WAMC + prep for reapp (3.92/516)

[spsuperstar]

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Hi all,

So I hoped that this cycle would've been more fruitful for me but as of now, I have completed one interview at my in state school (who has since placed me on "continued review") and received 5 R's. Secondaries were completed between 8/19-9/7. I would appreciate it if the community/advisors could review my application and help me pinpoint where I went wrong, what my chances are for this current cycle, and how I should begin to prep for a reapp if at all. My stats at the time of application are as follows:

1. Stats: GPA 3.92 (3.88 BCPM), MCAT 516 (128/128/129/131)
2. State: NC
3. Ethnicity and/or race: ORM
4. Undergraduate: state school
5. Clinical experience: 1000 hours as medical assistant
6. Research experience: 250 hours GI research (1 poster) + 150 hours soil microbio research in Europe (during a study abroad semester)
7. Shadowing: 24 hours shadowing nephrology
8. Non-clinical volunteering: 150 hours special olympics
9. Other ECs: Quizbowl club president (200 hours), Athletic training intern (700 hours)
10. Relevant honors: Dean's List 8 semesters, Summa cum laude

School list:
UNC
ECU
UCSF (R)
Tufts University
University of Pittsburgh (R)
Penn State
Drexel University
Albert Einstein
Dartmouth University
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Southern California
Emory
Indiana University (R)
Lewis Katz at Temple
The Ohio State University
Thomas Jefferson University
Brown University
Colorado
Wake forest
Case Western
NYMC
UCI (R)
Georgetown (R)
Hackensack

Relevant updates:
Since application, I have continued my position as a research assistant doing GI research. I now have 750 hours under my belt with this position and a publication currently under review on which I am listed as the second author (this should be accepted by the time I would apply for the 2026 cycle). By the time I apply, I should have well over 1000 hours in research. I will also be continuing my volunteering with the special olympics and should have ~300 hours for that by the time of 2026 application. I appreciate any and all feedback.

Thank you!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously

S

Thread '.'

Jun 25, 2024

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• spsuperstar
• Replies: 6
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Where are your service orientation activities? Special olympics is okay (extension of athletic training), but doesn't seem to get the credit like food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. You need 150 hours at submission to avoid getting screened out at most schools, and it looks like you have zero. You acknowledged this months ago, so why haven't you addressed this deficiency? You haven't listed any improvement.

You also seem light on shadowing. I prefer 50 hours minimum of physician shadowing. What are you doing as an MA?

 

[spsuperstar]

Previously

S

Thread '.'

Jun 25, 2024

.

• spsuperstar
• Replies: 6
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Where are your service orientation activities? Special olympics is okay (extension of athletic training), but doesn't seem to get the credit like food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. You need 150 hours at submission to avoid getting screened out at most schools, and it looks like you have zero. You acknowledged this months ago, so why haven't you addressed this deficiency? You haven't listed any improvement.

You also seem light on shadowing. I prefer 50 hours minimum of physician shadowing. What are you doing as an MA? Interesting. I didn't realize special olympics volunteering didn't qualify as much for "service orientation". I figured I could just further my involvement there to increase my hours. I'll look into getting involved with a soup kitchen to address that gap now.

In addition to the nephrology shadowing, I shadowed a GI doctor (after primary submission) for an additional 20 hours. I can look into shadowing further if you believe there could be further benefit.

As an MA, I worked at an outpatient pain management clinic where MAs were the only support staff to the physician. Hence, I kind of did it all with that job -- scheduling appointments, checking patients in/out and taking vitals, scribing for the doctor and prepping notes, assisting on interventional pain procedures (operating c-arm, prepping sterile field, drawing up medications), communicating with patients/pharmacies/insurance as needed.

One weakness I did not include earlier is with my letters of recommendation. I had no strong relationships with professors during my undergrad save for one psych professor (who did write me a LOR). Thus, the rest of my LORs were most likely mediocre. The only science professor who got back to me and wrote me a LOR was a physics professor. So no one from my major department (biology) which is unfortunate. Not sure what I can do about this now.

I should also add, I had my essays reviewed by members of this community and as a generally strong writer, I feel that this was not the thing that has held me back.

 

[spsuperstar]

In your opinion, then, my weaknesses are my lack of service involvement + shadowing? I was concerned my school list may have been flawed as well.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Service influences your school list chances. Without a sufficient amount and mission fit, your school list will be suboptimal.

 

[Faha]

You should also apply to many more schools and see my previous suggestions.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

One weakness I did not include earlier is with my letters of recommendation. I had no strong relationships with professors during my undergrad save for one psych professor (who did write me a LOR). Thus, the rest of my LORs were most likely mediocre. The only science professor who got back to me and wrote me a LOR was a physics professor. So no one from my major department (biology) which is unfortunate. Not sure what I can do about this now.

A Strategic Guide to Letters of Recommendation - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

So you're saying your letters are mediocre because your relationships with these professors were mediocre. If you already graduated, it's a shame that you didn't positively impress anyone else at your university despite your 3.9/516. Perhaps do better to make sure that those you did ask for letters know you beyond just your grades and your lecture attendance? Hopefully they remember you even if it has been a year...?