Thinking ahead...

[MedHopeful09]

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So I'm currently applying this year, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get in anywhere. Complete mid-September and no II's yet. I still have ~25 schools to hear from though. The ones I was rejected from were either low yield or reach schools.

Just wanted to get some thoughts on my Plan B. Thanks in advance!

 

[WedgeDawg]

What is your overall GPA (both) after your postbac?

What do your ECs look like?

What was your school list?

 

[MedHopeful09]

.

 

[WedgeDawg]

GPA?

 

[MedHopeful09]

.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Hmm okay yeah you should definitely either improve your GPA or your MCAT since you do have a year of strong postbac work, it's probably more efficient (and cheaper and quicker) to retake your MCAT. However, it's imperative that you don't take it again until your ready and can show significant improvement (like 3+ points on the old scale, so around a 515 on the new, which should be doable).

 

[MedHopeful09]

Hmm okay yeah you should definitely either improve your GPA or your MCAT since you do have a year of strong postbac work, it's probably more efficient (and cheaper and quicker) to retake your MCAT. However, it's imperative that you don't take it again until your ready and can show significant improvement (like 3+ points on the old scale, so around a 515 on the new, which should be doable).

Thanks for your response!

 

[md-2020]

Not to be a naughty naughty influence but is there any way for you to move and change your state of residence? I only ask b/c I had a friend from UG in almost the same situation as you (rejected first cycle, East Asian ORM from CA w/ eh GPA+MCAT). He took some sort of job at West Virginia Univ, reapplied w/ WV residency but the same numbers, and got into Marshall.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Unfortuantely, it's not uncommon for 3.5/30 in CA to not even generate a single II.

Couple considerations

a) Retake the MCAT. Don't go for some small improvement. As a reapplicant you are going to have the burdern on you to show real noteworthy improvement. The goal really should try to be to aim for 515-516+ particularly with a 30 on your record already. This for right now should be the top priority on your list.

After that you have a couple options, particularly depending on how the retake goes.

a) Md-2020 listed the first one and it's not naughty at all. You're in a hell hole when it comes to state schools and competitiveness of getting into med school. I know multiple people who moved out of California and as soon as they got residence in another state applied to those state programs and instantly had success with similar applications. Louisana and Ohio are two states that are pretty leinant about IS residency purposes. West Virginia as mentioned above by far and away has the highest success rate of any state in america at getting its students into med school. 14% of California matriculants stay in CA for med school. For West Virginia? 55%. In other words, your odds are 4X better in WV than CA. It's not "dishonest" or "disingenuous" to move to a more favorable state. If you are willing to relocate to a much more favorable state, your odds go up clearly especially if your MCAT goes up. An MCAT retake to say 514 combined with a 3.5 is plenty for a number of state programs across the US.

b) Consider an SMP. A riskier move that will require you to leave CA. You also will probably want a better MCAT score. But do well in a reuptable SMP like this(although it is expensive as hell) and you will generate significantly more interest. Again, it's a risky move and you'll have to leave the state. But if you have confidence in your abilities and dont want to be confined to moving to a state and its state programs, this could be something to consider. Top SMPs like Cincinnati and Georgetown are full of CA residents in situations just like you.

 

[MedHopeful09]

Thanks guys for the advice! Unfortunately, I can't relocate at this time due to family obligations. If I got into medical school this cycle, they would understand, but it's too much of a gamble right now to relocate before getting accepted. If I still don't get in with a higher MCAT next cycle, an SMP and relocating would definitely be options to consider.

 

[deleted630732]

So I'm currently applying this year, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get in anywhere. Complete mid-September and no II's yet. I still have ~25 schools to hear from though. The ones I was rejected from were either low yield or reach schools.

To shore up my application, it seems that I need to improve my 30 MCAT and acquire more substantial research experience. My GPA is not going to budge with more classes. I did a 2 year academic enhancer post bac and finished with ~3.8 GPA in my upper div science classes. Should I take more classes and aim to sustain a higher GPA? My MCAT was a 9 PS, 10 VR, and 11 BS. I'm taking an MCAT prep course that starts this month and I feel as though I can do better. It's a more structured environment and I do better in the social sciences.

Just wanted to get some thoughts on my Plan B. Thanks in advance!

Looking at your school list, I think you may have mis-targeted a little bit. It's good to have dream schools, but applying to Cornell, Stanford, and schools like that are essentially throwing away your money. Most of your schools look good for average MCAT 31-33, however since you are a little lower than average it may be hard to get an acceptance. From what I've heard, average applicants (32, 3.7, good EC) this year are even more common than usual, making competition for IIs really hard. If you do have to re-apply with the same MCAT, I'd recommend looking into some of the lower MCAT schools. I think there are a few 28-30 schools, although you may have already done a few on your list. Hopefully if you can bump your score 2-3 points you will be much more competitive for a lot of the mid ranges you applied to.

Honestly though, I'm surprised with how many schools you applied to that not a single one would give you an II.

 

[MedHopeful09]

@MD2025 I applied to those reach schools because I saved so much with FAP. I had some extra money to burn and took a chance, however slim a chance it was. Only ~10 rejections so far too. I still have ~25 schools where I'm still alive at (hopefully), so I may get an II before this cycle wraps up. My late completion date probably hurt my chances though. 🙁

Anyways, I learned a lot about the process and will definitely be in a much better position next cycle.

 

[deleted630732]

@MD2025 I applied to those reach schools because I saved so much with FAP. I had some extra money to burn and took a chance, however slim a chance it was. Only ~10 rejections so far too. I still have ~25 schools where I'm still alive at (hopefully), so I may get an II before this cycle wraps up. My late completion date probably hurt my chances though. 🙁

Anyways, I learned a lot about the process and will definitely be in a much better position next cycle.

Good to know. I guess with FAP the application process becomes a lot easier since you don't have to worry about the ridiculous secondaries. I've also learned a lot through my application process and would absolutely choose my schools a little differently. Best of luck with the other schools

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Add about 4-5 DO schools for good measure if you have to reapply

 

[MedHopeful09]

I've now put into motion my MCAT retake plan and embarked on a path to acquire more research experience.

Is there anything else I should focus on or is the rest of my app pretty solid?

Also, I recently finished up a position where my supervisor frequently said how it was a joy to have me working with him. Should I ask for a LOR now, even if I may not use it in the off chance I get in somewhere?

 

[MedHopeful09]

bump?

 

[Goro]

I'm surprised that you didn't get more love from the schools below, but you did have way too many reach schools on your list, for someone with a 30 MCAT. Stanford? UCSF? Really?? I agree with the comments above, but suggest having more DO schools than 4 or 5. Double that number, in fact. Suggest adding more non-clinical volunteering, but in service to those less fortunate than yourself.

To the list below, add Western MI, Creighton, Rush, Temple, Jefferson

Oakland University
Drexel University
Tulane University
Tufts University
George Washington University
Quinnipiac
University of Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth University
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Wake Forest University
Loyola Strich
Albany Medical College
Rosalind Franklin University
New York Medical College