School help for a 4x reapplicant please

[Chimokines37]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all, was hoping for some help to make sure I do this right this time since its my last time trying. I'm trying to tailor my list of schools, my applications are done just need to get some help for where to send please!

GPA: ~3.4 for both
MCAT: 506 (126, 124, 127, 129)

Some shadowing experience, scribing experience, volunteer in hospital, minimal non healthcare experience (~40hours), some research but no publications, also did 2 masters program with 4.0 in each if those matter.

I'd love to attend any med school (DO or MD) but with my application DO is more likely I believe so posting here. Thinking of retaking MCAT in July? Which MD or DO schools would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[mc_bio19]

Why is this your fourth time applying? What have you done since the other three cycles to prove that you should be given a chance this fourth time? Honestly, from what you're displaying here I don't see anything strikingly wrong with your app as long as you have decent hours shadowing, volunteer, scribing, etc. The two master's programs is a little unconventional.

 

[Blanky]

Your GPA and MCAT are not the issue and competitive for DO. We need to get to the bottom of the reason you have applied 4 times???
Did you retake that MCAT or did you not have any ECs until recent? Was your school list too small or top heavy?

 

[Chimokines37]

Sorry for the mistake - this is my third application cycle. First time I got 2 interviews but I learned my interview skills were bad so worked on those for second time. My issue the second time I think was I only applied to 4 schools, got an interview at the school I did my masters at was waitlisted then rejected. Advice was to get more clinical/health care hours so I picked up scribing and will continue it through my gap year.

I did the two 1 year masters during my gap years and a couple other ECs. I’ll admit I don’t have much hours (100 ish shadowing, 50 ish non healthcare, but a good amount in clinical settings) so maybe that is an issue

 

[Blanky]

So a poor school list last year. You have improved your interview skills, gained a masters degree, and have clinical experience through scribing. You want to sell these things.
Make sure that your personal statement reflects your gap years growth and how it reinforces your desire to help others and become a physician. Use your scribing.
Make sure your LOR are up to date/strong. If I was in your position I would apply to 15-20 DO schools.

 

[Goro]

Sorry for the mistake - this is my third application cycle. First time I got 2 interviews but I learned my interview skills were bad so worked on those for second time. My issue the second time I think was I only applied to 4 schools, got an interview at the school I did my masters at was waitlisted then rejected. Advice was to get more clinical/health care hours so I picked up scribing and will continue it through my gap year.

I did the two 1 year masters during my gap years and a couple other ECs. I’ll admit I don’t have much hours (100 ish shadowing, 50 ish non healthcare, but a good amount in clinical settings) so maybe that is an issue

This cycle, you should be good to go for any DO school.
I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide.

 

[BlueFeesh]

If I was in your position I would apply to 15-20 DO schools.

Definitely apply broadly.

 

[Isoval]

Would recommend applying broadly and avoiding any state schools that aren’t your own.

Pick a few from the bottom, too, to make sure you snag an acceptance somewhere.

 

[Chimokines37]

This cycle, you should be good to go for any DO school.
I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide.

Thanks Goro, I remember you helped me out when I first applied a few years back. Would you recommend me to retake the mcat at all if my practice test average was a 510 and I know what went wrong the first time? Also asking because I was thinking of throwing some MD schools into the mix. Probably just my state MD and ones with lower accepted averages. It would also be my first application to MD. Do you think it’s worth trying?


Thanks to all other replies and help as well I’m planning to apply to every DO school except Liberty but I’ll look into what Goro said and see if I need to take those out as well.

 

[Goro]

Thanks Goro, I remember you helped me out when I first applied a few years back. Would you recommend me to retake the mcat at all if my practice test average was a 510 and I know what went wrong the first time? Also asking because I was thinking of throwing some MD schools into the mix. Probably just my state MD and ones with lower accepted averages. It would also be my first application to MD. Do you think it’s worth trying?


Thanks to all other replies and help as well I’m planning to apply to every DO school except Liberty but I’ll look into what Goro said and see if I need to take those out as well.

Yes, you should try your state school.

Did you have a sinking GPA trend? Doo less than stellar int he MS program? You may have a bad LOR

 

[Chimokines37]

Yes, you should try your state school.

Did you have a sinking GPA trend? Doo less than stellar int he MS program? You may have a bad LOR

GPA is generally upward from 1st->4th year of undergrad and very high in my post bacc and master's. Master's I got 4.0 and it involved a couple medical school classes with medical students. No idea how I'd check for a bad LOR since I can't see them unfortunately.

I guess I won't retake the MCAT if you think I'm ok for this cycle. I was trying to figure out if I should list a retake date on my application but I'm just about to hit that submit button.....tomorrow. For the last time. Thanks again!