WAMC, really unusual applicant

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¿Que hacer?

  • SGU/DO

    Votes: 4 57.1%
  • Persist, get more feedback, apply again, earlier, wider

    Votes: 3 42.9%

  • Total voters
    7

healthy skeptic

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Hi- I have a very strange application and applied since 2011 times with only landing on a couple waitlists to speak of. I'd greatly appreciate input.

I have a 3.6 for two years and then a 2.9 Jr and Sr year, including an F and retake, overall-3.2 sc-3.4. I took the MCAT midway through and scored a 35x (omitted writing section).
I worked for two years and have strong research background w/ two papers.
I went back for masters and completed with 3.6, doing well in the medical school's first year biochem and physio courses. The first MCAT was old so I took it last summer and got 13/10/P/14.
I have several clinical, volunteer, and leadership experiences throughout undergraudate and after.
I have (seemingly strong) recs from my research job and activities and recently from my coursework.

I applied very late to 8 schools and got two in-state / local interviews (Jan, Feb) and was waitlisted at both. I get that the decisions were late in the cycle, but students were definitely accepted from later interviews. Speaking with people in admissions, I've received inconsistent, vague feedback on how to improve for 2014. I've gotten various feedback on my personal statement and it's not great or horrible, though a little dry / could be more personable.

Nonetheless I feel like I'm overlooking something that's a serious mark against me. Should I just shut it and apply early this time and be happy to get in anywhere, or is SGU or DO the likely outcome here?

Thank you for any help, understanding, resolution.
-Amazed and confused 😕
 
Unremarkable GPA with a downward trend is not good. Why did your grades drop like that?

Also, applying late to only 8 schools is not a recipe for success. With your MCAT and activities since graduating if you applied early to more schools (and not top heavy) I'd expect you to get in somewhere assuming 1) you have a legit reason for the grade drop and 2) you don't bomb interviews.
 
Hi- I have a very strange application and applied since 2011 times with only landing on a couple waitlists to speak of. I'd greatly appreciate input.

I have a 3.6 for two years and then a 2.9 Jr and Sr year, including an F and retake, overall-3.2 sc-3.4. I took the MCAT midway through and scored a 35x (omitted writing section).
I worked for two years and have strong research background w/ two papers.
I went back for masters and completed with 3.6, doing well in the medical school's first year biochem and physio courses. The first MCAT was old so I took it last summer and got 13/10/P/14.
I have several clinical, volunteer, and leadership experiences throughout undergraudate and after.
I have (seemingly strong) recs from my research job and activities and recently from my coursework.

I applied very late to 8 schools and got two in-state / local interviews (Jan, Feb) and was waitlisted at both. I get that the decisions were late in the cycle, but students were definitely accepted from later interviews. Speaking with people in admissions, I've received inconsistent, vague feedback on how to improve for 2014. I've gotten various feedback on my personal statement and it's not great or horrible, though a little dry / could be more personable.

Nonetheless I feel like I'm overlooking something that's a serious mark against me. Should I just shut it and apply early this time and be happy to get in anywhere, or is SGU or DO the likely outcome here?

Thank you for any help, understanding, resolution.
-Amazed and confused 😕

with a 3.2/3.4 and a 37 MCAT along with solid ECs, MDs should be well within reach.

and even though you applied very late to a few schools, you were still able to get multiple interviews, which is a good sign.

when you apply again, submit early june and apply to 30 schools.
 
It appears to be something that is revealed in your interview.
Thats a good suggestion. Both interviews seemed to go well. One grilled me and I felt strong about it, he remarked that I interviewed well and he enjoyed this. The other was an MMI and again, I felt nice coming out of it.

I talked about my grade drops in personal statements. It's not the most clear cut, sympathetic reason for poor grades but it's address and contrasted with more recent successes. I've been told it's no longer much of an issue and to discuss it only briefly in the next application by an admissions officer and dean. Although this may be their take on grades and ability, i'll still be screened / precluded from interviewing on uGPA alone at many schools.

I agree with the sentiments that applying earlier and to a wider set of schools is smart / necessary. I was partly surprised that the school I did the graduate work in, interviewed, and where I interact with many faculty through EC, is so hesitant to accept me as an alum and in-state applicant. It's kind of like, if not here, where else would realistically take me. Though it could all be in the timing.

Thanks all for the input and encouragement. Keep it coming : )
 
with a 3.2/3.4 and a 37 MCAT along with solid ECs, MDs should be well within reach.

and even though you applied very late to a few schools, you were still able to get multiple interviews, which is a good sign.

when you apply again, submit early june and apply to 30 schools.

Agreed, two interviews/waitlists (out of 8 schools) despite your GPA and late application means MD is within reach. Definitely apply early and broadly this time.
 
Concur strongly. But, to be safe, add some DO programs, because you'd be a lock at any of them, including mine.

definitely.

but OP, no matter what you do, apply EARLY and BROADLY.
 
Apply early. I think that you were lucky with applying late and that the early app will make the difference.
 
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