WAMC: Do I need another post-bacc?

[WindyCityZete]

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Hello sdn,

I have a few questions regarding how to improve my app and I was hoping to gain some insight. (Stats listed below)

To start, I finished undergrad in 2014 with a 2.98 gpa. Knowing this, I began to retake some science courses I got C's in, while also working as an EMT. In 2016, I started an SMP (MA in Biomedical Sciences) at a local school that did not have linkage to any medical schools. This was partially due to the fact that most schools with "linkage" programs in my state require a minimum 3.0, which I didn't have. I performed well in all the upper level grad courses finishing with a 3.88 gpa. I also started working as a clinical research coordinator while in grad school.

I was ready to apply in 2017 when I finished grad school, but my aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and my mom and I helped her with her treatments. You see, my aunt does not have any children or a spouse to take care of her. All she had was my mother and I to take her to treatments and help her recover. In 2018, I was gearing up to apply, but my dad lost his job and was unemployed for about a year. I withdrew my apps to help my parents pay their bills. While I helped my family, I took some additional courses at a community college and started some new volunteer opportunities in a free healthcare clinic and volunteer mentor to high school students. My aunt unfortunately passed away in 2019 and my father found another job toward the end of 2019. Finally, I was ready to apply this year, I took the MCAT, got a 501 and sent in my apps primarily to DO schools. With November almost half way through, and no interview invites, I think its fair to get ready to retake the mcat and apply again next cycle or in 2022. My questions is how do I improve my app besides the MCAT exam?

My concerns are that I spent too much time away from school and that my experiences are stretched over such a long period of time (approx 2014-2020). Would that hurt my chances? Do adcoms like to see more recent ECs? Also do I need to retake or take more classes? Should I look into another post-bacc grad program, this time at a medical school? Any info/guidance on which steps to take would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

To give more context these are my stats:
undergrad gpa: 2.98
grad gpa: 3.88
cGPA: 3.18
sGPA: 3.18
last 48 credits post bacc work (26 grad 22 undergrad) gpa: 3.93
volunteer work: 376 hours (90 free clinic, 160 mentorship program, ER volunteer 126)
shadowing: 300 hours ( 24 ophtho, 60 ER/Peds, 216 IM/FM)
clinical: 1066 hours (ophthalmic tech/EMT)
research: 4266 (CRC, 3 publications, 1 first author)
MCAT: 501 (125,125,126,125)

 

[Goro]

You do not need another post back! However you should retake the MCAT

 

[labtech312]

With your grades in your SMP, you have shown you can perform well in class. Now you just need to show that you can do well on a standardized test. A score of 501 is ok for DO but you need to get preferably 511+ for a good shot at MD. I would recommend taking a step back and looking at your content deficits and forming a strategy to really get those subjects down. I used TBR books for C/P and the P/S 300pg document for P/S. Then once you have those down I would recommend doing UWorld striving for 70+% on the subject scores (outside of CARS, the only "real" representative of CARS performance is the AAMC practice passages). Then once you have your content down like the back of your hand, do practice tests to get your stamina up (as you know the test is a workout), finishing with the AAMC practice tests the last 10-14 days before your test. This is what I did over the course of about 90 days and went from a 505 to a 516.

 

[WindyCityZete]

You do not need another post back! However you should retake the MCAT

Thanks for the reply, goro! Based on the info I provided do you see any other areas where I can improve besides the mcat? I was thinking nonclinical volunteer work for underserved areas.

 

[WindyCityZete]

With your grades in your SMP, you have shown you can perform well in class. Now you just need to show that you can do well on a standardized test. A score of 501 is ok for DO but you need to get preferably 511+ for a good shot at MD. I would recommend taking a step back and looking at your content deficits and forming a strategy to really get those subjects down. I used TBR books for C/P and the P/S 300pg document for P/S. Then once you have those down I would recommend doing UWorld striving for 70+% on the subject scores (outside of CARS, the only "real" representative of CARS performance is the AAMC practice passages). Then once you have your content down like the back of your hand, do practice tests to get your stamina up (as you know the test is a workout), finishing with the AAMC practice tests the last 10-14 days before your test. This is what I did over the course of about 90 days and went from a 505 to a 516.

Thanks for the reply!
I'm definitely switching up my strategy and following a similar outline to yours with the P/S 300 pg document, UWorld, and anki.

 

[Goro]

Thanks for the reply, goro! Based on the info I provided do you see any other areas where I can improve besides the mcat? I was thinking nonclinical volunteer work for underserved areas.

Yes, service to others less fortunate than yourself

 

[deleted803986]

I just wanted to chime in to say thank you for this question because I had a very similar question and am in a similar situation. I know my coursework is getting old, but I am hesitant to retake or take more classes. Best of luck!