Reapplying- how can I improve? [MD]

[nyc09]

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Hey, I applied this year and ended up on a waitlist to one of the schools I interviewed at, but it looks like I'm not getting in.


I have a 32S (13v, 10,b, 9p) and GPA will be 3.5 (I had applied with a 3.42)

I had hospital volunteer, some shadowing, 8 months lab experience, and a bunch of the other volunteer and club stuff. I have two new letters or recommendation too.

Any suggestions about what I could do in my year off to improve my application? I was thinking about americorps working in NYC with the medically underserved in clinics and with health education, but I'm not sure what else to do to strengthen my application.
Thanks

 

[slick27]

Did you apply early? That seems to be the only problem I can think of with your stats. Maybe get your EMT-B, CNA to get more clinical experience. The americorps things sould cool though.

 

[nyc09]

Yeah I applied kind of late and I also think I didn't apply very smart. I need to find some schools that are a better fit for my stats.

Any advice on schools or what to do in the lag year would be great!

 

[dragonfly99]

The Americorps thing sounds good.
Also, apply really early, apply to a lot of schools and to some that don't have really high average GPA's. The schools tend not to deviate a lot from the stats they accept.
It wouldn't hurt if you could drag your GPA up a little more, either.

 

[nyc09]

I have the chance to work with a dermatological surgeon or work with americorp with the medically underserved. Any opinions on which would be a better?

 

[dragonfly99]

Tough to say...is the dermatological surgeon well connected? I mean, is he on the faculty at any med school(s), for example? What would you be doing if you worked there? Which job pays better (taking into account student loans repayment, etc. if you get that for Americorps)? Would either one leave you enough time to take a class or two, and/or retake the MCAT?

Working with the surgeon would def. give you a shot at another physician LOR, which is definitely important.

Did you apply late last year?

Looking at your MCAT score, it's not bad, but I feel like if that was the very first time you ever took the test, perhaps you could improve. Physics was my low section and I was able to raise my score from 9 to 15 by taking Princeton Review and studying hard...I realize those aren't typical results, but I feel like it's worth mentioning. I feel like it's easier to study for the science parts of the MCAT...there is actually stuff you can memorize, practice, etc. to raise your score. Verbal is more reading comp so not sure how people manage to raise their scores on that section.

 

[sarahl86]

It depends on what you'd be doing with the surgeon...if its just clerical work I'd pass unless he's on an admissions committee or something. Americorps is great because you get to work with your community and hopefully gain some great clinical experience in the process. It would look better on an application to do the latter, IMO.

 

[Umich08]

I am actually looking to apply for the 3rd time this next cycle.

I have a 3.35gpa, 3.23 science, and a 32N (10v,11p,11b)

I know that my gpa have been what has held me down, but i am currently working on my MPH with a gpa of 3.61.

I have a ton of extracurriculars and i teach at the university and for princeton review.

My question is, should I retake my MCAT (from august 2006) or should I work on getting more clinical experience and better letters of rec?

 

[dragonfly99]

I would try to do something to raise that undergraduate GPA...like take some 400 level bio classes. Also, need to get good hospital volunteer experience (or in a clinic, ER, etc.).

The 3.3/3.2 type GPA is honestly probably too low to get into a US MD school...in your situation I'd try DO schools, schools abroad, or maybe take a 1 year post-bac or something drastic to raise the GPA. From the adcoms' point of view, they have tons of applicants with 3.7/3.8 GPA's, so it's hard for them to justify taking someone with a 3.2 or 3.3 GPA.