Waitlisted: Send Spring Grades Even if only taking 1 course?

[HokieMD1]

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The skinny:

- I'm currently wait-listed at just one M.D. school and probably will not be hearing back from any others regarding interviewing (pretty solid application overall, but low VR score put me in this position)

- I only need one class to graduate with a B.S. in Biology (3.62 cum GPA, about the same for science), and I will be graduating this coming May.

- As an out of state undergraduate student paying high tuition rates, I decided to save money and am only taking the one 4 hour course that I need to graduate. Outside of class and studying, I am currently studying for a 2nd MCAT, working for a local ambulance company, and volunteering at a local clinic

Q: Seeing as how I am still maintaining a decently busy schedule, and assuming that I make an "A" in my one course, do you think it is worth it to send in my Spring 2012 grades, even though that will only consist of one course? I would of course, brief the school on what I have been doing and not let them think that I have just been sitting around doing nothing. The course is an introductory Genetics, by the way

Thanks in advance

 

[235788]

The skinny:

- I'm currently wait-listed at just one M.D. school and probably will not be hearing back from any others regarding interviewing (pretty solid application overall, but low VR score put me in this position)

- I only need one class to graduate with a B.S. in Biology (3.62 cum GPA, about the same for science), and I will be graduating this coming May.

- As an out of state undergraduate student paying high tuition rates, I decided to save money and am only taking the one 4 hour course that I need to graduate. Outside of class and studying, I am currently studying for a 2nd MCAT, working for a local ambulance company, and volunteering at a local clinic

Q: Seeing as how I am still maintaining a decently busy schedule, and assuming that I make an "A" in my one course, do you think it is worth it to send in my Spring 2012 grades, even though that will only consist of one course? I would of course, brief the school on what I have been doing and not let them think that I have just been sitting around doing nothing. The course is an introductory Genetics, by the way

Thanks in advance

It can't hurt you... but i doubt it would make/break you by that time. Perhaps you could start volunteering (3hours/week or something) that could help your future application/be included in an update letter.

 

[HokieMD1]

I appreciate the input. I sort of feel the same way. I feel like if it was for financial reasons, they'll be okay with it, as long as I keep logging clinical hours.

I'll be getting 12- 24 a week with the ambulance corps, and a variable amount of volunteering on top of that.

I'm staying busy studying, it's really just a new feeling not having class all the time, you know? I feel like I'm not doing enough, but I know that I am, because of my heavy emphasis on the MCAT.

 

[235788]

I appreciate the input. I sort of feel the same way. I feel like if it was for financial reasons, they'll be okay with it, as long as I keep logging clinical hours.

I'll be getting 12- 24 a week with the ambulance corps, and a variable amount of volunteering on top of that.

I'm staying busy studying, it's really just a new feeling not having class all the time, you know? I feel like I'm not doing enough, but I know that I am, because of my heavy emphasis on the MCAT.

understandable. Just keep chugging along bud.

 

[HokieMD1]

Thanks, Bl4ckout

 

[LieutenantDan]

I am reapplying for the 3rd time, so Ill give my 2 cents:
I agree that you should send an update, it may not do much but it cant hurt. Try to make note of how busy you were, medical schools emphasize good time management so make sure it is clear that you were doing many things at once and still doing well.
You have a solid GPA, I dont know your MCAT but I would say that for the average MD program you should be around or above the median GPA. I assume if you are taking a second MCAT you are not satisfied with your current score, but in general GPA is weighted slightly more than MCAT. By this I mean that if you look at AAMC stats, a person with a 4.0 and a below average MCAT has a much greater chance than a person with a below average GPA and a perfect MCAT. I am at the other side of the spectrum with a MCAT of 38 and a low GPA of 3.35c, 3.5s, I applied to 10 MD programs in 2009 and 2010, received 2 interviews each year and was waitlisted each time. I recommend looking into DO programs as well because they can give you everything an MD program does, the distinctions between DO and MD are increasingly blurred each year. I received invites to every DO program I applied to this year, but I am at only 1 for 5 with MD programs so far.

Another thing to consider is non-clinical volunteer work, as it is valued highly by admissions committees along with clinical volunteer work. Often they refer to this as "community service," and if you have the time it can be a helpful addition to your application.

Most of all just don't give up hope, the application process can seem a bit torturous and especially so when waitlists come into the picture. I remember when I was last waitlisted I was habitually checking the SDN page for the school I was waiting on to see if any new acceptances were being given out, I think it is a stressful situation for anyone.

Good luck with your application and with your MCAT, and if you take the MCAT soon and score higher you should send that as an update too.

 

[HokieMD1]

Lt.,

What a thoughtful response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me that advice - it means a lot and I will take everything you said into consideration. You're correct about where I stand with my MCAT. Congratulations on the 38! That's amazing. I hope that I can have a fraction of that upper-tier success!

We're all in this thing together, and I truly believe that every applicant WILL be accepted to medical school if they possess diligence and the motivation to never give up until they reach their goals. You clearly have that motivation, as you are in this thing for the long haul, giving it another shot. Any medical school would be lucky to have you.

Best of luck to you, and again, thanks for the insight.