WAMC? possible reapplicant / 4.0 GPA 515 MCAT

[prionenthusiast]

Hey guys! I'm new to the forums so I just wanted to get some advice on what I should be focusing on now for a potential reapplication.

I applied this cycle with the following stats:

• 4.0 cGPA and 4.0 sGPA
• MCAT Spring 2024: 515 (131, 128, 131, 125)
• Colorado resident
• White female
• Bachelors in Biochemistry from University of Colorado Boulder
• Clinical experience:
  • hospice volunteer - 20 hrs (played violin for patients and served as a companion each week as well as sat vigil with patients who were in their final hours)
  • MA in orthopedic trauma - about 1200 hrs over the course of a year
  • MA in ENT - about 400 hrs over 4 months
• Research: 600 hrs in as an undergraduate in a biochemistry lab, no publications but received an NIH grant and an award for funding through my institution
• Shadowing: 6 hrs podiatric surgery, 8 hrs behavioral neurology, as well as frequent opportunities to shadow the physician I worked for in clinic
• Non-clinical volunteering:
  • Leader of a volunteer trip with my college (planned trip, led group sessions for bonding and learning about service) - 125 hrs over a school year
  • volunteering at various events with AMWA - 50 hrs
• Extracurriculars:
  • Violin / performing with the campus orchestra: estimated 500-600 hours over the course of the last 4 years. I've held the role of concertmaster and assistant concertmaster with this group. I've also played with small groups and solo stuff as well.
  • Indoor soccer team - 6 months
  • University club crew team - one semester
  • AMWA member - 2 years

I applied to the following schools and submitted secondaries to each:

University of Michigan - pre-II R
UCSD - pre-II R
Albert Einstein
Rosalind Franklin University Chicago
University of Utah - pre-II R
UNMC - Interviewed, awaiting decision
Tulane
Stanford - pre-II R
Creighton
University of Colorado
Temple University
OHSU
University of Minnesota

While I await a decision from Nebraska, I'm hoping to prepare for a reapplication for 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 depending on what I need to work on. I've started new volunteer positions at a local food bank and an animal shelter. I'm also working on setting up additional primary care shadowing for this Spring. My job is no longer within healthcare due to some financial constraints I had after graduating but I'm open to finding a job that allows for more clinical experience if necessary.

I'd appreciate any advice related to what I can improve in my application and what schools I should be considering (I'm pretty sure I applied to schools that I didn't have the best shot at). Also, is it possible that my writing hurt my application a significant amount?

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[Faha]

You would benefit from another 30 hours of physician shadowing and 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering at the food bank before you submit your application. I suggest these schools:
Colorado
Arizona (Phoenix)
TCU
Creighton
St. Louis
Iowa
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
NOVA MD
USF Morsani
Wake Forest
Belmont
Alice Walton
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Hackensack
Hofstra
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
UMass

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You need 150 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities before applying again: food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, and housing rehabilitation generally fit this category. Not having these hours (or more) puts your application at risk of getting screened out of most schools. Sorry, animal shelter doesn't fit.

Your shadowing is also subpar. If you were applying to podiatric medicine, your 6 hours would be fantastic and clear the requirement for admission there. It doesn't feel like you have enough experience working in hospital settings, and that may be enough reason to rule your application out. A more traditional setting in primary care is very helpful, and you need 50 hours to satisfy most schools. Playing violin for hospice patients is great, but it will not satisfy service orientation competency.

Good luck with Nebraska. Hopefully you'll beat the patterns and not worry about a reapp. But if you have to reapply, keep these advice I gave to consideration.