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I should post on here more often, so I apologize. I read this forum frequently a few years ago. It took me three rounds of applications to get into med school. I am now finishing up my 3rd year at a well recognized school. My best piece of advice is to not give up if you are certain you want to be a physician. However, address weak parts of your application. My biggest problem was the highest MCAT I got was a 27 after taking it multiple times. I found a way to address this though. There are many schools (I believe still???) that will actually take the best score you got in each section. This boosted my overall score to a 29 or 30 and it was enough to get me past the number cutoffs at a few schools because my GPA and research were plenty. I can't recall the schools that do this, but just call around and the program directors will usually tell you.
Most important piece of advice I have for you after interviewing incoming students for the admissions committee at my school is to apply EARLY. I was told so many times that it didn't matter when I applied, this is the WORST advice I have ever gotten and you really should avoid the advice in the future of the person that tells you this. At my school, this year we only interviewed people who's applications were complete by the end of OCtober...everyone else got interviewed for the wait list or didn't get interviewed.
I think one of the best things you can do in your time off while applying is to do some research or something medically related. Then in addition to that, volunteer somewhere. There are usually a lot of opportunities available at most children's hosp to volunteer. Basically I think you need to show committees that you didn't get in and are even more dedicated this time around by working in the field. Feel free to send me a message if you need any help. I don't have all the answers by any means, but I have been there and can at least offer some hopeful words. Just don't give up if this is truly what you want to do. I love med school, its a lot of work, but there is no where else I would rather be...even as I am paying ~$35k a year!!!
Most important piece of advice I have for you after interviewing incoming students for the admissions committee at my school is to apply EARLY. I was told so many times that it didn't matter when I applied, this is the WORST advice I have ever gotten and you really should avoid the advice in the future of the person that tells you this. At my school, this year we only interviewed people who's applications were complete by the end of OCtober...everyone else got interviewed for the wait list or didn't get interviewed.
I think one of the best things you can do in your time off while applying is to do some research or something medically related. Then in addition to that, volunteer somewhere. There are usually a lot of opportunities available at most children's hosp to volunteer. Basically I think you need to show committees that you didn't get in and are even more dedicated this time around by working in the field. Feel free to send me a message if you need any help. I don't have all the answers by any means, but I have been there and can at least offer some hopeful words. Just don't give up if this is truly what you want to do. I love med school, its a lot of work, but there is no where else I would rather be...even as I am paying ~$35k a year!!!
