Reapplying Advice

[purva13]

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I am a senior in college (CA state school) and applied this cycle to both MD and DO. Only interviewed at one DO, and was accepted there, and was rejected at all MD. I was having doubts about going to the DO school I was accepted due to personal fit when i went for 2nd look day. Since the application period, I received a Fulbright ETA scholarship to go to a European country, and one of the summer research projects that I was working on with postdocs at a high tier MD school was accepted for publication in Nature Genetics.
Would it be a risk to reapply to MD schools since my ECs have gone up quite a bit?

My stats are 3.8 cGPA/sGPA, 27 MCAT. I will be retaking the MCAT in August before I leave for the Fulbright. I know that I can do better because when I took it first I was taking 4 classes.
I need some advice and input on what you guys think would be the smartest option, and whether you think I would be more competitive. Thank you!

 

[mathnerd88]

To answer your question, yes being a reapplicant will put you at a greater disadvantage. CA schools are notoriously difficult to get into.

Can you even guarantee you'll end up with a much higher score? You're going to need at least a 510 (32-33+) to even have a shot at MD...Also, you're just saying "summer research project." That just means you didn't really do significant research, and only worked on just a little portion. Research takes years.

Also, what are your goals? What kind of physician do you want to be? Are you trying to go into academia? Or do you just want to become a physician?

 

[purva13]

To answer your question, yes being a reapplicant will put you at a greater disadvantage. CA schools are notoriously difficult to get into.

Can you even guarantee you'll end up with a much higher score? You're going to need at least a 510 (32-33+) to even have a shot at MD...

Also, what are your goals? What kind of physician do you want to be? Are you trying to go into academia? Or do you just want to become a physician?

I'm not trying to get into just California MD, any MD OOS as well would be fine. No one can guarantee anything, but I know that the 27 is not my best ability and that I can do way better. The thing is I can see myself going into academia as well as practicing, and I want to have all options open for me.

 

[mathnerd88]

I'm not trying to get into just California MD, any MD OOS as well would be fine. No one can guarantee anything, but I know that the 27 is not my best ability and that I can do way better. The thing is I can see myself going into academia as well as practicing, and I want to have all options open for me.

What are your practice MCAT scores? As a reapplicant, you're going to need at least 32 to have a shot into MD schools. Being from CA already puts you at a disadvantage.

Nothing is ever a guarantee. Your acceptance is.

Also, seeing that you only interviewed at one DO, and no MD, makes me feel like you weren't even a competitive applicant to begin with (for both MD or DO.) I would take the acceptance and go with it.

 

[purva13]

What are your practice MCAT scores? As a reapplicant, you're going to need at least 32 to have a shot into MD schools. Being from CA already puts you at a disadvantage.

Nothing is ever a guarantee. Your acceptance is.

Also, seeing that you only interviewed at one DO, and no MD, makes me feel like you weren't even a competitive applicant to begin with.

My last one was around a 511. I'm going to rev up once I graduate in June though so i'll have a solid 2 months before I take the exam. I'm hoping that my scholarship and publication would also give me a leg up if I get a higher MCAT score.

 

[mathnerd88]

My last one was around a 511. I'm going to rev up once I graduate in June though so i'll have a solid 2 months before I take the exam. I'm hoping that my scholarship and publication would also give me a leg up if I get a higher MCAT score.

Quite possibly, but it is a risky game to play. The scholarship and publication will help, no doubt. It might not even do much benefit for you either. Also, you're going to be applying late this cycle which will put you at a severe disadvantage for MD anyways because of your late MCAT score AND as a reapplicant.

For MD, applications should already be submitted by mid June (with MCAT score.) Applying late will just yield the same results.

 

[purva13]

Quite possibly, but it is a risky game to play. The scholarship and publication will help, no doubt. It might not even do much benefit for you either. Also, you're going to be applying late this cycle which will put you at a severe disadvantage for MD anyways.

For MD, applications should already be submitted by mid June (with MCAT score.)

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I would be applying when i come back from Fulbright. So I would sit out a cycle while I'm in my country.

 

[mathnerd88]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I would be applying when i come back from Fulbright. So I would sit out a cycle while I'm in my country.

Hmm...I guess it is up to you. Some people will say you will lose out on two years of physician salary going this route, and may not be worthwhile. However, to each his/her own. I would say do whichever makes you feel like you will regret less in the future.

Congrats on your accomplishments!

 

[purva13]

Hmm...I guess it is up to you. Some people will say you will lose out on two years of physician salary going this route, and may not be worthwhile. However, to each his/her own. I would say do whichever makes you feel like you will regret less in the future.

Congrats on your accomplishments!

My reasoning is that I'd rather lose out on 2 years salary than regret not doing something differently. I'd choose happiness over money every time.
Thanks!
Also, in reference to the summer research: I spent quite a lot of time on that research, and the experiments that I did ended up contributing heavily to the paper, I ended up presenting my findings at a symposium at the medical school, which is why the PI decided that he wanted my name on the paper. It may have been a summer, but it was very fruitful.

 

[kamakazi5]

Just know that turning down that acceptance will likely take you out of the running for applying DO again unless you happen to get very lucky. If you end up applying again to MD programs then make sure to withdraw yourself from consideration if you don't feel yourself as a fit at the school. I think it's crazy to turn down an acceptance but if you think you would be happier with the possibility of not getting in anywhere than going to the school that accepted you then go for it.

 

[mathnerd88]

My reasoning is that I'd rather lose out on 2 years salary than regret not doing something differently. I'd choose happiness over money every time.
Thanks!
Also, in reference to the summer research: I spent quite a lot of time on that research, and the experiments that I did ended up contributing heavily to the paper, I ended up presenting my findings at a symposium at the medical school, which is why the PI decided that he wanted my name on the paper. It may have been a summer, but it was very fruitful.

It depends. Medical school costs are very expensive, especially for OOS. For every year you waste, the longer it takes to pay back. The tuition goes up too every year. It isn't about the money, but it is. If you have no debt or someone else is paying for your medical school, then definitely choose happiness over money.

You might end up throwing your chances away forever. I would still have taken my acceptance. Understand that with your GPA and stats, it is quite possible for you to be top of your class in DO school and would be able to match into competitive ACGME residencies.

At my interviews, nobody asked about my publications in research or my scholarships. They didn't seem to care. I also published in high impact journals and worked at the top MD school in the country. I had similar stats to yours except with a slightly lower GPA (3.7) but much higher MCAT (31) and did not get anywhere during my MD cycle. I had plenty of DO acceptances though. I think being Asian made it very difficult. I had a friend who had a 3.85 GPA and 37 MCAT and took three cycles to get a MD acceptance. It was much more difficult for him as a reapplicant. The schools he was wait listed from rejected him next cycle.

It is risky, but good luck to you. Maybe @Goro can give some input here.

 

[Sai111394]

It depends. Medical school costs are very expensive, especially for OOS. For every year you waste, the longer it takes to pay back. The tuition goes up too every year. It isn't about the money, but it is. If you have no debt or someone else is paying for your medical school, then definitely choose happiness over money.

You might end up throwing your chances away forever. I would still have taken my acceptance. Understand that with your GPA and stats, it is quite possible for you to be top of your class in DO school and would be able to match into competitive ACGME residencies.

At my interviews, nobody asked about my publications in research or my scholarships. They didn't seem to care. I also published in high impact journals and worked at the top MD school in the country. I had similar stats to yours except with a slightly lower GPA (3.7) but much higher MCAT (31) and did not get anywhere during my MD cycle. I had plenty of DO acceptances though. I think being Asian made it very difficult. I had a friend who had a 3.85 GPA and 37 MCAT and took three cycles to get a MD acceptance. It was much more difficult for him as a reapplicant. The schools he was wait listed from rejected him next cycle.

It is risky, but good luck to you. Maybe @Goro can give some input here.

Though they bring up good advice, I think if you get a considerably higher score you should reapply. Fulbright was actually something that was brought up in my sisters interviews many times, it sets you apart from other applicants and also gives you real life experience, it's not just any old scholarship. I also think DO secondaries don't ask whether you've been accepted to DO schools before, they only ask if you've matriculated. It is risky, but I do think you'd be a more competitive applicant given you get a better MCAT.

 

[mathnerd88]

Though they bring up good advice, I think if you get a considerably higher score you should reapply. Fulbright was actually something that was brought up in my sisters interviews many times, it sets you apart from other applicants and also gives you real life experience, it's not just any old scholarship. I also think DO secondaries don't ask whether you've been accepted to DO schools before, they only ask if you've matriculated. It is risky, but I do think you'd be a more competitive applicant given you get a better MCAT.

Exactly. It all hinges on that MCAT score. It has to be higher than a 510 to even have a chance (and not guaranteed.) The risk is very real here.

You have to take into consideration that he did not get ANY interviews from MD schools, and only got an interview/acceptance at one DO school previously. This is a hard choice. DO schools will ask if you're a reapplicant. He will also be a reapplicant for the MD cycle.

 

[purva13]

Exactly. It all hinges on that MCAT score. It has to be higher than a 510 to even have a chance (and not guaranteed.) The risk is very real here.

You have to take into consideration that he did not get ANY interviews from MD schools, and only got an interview/acceptance at one DO school previously. This is a hard choice. DO schools will ask if you're a reapplicant. He will also be a reapplicant for the MD cycle.

i only applied to 4 MD schools so technically I would be a new applicant for a majority of them. I would obviously apply to more if I got a better MCAT score since I would have a more competitive app.

 

[rrss120]

Reapplicant here: Do your fulbright. Defer your acceptance if possible (two years may be pushing it). From my experience I was denied the first cycle I applied (for the opposite reasons you were denied). I had solid stats (3.8 cGPA/ 33 MCAT) non-science major and did not need to retake the MCAT but I had few and far between experiences. I spent the past year volunteering, working in a hospital, and accruing better LORs, and that seemed to strengthen my application tremendously. I received 6 interviews, as opposed to 2 last cycle, two acceptances(one MD and one DO) and one wait list(MD) so far.

In my experience even though you will be a reapplicant if you improve across the board as a student/professional/person you will have a very fair shot at an acceptance. Fulbright is a great scholarship, I would use that experience to leverage my position as a qualified applicant with diverse life experiences. Look for any public health research opportunities in the country you will be in while you complete your Fulbright since there aren't many direct medical research opportunities through Fulbright, that will also be a plus. The last part is your MCAT. If you can put in some effort or take a prep class this summer, retake it, and get a solid score (32+ for old MCAT- not sure how that translates to the new MCAT) you will be a shoe in for DO and competitive for MD schools. I would also expand the number of schools from 4 to 20-30 and be smart about the schools you choose to apply to so that you don't waste apps on unrealistic options. Try to focus on schools that you will be a best fit for and that will be a best fit for you, although it may take some extra effort it is definitely worth it from my experience. Last but not least, competitive MD schools don't want cookie cutter pre-meds. They want a student body that has life experiences to show that they're much more than their stats/grades. The grades are proof you can handle the material, the experiences are proof that you will excel as a student and future physician.

 

[purva13]

Reapplicant here: Do your fulbright. Defer your acceptance if possible (two years may be pushing it). From my experience I was denied the first cycle I applied (for the opposite reasons you were denied). I had solid stats (3.8 cGPA/ 33 MCAT) non-science major and did not need to retake the MCAT but I had few and far between experiences. I spent the past year volunteering, working in a hospital, and accruing better LORs, and that seemed to strengthen my application tremendously. I received 6 interviews, as opposed to 2 last cycle, two acceptances(one MD and one DO) and one wait list(MD) so far.

In my experience even though you will be a reapplicant if you improve across the board as a student/professional/person you will have a very fair shot at an acceptance. Fulbright is a great scholarship, I would use that experience to leverage my position as a qualified applicant with diverse life experiences. Look for any public health research opportunities in the country you will be in while you complete your Fulbright since there aren't many direct medical research opportunities through Fulbright, that will also be a plus. The last part is your MCAT. If you can put in some effort or take a prep class this summer, retake it, and get a solid score (32+ for old MCAT- not sure how that translates to the new MCAT) you will be a shoe in for DO and competitive for MD schools. I would also expand the number of schools from 4 to 20-30 and be smart about the schools you choose to apply to so that you don't waste apps on unrealistic options. Try to focus on schools that you will be a best fit for and that will be a best fit for you, although it may take some extra effort it is definitely worth it from my experience. Last but not least, competitive MD schools don't want cookie cutter pre-meds. They want a student body that has life experiences to show that they're much more than their stats/grades. The grades are proof you can handle the material, the experiences are proof that you will excel as a student and future physician.

Thanks for the advice!! I don't have the money for a class but since I have a handful of science classes under my belt I'll take 2 months to really study.

 

[tony101]

I am a senior in college (CA state school) and applied this cycle to both MD and DO. Only interviewed at one DO, and was accepted there, and was rejected at all MD. I was having doubts about going to the DO school I was accepted due to personal fit when i went for 2nd look day. Since the application period, I received a Fulbright ETA scholarship to go to a European country, and one of the summer research projects that I was working on with postdocs at a high tier MD school was accepted for publication in Nature Genetics.
Would it be a risk to reapply to MD schools since my ECs have gone up quite a bit?

My stats are 3.8 cGPA/sGPA, 27 MCAT. I will be retaking the MCAT in August before I leave for the Fulbright. I know that I can do better because when I took it first I was taking 4 classes.
I need some advice and input on what you guys think would be the smartest option, and whether you think I would be more competitive. Thank you!

Can I ask, how many schools did you apply too? Because as a D.O applicant, it seemed that you had a very strong gpa, and even a above average Mcat score for D.O's and I'm assuming you had EC's. Did you just apply to like 2-3 schools?(DO wise)

 

[purva13]

Can I ask, how many schools did you apply too? Because as a D.O applicant, it seemed that you had a very strong gpa, and even a above average Mcat score for D.O's and I'm assuming you had EC's. Did you just apply to like 2-3 schools?(DO wise)

I actually only applied to around 3 DO schools because they have strong programs and those were the only ones I would go to if I got in. I didn't even get interviews from PCOM or Midwestern. I'm really studying hard for this next MCAT so if I get a good score I'll reapply MD as well. Hopefully with Fulbright that should set me apart a bit. If mcat falls through I'll cut my losses and attend the school I was accepted to.

 

[purva13]

Reapplicant here: Do your fulbright. Defer your acceptance if possible (two years may be pushing it). From my experience I was denied the first cycle I applied (for the opposite reasons you were denied). I had solid stats (3.8 cGPA/ 33 MCAT) non-science major and did not need to retake the MCAT but I had few and far between experiences. I spent the past year volunteering, working in a hospital, and accruing better LORs, and that seemed to strengthen my application tremendously. I received 6 interviews, as opposed to 2 last cycle, two acceptances(one MD and one DO) and one wait list(MD) so far.

In my experience even though you will be a reapplicant if you improve across the board as a student/professional/person you will have a very fair shot at an acceptance. Fulbright is a great scholarship, I would use that experience to leverage my position as a qualified applicant with diverse life experiences. Look for any public health research opportunities in the country you will be in while you complete your Fulbright since there aren't many direct medical research opportunities through Fulbright, that will also be a plus. The last part is your MCAT. If you can put in some effort or take a prep class this summer, retake it, and get a solid score (32+ for old MCAT- not sure how that translates to the new MCAT) you will be a shoe in for DO and competitive for MD schools. I would also expand the number of schools from 4 to 20-30 and be smart about the schools you choose to apply to so that you don't waste apps on unrealistic options. Try to focus on schools that you will be a best fit for and that will be a best fit for you, although it may take some extra effort it is definitely worth it from my experience. Last but not least, competitive MD schools don't want cookie cutter pre-meds. They want a student body that has life experiences to show that they're much more than their stats/grades. The grades are proof you can handle the material, the experiences are proof that you will excel as a student and future physician.

May I ask how you studied for a 33? I'll be studying on my own because I don't have money for a class.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I actually only applied to around 3 DO schools because they have strong programs and those were the only ones I would go to if I got in. I didn't even get interviews from PCOM or Midwestern. I'm really studying hard for this next MCAT so if I get a good score I'll reapply MD as well. Hopefully with Fulbright that should set me apart a bit. If mcat falls through I'll cut my losses and attend the school I was accepted to.

No you won't because you have to matriculate by August and if you turn them down and reapply then you for sure won't be getting in there again. I doubt they would even look at your app. If you turn down a DO acceptance (especially one from a older, established program I'm assuming) I really don't see you being able to get into a DO program again.

If you defer your acceptance to do your scholarship then they will most likely have you sign a contract to not apply to any other medical schools.

 

[rrss120]

May I ask how you studied for a 33? I'll be studying on my own because I don't have money for a class.

I splurged a scholarship on a Kaplan class. To be completely honest it helped to have some structure and feedback to my prep work. Beside the class, I think the greatest benefit was from just continually doing practice sections and full practice tests, then going back and re-learning the material I did not do well on. I was essentially putting extra focus on my weaknesses when going over the results. I would spend 25% of the time reviewing the material 50% of the time doing practice sections and full exams and another 25% going over the results of those practice tests. It is very possible to do this without paying for a class. Best of luck!

 

[Mr Roboto]

Take the acceptance and run with it.

 

[mathnerd88]

No you won't because you have to matriculate by August and if you turn them down and reapply then you for sure won't be getting in there again. I doubt they would even look at your app. If you turn down a DO acceptance (especially one from a older, established program I'm assuming) I really don't see you being able to get into a DO program again.

If you defer your acceptance to do your scholarship then they will most likely have you sign a contract to not apply to any other medical schools.

The OP is really playing a risky game. If he can't defer, he should just take the acceptance.

The risk of doing poorly on the new MCAT is real. Every year, stats go up. The OP would definitely be burning bridges here.

From my experience of a 3.7 GPA, 31 MCAT and not getting any MD interviews with significant research experience and publications, it will only get harder the longer you wait. I also had many research scholarships and grants from major pharmaceutical companies.

Trust me, the scholarships don't do much for you. I have a friend who went to a foreign third world country to build schools and also had trouble getting MD acceptances with a 32 MCAT. From what I've heard and from personal experience, MD schools don't tend to favor non-traditionals. Being from California won't help you. I've been accepted to Midwestern CCOM, and most of the interview group I was with were from California. That two year gap losing two years of physician salary will really hurt, especially when you consider loans have to be paid off.

In the end, getting into medical school isn't easy. Just because you get a higher MCAT score doesn't mean you'll get in somewhere. If you want to risk that, then by all means go ahead.

 

[purva13]

The OP is really playing a risky game. If he can't defer, he should just take the acceptance.

The risk of doing poorly on the new MCAT is real. Every year, stats go up. The OP would definitely be burning bridges here.

From my experience of a 3.7 GPA, 31 MCAT and not getting any MD interviews with significant research experience and publications, it will only get harder the longer you wait. I also had many research scholarships and grants from major pharmaceutical companies.

Trust me, the scholarships don't do much for you. I have a friend who went to a foreign third world country to build schools and also had trouble getting MD acceptances with a 32 MCAT. From what I've heard and from personal experience, MD schools don't tend to favor non-traditionals. Being from California won't help you. I've been accepted to Midwestern CCOM, and most of the interview group I was with were from California. That two year gap losing two years of physician salary will really hurt, especially when you consider loans have to be paid off.

In the end, getting into medical school isn't easy. Just because you get a higher MCAT score doesn't mean you'll get in somewhere. If you want to risk that, then by all means go ahead.

I thought I would write an update since it's been a while!! I ended up retaking the MCAT and score much higher. I am reapplying this cycle and found out two days ago I was accepted into one of my top choice MD programs in the east coast. In terms of being "blacklisted" from DOs, my first cycle acceptance never came up in interviews I attended at DO programs.
Though I lost a year, I don't regret the choice I made because I get to attend a program I love with strong clinicals and research opportunities.

 

[Robin-jay]

Most adcoms have no idea the difference between research journals like "Nature". To them, its just another publication. To the scientific community, its an enormous accomplishment considering its one of the top 2 journals.

Glad you were accepted, but at the price of a year. good luck.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Most adcoms have no idea the difference between research journals like "Nature". To them, its just another publication

This is completely wrong. Most adcom members are PhDs or other terminal degree faculty who know full well what Nature is, and what a Nature pub means.