Unsure of next step MCAT 519/ GPA 3.9, no A's, 1 II, 2nd cycle, ORM

[MachoMan18]

---

Members don't see this ad.

As the title states I am yet to have received much attention on my application, outside of denials, and am unsure what my next steps should be to make myself more competitive for a 3rd cycle.

I have approximately 1300 hours worked in a mental health crisis unit and 1200 hours worked as an emergency department technician at a level three trauma center.

I also worked as a research assistant during undergrad for two semesters and then worked as the lab manager for three months post graduation. Unfortunately, during my time at the lab we did not publish any papers from the research I was working on.

I have < 100 volunteering hours and no shadowing hours.

Also, during my first cycle I applied with a 510 MCAT score and was late applying. This cycle I applied on time 25 MD's and 5 DO's. My school list was slightly top heavy with 5 T20s and a few low-yield schools.

I am unsure if my denials are due to lack of extracurriculars, top heavy school list, poor secondaries, a combination of all of them, or some giant red flag I am missing.

If I do not get in this cycle, I plan on applying again but am unsure of the best way to improve my application. I plan to continue working in the emergency room but am unsure if I should look for volunteering/shadowing or focus on the writing of my application.

Thank you

 

[pedneuro6894]

Lack of non-clinical volunteer hours is 90% the cause, the other 10% is the no shadowing. Those two are musts.

Also, writing is huge, but you could write a perfect essay and without those two things you’re already in the dumps.

 

[Med Ed]

I have < 100 volunteering hours

The kiss of death.

Fix this, get feedback on your school list, and have your writing reviewed by a neutral third party. If you used Dr. Gray’s approach be prepared to start from scratch.

 

[AJS59]

Fill out a WAMC but I think you answered your own question with the volunteering and shadowing. Don't reapply until you've hit at least 50 hours of shadowing, some with a PCP ideally, and at least 150 hours of non-clinical service work (think shelter work, food pantry, soup kitchen, housing rehab, tax preparation or transportation)

 

[eigen]

I have < 100 volunteering hours and no shadowing hours.

I'm pretty sure this right here is the issue. I would not recommend any of my students apply with this.

Get up to at least 150-200 volunteer hours and get *some* shadowing hours.

 

[Faha]

Which schools did you apply to ? Any interviews ? Where is your state of residence ?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Let me get this... you are now a 2x applicant with zero interviews after both cycles (two MCAT scores)?

State of residence? Specific responsibilities and hours? Both school lists?

 

[Goro]

As the title states I am yet to have received much attention on my application, outside of denials, and am unsure what my next steps should be to make myself more competitive for a 3rd cycle.

I have approximately 1300 hours worked in a mental health crisis unit and 1200 hours worked as an emergency department technician at a level three trauma center.

I also worked as a research assistant during undergrad for two semesters and then worked as the lab manager for three months post graduation. Unfortunately, during my time at the lab we did not publish any papers from the research I was working on.

I have < 100 volunteering hours and no shadowing hours.

Also, during my first cycle I applied with a 510 MCAT score and was late applying. This cycle I applied on time 25 MD's and 5 DO's. My school list was slightly top heavy with 5 T20s and a few low-yield schools.

I am unsure if my denials are due to lack of extracurriculars, top heavy school list, poor secondaries, a combination of all of them, or some giant red flag I am missing.

If I do not get in this cycle, I plan on applying again but am unsure of the best way to improve my application. I plan to continue working in the emergency room but am unsure if I should look for volunteering/shadowing or focus on the writing of my application.

Thank you

I have < 100 volunteering hours and no shadowing hours.

Dude! There's your problem!

Engage in service to others less fortunate than your self (to the tune of > 200 hrs0 and get in 50ish hours of shadowing.

Rewrite all essays and have multiple eyeballs vet them.

It's possible that you have all weak LORs, or one bad one.

 

[ecobio]

i was in a very similar situation as you -- 2x reapplicant with minimal to no volunteering or shadowing. for my third cycle, i increased my volunteering hours to ~800, and have had much more success.

as many others have already shared, get involved in your community in meaningful ways! you clearly have the stats. if at all possible, consider taking a break from applications to really refocus, and apply summer of 2026. having the extra time to explore new facets of medicine while volunteering more could be very meaningful to your growth.