Suggestions?

[KCT15]

Looking for some advice...

I am a non-trad applicant w/ degree in Chem. Engineering. 6 yrs experience in chemical manufacturing. Mostly pharmaceuticals. Undergrad GPA was 3.65. Because my degree was in ChemE I had most of the classes required. Since then I've taken some Bio classes at a JC. I am limited to the Chicago area (for at least the next 3 yrs). Took the MCAT April '06 and got a 29 (9 VR, 10 PS and BS).

So far I have gotten rejected by all but 2 schools where I have been complete for about 3 months. My application has been put in the "hold for re-review" at Loyola. I think there are a couple things that are hurting me - 1) I didn't apply super early - complete in mid to late October. 2) I don't have very much volunteer experience.

I was thinking about writing a letter explaining that although I do not have much clinical experience through volunteer work I have observed as much that have plenty of volunteer experience through my experiences with my daughter. And that these experiences have proven to me that I want to be a doctor. I've seen...Spinal tap, Art stick, MRI's, Ultrasounds, physical and occupational therapy...and more. We've seen neurologists, cardiologists, metabolic specialists, and LOTS AND LOTS of visits to the pediatrician's office.

So does anyone have any suggestions for how I might be able to get Rush and Loyola to offer me an interview yet this application cycle? Anyone think writing the letter might help? Also, any opinion as to whether I should just apply super early next year or if I should take a year off to get more clinical exposure. I don't want to blow my 2nd chance as Loyola limits the number of times applying to 2. If I don't reapply for '08 I was going to get CNA certified and then volunteer as a CNA if I can find somewhere that would take me.

Any advice would be appreciated!

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[awk]

Get clinical exposure now and plan to re-apply super early next time. I never understand why people wait to apply when it is a first come first serve basis at many schools As to your daughter and you visiting many physicians....you should have mentioned anything like that in your personal statement. If there are things you want the boards to know that is the place for them. Just remember to apply eary and broadly (20+) to increase your chances.

 

[KCT15]

I knew I should have applied early but was in the middle of moving and as part of the transition from MI to IL my husband had to spend a lot of time back in MI so I had the 2 kids and classes. So it was very hard to get applications done...and to find someone to review my application essays. Still not a good enough excuse and I should have applied earlier.

I cannot apply broadly because I am limited to the Chicago area. There are 5 MD schools that are possibilities...but in reality only 3 are possibilities because Northwestern and U. of Chicago are out of my league.

I mentioned my daughter in my personal statement...but didn't make it clear that I have seen as much as I have. Letter or no letter at this point?

 

[awk]

Usually secondaries come with another essay chance so put your new thoughts into them if you still can. If not I would not recommend sending a letter to the school. I say this mainly because schools already offer three chances to tell them personal, non-application types of details about yourself (initial essay, secondary essay and interview)

Also by limiting yourself to one region you are also limiting your chances for success. In this game there are plenty of others you have no restrictions and would be glad to compete for your desk in medical school.

 

[ExtremeUnderdog]

Letter: A well-written, succinct yet compelling letter of interest will not hurt your application and might get you an interview (this is both from personal experience and from the experiences of several friends). You need to send it fairly soon, as the interview and decision windows are slowly beginning to close.

Volunteering: In the meantime, call the volunteer coordinator at a conveniently-located hospital or clinic (preferably one which tracks volunteer hours) and begin volunteering as soon as you can. You do not need CNA training or a license to volunteer. In fact, even if you do have the skills and license, your involvement in patient care will be very limited (volunteers are often/generally not covered under the hospital's liability insurance plan, therefore they are restricted to non-clinical tasks and observation). Unless you want to get paid as a CNA, it would likely be a waste of time and money to get the CNA training.

Re-application: In late April or early May you may want to call the schools which rejected you and ask them if they will grant you an appointment with an admissions staff member/assistant dean/etc. Some schools have these "exit" interviews ("exiting" the application cycle, I suppose) of which most rejected applicants can avail themselves, but even those that don't may be willing to give you some face-to-face time to discuss your application. Find out what they would like to see you do, what they felt were the weak points in your application and try to address those during the next cycle as best you can.

And as was already mentioned... apply early! Good luck!