Medical Should I apply to one school this cycle?

[MusicDOc124]

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I am have previously applied twice and have failed to gain an acceptance. In 2017 cycle, I received 2 II --> 2 WL. Then I retook the MCAT and improved from 502 --> 511. In the 2018 cycle, I received 7 II --> 5 WL and currently sitting on no acceptances.

I was recently admitted an SMP, which guarantees an interview the year after I complete the program (BTW I received an II from the SMP school was but was rejected). I am also enrolled in 5 upper div courses and will have new grades in July (expect 3.7 gpa average from these classes).

The original plan was to complete the SMP and apply the following year to have a full year worth of new classes and LORs on my application but I was thinking whether I should just apply to the school this cycle and see if I can pull in an acceptance. The only reason I am considering this was because I received an II the previous cycle and therefore believe I am borderline applicant such that I could send an update letter with my first semester grades from the SMP and push me over into the acceptance pile. Also the SMP does not specify this but maybe I could get higher consideration since I would be in the SMP. If I don't get in, I wouldn't jeopardize my chances the following year at other schools since I didn't apply to them and I would still get an guaranteed interview at the school. Thoughts?

Side question: Would I be considered IS for Ohio schools for this cycle if I have been living in Ohio since Jan 2019 and will have been in the state over 1 year by time of matriculation?

Stats:
- 3.4 cgpa, 3.1sgpa, 511 MCAT (502 old), URM, fluent in Spanish, CA resident
- 3 years of hospital volunteering
- 1 years of volunteer tutoring
- 1 year of Air Force ROTC
- 4 years as competitive cyclist
- 30 hours of shadowing
- Over 2000 hours as a medical assistant
- 2 summers of paid research (NSF REU and NIH Awards)
- 3 poster presentations and 1 oral presentation

I know you mention the upcoming SMP, but as of right now, what has changed since you applied last year in the first place?

 

[Goro]

Approx 750 hours of clinical experience and 3 new science courses with approx 3.7 gpa (1 class done and 2 more will be done in 2 weeks).

Apply when you have the best possible app, even if it means skipping an app cycle.

And work on interview skills.

 

[MusicDOc124]

^ agree with Goro.

3 new classes at 3.7 won't change the GPA much when you already have a degree, and the GPA is suffering the most it appears. Applying to 1 school that you were previously not accepted to with really only an addition of a slight GPA change and some clinical experience when you already have 2000+ hours to begin with isn't the biggest of differences.

Save the money from the single-school application along with the time put into setting up the app and the like, and continue on into the SMP that you did interview at and is associated with the SMP for your best chance - not only at this school, but for other schools as well.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I think you will get Ohio residency after 1 year. My suggestion is also to bank your money and excel in your SMP before applying. If you are going to play the in-state game, you will have a lot of choices among the Ohio medical schools, and you should do your homework. For example, OUCOM/Heritage has multiple campuses (one in Cleveland, one near Columbus, and one at the home campus in Athens). Plus, I'm sure that clerkship rotations and be scheduled anywhere throughout the hospital systems in the state.