Understanding how to present myself to Med Schools as Non-Trad

[ND_Hopeful]

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Hi everyone,

I am a healthcare consultant who is looking to go through the medical school application process. I applied once before 4 years ago, but was unmotivated by my chances at the time and did not get into any schools. I decided to move on to a real career rather than applying again because I really loved medical science and felt I could still find a fulfilling career in the healthcare space without being a doctor. After 4-5 years in the biotechnology and healthcare consulting space, I feel incredibly uninterested in the work (especially the business components of my job) and have started the process of my application for the next cycle and wanted to get opinions on my application and ways to better it.

Undergrad:
Small Liberal Arts School (Biochemistry)
cGPA:3.3
sGPA:3.0

Masters:
Columbia University
GPA: 3.7

Previous MCAT: 503
Most Recent: Currently Studying

Extensive research experience in Hem/Onc and Bone Marrow Transplantation with 4 publications (One as primary author)

Jobs since last applied:
Research Assistant at University Medical School
Clinical Research Analyst at Biotech Startup
Healthcare Consultant.

I have all the volunteering and shadowing hours completed, though many were back in 2017-2020 with some additional experiences over the last year and a half.

I am unsure of what else I should do to bolster my application so any advice is appreciated. It is difficult for me to retake any classes or pick up shadowing/volunteer hours since I currently work a 8am-6pm job and am also studying for the MCAT (Live in-person class twice a week and solo-studying) in January.

 

[gyngyn]

With a strong MCAT, you stand a chance at DO schools as is. They average Masters grades into undergrad.
MD schools do not consider those grades as a measure of academic prowess. Therefore, without a sustained period of academic excellence in post-bac sciences, your chances at MD are much less.

 

[ND_Hopeful]

With a strong MCAT, you stand a chance at DO schools as is. They average Masters grades into undergrad.
MD schools do not consider those grades as a measure of academic prowess. Therefore, without a sustained period of academic excellence in post-bac sciences, your chances at MD are much less.

Thank you for the advice, is there any way you'd suggest to make my application stand-out more for MD schools? I do not have a super strong preference for either degree (slight preference for MD over DO, but not picky).

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you for the advice, is there any way you'd suggest to make my application stand-out more for MD schools? I do not have a super strong preference for either degree (slight preference for MD over DO, but not picky).

An MCAT score better than the median at the schools in your state and 'A's in a year's worth of upper division science classes would help.
There are SMP's with a decent track record as well.

 

[Dral]

Agree with above. In addition, work on some current volunteering and shadowing the best you can. Even if it's just one thing for a few hours on a Sunday or something.

 

[Goro]

Agree with above. In addition, work on some current volunteering and shadowing the best you can. Even if it's just one thing for a few hours on a Sunday or something.

Also engage in service to others less fortunate than yourself.

Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[ND_Hopeful]

Thank you all, this is extremely helpful.