WAMC (509,507/3.7) OH ORM, Gap year Reapplicant

[Emathur]

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Hi! I really need some advice on my upcoming application cycle. I am a reapplicant (second application) and am wanting to apply to only MD schools because I plan to practice internationally in the future. What can I do to improve my application for the 2025-2026 application cycle?

Previous application cycle: 2023 - 2024, 1 II -> waitlist -> rejection (in state school)

cGPA: 3.69, sGPA: 3.52
MCAT: 509 (126/128/126/129), 507 (125/130/ 126/126) - score dropped on my retake even though FL practice tests were consistently 512+. I am currently debating if I should take it a 3rd time (working full-time so it has been tough to study. Don't want to shoot myself in the foot with a third score drop)
State of residence: OH
Ethnicity and/or race: ORM / Indian Female
Undergraduate: T50 - Biology & Sociology major

Clinical Experience:

• Neurology CRC - current full time position (2000 hours by time of application)
• Hospital Volunteer (400 hours)
• Nursing assistant (500 hours)

Research Experience:
No publications or posters

• 3 different wet labs (6 months to a year each) - approximately 300 hours
• current clinical research - 2000 hours

Shadowing Experience:

• Oncologist - 50 hours
• Trauma surgery - 150 hours
• Transplant surgery - 100 hours
• Family medicine - 100 hours

Non-Clinical Volunteering:

• Tutoring in India - 150 hours
• Foodbank in India - 150 hours
• Elementary school science fairs - 150 hours
• Tutoring English (middle school students) - 150 hours
• Mentoring immigrant students - 100 hours (by time of application)

Misc/Leadership:

• Vice President of Public Relations women in STEM organization
• Member of diversity and inclusion board at work

Previous School List

Albany Medical College
Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine
& Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health
Sciences
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Medical College of Wisconsin
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Ohio State University College of Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Robert Larner, M.D., College of Medicine at the University of
Vermont
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Tufts school of medicine
Tulane school of medicine
University of Wisconsin school of medicine
Virginia Tech Carillon school of medicine
Wake Forest school of medicine
West Virginia school of medicine
Wright State University school of medicine

Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Faha]

You should accumulate 150 hours of non clinical volunteering in this country (food bank, homeless shelter, etc.).
I suggest these schools with your stats:
Northeast Ohio
Toledo
Wright State
Ohio State
Cincinnati
West Virginia
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
Creighton
TCU
Alice Walton
Belmont
Roseman
NOVA MD
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Penn State
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Even though you do not want to apply to DO schools you should. Otherwise you may be applying for a 3rd cycle.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Unless you are committed to being a reapplicant for a 3rd cycle, at least add Ohio University HCOM (DO). They are very in-state friendly and have a lot of available seats.

You didn't mention your first-attempt scores, but understand that many schools will average your MCAT attempts when screening applications.

Your community service opportunities should be focused within the United States, preferably within Ohio, if you want to make a strong pitch in-state. Toledo, Wright State, and NEOMED favor applicants committed to their specific part of the state. No more tutoring (550 hours so far, not including your mentoring immigrant students); get an equal number of food bank IN THE US hours (at least 500) before applying.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi! I really need some advice on my upcoming application cycle. I am a reapplicant (second application) and am wanting to apply to only MD schools because I plan to practice internationally in the future. What can I do to improve my application for the 2025-2026 application cycle?

Previous application cycle: 2023 - 2024, 1 II -> waitlist -> rejection (in state school)

cGPA: 3.69, sGPA: 3.52
MCAT: 509 (126/128/126/129), 507 (125/130/ 126/126) - score dropped on my retake even though FL practice tests were consistently 512+. I am currently debating if I should take it a 3rd time (working full-time so it has been tough to study. Don't want to shoot myself in the foot with a third score drop)
State of residence: OH
Ethnicity and/or race: ORM / Indian Female
Undergraduate: T50 - Biology & Sociology major

Clinical Experience:

• Neurology CRC - current full time position (2000 hours by time of application)
• Hospital Volunteer (400 hours)
• Nursing assistant (500 hours)

Research Experience:
No publications or posters

• 3 different wet labs (6 months to a year each) - approximately 300 hours
• current clinical research - 2000 hours

Shadowing Experience:

• Oncologist - 50 hours
• Trauma surgery - 150 hours
• Transplant surgery - 100 hours
• Family medicine - 100 hours

Non-Clinical Volunteering:

• Tutoring in India - 150 hours
• Foodbank in India - 150 hours
• Elementary school science fairs - 150 hours
• Tutoring English (middle school students) - 150 hours
• Mentoring immigrant students - 100 hours (by time of application)

Misc/Leadership:

• Vice President of Public Relations women in STEM organization
• Member of diversity and inclusion board at work

Previous School List

Albany Medical College
Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine
& Science
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health
Sciences
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Medical College of Wisconsin
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Ohio State University College of Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Robert Larner, M.D., College of Medicine at the University of
Vermont
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Tufts school of medicine
Tulane school of medicine
University of Wisconsin school of medicine
Virginia Tech Carillon school of medicine
Wake Forest school of medicine
West Virginia school of medicine
Wright State University school of medicine

Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Reconsider your MD only approach and apply to some DO programs.