MD & DO Ways to Improve my Application

[kmp0410]

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Undergrad GPA: 3.3 bcpm and overall, downward trend.
MCAT in 2009: 27 (9/9/9)
MCAT in 2013: 32 (10/11/11)
M.S. in Medical Science with a 3.85 GPA.

EC's:
300 hours Hospice Volunteering
150 Hours volunteering at food pantry
50 hours various other volunteering.
60 hours shadowing.
Working full time since graduating undergrad and through M.S. program.

So I applied this cycle in the first week, sent everything back really quickly. Got an interview at my undergrad institution in Sept...and then nothing. Placed on waitlist and then just got rejected. I'm in FL, so I have a lot of state schools whose stats are not far off. I certainly expected to have more success.

Things I know are weak in my app:
Undergrad GPA - Duh
No Research - I have a friend who works in a lab where I can volunteer. Will be doing little tedious things. The research is on grape genetics so not really related.
LORs - So this is a big one I think. I graduated undergrad in 2010, and never really had great contact with my professors. My M.S. program was basically online so I never got to know my professors well there either. For this past cycle, I had all the required ones...but they were probably weak. Could get good ones from employers and other people I've worked with, but at this point professors are a long shot.

So I'm going to apply again this cycle, and would appreciate any suggestions on things to improve my app in a short time. Would the type of research I could do be beneficial? I did accumulate some of these things (Finished M.S. in December) during the cycle, so will simply having them all when I apply help me significantly? (As opposed to an update). I just feel a bit lost because I don't know what I can do for my weaknesses.

I think I am definitely non-trad at this point, should I try to go outside the LOR reqs from professors and just simply get them from employers, volunteers, physicians? Many schools say you can do this, but everyone here usually just suggests to try to get the required ones. Anyone had success with no LORs from professors?

Also, this is more directed towards my MD application. I did not apply DO last cycle, simply because I thought I would get in and didn't want to spend the money. Will definitely apply DO this time though.

 

[Catalystik]

Undergrad GPA: 3.3 bcpm and overall, downward trend.
MCAT in 2009: 27 (9/9/9)
MCAT in 2013: 32 (10/11/11)
M.S. in Medical Science with a 3.85 GPA.

EC's:
300 hours Hospice Volunteering
150 Hours volunteering at food pantry
50 hours various other volunteering.
60 hours shadowing.
Working full time since graduating undergrad and through M.S. program.

So I applied this cycle in the first week, sent everything back really quickly. Got an interview at my undergrad institution in Sept...and then nothing. Placed on waitlist and then just got rejected. I'm in FL, so I have a lot of state schools whose stats are not far off. I certainly expected to have more success.

Things I know are weak in my app:
Undergrad GPA - Duh
No Research - I have a friend who works in a lab where I can volunteer. Will be doing little tedious things. The research is on grape genetics so not really related.
LORs - So this is a big one I think. I graduated undergrad in 2010, and never really had great contact with my professors. My M.S. program was basically online so I never got to know my professors well there either. For this past cycle, I had all the required ones...but they were probably weak. Could get good ones from employers and other people I've worked with, but at this point professors are a long shot.

So I'm going to apply again this cycle, and would appreciate any suggestions on things to improve my app in a short time. Would the type of research I could do be beneficial? I did accumulate some of these things (Finished M.S. in December) during the cycle, so will simply having them all when I apply help me significantly? (As opposed to an update). I just feel a bit lost because I don't know what I can do for my weaknesses.

I think I am definitely non-trad at this point, should I try to go outside the LOR reqs from professors and just simply get them from employers, volunteers, physicians? Many schools say you can do this, but everyone here usually just suggests to try to get the required ones. Anyone had success with no LORs from professors?

Also, this is more directed towards my MD application. I did not apply DO last cycle, simply because I thought I would get in and didn't want to spend the money. Will definitely apply DO this time though.

Is there any notation on the transcript that this is an on-line masters? If so, considering there is still considerable bias against distance learning in the med school world, I'd not be surprised at the outcome.

Not having the required LORs, or having weak ones, adds to my lack of surprise. If you want to use alternates, you'll have to ask each school individually if they'd be accepted, in light of your nontrad status.

Also, as you surmised, most schools want to see either research, or outstanding involvement in some other field of endeavor to replace it. Go-fer work in a lab is fine for a start, but you'd be expected to gain responsibility over time and have a good understanding of the overall project.

Since the institution that sponsors the on-line masters presumably rejected you, to my mind they owe you an explanation. Have you tried making a phone appointment to talk with a dean to get feedback (or with any other school, for that matter)? Don't ask why you were rejected, rather, ask what else you can do to improve your application. This could give you great insight into where you need to place your best efforts. Something you're worried about may not even be an issue worth concern.

 

[kmp0410]

Is there any notation on the transcript that this is an on-line masters? If so, considering there is still considerable bias against distance learning in the med school world, I'd not be surprised at the outcome.

Not having the required LORs, or having weak ones, adds to my lack of surprise. If you want to use alternates, you'll have to ask each school individually if they'd be accepted, in light of your nontrad status.

Also, as you surmised, most schools want to see either research, or outstanding involvement in some other field of endeavor to replace it. Go-fer work in a lab is fine for a start, but you'd be expected to gain responsibility over time and have a good understanding of the overall project.

Since the institution that sponsors the on-line masters presumably rejected you, to my mind they owe you an explanation. Have you tried making a phone appointment to talk with a dean to get feedback (or with any other school, for that matter)? Don't ask why you were rejected, rather, ask what else you can do to improve your application. This could give you great insight into where you need to place your best efforts. Something you're worried about may not even be an issue worth concern.

Thanks for your response!

There actually is not any notation on the transcript. But I do have two LORs from professors in this program, and I know for sure that one of them mentions how the class is online. This is part of my reason for not wanting to use professor LORs next time. Not trying to be deceptive, but I just hate that my M.S. might be totally tossed out for that reason. My tests were proctored, lots of extensive papers, etc...was just a lot of work and feel like if taken for what it was...would prove my ability to succeed academically.

I didn't receive an interview from the school I received my M.S. from, which was surprising to me. So I will definitely contact them with ways to improve my application.

I feel like my EC's are pretty good, if a bit boring. Its tough to get super involved with anything because I work full time.

 

[kmp0410]

Bump

Also, I graduated undergrad in 2010. Took 2 years off working full time. Did a lot of maturing in this time, via work, entering a long term relationship, and just getting older. Came back to school in Fall 2012 with much better study habits, focus, etc. My grades and my new MCAT reflect this. But how do I make this distinction more noticeable to adcoms without sounding silly or that I'm making excuses? I just feel like a very different student than the person who had a limp finish to undergrad and want to find a way to express it. If anyone has any help with this...I'd appreciate it. Most people say not to bring struggles up in the PS or anywhere unless asked about it...

I'm thinking about taking a job as a Scribe during the application year. I realize its ho-hum as far as SDN is concerned but I think it would be a good experience.

 

[Catalystik]

1) I graduated undergrad in 2010. Took 2 years off working full time. Did a lot of maturing in this time, via work, entering a long term relationship, and just getting older. Came back to school in Fall 2012 with much better study habits, focus, etc. My grades and my new MCAT reflect this. But how do I make this distinction more noticeable to adcoms without sounding silly or that I'm making excuses? I just feel like a very different student than the person who had a limp finish to undergrad and want to find a way to express it. If anyone has any help with this...I'd appreciate it. Most people say not to bring struggles up in the PS or anywhere unless asked about it...

2) I'm thinking about taking a job as a Scribe during the application year. I realize its ho-hum as far as SDN is concerned but I think it would be a good experience.

1) Rather than making excuses for past poor performance, talk about what lit a fire under you motivation-wise to excel and aim for a medical career.

2) I don't think it's "ho-hum." Scribing is a great experience, and if you can earn money while gaining quality clinical experience/shadowing, all to the better. Not that you're weak in those areas, but it looks good if you keep exploring your potential career. Doing so is supposed to be exciting. If there's a DO on staff wherever you end up, have some conversations, share your plan to apply DO, and get a letter.