WAMC 3.9X/50X

[tyke on a bike]

Edit (05/05/2025): Some things removed/changed for privacy reasons.

Expecting to be a reapplicant and hoping to seek guidance on how to improve my application. Applied to 42 schools. Secondaries complete in August. Sent update letters late January. I understand that probably the single most important improvement I can make is improving my MCAT, but I want to assess other possible gaps in my application as well. Thank you in advance.

Male Arab, 22, Gap year, no state residence (current residence in Canada)
cGPA 3.9X, sGPA 3.9X
MCAT: 50X; constantly burned out, lack of structure with self-studying. Voided previously for similar reasons. Debating whether to take a course but have heard negative things about that.

Clinical: MA part-time (2y), hospital volunteer (2y)

Non-clinical: volunteer work for seniors (5y), volunteer work for immigrants (4y)

Research: 3 abstract + 1 article publications in low-impact journals, 6 posters, CRC for 2 projects, RA for 3 projects

Other ECs:

• working on social advocacy platform
• volunteer tutor for elementary school students
• TA for 2 college classes
• editor for undergraduate academic journals
• competitor at medical competition events with multiple finalist awards
• employment in tenant advocacy industry

Shadowing: 100 in-person + 150 virtually during COVID

Schools I Applied To: Albany, Arizona Tucson, AWSOM, Belmont, Buffalo, Carle Illinois, Central Michigan, Creighton, Drexel, EVMS, Geisinger, Georgetown, Indiana, Kentucky, Loma Linda (II), Loyola, Maryland, MCW, MSU, Oakland, Penn State, Pitt, Ponce STL, Quinnipiac, Rosalind, Rush, Saint Louis, SKMC, SUNY Upstate, TCU, Temple, Tufts, Tulane, UCLA, UCSD, UVM, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech, Wayne State, WMed, Wake Forest

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Not SDA or Christian (Muslim, I'm guessing?), congrats on Loma LInda. I'm sure they want a more diverse class when it comes to faith communities, but check if there are Muslim students at the school and how they have adjusted. Because you have more Canadian than American shadowing, that could be perceived negatively at many schools that rejected you early. Yes, your MCAT is low, and you should have applied to DO schools to cover your bases, especially MSU DO, Marian, and LECOM. If you are not sure you can handle a prep course, apply to DO schools, including new ones like Duquesne (Pittsburgh).

 

[tyke on a bike]

Not SDA or Christian (Muslim, I'm guessing?), congrats on Loma LInda. I'm sure they want a more diverse class when it comes to faith communities, but check if there are Muslim students at the school and how they have adjusted. Because you have more Canadian than American shadowing, that could be perceived negatively at many schools that rejected you early. Yes, your MCAT is low, and you should have applied to DO schools to cover your bases, especially MSU DO, Marian, and LECOM. If you are not sure you can handle a prep course, apply to DO schools, including new ones like Duquesne (Pittsburgh).

Thanks for your response, I will definitely try my best for the MCAT retake and apply to DO in the case of a reapplication. Just to clarify, I am Christian and spoke about my mission fit with Loma Linda in my secondaries, which I assume was received well because I received my II 10 days after my secondary submission, but I notably don't have specific activities involved with my church, which may be the cause for the WL (coupled with the low MCAT).

 

[Faha]

You could send an application to Roseman in March as they will be admitting their 1st class July 2025. Your only weakness is your MCAT. Post your new score here when available.