Should I withdraw and re-apply??

[AllFloatOn]

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Hello everyone! This is my first time on the forum and I am desperate for advice. I applied this cycle to about 15 schools and received 3 interviews: one at my state school, one at NYU and one at Loma Linda. I was rejected post-interview at my state school and NYU. I just had my interview at Loma Linda a few days ago and it went really, really well. The problem is that I absolutely fell in love with NYU when I visited for my interview and did NOT get a good impression of Loma Linda last week. Now my predicament is do I go to to a school that I don’t really see myslef being happy at (if I do end up getting accepted) or withdraw my application soon and re-apply for this upcoming cycle.

My info:

Biochemistry major/ religious studies minor at a large public university
sGPA 3.8, cGPA 3.9
MCAT total #1: 26Q (7 physical sciences, 11 verbal, 8 bio) #2: 28R (8 physical sciences, 10 verbal, 10 bio)

Community service (I cumulatively have thousands of hours) including work with Habitat for Humanity, Amor (a habitat like program in Mexico), volunteering at a primary school in Costa Rica, working with American military children on a base in Italy, a non-profit community mentoring progam that I started at new branch or at a disadvantaged, urban high school in my city (I work with kids, train other mentors, fundraise, etc), work building and working at an orphanage in Africa, volunteer track coach at a middle school, chemistry tutor for high school students, and volunteering with my church

Work experience as a tutor and as an assistant manager at a restaurant
Clinic experience as a volunteer in the ED of a hospital, shaddowing a primary care physician (80 hours), shaddowing a dermatologist (20 hours), a school-based internship at the ED of a large hospital where I shaddowed and worked with doctors and nurses and got to observe surgeries, and a lot of volunteer hours at a free clinic for disadvantaged and uninsured people where I get an extreme amount of hands-on work (vital, histories, lab tests, drawing blood, removing sutures, cleaning wounds, assisitng doctors, etc)

No research expereince since I was so busy during undergad with community service work. I feel like it's too late to get involved now, but hope that my commitment to community and patient care related work makes up for it.


First of all, if I withdraw my application post-interview but pre-acceptance, is that detrimental to future med school applications? Second, what are the chances of me getting another interview as a re-applicant at NYU? Third, anything else significant you think I could do to imporve my application as a re-applicant in the time between now and AMCAS submission?

 

[Sesom]

Why would you withdraw your application before finding out whether you get accepted? 😕

 

[235009]

MCAT total #1: 26Q (7 physical sciences, 11 verbal, 8 bio) #2: 28R (8 physical sciences, 10 verbal, 10 bio)

No research expereince since I was so busy during undergad with community service work. I feel like it's too late to get involved now, but hope that my commitment to community and patient care related work makes up for it.

given these two things you aren't exactly in a position to be picky. Your MCAT score is 7 points below NYU's median ...it's crazy you even got an interview but now it sounds like you're getting greedy and will likely screw yourself over because of it

 

[Helen Wheels]

First, you'll still be a re-applicant at NYU next year whether you withdraw now from Loma Linda or not. Second, you really want to go through another app cycle's stress, hassle, and expense!?! 😕

My advice is to wait and see what Loma Linda decides. The decision may end up being made for you. If you are rejected you can re-apply and if you are accepted you should go. It is four years, not the rest of your life.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Your problem is definitely, definitely the MCAT score. Your verbal is solid, its just the sciences that are looking weak (which seems weird because you were a biochem major...).

including work with Habitat for Humanity, Amor (a habitat like program in Mexico), volunteering at a primary school in Costa Rica, working with American military children on a base in Italy, a non-profit community mentoring progam that I started at new branch or at a disadvantaged, urban high school in my city (I work with kids, train other mentors, fundraise, etc), work building and working at an orphanage in Africa

What? Can you explain this a little more? From the amount of things you've put on here it seems like some of these are probably "spring break"/"fall break" service projects. I mean, if you have done this much stuff and are being realistic about it, even with your weak MCAT score you should have gotten a few more interviews it seems like, especially with such a strong GPA.

Where did you apply? Was your PS good? Strong recommendation letters (especially from science faculty considering you've done no research, I've heard firsthand that adcom members are not impressed at all by recommendation letters from random professors saying "AllFloatOn got an A in my class and was a great student")? I'm really feeling the MCAT is the problem because that PS score especially is consistently weak. If you could bring it up to 10s across the board you might be better off. You've already taken it twice so you really only have one more shot before people start wondering why you're having to take it so many times (and even at three its a little iffy).

If you really don't like Loma Linda then you'll be in a tough position if they accept you. I'd say accept it personally because your MCAT score probably going to keep you down even next year, unless you take it again and jump 5 points or something. Also, it could be that another part of your app was weak too and, for example, its pretty hard to fix mediocre recommendation letters (unless there's someone else you know who can write them).

 

[dbeast]

I like Modest Mouse 😀

Everything else, unfortunately is your judgment call. I personally would never want to go through the application process again and Loma Linda is a fantastic school... it's just in Loma Linda unfortunately.

 

[acb88]

I agree with the others and think you should go to Loma Linda if you are accepted. I personally would not want to have to go through the application cycle again if I didn't have to. If, however, you do end up having to re-apply, I would consider taking the MCAT again. Your physical sciences score is pretty low. Don't worry about it being your third time taking the test. As long as the score goes up, it will more than likely not be a big deal. I actually took it myself three times and had no issues getting accepted to medical school.

 

[eli20]

Just to reiterate and simplify:

Your MCAT score is not good enough to justify you being picky. If you get an acceptance I suggest you take it.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

given these two things you aren't exactly in a position to be picky. Your MCAT score is 7 points below NYU's median ...it's crazy you even got an interview but now it sounds like you're getting greedy and will likely screw yourself over because of it

Their median is actually a 33Q (A dean and a few other admissions folks just visited Vandy), but I see what you mean. I agree though, the OP should not reapply after an acceptance, especially with an MCAT below 30.

 

[TOcho118]

Just curious here...if the OP were accepted and declined in order to reapply, would med schools next cycle know that? I understand that within a cycle, med schools are made aware of applicants' acceptances on May 15. If the answer to this is "yes," then don't even CONSIDER turning Loma Linda down. It is certainly a privilege to attend med school in the US and the last thing you want are adcoms thinking that you see yourself to be too good for any one school.

On another note, if you really feel that you will be miserable at Loma Linda, then withdraw now. I can't imagine going through the grind of med school while hating everything about that school. But thats just me...

 

[RookTookIt]

Just curious here...if the OP were accepted and declined in order to reapply, would med schools next cycle know that? I understand that within a cycle, med schools are made aware of applicants' acceptances on May 15. If the answer to this is "yes," then don't even CONSIDER turning Loma Linda down. It is certainly a privilege to attend med school in the US and the last thing you want are adcoms thinking that you see yourself to be too good for any one school.

On another note, if you really feel that you will be miserable at Loma Linda, then withdraw now. I can't imagine going through the grind of med school while hating everything about that school. But thats just me...

My understanding if that yes, med schools would know if he/she had ever been accepted to a US school. So, if you're sure you don't want to attend Loma Linda, you need to withdraw ASAP.

My opinion: Wait to see what happens. If you get into Loma Linda, go there without hesitation. In the meantime, get ready to retake the MCAT.

 

[eli20]

Just curious here...if the OP were accepted and declined in order to reapply, would med schools next cycle know that? I understand that within a cycle, med schools are made aware of applicants' acceptances on May 15.

One of the questions on the app asks if you've been accepted/matriculated at another school. I can only imagine answering 'yes' to this is a MAJOR red flag.

 

[KPCOFGS]

But what if s/he withdraws before a decision is made? Then they were never technically accepted into medical school, right? I think that may be part of what the OP is asking.

 

[RookTookIt]

But what if s/he withdraws before a decision is made? Then they were never technically accepted into medical school, right? I think that may be part of what the OP is asking.

Yeah, you're right. I just think it's an insane thing to do.

 

[eli20]

But what if s/he withdraws before a decision is made? Then they were never technically accepted into medical school, right? I think that may be part of what the OP is asking.

Yes, that would be the reason why the OP would withdraw before a decision is made - so that they do not have to report that they were accepted/matriculated. Most of the posters in this thread have advised that the OP not do this because the OP has a marginal MCAT score, and might have difficulty getting any acceptance without raising it.

 

[dragon529]

Given your stats, I say wait for the decision UNLESS you plan to retake the MCAT and have consistently scored higher on 5+ practice FLs.

 

[RomanCandle]

Definitely go to Loma Linda. It should not be a difficult decision.

 

[235009]

Their median is actually a 33Q (A dean and a few other admissions folks just visited Vandy), but I see what you mean. I agree though, the OP should not reapply after an acceptance, especially with an MCAT below 30.

I remember it being 35 when I was applying but according to the latest MSAR it's 34, maybe it went down to 33 for the class of 2010. So guess I was off by 1 or 2 points but still a FIVE point difference in the MCAT is enormous.

Given your stats, I say wait for the decision UNLESS you plan to retake the MCAT and have consistently scored higher on 5+ practice FLs.

I would say you should wait for the decision unless you have already retaken the MCAT and got a score of 32+!

 

[James Sacket]

@AllFloatOn: Have you heard from Loma Linda?
If you get accepted, GO!
You will save yourself A LOT of troubles down the road. Even if your MCAT retake is 35+ and there's no other SIGNIFICANT improvement on your application, there's no guarantee that you'll get in any school next cycle.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I like Modest Mouse 😀

Everything else, unfortunately is your judgment call. I personally would never want to go through the application process again and Loma Linda is a fantastic school... it's just in Loma Linda unfortunately.

I'm loving that status and avatar, dbeast. Coordinated SDN meme lulz.

 

[AllFloatOn]

Thanks for all the input everyone! I guess I was just really discouraged on my "interview day" at LLU. There was nothing set up to tell me about the school, medical center, student life, etc. All I did was interview then leave. I'm from a big city and without any positive input from students or administrators my only impression was an empty campus in a super small town. I've had a few days to think and I'm definitely going to wait and see if I get in or not. I may be a re-applicant whether I like it or not... Hopefully find out in a few weeks.

 

[CurrySpice]

You will be a doctor graduating from LL just as much as if you graduated from NYU. It is accredited so the facilities must be decent. You'll have as much sunshine as you can handle!

AKA: take the acceptance & run. Transfer if necessary

 

[dbeast]

I'm loving that status and avatar, dbeast. Coordinated SDN meme lulz.

Ah thank you 😀