reapplying - postbac or no?

[Doo]

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Hey guys, I'm planning to reapply in the up-coming cycle and submit the AMCAS on Jun 1. Last year I applied to 22 schools, half of which are top 20 (what a silly move, looking back). I had only 2IIs and is currently waitlisted by my state school.

Now I'm looking for a job for next year and am also looking at the postbac programs. I'm not sure which path will be more beneficial in terms of enhancing my chance to get into med schools.

Here is my brief profile:

Econ major. cGPA 3.61, sGPA 3.67, MCAT 38R (14/12/12 ps/vr/bs)

Research experience:

3yrs biol research. (1yr as undergrad senior, 2yrs full-time Jo after graduation) 2 papers submitted recently for publication.

1 summer hedge fund internship.(freshman yr summer)

Clinical experience:

1 winter and 1 summer of hospital volunteering (150hrs)

Teaching experience:

1yr biol TA (2 courses)

4yr tutoring (math, physics, biol, chem, ~10 hrs/wk)

Since my app cycle didn't go so well, I tried to list the possible weaknesses I have:

1. Applied late. Secondaries completed mid-Sep to mid-Oct.
2. Applied too top heavy.
3. Econ major + misleading PS, making people think I'm just a career change driven by poor economy.
4. Sparse EC in college.
5. Not enough clinical exposure.
6. Not so great GPA? (have a C for OChem)

The first 3 can be fixed easily. The 4th can't be changed. So I'm focusing on 5 and 6. Starting in early this month, I started shadowing docs (4 hrs/wk) and volunteering at hospital again (8hrs/wk). I'm planning to keep these going whether I get a job or go to post-bac.

The ultimate question is this: in addition to shadowing and volunteering, should I get a job in clinical setting or go to post-bac? Or in other words, weakness 5 vs. 6, which one should I pick to fix? Keep in mind that I will keep shadowing and volunteering no matter what, I just won't have a full time job in clinical setting if I go to post-bac. Tuition of post-bac is not a big issue.

Thanks for any tip in advance!

 

[leon sandcastle]

where did you apply for your non-top 20 schools? I am very surprised you didn't get in anywhere. Did you sent a letter of intent for your wait-listed school? Good luck and keep fighting OP

 

[Doo]

where did you apply for your non-top 20 schools? I am very surprised you didn't get in anywhere. Did you sent a letter of intent for your wait-listed school? Good luck and keep fighting OP

Mostly in NY, MA, and PA. I did send a letter of intent/update to the school immediately after they wait-listed me. I'm preparing for the worst but keeping my head up. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Radon XP]

I don't think a post-bac is necessary. I think your only problem was that you applied too late and too top heavy. Apply earlier and to a broader range of schools, and you should be golden. Nice MCAT score.

 

[ashylarry23]

agree with above, i think a clinical job would be more beneficial than a post-bac. your grades seem fine

 

[huskydock]

Your stats are definitely not the problem. A 3.6 is pretty good, and if anything, you offset a "lower" GPA at top schools with your excellent MCAT score. A post-bacc is totally not necessary and a waste of money.

I would just recommend you get a lot of shadowing experience and more clinical experience. Rework your PS so that you truly answer "why medicine" (if your PS is really how you say it is). Improve those two and you're sure to get a lot of acceptances next cycle. I don't see why a top school is not within your reach, but have more safeties just in case!

 

[TexasSurgeon]

I don't think a post-bac is necessary. I think your only problem was that you applied too late and too top heavy. Apply earlier and to a broader range of schools, and you should be golden. Nice MCAT score.

This.

 

[Ost3oclast]

I wouldnt do a post-bacc man. Those are some good stats ( great mcat btw congrats) I would set up a reapp and apply to more "safety" schools next cycle.

 

[occams_razor]

echoing what other posters have already said - don't do a post-bac, it will be a waste of money for you. your grades are fine and your MCAT is excellent. getting a clinical job would be a better use of your time. apply early and more broadly next time

 

[Doo]

Thanks for the inputs, guys. I know a post-bac program usually serves as a GPA booster. But while doing some research on that, it seems that many of them advertise that a significant % of their students get into med school afterwards. I kind of have the feeling that besides boosting GPA, med schools tend to like these post-bac applicants more?

Also, some med schools prefer applicants who took their post-bac programs? Ex. Boston U takes a significant % from their post-bac; UPenn advertises their post-bac program as an "accelerated program" to a bunch of med schools; Temple guarantees a spot if doing well in their post-bac, etc. That's why they look more attractive to me than they probably should be. So anyone has any comment on this post-bac "insider-advantage" myth?

Anyway, after seeing your comments, a clinical job is still preferable in my case unless I get accepted into Temple's post-bac I guess. As I mentioned, it guarantees a spot in their med school if GPA is higher than 3.5 in their post-bac.

One last question, since I'm not 100% sure I can land a clinical job, so I might as well just land a pure biol research job. In that case, post-bac vs. pure research?

Thank you guys again. I'll also appreciate anyone to comment on the "insider advantage" myth. This past cycle has just been too depressing that I'm just not nearly as optimistic about my profile as I was last year anymore. Good luck to everyone who's also applying by the way!

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Thanks for the inputs, guys. I know a post-bac program usually serves as a GPA booster. But while doing some research on that, it seems that many of them advertise that a significant % of their students get into med school afterwards. I kind of have the feeling that besides boosting GPA, med schools tend to like these post-bac applicants more?

Also, some med schools prefer applicants who took their post-bac programs? Ex. Boston U takes a significant % from their post-bac; UPenn advertises their post-bac program as an "accelerated program" to a bunch of med schools; Temple guarantees a spot if doing well in their post-bac, etc. That's why they look more attractive to me than they probably should be. So anyone has any comment on this post-bac "insider-advantage" myth?

Anyway, after seeing your comments, a clinical job is still preferable in my case unless I get accepted into Temple's post-bac I guess. As I mentioned, it guarantees a spot in their med school if GPA is higher than 3.5 in their post-bac.

One last question, since I'm not 100% sure I can land a clinical job, so I might as well just land a pure biol research job. In that case, post-bac vs. pure research?

Thank you guys again. I'll also appreciate anyone to comment on the "insider advantage" myth. This past cycle has just been too depressing that I'm just not nearly as optimistic about my profile as I was last year anymore. Good luck to everyone who's also applying by the way!

Then honestly it may not hurt to do one if that will also maximize your chances of getting in. Everyone that sees your stats can say they're great. You seem to have applied late as the only problem. So since you're going to apply again obviously, then doing a postbac program wouldn't hurt since you're in such a good position to get in anyway (just don't mess up the interviews 😀 )

And that postbac inside info is very cool. I had no idea of that and may consider one.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Oh and apply broadly just in case.

 

[alpinism]

The most helpful thing you can do for your application besides applying early and broadly would be to get more clinical exp and community service.

Def re-write your PS as well.

 

[Doo]

Then honestly it may not hurt to do one if that will also maximize your chances of getting in. Everyone that sees your stats can say they're great. You seem to have applied late as the only problem. So since you're going to apply again obviously, then doing a postbac program wouldn't hurt since you're in such a good position to get in anyway (just don't mess up the interviews 😀 )

And that postbac inside info is very cool. I had no idea of that and may consider one.

I only know Temple guarantees a spot if do well, which is stated by their website. I'm not sure if other post-bac programs make applicants more privileged. So take it with a grain of salt. Anyway, good luck!

 

[Doo]

The most helpful thing you can do for your application besides applying early and broadly would be to get more clinical exp and community service.

Def re-write your PS as well.

working on that. We'll just see how this cycle goes. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Doo]

Just got accepted off the waitlist! I guess now I don't need to worry anymore. Still, thanks goes to everyone for your suggestions!