Waitlisted this year - how to improve

[PNPCook]

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Hi all,
I'm a Canadian student, and I applied to US medical schools this year (Nov 5th, 2010... sort of late). And I have been on the waiting list for most schools I have applied to. My undergraduate GPA is 3.31 and my science GPA is 3.9. I have done a masters in Computer science (GPA 4.00) and I have also done 6 months volunteer work in a hospital abroad (3rd world country). I have a year worth of research experience in clinical anatomy, in addition to the research I have done in computer science. My MCAT is 32S (9 V, 12 P, 11 B). I was wait-listed on many schools and didn't get accepted this year. I want to apply this year again, but I need some advice.

1. How can I make my application better this time around? Should I do the MCAT again? I was accepted to a post bacc where I can do first year medical school courses. Should I do that? I have nothing to do this year. What is the best thing to do? look for a job? Work in research?

2. If you go to a Caribbean school this year, do they look at this unfavorably when I'm applying to their med schools? My fear is that I will waste another year applying and don't get in anywhere. I want to do medicine, even if it is from Caribbean.

Thanks for the advice in advance 🙂

 

[Pons Asinorum]

...I applied to US medical schools this year (Nov 5th, 2010... sort of late).

1. How can I make my application better this time around? Should I do the MCAT again? I was accepted to a post bacc where I can do first year medical school courses. Should I do that? I have nothing to do this year. What is the best thing to do? look for a job? Work in research?

2. If you go to a Caribbean school this year, do they look at this unfavorably when I'm applying to their med schools? My fear is that I will waste another year applying and don't get in anywhere. I want to do medicine, even if it is from Caribbean.

Thanks for the advice in advance 🙂

Applying in Nov isn't "sort of late," it is exceptionally, only-for-great-stats territory. You MUST apply in June. Your numbers just don't support such a late application.

1. Call the schools that have waitlisted you and ask them what they recommend to you for improving your app next cycle. Don't worry about our advice, get it straight from the horse's mouth.

2. Don't do that. Just don't.

 

[0919mmk]

Hi all,
I'm a Canadian student, and I applied to US medical schools this year (Nov 5th, 2010... sort of late). And I have been on the waiting list for most schools I have applied to. My undergraduate GPA is 3.31 and my science GPA is 3.9. I have done a masters in Computer science (GPA 4.00) and I have also done 6 months volunteer work in a hospital abroad (3rd world country). I have a year worth of research experience in clinical anatomy, in addition to the research I have done in computer science. My MCAT is 32S (9 V, 12 P, 11 B). I was wait-listed on many schools and didn't get accepted this year. I want to apply this year again, but I need some advice.

1. How can I make my application better this time around? Should I do the MCAT again? I was accepted to a post bacc where I can do first year medical school courses. Should I do that? I have nothing to do this year. What is the best thing to do? look for a job? Work in research?

2. If you go to a Caribbean school this year, do they look at this unfavorably when I'm applying to their med schools? My fear is that I will waste another year applying and don't get in anywhere. I want to do medicine, even if it is from Caribbean.

Thanks for the advice in advance 🙂

I actually was in the exact same boat as you- 32 MCAT, got waitlisted in 2009-10 cycle and no acceptances. Applying so late probably had something to do with you not getting in. Your undergrad GPA is a little low, but not prohibitively so. If I were you, I'd give it another shot. Did you apply broadly (>18 schools)? If not, that could be another issue. If you applied to <12 schools, I'm not at all surprised at your result.

Don't do the postbacc, and, like Pons said, dont do carrib. If you get all your ducks in a row for next time, you have a good shot. I retook the MCAT (waiting on results), and if you can improve that at all, that could help a lot too - anything higher than a 32 is pretty exceptional.

 

[PNPCook]

2. Don't do that. Just don't.

Why not?
The reason I'm even considering it is because I don't want to waste another year doing nothing, and not get accepted at the end of it. Can you elaborate a little.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Why not?
The reason I'm even considering it is because I don't want to waste another year doing nothing, and not get accepted at the end of it. Can you elaborate a little.

There is extensive commentary in this forum and in others here about the negatives of attending Carib programs. A search will reveal them.

Cliffnotes version: The number of AMG's (MD+DO) is increasing while the number of residency spots is remaining relatively static. Additionally, more DO students are attempting the NRMP match (allopathic residencies). As those things happen, the residency seats that FMG/IMGs can compete for declines. Additionally, recently NY passed a bill basically locking out Carib programs from residency programs (I haven't really read much about that one, so don't quote me.)

 

[Torr]

Call schools up. Ask how you can improve your app and apply as early as possible. I agree post-bacc isn't necessary. I wouldn't even retake the MCAT.

I agree with Pons' Carib warning. Do some research on this site and you'll find stats on residency as a FMG. Doesn't look good.

 

[EdLongshanks]

There is extensive commentary in this forum and in others here about the negatives of attending Carib programs. A search will reveal them.

Cliffnotes version: The number of AMG's (MD+DO) is increasing while the number of residency spots is remaining relatively static. Additionally, more DO students are attempting the NRMP match (allopathic residencies). As those things happen, the residency seats that FMG/IMGs can compete for declines. Additionally, recently NY passed a bill basically locking out Carib programs from residency programs (I haven't really read much about that one, so don't quote me.)

Furthermore, Carib schools have a high failure rate. Getting into the programs are not the same as getting out. And if you fail a carib program, you are in a substantially worse position for getting into a US program than you were before.

So. going Carib can seriously mess up your life.

 

[Quik]

another "out of the box suggestion" assuming you're applying to both public and private US schools; In this next year you have, move to the host state of the school you think you have the best shot at gaining admission, find a job, apply as a resident, begin establishing residency immediately. Your chances at acceptance are obviously much better as a resident in a state school.

Otherwise, do as others have mentioned. Your application 'looks' pretty good, but apply earlier and call the admissions offices and ask them directly what they'd like to see. Good luck.

 

[0919mmk]

another "out of the box suggestion" assuming you're applying to both public and private US schools; In this next year you have, move to the host state of the school you think you have the best shot at gaining admission, find a job, apply as a resident, begin establishing residency immediately. Your chances at acceptance are obviously much better as a resident in a state school.

Otherwise, do as others have mentioned. Your application 'looks' pretty good, but apply earlier and call the admissions offices and ask them directly what they'd like to see. Good luck.

I actually did/am doing this. My previous state of residency had no med school, and no good linkage to other schools, so I wasn't doing myself any favors by sticking around there. I picked up and left. I'm now a couple months away from establishing my residency here in my new state. I love the state school, love the new state, and I'm actually working at the med school. It may seem extreme, but if you have nothing keeping you in any particular place (like I didn't), there's no reason not to.