reapplying early this time?

[garrettm]

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I just finished this years application period with no acceptance. Discouraging but I'm happy to get right back on the horse. I have a 35/m (never been very quick at writing) with a 3.48 GPA and about a year of volunteering and time in academic research. I had to took my MCAT late so I applied only a couple weeks before the end of application deadlines.

Since I faltered a bit in my last couple semesters I've been told that I should take a couple upper-division courses and I've also been advised to get more clinical experience. I'm thinking of applying right away to different schools, considering that an early application helps (does it really help?).

But if I do wait, is a year and a half old MCAT bad? Should I retake it (I still think I can do better)?

Thanks for your comments!

 

[Stratego]

An early application when you have a suboptimal application is very helpful. Your MCAT score is excellent and theoretically should compensate for the low GPA. I hope your BCPM GPA isn't too much lower than your cGPA. Your current MCAT score is fine and won't expire until it's 2-3 years old (most take them up to three years).

A year of research is about average, but only a year of (presumably clinical) volunteering is less than most have. Do you have physican shadowing and leadership experience?

When you reapply, it's important to be able to answer "How have you improved your application since you last applied?" What are you going to say? I think that getting some As in upper-level science classes would be a good answer to have, and hopefully you've broadened your clinical exposure.

 

[gman33]

A downward trend in your grades is a bad thing. I would reapply this year, but you should work on your app for the next cycle as well. Take some upper level science classes and try to get the gpa up a little bit.
What is your BCPM gpa?

Also, call all the schools were you got rejected. Get some feedback. Make sure there is nothing bad in your file your don't know about (ie. bad LOR).

Don't even think of retaking the MCAT with that score. Improve your weak parts, not your strengths. Continued volunteering will help as well.

 

[garrettm]

Thanks, the advice was very helpful.