Sticky Situation, what to do?

[neurosurgeon16]

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I applied this application cycle to 10 schools, received 3 II, and got wait listed by all 3 schools. Lizzy M score about 69 (now about 70 due to increase in GPA). Pretty good EC's including 400-500 hours clinical volunteering, several research labs (many poster presentations and 1 publication), TA'ing, etc. I really want to wait for the 2018 application cycle (so in June 2017) to reapply to medical school so I can take some extra time during my gap year and really boost my app, but there is one issue. If I sit out during this next application cycle then I would have to retake the MCAT since most schools will only accept the new version for the 2018 cycle. This is something that I really do not want to do because my score was pretty good. However, I don't feel too confident reapplying this next cycle activity wise since I don't think I've improved my application that much. Any advice?

 

[Goro]

I recommend getting feedback from the schools that rejected you, and fixing those deficits. I surmise that your interview skills may be the issue.

If you applied to MD schools only, time for some DO schools on the list.

 

[neurosurgeon16]

Thanks for the input. I also think interview skills were part of the issue, but there a a few things activity wise I can do to make my app stronger. Does anyone have any advice with regards to this MCAT situation? Is it better to reapply early or have to retake the MCAT. I really really hope I don't have to retake it after all the hard work I put in and I ended up with a decent score. Considering how much harder the new MCAT is and I haven't taken psychology or sociology since freshman year, I think the lesser of the two evils is to reapply early even though I haven't fixed a few areas of my application that I think need work on.

 

[italiancowgirl]

Only you can make the judgement call to say you are going to be more competitive than last year. On that note I like to caution people to think about the lesser of two evils on a slightly longer term. The real evils to think about are what if your 2nd app is not different enough/your interview skills still not improved, and you don't get accepted. Then you have spent a year and a lot of money on apps rather than really improving to be competitive and rock the MCAT retake you will then be forced to take. This is one of those times school feedback can be critical in your decision. If you want to work on your PS, or address some gaps on shadowing or something, no problem. But before you hit submit find at least one school to have a real focused conversation with and listen carefully for their feedback that says they were not impressed vs they ran out of space. If they have reason to doubt you this time and you haven't improved it will be wasted time and a detriment to your reputation. Schools like applicants who take self improvement seriously. GL! I was a 3rd time reapplicant, I get how hard the wait is, but don't make my mistakes!

 

[GrapesofRath]

I applied this application cycle to 10 schools, received 3 II, and got wait listed by all 3 schools. Lizzy M score about 69 (now about 70 due to increase in GPA). Pretty good EC's including 400-500 hours clinical volunteering, several research labs (many poster presentations and 1 publication), TA'ing, etc. I really want to wait for the 2018 application cycle (so in June 2017) to reapply to medical school so I can take some extra time during my gap year and really boost my app, but there is one issue. If I sit out during this next application cycle then I would have to retake the MCAT since most schools will only accept the new version for the 2018 cycle. This is something that I really do not want to do because my score was pretty good. However, I don't feel too confident reapplying this next cycle activity wise since I don't think I've improved my application that much. Any advice?

Many schools will accept a 2014 MCAT for the 17-18 cycle.
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/398586/data/mcatexampolicy.pdf

What is your actual MCAT and GPA. If your MCAT is high, I think retaking unless the score is truly expiring at most or all schools isnt a good idea in particular.
Where did you apply as well

I do agree your interview skills probably werent great and its wise to sit out a cycle to improve your app. IF your MCAT and GPA are concordant(ie that isnt a asymmetric LizzyM 69) and you improve your ECs, you can probably be fine without DO schools if you apply much broader with a better application next time.

 

[neurosurgeon16]

@ GrapesofRath GPA was about a 3.5c/3.6sci and now my cumulative is closer to a 3.6. MCAT was a 34 w/ at least a 10 in all subsections. While many schools still will accept a 2014 MCAT, my state school will not, hence the tendency to take it over.

Got feedback from a school I interviewed at, said that they would like to see me develop my interpersonal skills a bit more (also connected to interviewing).

 

[GrapesofRath]

@ GrapesofRath GPA was about a 3.5c/3.6sci and now my cumulative is closer to a 3.6. MCAT was a 34 w/ at least a 10 in all subsections. While many schools still will accept a 2014 MCAT, my state school will not, hence the tendency to take it over.

Got feedback from a school I interviewed at, said that they would like to see me develop my interpersonal skills a bit more (also connected to interviewing).

If you have to retake you have to retake. You have a balanced 34: there's no reason you cant get a similar type of score if you retake. IT's hard to hear I know but there are certainly worse things in the world; the new MCAT isnt as different as the old one as people think.

You dont really need DO schools if you apply very broadly on the reapp but itll help to know which state you are precisely because that will say how dependent your odds of getting into an MD school overall are dependent on getting into your state school. If you are from say South Carolina or Nebraska, yes the MCAT scores expiring in your state is a significant issue. If you are from say Illinois, it's not as much of a concern. A state like Georgia you might also be able to overcome not being able to apply IS as well.

So yes it sounds like you know where a problem of yours is. Gyngyn has said in the past from his experience schools sometimes might be less likely to re-interview people who had suspect interpersonal skills because those are unlikely to improve significantly in just a year.

In general it's often advisable to sit out a cycle after you get rejected to really improve your app so your idea is good. But the more details you provide(ie where you applied, state of residence, types of ECs to see if there is a deficiency such as a lack of non clinical service etc) the easier it is to decide how you should approach this situation. If privacy is a big issue and you still want feedback you can PM as well.