Texas reapplicant, advice for the future.

[Benevolent_Cauliflower]

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This might be premature in asking but I am trying to plan for the future in case this year doesn't work out for me getting accepted. I am now a reapplicant. Texas resident ORM with a 510MCAT with all 128s and 127s, GPA 3.96. I feel as though I am somewhat boring on my application. I am a white/male/my dad is a physician, premed student who did the traditional premed biology/chemistry degree. I only applied to MD Texas schools last year and this year applied to Texas and about 22 out of state schools all mid tier or below. I had only two interviews last year and was waitlisted at both. I attended a small but fairly well known private school in Texas for undergrad that has very good stats for admissions to medical school. I think in the past they were very proactive in assisting students in every part of their application process. However, with covid my research hours really got cut back, and of course my shadowing opportunities were canceled, they even canceled mock medical school interviews at my school. I had at one time some intention on doing a SMP program or a one year research internship with close ties to a medical school, but I just kept holding out I would come off the waitlist.

Now for this application cycle, I submitted very early. For Texas, the day applications opened I had mine in. Since my application went out, I have completed a scribing course and currently working as a scribe in the Emergency room about 36 hours a week. I get to shadow the ER physician and complete their notes. Which is great experience for anyone reading this. I am working on sending updates on schools on my new experience. I know it's still early, but so far no interviews this cycle and some schools don't accept updates on employment. I was complete by mid June with secondaries.

510 MCAT, Gpa 3.96
Research: 50 hours, no publications.
Shadowing: about 75 hours before my application last year not including additional shadowing a few years back with a week in Guatemala assisting in eye surgery and working 3 weeks in Zambia on am medical mission trip working the triage station. Now I am getting 36 hours a week scribing and shadowing. I have also shadowed my Dad who is a physician.
Volunteer: Meals on Wheels and West Texas Food Bank, I have done this over the past several years.
Teaching: I have taught and assisted various chemistry and biology labs during undergrad and also worked as a tutor for various science classes.
Been involved in various clubs and organizations through my school with a few leadership positions.

Suggestions or Advice would be appreciated. My goal is acceptance to an MD school.

Should I retake MCAT?, last years average MCAT for acceptance in Texas was like 511+. My practice FL tests before my actual tests were around 510-514.
Should I consider applying for a SMP programs with close ties to a medical schools for next year?, not for a GPA boost but to maybe to show I am trying to better myself and show my determination for attending medical school. Stats for acceptance from some programs are impressive.
Not much research in my area, currently live in a smaller community of about 100K people. Should I apply for a research position at a medical school and relocate?

I just didn't want to get out to next Spring without an acceptance and then start thinking on what to do. I have thought about this for countless hours. I am leaning toward retaking MCAT next Spring or early Summer and studying during the entire spring. I was also considering applying to a SMP program that can maybe increase my research hours and help me prepare for medical school. I guess my issue with a masters program it's best used for the year following completion of the program. That would put me out 2 more years. Which is fine if I have to. Everyone says when you are an reapplicant, you need to show admissions committees how you improved yourself. When I knew I wasn't probably getting off the waitlist last year, I already had my application in for this cycle. Everyone says apply early. It's just hard to make a dramatic improvement on an application in short notice. I did change a few things on my application but it's very similar to last years application. Thus, the reason for this long drawn out question and advice post.

 

[Pmvj13]

I think this waiting period is hard. when did you get two interviews last year? You could start applying to SMP program ahead as a back up but you still have 4 months to go.

 

[wysdoc]

@Benevolent_Cauliflower
I know the waiting is painful, but at this point when you are complete that is all you can do.
I saw that you will send updates to schools which allow them. If your application was light on clinical activities it may help you out to talk about your current work in the ER.
With your fabulous GPA you do not need to enroll in a SMP - those are often for students trying to make up for a lower GPA and prove that they can do the level of work expected in med school.
I know of several applicants with stats like yours who got interviews but no acceptances last cycle. The increased number of applications made our TMDSAS acceptance rate even lower last year.
I know of several people who got no interviews until October or November and then got several. Interviews will continue through January at most schools.

Bottom line - you're doing the right things for right now. You still have 5 months in which you could be interviewed in TX and maybe even longer at your OOS schools.
If you still have no interviews by November/December, I recommend you plan to re-study and retake the MCAT in spring to see if you can improve it by a few points. A score improvement with your improved clinical experiences could make the difference for you.

 

[Benevolent_Cauliflower]

I think this waiting period is hard. when did you get two interviews last year? You could start applying to SMP program ahead as a back up but you still have 4 months to go.

Last year I had interviews end of October and beginning of December. Just to let you know I was complete in mid August last year. Thank you for the advice.

 

[Benevolent_Cauliflower]

I know the waiting is painful, but at this point when you are complete that is all you can do.
I saw that you will send updates to schools which allow them. If your application was light on clinical activities it may help you out to talk about your current work in the ER.
With your fabulous GPA you do not need to enroll in a SMP - those are often for students trying to make up for a lower GPA and prove that they can do the level of work expected in med school.
I know of several applicants with stats like yours who got interviews but no acceptances last cycle. The increased number of applications made our TMDSAS acceptance rate even lower last year.
I know of several people who got no interviews until October for November and then got several. Interviews will continue through January at most schools.

Bottom line - you're doing the right things for right now. You still have 5 months in which you could be interviewed in TX and maybe even longer at your OOS schools.
If you still have no interviews by November/December, I recommend you plan to re-study and retake the MCAT in spring to see if you can improve it by a few points. A score improvement with your improved clinical experiences could make the difference for you.

Thank you for replying, your wisdom in these matter is greatly appreciated.

 

[LindaAccepted]

This might be premature in asking but I am trying to plan for the future in case this year doesn't work out for me getting accepted. I am now a reapplicant. Texas resident ORM with a 510MCAT with all 128s and 127s, GPA 3.96. I feel as though I am somewhat boring on my application. I am a white/male/my dad is a physician, premed student who did the traditional premed biology/chemistry degree. I only applied to MD Texas schools last year and this year applied to Texas and about 22 out of state schools all mid tier or below. I had only two interviews last year and was waitlisted at both. I attended a small but fairly well known private school in Texas for undergrad that has very good stats for admissions to medical school. I think in the past they were very proactive in assisting students in every part of their application process. However, with covid my research hours really got cut back, and of course my shadowing opportunities were canceled, they even canceled mock medical school interviews at my school. I had at one time some intention on doing a SMP program or a one year research internship with close ties to a medical school, but I just kept holding out I would come off the waitlist.

Now for this application cycle, I submitted very early. For Texas, the day applications opened I had mine in. Since my application went out, I have completed a scribing course and currently working as a scribe in the Emergency room about 36 hours a week. I get to shadow the ER physician and complete their notes. Which is great experience for anyone reading this. I am working on sending updates on schools on my new experience. I know it's still early, but so far no interviews this cycle and some schools don't accept updates on employment. I was complete by mid June with secondaries.

510 MCAT, Gpa 3.96
Research: 50 hours, no publications.
Shadowing: about 75 hours before my application last year not including additional shadowing a few years back with a week in Guatemala assisting in eye surgery and working 3 weeks in Zambia on am medical mission trip working the triage station. Now I am getting 36 hours a week scribing and shadowing. I have also shadowed my Dad who is a physician.
Volunteer: Meals on Wheels and West Texas Food Bank, I have done this over the past several years.
Teaching: I have taught and assisted various chemistry and biology labs during undergrad and also worked as a tutor for various science classes.
Been involved in various clubs and organizations through my school with a few leadership positions.

Suggestions or Advice would be appreciated. My goal is acceptance to an MD school.

Should I retake MCAT?, last years average MCAT for acceptance in Texas was like 511+. My practice FL tests before my actual tests were around 510-514.
Should I consider applying for a SMP programs with close ties to a medical schools for next year?, not for a GPA boost but to maybe to show I am trying to better myself and show my determination for attending medical school. Stats for acceptance from some programs are impressive.
Not much research in my area, currently live in a smaller community of about 100K people. Should I apply for a research position at a medical school and relocate?

I just didn't want to get out to next Spring without an acceptance and then start thinking on what to do. I have thought about this for countless hours. I am leaning toward retaking MCAT next Spring or early Summer and studying during the entire spring. I was also considering applying to a SMP program that can maybe increase my research hours and help me prepare for medical school. I guess my issue with a masters program it's best used for the year following completion of the program. That would put me out 2 more years. Which is fine if I have to. Everyone says when you are an reapplicant, you need to show admissions committees how you improved yourself. When I knew I wasn't probably getting off the waitlist last year, I already had my application in for this cycle. Everyone says apply early. It's just hard to make a dramatic improvement on an application in short notice. I did change a few things on my application but it's very similar to last years application. Thus, the reason for this long drawn out question and advice post.

The waiting period is hard, And I congratulate for being both proactive with the updates to schools that take them and also in thinking how to strengthen your app in the event of a rejection. I think you are being very smart.

I have two suggestions for you:

1. I realize that you are more interested in an MD than a DO, but I would encourage you to consider DO.
2. If you think you can raise your MCAT, preparing to retake the MCAT in the early spring makes sense.

Given your excellent GPA, I don't think an SMP will do much. Your biggest change in an app next year will be a year of scribing, which is good.

Hopefully you will still get interview invitations and acceptances and not need this advice or to reapply. But again, kudos to you for thinking ahead.

 

[MyOdyssey]

This might be premature in asking but I am trying to plan for the future in case this year doesn't work out for me getting accepted. I am now a reapplicant. Texas resident ORM with a 510MCAT with all 128s and 127s, GPA 3.96. I feel as though I am somewhat boring on my application. I am a white/male/my dad is a physician, premed student who did the traditional premed biology/chemistry degree. I only applied to MD Texas schools last year and this year applied to Texas and about 22 out of state schools all mid tier or below. I had only two interviews last year and was waitlisted at both. I attended a small but fairly well known private school in Texas for undergrad that has very good stats for admissions to medical school. I think in the past they were very proactive in assisting students in every part of their application process. However, with covid my research hours really got cut back, and of course my shadowing opportunities were canceled, they even canceled mock medical school interviews at my school. I had at one time some intention on doing a SMP program or a one year research internship with close ties to a medical school, but I just kept holding out I would come off the waitlist.

Now for this application cycle, I submitted very early. For Texas, the day applications opened I had mine in. Since my application went out, I have completed a scribing course and currently working as a scribe in the Emergency room about 36 hours a week. I get to shadow the ER physician and complete their notes. Which is great experience for anyone reading this. I am working on sending updates on schools on my new experience. I know it's still early, but so far no interviews this cycle and some schools don't accept updates on employment. I was complete by mid June with secondaries.

510 MCAT, Gpa 3.96
Research: 50 hours, no publications.
Shadowing: about 75 hours before my application last year not including additional shadowing a few years back with a week in Guatemala assisting in eye surgery and working 3 weeks in Zambia on am medical mission trip working the triage station. Now I am getting 36 hours a week scribing and shadowing. I have also shadowed my Dad who is a physician.
Volunteer: Meals on Wheels and West Texas Food Bank, I have done this over the past several years.
Teaching: I have taught and assisted various chemistry and biology labs during undergrad and also worked as a tutor for various science classes.
Been involved in various clubs and organizations through my school with a few leadership positions.

Suggestions or Advice would be appreciated. My goal is acceptance to an MD school.

Should I retake MCAT?, last years average MCAT for acceptance in Texas was like 511+. My practice FL tests before my actual tests were around 510-514.
Should I consider applying for a SMP programs with close ties to a medical schools for next year?, not for a GPA boost but to maybe to show I am trying to better myself and show my determination for attending medical school. Stats for acceptance from some programs are impressive.
Not much research in my area, currently live in a smaller community of about 100K people. Should I apply for a research position at a medical school and relocate?

I just didn't want to get out to next Spring without an acceptance and then start thinking on what to do. I have thought about this for countless hours. I am leaning toward retaking MCAT next Spring or early Summer and studying during the entire spring. I was also considering applying to a SMP program that can maybe increase my research hours and help me prepare for medical school. I guess my issue with a masters program it's best used for the year following completion of the program. That would put me out 2 more years. Which is fine if I have to. Everyone says when you are an reapplicant, you need to show admissions committees how you improved yourself. When I knew I wasn't probably getting off the waitlist last year, I already had my application in for this cycle. Everyone says apply early. It's just hard to make a dramatic improvement on an application in short notice. I did change a few things on my application but it's very similar to last years application. Thus, the reason for this long drawn out question and advice post.

Consider investing in a top shelf MCAT course or MCAT tutoring especially if your MCAT prep was rushed or cursory the first time around.

Practice on the best practice materials: UWorld, Blueprint full length, AAMC. Put in the time if you want to retake the MCAT.