Some advice for a reapplicant?

[DOsoon_2Be]

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Hi everyone,

Just a heads up this will be a long one! I really do appreciate any meaningful input/feedback though if you continue to read.

I'm planning on applying this upcoming cycle (2019) and am currently studying to take the MCAT for the second time in January.

The thing is, I applied back in the 2016 cycle with plans to graduate in spring 2017. Unfortunately that didn't happen. I took the MCAT in September 2016 and was very much under-prepared for it, only focusing on practice tests and and AAMC question packs for a couple weeks leading up to the exam. I ended up scoring a 497. I sent out 4 secondary apps and by fall I withdrew from classes entirely (solid 4 or 5 Ws on my transcript) due to some moderate to severe depression that came on late spring 2016. On top of that, my GPA wasn't great, only having a 3.2 cumm and sc. I rushed everything that summer from apps to MCAT and felt very defeated and full of regret by the time fall rolled around and came to realize I should not have taken any of that on at the time.

Fast forward to spring 2017 and I actually ended up getting an II from ATSU SOMA after coming back to school. I debated going but attended anyways knowing that I probably wouldn't get in due to my semester withdrawal previously and that I still had two semesters of undergrad left. Best case scenario I would've tried to defer. To my surprise they put me on their alternate list until letting me know a week before their classes started that I didn't make the cut.

Since then, I graduated last May with the highest GPA I've ever had in a semester (3.92) getting As in both anatomy and physiology that I'm very proud and also instilled a sense of confidence in myself that I'd been lacking. I also changed my major because I realized that I was creating a lot of unnecessary stress for myself by studying something I wasn't passionate about. But my GPA still isn't great and actually went down slightly from the semester after my withdrawal to a 3.17c and 3.19sc.

My focus is really on ATSU soma specifically for their partnership with CHCs and working in underserved areas as well as their focus on primary care. I contacted the admissions rep a few weeks and asked for a review as to why I wasn't admitted and they said it was largely due to my MCAT and how it would've been an academic risk taking me on. They advised me to bump it up to at least a 500 to "ease the mind of interviewers" which I kind of figured, given that I already planned on retaking, but I wanted to confirm nonetheless.

My question is, do I still have a decent shot at getting an acceptance from here after bumping up my MCAT? I am worried about the withdrawal and that there's still a dip in my GPA where it's under 3.0 for a few semesters even after my withdrawal.

Thanks again for reading.

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[yogidoc19]

I am no adcom but I will tell you a bit about my "story" and how it may give you some hope.

For starters though I think it's impressive they interviewed you that cycle given your MCAT, don't mean to offend just trying to express that the rest of your app must have been fairly solid.

Anyway, I had a downward trend for my 3rd to last and 2nd to last semester of undergrad. Personal issues came up- the details are not super important but there was definitely a reason for this change in grades similar to what you seem to have dealt with. I was able to do better my last semester also in A+P and this gave me a similar confidence boost. I rushed applying to a few schools in 2016 with a 500 MCAT and low GPA's around 3.2 and got no bites. I had pretty instant regret that fall. I had already graduated so our story is a bit different there. Anyway, I did a post-bacc to raise my GPA and re-took the MCAT. I applied early, polished my app, and focused on schools that value "reinvention" and already have two acceptances this cycle (one to SOMA).

So I think given that they interviewed you in the past and you had a stellar last semester (showing some capability to turn things around and somewhat "reinvent") they would be more likely to interview you if you bring up the MCAT- shoot for at least a 507 IMO and apply again very early/send in secondaries asap.

Let me know if you have any questions for me- you can PM me but I hope this helps a little!
My one tip is also to be ready to explain the trend: although my GPA trend has never once come up in an interview I was still prepared to discuss it and explain the circumstances for why that happened and what I learned from that experience etc.
The advice I was given on SDN though was to not draw attention to poor grades or trends unless specifically asked!

 

[DOsoon_2Be]

Thank you! I appreciate your story as well as your input. It was very helpful! I've really debated on doing a SMP. Does it really matter where you do it at or is it just the fact you completed one well overall beneficial? I've kind of decided that if I don't get into SOMA I'll most likely end up doing one if nothing else can compensate for my GPA

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[yogidoc19]

I personally don't think it matters but some people i'm sure would argue it does. I did a formal one at a university because I was a few years out from undergrad and needed help from the advising etc. but some people do a DIY post-bacc at their undergraduate or another school- this is likely cheaper and better if you don't need a ton of classes or pre-reqs.

 

[DOsoon_2Be]

Okay that sounds pretty reasonable. Thank you for all your input, I really do appreciate it!

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[crazymedguy123]

Apply early and broadly

Just an FYI, you are at the borderline for some schools not accepting your MCAT scores (too old of a score). So even if the hope is that ATSU interviewed you, make sure you are up to date for most DO schools. This may be a blessing in disguise if you can get your score above 500 or even higher

 

[DOsoon_2Be]

Thank you! Very good point. I didn't even think about my last MCAT being expired but you're right, it sure will be very close. I appreciate your feedback!

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[DOsoon_2Be]

Thought I'd bump since I just got my MCAT scores back. Ended up with a 505! Although not spectacular, I'm pretty happy with the improvement!

 

[Magus5454]

Thought I'd bump since I just got my MCAT scores back. Ended up with a 505! Although not spectacular, I'm pretty happy with the improvement!

497 to 505 is a good jump. Best of luck with your app cycle

 

[DOsoon_2Be]

497 to 505 is a good jump. Best of luck with your app cycle

Thanks so much!