State of residence is SD.
In South Dakota, if a 3.85/29 applicant cant get an acceptance after three entire cycles that is revealing something is rather off. Because in South Dakota these are above average stats for MD matriculants and those who have above average stats in a state with so few applicants usually get in just fine.
So why arent you part of that successful crowd? It's becoming clearer to see after reading this
a) The interviews. Clearly they are tanking you if a school is telling you that to your face which they often wont even if the interviews are in fact tanking you. In other words, they are a significant problem. If a school told you after your first app cycle your interviews went poorly and then again on your 3rd, it shows you arent really improving the way you need to and learning the lessons you need to. Not ideal
b) Your ECs havent been doing you many favors. It sounds like you are just now becoming an EMT and phlebotomist so only now you are getting clinical exp. In other words, each of these 3 cycles when you applied you didnt have significant clinical exp. This is on top of a lack of non clinical based service and volunteering which is problematic. Not a good combination. Nothing sticks out about your ECs or portrays you in a compelling manner. That's again not ideal for a 4th time applicant.
c) Another thing to consider:
I believe Sanford has specific requirements they look for such as "going to high school in SD" to get "points" which is usually what it takes to get in as an IS resident. Is there anything in your app that might cause you to not get these "points" people from SD usually need such as not going to high school in SD? Not the highest priority factor here certainly, but something at least worth double checking on.
Going forward as a 4th time reapplicant there is a clear stigma. There comes a point where schools assume the problem is with you when you have to keep reapplying. A 4th time applicant brings risk and has stigma attached to them. I wouldnt reapply until you are convinced you have best fixed your deficits the best way you can. If that means waiting until summer 2017, so be it. Consider DO schools. Out of 166 SD applicants, only 9 matriculated OOS and those that a number probably either got into top 20 schools or big scholarship money. You arent a candidate for either so while it's worth trying some OOS MD schools, your odds are by and large tied to whether you get into SD or ND to a fair extent. OOS MD schools know those in the Dakotas rarely will leave their state unless its for those special cases.
In short, fix what's broken not reapplying with the same deficits. Your stats are clearly fine for your state school, ND as well as DO programs. But when you strike out with clear deficits for 3 straight app cycles, it requires a clear change in approach and that usually doesnt come overnight and its worth taking the time to wait to let that change develop before reapplying. Good luck.
