Texas applicant with no match

[OddBallPreMed]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I applied to only Texas schools and submitted my primary application June 1st with my secondary applications going in between June and early July (except for Dell as they did not offer me a secondary). I received 3 IIs, A&M in early August, TCOM the end of November, and UTRGV the beginning of December. I was told by UTRGV pre-match that I was waitlisted, I didn't match there so I assume I am still on the waitlist. I was rejected from TCOM post-interview and because of this, I am assuming I will be rejected from A&M. My interviews went well with all three schools, they were conversational and the interviewers seemed to like what I said but that may have been in my head.

Now for stats:
BA in Philosophy, minor in chem (hence "Odd Ball Pre Med")
cGPA: 3.79
sGPA: 3.56
MCAT: 509 (127/128/127/127)

ECs
4 Years coaching a sport (sport not stated to protect anonymity) 25-30 hrs/wk
- Strong leadership position as I run a competitive program for the sport and have been doing so for 2 years
3 Years competing in the same sport I coach 8-15 hrs/wk depending on competitions
3 years working with the Chem department of my university ~10 hrs/wk
- 2 years paid
2 semesters in a psychology lab doing concussion research ~7 hrs/wk
60 hrs Hospital volunteering
70 hrs Shadowing (1 Neurologist)
~100 hrs non-clinical volunteering with various organizations, shelters, etc.
***These are the bare bones of my ECs but probably the most important ones

Problems I can see
1) obviously I need more non-clinical and clinical volunteering and probably need to shadow a variety of doctors
2) My science GPA is low, because I am a philosophy major I did not have the benefit of taking extra upper division science classes so all the sGPA comes from pre-reqs
3) I only applied to Texas schools

Questions I need help answering
1) Should I apply again this coming cycle? I, of course, would apply more broadly, adding DO schools, low-rank private OOS MD schools, and would apply earlier.
- The problem I see with this is that I haven't improved my weak ECs very much and I would hate to reapply again too soon and have to be a possible third-time applicant.
- I also hadn't completed all my pre-reqs at the time of application last year (I still needed PHY 1+2, PHY lab 1+2, and OChem lab), but this year they would be completed.
- If I wait and apply again in 2019 I might have to retake the MCAT due to expiration. I took my MCAT August 2016 just after my sophomore year (early I know), I honestly don't know if I would score better or worse but let's just assume I would score worse.
2) Should I send a letter of interest/intent to UTRGV or would this be pointless?
3) My secondary essays were ok, but my PS was kinda out there and emphasized my background in Philosophy. Should I rewrite it and take a more traditional approach? (extra credit if anyone offers to read it)
4) Do schools not consider what you are doing with your gap year? Meaning If I get a scribe job and volunteer during my gap year, putting it on my "planned activities" would adcoms care or just disregard this?
5) (I think I know the answer to this one) Should I do an SMP to improve my science GPA?

Any advice is appreciated, kinda in a low place right now as I feel like I am going to have to take two years off and take another MCAT. If you made it this far thank you!

 

[SpoiledMilk]

First, UTRGV only has 50 spots so although it isn't over, odds are long. Still hope for A&M, so keep your head up!

Should I do an SMP to improve my science GPA

If you already graduated, do a DIY post-bac and take upper level science courses at a 4 year university to pull that sGPA up. You don't need a SMP and it will be cheaper.

Should I send a letter of interest/intent to UTRGV or would this be pointless

You got nothing to lose at this point. Go for it.

My secondary essays were ok, but my PS was kinda out there and emphasized my background in Philosophy. Should I rewrite it and take a more traditional approach?

Rewrite your PS and post a thread asking volunteer SDNers to read. They always come through. Continue to work on the secondaries in case you need to reapply.

Do schools not consider what you are doing with your gap year? Meaning If I get a scribe job and volunteer during my gap year, putting it on my "planned activities" would adcoms care or just disregard this?

Yes they do. Get the scribe job. Find primary care physicians to shadow (FM, Peds, OBGYN, IM) for 25+ hours. Increase your clinical and nonclinical volunteering hours to about 250+ each.

Should I apply again this coming cycle? I, of course, would apply more broadly, adding DO schools, low-rank private OOS MD schools, and would apply earlier.

Assuming that you won't be able to do all your ECs and post-bac courses when TMDSAS opens in May 2018, then I think you should wait until May 2019. Since you took your MCAT in August 2016, then as long as you get your TMDSAS app, AMCAS app, and DO school apps verified and transmitted between May 2019 and August 2019, then your MCAT will still be good. Most schools take MCATs up to 3 years, if I am not mistaken.

LASTLY, it's okay to feel disappointed. But tomorrow, start taking positive steps towards your reapplication (if UTRGV or A&M do not happen). Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint!

All the Best!!!

 

[Smelt]

I skimmed through what you wrote, but this would be my advice. Personally I took an extra gap year to move my MCAT from a ~507->~515, My GPA and sGPA is significantly worse than yours, but I got 8 interviews this cycle and matched in TX. I know its a huge risk, but if you can honestly assess your MCAT prep and think you can improve then I would roll the dice. For me, I basically doubled my practice question volume. I don't think you need to shadow multiple types of docs, just one type is fine. In a short amount of time, there's not much to do about your GPA, so I would suggest the MCAT and working on a little bit of clinical experiences route. If you aren't confident in retaking MCAT, then maybe take a few science courses (not SMP) and then do tons of clinical work such as scribing?

Goodluck!