- Joined
- Mar 29, 2019
- Messages
- 71
- Reaction score
- 86
Hello,
Briefly, I am a Texas-resident, non-traditional applicant (27 y.o) considering applying for a third time. Here is a quick rundown of my application cycles:
- 2017-2018
Applied: TMDSAS (All schools, MD and DO)
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.29 (lackluster freshman year of undergrad as an undecided, pre-engineering student)
DIY Post-bac GPA (41 hrs of medical school prerequisites including genetics and biochemistry): 3.84
MCAT: 501
Clinical experience/volunteering: 2+ years working as a physical/occupational therapy tech in a large, acute-care hospital; tons of hands-on patient care with bed-side therapy in the ICU and other hospital wards. 60+ hours of volunteering at a therapy facility.
Non-clinical volunteering: None
Research experience: 100+ hours with wet-lab experience and a poster presentation.
Zero interview invites
- 2019-2020
Applied: TMDSAS (All schools, MD and DO)
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.29
DIY Post-bac GPA (41 hrs of medical school prerequisites including genetics and biochemistry): 3.84
MCAT: 501, 501 (2nd take), 511 (3rd take)
Clinical experience/volunteering: 2+ years working as a physical/occupational therapy tech in a large, acute-care hospital; tons of hands-on patient care with bed-side therapy in the ICU and other hospital wards. 60+ hours of volunteering at a therapy facility. +1 year continuing employment at the hospital; I began working with the wound-care specialists on top of my other responsibilities.
Non-clinical volunteering: 60+ hours of working with an organization that provides food and other goods to families living in underserved areas. ( I am still working with this organization and hope to continue doing so in the future)
Research experience: 100+ hours with wet-lab experience and a poster presentation. + >1 year working at a cancer research hospital with a couple of middle author abstract publications (these were pending when I applied, so I was unable to mention any authorship in my application). I am currently working on a first author publication with my PI.
Zero interview invites
Both cycles I applied early; my primary was submitted mid-May and all secondaries were in by early-July.
After the most recent cycle, I spoke to an admissions member at one of the medical schools. They told me I had a good application and that my letters of rec were great, but the sheer volume of applicants makes it difficult to select every good candidate. I totally understand this, but now I feel that there's nothing in my application that stands out, and my low GPAs (despite the post-bac) are definitely not helping. I understand a third take for the MCAT is also not ideal and could be viewed as a reflection of poor decision-making; there are no excuses, I failed to find a study method that worked for me and sat for the exam in order to make the application deadline. My second take honestly caught me by surprise as I had been doing well on practice exams (508-515) - I remember not sleeping a wink that night and being shaken with nerves. I emailed an admissions member at another school about re-applicant workshops/services and they mentioned my low GPA and suggested a post-bac or graduate program to which I replied that I had done a DIY post-bac - I never received a reply.
I have been told that applying out of state would not be in my best interest as a Texas resident. If I apply strategically, would I have a shot at landing an interview at any OOS MD school, especially ones that reward reinvention/upward trends?
As far as DO is concerned, If I am interested in pediatrics (more specifically, pediatric surgery) will I have a hard time matching into a residency as a DO? I am not opposed to applying DO at all; I didn't apply OOS due to financial reasons, however, I am in a better position and am able to afford to send a handful of applications if I apply this coming cycle.
Sorry for the long-winded post; it's been a pretty hectic couple of years applying with complete silence. Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Briefly, I am a Texas-resident, non-traditional applicant (27 y.o) considering applying for a third time. Here is a quick rundown of my application cycles:
- 2017-2018
Applied: TMDSAS (All schools, MD and DO)
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.29 (lackluster freshman year of undergrad as an undecided, pre-engineering student)
DIY Post-bac GPA (41 hrs of medical school prerequisites including genetics and biochemistry): 3.84
MCAT: 501
Clinical experience/volunteering: 2+ years working as a physical/occupational therapy tech in a large, acute-care hospital; tons of hands-on patient care with bed-side therapy in the ICU and other hospital wards. 60+ hours of volunteering at a therapy facility.
Non-clinical volunteering: None
Research experience: 100+ hours with wet-lab experience and a poster presentation.
Zero interview invites
- 2019-2020
Applied: TMDSAS (All schools, MD and DO)
cGPA: 3.54
sGPA: 3.29
DIY Post-bac GPA (41 hrs of medical school prerequisites including genetics and biochemistry): 3.84
MCAT: 501, 501 (2nd take), 511 (3rd take)
Clinical experience/volunteering: 2+ years working as a physical/occupational therapy tech in a large, acute-care hospital; tons of hands-on patient care with bed-side therapy in the ICU and other hospital wards. 60+ hours of volunteering at a therapy facility. +1 year continuing employment at the hospital; I began working with the wound-care specialists on top of my other responsibilities.
Non-clinical volunteering: 60+ hours of working with an organization that provides food and other goods to families living in underserved areas. ( I am still working with this organization and hope to continue doing so in the future)
Research experience: 100+ hours with wet-lab experience and a poster presentation. + >1 year working at a cancer research hospital with a couple of middle author abstract publications (these were pending when I applied, so I was unable to mention any authorship in my application). I am currently working on a first author publication with my PI.
Zero interview invites
Both cycles I applied early; my primary was submitted mid-May and all secondaries were in by early-July.
After the most recent cycle, I spoke to an admissions member at one of the medical schools. They told me I had a good application and that my letters of rec were great, but the sheer volume of applicants makes it difficult to select every good candidate. I totally understand this, but now I feel that there's nothing in my application that stands out, and my low GPAs (despite the post-bac) are definitely not helping. I understand a third take for the MCAT is also not ideal and could be viewed as a reflection of poor decision-making; there are no excuses, I failed to find a study method that worked for me and sat for the exam in order to make the application deadline. My second take honestly caught me by surprise as I had been doing well on practice exams (508-515) - I remember not sleeping a wink that night and being shaken with nerves. I emailed an admissions member at another school about re-applicant workshops/services and they mentioned my low GPA and suggested a post-bac or graduate program to which I replied that I had done a DIY post-bac - I never received a reply.
I have been told that applying out of state would not be in my best interest as a Texas resident. If I apply strategically, would I have a shot at landing an interview at any OOS MD school, especially ones that reward reinvention/upward trends?
As far as DO is concerned, If I am interested in pediatrics (more specifically, pediatric surgery) will I have a hard time matching into a residency as a DO? I am not opposed to applying DO at all; I didn't apply OOS due to financial reasons, however, I am in a better position and am able to afford to send a handful of applications if I apply this coming cycle.
Sorry for the long-winded post; it's been a pretty hectic couple of years applying with complete silence. Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
