Third cycle reapplicant

[JosephHMcMama]

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Hey gang,

I’m in the coping stage of the cycle and would greatly appreciate any feedback on ways I can improve my chances of matriculating if I need to reapply. I’m in NC, and this is my third cycle. So far, I’ve heard back from 5 out of 20 schools, with 2 rejections and 3 schools on hold for interviews. This past cycle, I interviewed at Wake Forest and UNC. I was rejected by both. Honestly, I think my UNC interview went well, but I’ll admit that I bombed the Wake Forest interview, so that rejection did not surprise me.

Stats:

• Cumulative GPA: 3.65, Science GPA: 3.59, with a strong upward trend
• MCAT: 509 (2022) → 517 (2025)

Clinical Experience:

• ~5,000 hours as a surgical assistant at a Mohs center
• ~800 hours as a scrub tech at an ASC, current full-time job

Research:

• ~750 hours as a research assistant, no publications or presentations, part-time

Volunteering:

• ~200 hours at Habitat for Humanity building houses
• ~30 hours as a Spanish interpreter at a local dental clinic for the uninsured

Leadership:

• ~500 hours as a team leader at a moving company

I’m not even sure if this is the right place to post, but I want to know what I can do to improve my chances in case I have to run it back. I went into this cycle naively thinking that my improved MCAT score would open a lot of doors. I hired a consultant to help with my essays, so I don’t think essay quality is the issue, though I know there is always room to improve. I also understand that having publications would help, and that my GPA is on the lower side, but I cannot stomach the idea of getting a master’s degree, and I thought my MCAT would show that I can hang.

Thank you for your time. I really appreciate any feedback!

 

[Faha]

Rather than apply for a 4th cycle, apply to DO schools this cycle. November is not late for a DO application and you are competitive for all DO schools with your stats. I suggest these DO schools:
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools)
WVSOM
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
ACOM
NYITCOM
Touro-NY
MU-COM
DMU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
AZCOM

 

[Mr.Smile12]

If this is your third attempt, you MUST include DO schools, especially if you cannot stomach throwing money down for another postbac/SMP. Your GPA doesn't indicate that you need one.

I also must mention that many MD schools do not consider 3x applicants. We don't have your real application, but my impression is that your community service hours are light for a 3x applicant given that you have been out of school at least 1 year. Wake and UNC may not have given you a chance as they may have perceived you did not significantly improve your profile from your previous file review.

 

[JosephHMcMama]

Thank you for your insights. I recently submitted my DO school applications. I added research experience, an improved MCAT, and my OR work as a scrub tech this cycle, so I thought that would be sufficient, but maybe I misjudged. Again, I really appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback.