L P:8 V:11 B:8
second MCAT: 31 P:10 V:11 B: 10
cGPA: 3.86... Science is slightly lower but cannot remember
BS in psychology and BS in biology
Started full time ER scribe in June 2013
Only 30 hours of non-clinical volunteering
Worked part time throughout college
EC include independent research project, resident assistant x 1 year, student org president x 1 year, IRB member x 1 year, and some other activities
Went to a medium sized state school graduated May 2013

I applied to 16 MD schools, and so far I have only interviewed at one place and have heard next to nothing from the other schools. I applied late to schools (my recommendation letters were not sent until November 11th) because of some screw ups by my pre-health committee at my school. I am over being angry with my pre-health committee and want to be proactive about reapplying this year because it is most likely I will not be accepted this year. My biggest weaknesses are my MCAT and lack of volunteer time. I am working on getting some volunteer work in a field that I am passionate about (psychiatry/psychology), but I am not sure if I should retake the MCAT for the 3rd time. Additionally, I am not sure how schools look at the writing score on the old MCAT which I cannot fix even with a retake.

The biggest decision I am trying to make is if I should stick with applying to only allopathic schools or apply to osteopathic as well. I work with a couple DOs, and I know that they are just as good as any MD. However, I am concerned that if I go to DO school, I will have a more difficult time getting into a residency that I want. Anyway, my case is not very exciting or special, but I was hoping to have some other perspectives on my chances of getting in to either MD or DO school and what can be improved with my application. Thanks for reading.

 

[Corvid]

Since you applied late and I don't know much about your school list, this could have been a huge factor this cycle. Improving the MCAT is a really hard thing to do, and a 31 works for a lot of schools (especially with a decent GPA like yours). You're not from California, right? The numbers games changes a bit for CA applicants.

The volunteering is a little meager, but it looks like you worked pretty hard (double major AND a part time job? nice.) so maybe that can be overlooked. If enjoyed volunteering before, you can try and see if you can volunteer a little bit every weekend now that you're out of school.

The full-time job as a ER scribe will get you the clinical experience that schools want applicants to have (so they know that you understand how a career in medicine can be like). So that's a plus.

As for the other ECs, schools want to see long term and significant involvement. As long as you can show that you have responsibility and a long-term commitment to whatever it is that you did, you'll be fine. (4 ECs like I just described will always trump 10 shallow experiences).

Unfortunately, I don't know much about DO vs MD other than admissions to DO schools are less competitive. As for the residency thing, I've heard that DOs have a tougher time (but I personally believe that as long as you do well on your STEPS and the like, you shouldn't have a problem!).

Invest in the MSAR, find schools that match with your stats and apply as broadly as you can! Add some DOs for safety if you must absolutely get in this time around. I still need to think about DO myself. Best of luck to you.

 

[darthsubway]

Since you applied late and I don't know much about your school list, this could have been a huge factor this cycle. Improving the MCAT is a really hard thing to do, and a 31 works for a lot of schools (especially with a decent GPA like yours). You're not from California, right? The numbers games changes a bit for CA applicants.

The volunteering is a little meager, but it looks like you worked pretty hard (double major AND a part time job? nice.) so maybe that can be overlooked. If enjoyed volunteering before, you can try and see if you can volunteer a little bit every weekend now that you're out of school.

The full-time job as a ER scribe will get you the clinical experience that schools want applicants to have (so they know that you understand how a career in medicine can be like). So that's a plus.

As for the other ECs, schools want to see long term and significant involvement. As long as you can show that you have responsibility and a long-term commitment to whatever it is that you did, you'll be fine. (4 ECs like I just described will always trump 10 shallow experiences).

Unfortunately, I don't know much about DO vs MD other than admissions to DO schools are less competitive. As for the residency thing, I've heard that DOs have a tougher time (but I personally believe that as long as you do well on your STEPS and the like, you shouldn't have a problem!).

Invest in the MSAR, find schools that match with your stats and apply as broadly as you can! Add some DOs for safety if you must absolutely get in this time around. I still need to think about DO myself. Best of luck to you.

Thanks friend for your perspective. I'm just dreading the reapp process like most people are. This first time was brutal enough. The more I read about DO school, the more I like it and since I probably want to do psychiatry (might change of course), it probably won't matter for residency placement. Anyway, good luck to you too.

 

[everythingsurgical]

I agree with everything @Corvid said (especially about considering DO! I know plenty of DOs in fantastic residencies, the STEPs are a big factor), and don't discount putting extra work into your PS as well.

One question, how did you get onto the IRB? I wasn't aware students could serve that function at an institution.

Glad to see you're not dwelling on the administrative mishap regarding your pre-health committee recommendation, I think that shows a great deal of maturity.

 

[darthsubway]

I agree with everything @Corvid said (especially about considering DO! I know plenty of DOs in fantastic residencies, the STEPs are a big factor), and don't discount putting extra work into your PS as well.

One question, how did you get onto the IRB? I wasn't aware students could serve that function at an institution.

Glad to see you're not dwelling on the administrative mishap regarding your pre-health committee recommendation, I think that shows a great deal of maturity.

Thank you for your remarks. I accidentally stumbled upon the opportunity to be a part of my school's IRB. It just so happened that my mentor for my independent research project was the chair for the IRB, and she asked if I wanted to apply to be a member. I was also surprised that I could be a part of it, and I was a full fledged member which was pretty cool to say the least. Although they never advertised it, supposedly they allow a couple students on the IRB at my university, but that policy probably depends on the school.

 

[Goro]

Here's one problem, a big one. Any shadowing??

Only 30 hours of non-clinical volunteering
Worked part time throughout college

I suggest you get off campus and out of your comfort zone to do more non-clinical ECs as well. Chedck with your local houses of worship for volunteer opportunities.

EC include independent research project, resident assistant x 1 year, student org president x 1 year, IRB member x 1 year, and some other activities

Applying late, always bad. Not your fault, but in hindsight, it would have been best to simply wait for the next app cycle.

I applied to 16 MD schools, and so far I have only interviewed at one place and have heard next to nothing from the other schools. I applied late to schools (my recommendation letters were not sent until November 11th) because of some screw ups by my pre-health committee at my school.

The MCAT is not 100% lethal. I don't anyone cares about the writing score. I don't think it's worth retaking unless you can improve significantly, like to a 35-36+.

My biggest weaknesses are my MCAT and lack of volunteer time.

I am working on getting some volunteer work in a field that I am passionate about (psychiatry/psychology), but I am not sure if I should retake the MCAT for the 3rd time. Additionally, I am not sure how schools look at the writing score on the old MCAT which I cannot fix even with a retake.

Invest in MSAR and apply to those schools whose median numbers are close to yours (also your state school, if any...except CA). Your numbers are very competitive for all DO programs, including mine.
The biggest decision I am trying to make is if I should stick with applying to only allopathic schools or apply to osteopathic as well. I work with a couple DOs, and I know that they are just as good as any MD.

Worry about getting into medical school before thinking about residencies. That said, if you do well in any med school, residencies will not be a problem.

However, I am concerned that if I go to DO school, I will have a more difficult time getting into a residency that I want. Anyway, my case is not very exciting or special, but I was hoping to have some other perspectives on my chances of getting in to either MD or DO school and what can be improved with my application.

 

[razzmatazz87]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice/perspective like others here.

Here are my stats:
first MCAT: 27L P:8 V:11 B:8
second MCAT: 31 P:10 V:11 B: 10
cGPA: 3.86... Science is slightly lower but cannot remember
BS in psychology and BS in biology
Started full time ER scribe in June 2013
Only 30 hours of non-clinical volunteering
Worked part time throughout college
EC include independent research project, resident assistant x 1 year, student org president x 1 year, IRB member x 1 year, and some other activities
Went to a medium sized state school graduated May 2013

I applied to 16 MD schools, and so far I have only interviewed at one place and have heard next to nothing from the other schools. I applied late to schools (my recommendation letters were not sent until November 11th) because of some screw ups by my pre-health committee at my school. I am over being angry with my pre-health committee and want to be proactive about reapplying this year because it is most likely I will not be accepted this year. My biggest weaknesses are my MCAT and lack of volunteer time. I am working on getting some volunteer work in a field that I am passionate about (psychiatry/psychology), but I am not sure if I should retake the MCAT for the 3rd time. Additionally, I am not sure how schools look at the writing score on the old MCAT which I cannot fix even with a retake.

The biggest decision I am trying to make is if I should stick with applying to only allopathic schools or apply to osteopathic as well. I work with a couple DOs, and I know that they are just as good as any MD. However, I am concerned that if I go to DO school, I will have a more difficult time getting into a residency that I want. Anyway, my case is not very exciting or special, but I was hoping to have some other perspectives on my chances of getting in to either MD or DO school and what can be improved with my application. Thanks for reading.

Well, your MCAT scores really aren't bad, but some schools do average scores so lookout for that. Maybe try to get in some more nonclinical volunteering. For me, I worked with an animal shelter and that went over really well in my interviews.

 

[darthsubway]

Thank you for your insight. I work full time as a scribe in an emergency department to answer your question about shadowing. The majority of my job is following a doctor and documenting patient's stories, physical exams, and treatments the doctor gives. I work with mostly MDs, but occasionally I work with one DO. Since I have not worked with the DO often, I think that an MD would be able to write me a better letter. Most schools state that it is "strongly recommended" to get a DO letter as opposed to an MD letter. Would having an MD letter significantly hurt my application?

I agree about getting out of my comfort zone and doing some non-clinical volunteering. Thank you for the suggestion about looking into some opportunities at places of worship.

 

[HarryPlopper]

Thank you for your insight. I work full time as a scribe in an emergency department to answer your question about shadowing. The majority of my job is following a doctor and documenting patient's stories, physical exams, and treatments the doctor gives. I work with mostly MDs, but occasionally I work with one DO. Since I have not worked with the DO often, I think that an MD would be able to write me a better letter. Most schools state that it is "strongly recommended" to get a DO letter as opposed to an MD letter. Would having an MD letter significantly hurt my application?

I agree about getting out of my comfort zone and doing some non-clinical volunteering. Thank you for the suggestion about looking into some opportunities at places of worship.

You having an MD letter hurting your chances is ridiculous. Of course it is good to be able to demonstrate that you understand what OMM is should you be asked during the interview, but many DOs I know of didn't have a single DO letter.

I don't believe that volunteering is actually the problem with your application. Med schools just want to see dedication, which you have demonstrated. Of course more doesn't hurt but it isn't a red flag in your application.

Your MCAT and your GPA are fine. Unless all the schools you applied to are like Harvard or WashU, you should be getting interviews if you apply early next time.

Do you know what your letter of recommendations contain about you? What is concerning is that you never mentioned whether your LORs were weak/strong as if they're not important or completely out of your control. The importance of the content of LORs are very often overlooked by applicants. Med schools want to see strong, personalized LORs. You don't have to know what is written in the LORs but you should ask your professors if they feel comfortable about writing a strong and personalized LOR about you. There is a possibility that lukewarm LORs are actually the biggest weakness to your application (other than being late) and not anything else you mentioned.