What can I do to get into Medical School? (Opinion)

[scapas]

Hello Everyone!

I am in the application process for the 2019 application cycle. I have a question about the weakness of my application. Please feel free to comment:

Male
Caucasian
26 years old
Didn't go to a good school (acceptance rate is 94%)
cumulative gpa was 3.4. (College GPA was 3.7, took college classes in highschool that brought it down to a 3.4)
mcat scores 2013 - 23, 2014 -28, 2018 - 516
College Science Club President (1 year)
Got my nurses' aide license (60 clinical hours, 40 classroom hours) and worked as a nurses' aide in 2011 for two weeks during the summer
Shadowed in 2012 about 200 hours in different specialties.
After graduating did a postbac fellowship at the NIH for 2 years and 4 months. Published as first author in book for geriatric medical professionals. Have two basic-science publications as a second author.
Then worked as a research tech for 1 year in clinical pharmacology
Now working as a research tech in public health (working in Africa in a lab for a month).
Volunteer with the American Cancer Society 2017-present - 150 hours so far
Volunteer with hospice 2017-present - 50 hours so far
Shadowed doctors in 2017-2018 for 40 hours
Applied to 37 schools, rejected from 15 and application on hold at 2. No interviews. I am waiting to hear back from 20 more. They are mostly good schools...so.

SO, above is a condensed version of what I've accomplished thus far.
In my opinion, I am getting old, I need more shadowing experience (extended shadowing), and perhaps more clinical volunteering in hospice. I have been out of school for 5 years, and I'm wondering if I should go for my Master's degree. Let me know what you think!

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[LukaDoncicLuk]

I'm just a fellow premed but I'll offer my thoughts. I think academics wise you're fine. GPA is low but not lethal and those low MCAT scores are so long ago I'm not sure how much weight they'll hold for adcoms. You could look into doing a DIY postbacc but I definitely don't think you need a Masters.

You're shadowing hours are definitely sufficient (250+ is a lot and anything more seems pointless). I think your research is fantastic and way above the average applicant. I think your main weakness EC-wise would be volunteering. Try and beef up your clinical and non-clinical volunteering.

What did your school list look like?

 

[gyngyn]

As long as you have 40 hours of shadowing, you are fine, especially if it is in longitudinal care. You don't need more!
A Master's degree will have little to no effect on an MD application.

 

[Goro]

Hello Everyone!

I am in the application process for the 2019 application cycle. I have a question about the weakness of my application. Please feel free to comment:

Male
Caucasian
26 years old
Didn't go to a good school (acceptance rate is 94%)
cumulative gpa was 3.4. (College GPA was 3.7, took college classes in highschool that brought it down to a 3.4)
mcat scores 2013 - 23, 2014 -28, 2018 - 516
College Science Club President (1 year)
Got my nurses' aide license (60 clinical hours, 40 classroom hours) and worked as a nurses' aide in 2011 for two weeks during the summer
Shadowed in 2012 about 200 hours in different specialties.
After graduating did a postbac fellowship at the NIH for 2 years and 4 months. Published as first author in book for geriatric medical professionals. Have two basic-science publications as a second author.
Then worked as a research tech for 1 year in clinical pharmacology
Now working as a research tech in public health (working in Africa in a lab for a month).
Volunteer with the American Cancer Society 2017-present - 150 hours so far
Volunteer with hospice 2017-present - 50 hours so far
Shadowed doctors in 2017-2018 for 40 hours
Applied to 37 schools, rejected from 15 and application on hold at 2. No interviews. I am waiting to hear back from 20 more. They are mostly good schools...so.

SO, above is a condensed version of what I've accomplished thus far.
In my opinion, I am getting old, I need more shadowing experience (extended shadowing), and perhaps more clinical volunteering in hospice. I have been out of school for 5 years, and I'm wondering if I should go for my Master's degree. Let me know what you think!

What was your school list?
State of residence?

 

[doc05]

Hope you get in this time. If you don't, then just cut your losses. If it doesn't happen this cycle, you should just move on with your life.

Good luck

 

[scapas]

My school list:
Rejected:
Johns Hopkins University
Mayo Clinic Minnesota
Weill Cornell College of Medicine
Hofstra University School of Medicine
UCSF
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
New York University School of Medicine
Stony Brook University School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
Dartmouth
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Case Western Reserve
Keck University
University of Indiana
Alpert Brown

Hold on Application:
University of Maryland
Drexel

Waiting to hear back:
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Quinnipiac
University of Michigan (Ann Harbor)
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Baylor College of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Larner College of Medicine (Vermont)
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina
Rochester School of Medicine
Harvard Universty
UCONN
Yale School of Medicine
Duke
Ohio State University
University of Massachuesetts
Boston University School of Medicine

My state of residence is Maryland.

And doc05, thank you for your luck, I won't give up. Even if I don't get in this cycle.

 

[Goro]

My school list:
Rejected:
Johns Hopkins University
Mayo Clinic Minnesota
Weill Cornell College of Medicine
Hofstra University School of Medicine
UCSF
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
New York University School of Medicine
Stony Brook University School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
Dartmouth
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Case Western Reserve
Keck University
University of Indiana
Alpert Brown

Hold on Application:
University of Maryland
Drexel

Waiting to hear back:
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Quinnipiac
University of Michigan (Ann Harbor)
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Baylor College of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Larner College of Medicine (Vermont)
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina
Rochester School of Medicine
Harvard Universty
UCONN
Yale School of Medicine
Duke
Ohio State University
University of Massachuesetts
Boston University School of Medicine

My state of residence is Maryland.

And doc05, thank you for your luck, I won't give up. Even if I don't get in this cycle.

Your app looks really good, and the only things that I think are the cause of your troubles are either a late application, bad essays or a bad letter of recommendation

 

[scapas]

Yeah, I think all my letters were pretty solid, I haven't had anyone complain about me and I think I get along with most people. But honestly, I am worried about the bad essays. I know my personal statement was good (it was looked over many times), but do you think the secondaries are super important? Because I feel like I half-assed that.

 

[Goro]

Yeah, I think all my letters were pretty solid, I haven't had anyone complain about me and I think I get along with most people. But honestly, I am worried about the bad essays. I know my personal statement was good (it was looked over many times), but do you think the secondaries are super important? Because I feel like I half-assed that.

If secondaries weren't important, why would Schools send them?

So I think we found the cause your problems.

Rewrite all essays and have multiple eyeballs get them next time.

And don't half-ass anything anymore if you want to be a doctor.

 

[scapas]

Thank you for your input, yes, I think I overwhelmed myself with the number of schools and felt like I needed to get them out ASAP. So I didn't spend as much time as I could getting those written well.

 

[scapas]

I definitely could have written them better

 

[jarednogeek]

Yeah saying you half assed your secondaries can definitely explain it.

 

[Toutie]

If you have to reapply, rethink your school list. You have way to many reaches on there and a few schools that do not take many OOS. Did you use MSAR to make your list? If not, do so next time.

 

[Med Ed]

My school list:
Rejected:
Johns Hopkins University
Mayo Clinic Minnesota
Weill Cornell College of Medicine
Hofstra University School of Medicine
UCSF
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
New York University School of Medicine
Stony Brook University School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
Dartmouth
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Case Western Reserve
Keck University
University of Indiana
Alpert Brown

Hold on Application:
University of Maryland
Drexel

Waiting to hear back:
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Quinnipiac
University of Michigan (Ann Harbor)
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Baylor College of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Larner College of Medicine (Vermont)
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina
Rochester School of Medicine
Harvard Universty
UCONN
Yale School of Medicine
Duke
Ohio State University
University of Massachuesetts
Boston University School of Medicine

My state of residence is Maryland.

And doc05, thank you for your luck, I won't give up. Even if I don't get in this cycle.

Oof. Your last MCAT is solid, but your list is largely a mix of reaches and state schools that are not very OOS friendly.

If necessary, next year consider NYMC, Albany, Geisinger, Temple, Sidney Kimmel (TJ), VCU, EVMS, MCW, SLU, Wayne State, Chicago Med, Rush, Loyola.

 

[scapas]

Thank you everyone for your input, I appreciate it. I'm going to be taking some classes as well since I've been out of school for 5 years. I didn't use MSAR, I will use it next time. I will also apply to those schools next year Med Ed. I will post an update!

 

[Walter Raleigh]

@Goro: might OP also need DO schools on his list next year?

 

[Goro]

Thank you everyone for your input, I appreciate it. I'm going to be taking some classes as well since I've been out of school for 5 years. I didn't use MSAR, I will use it next time. I will also apply to those schools next year Med Ed. I will post an update!

Have a few DO schools on the list for insurance. ALWAYS have a Plan B.

 

[scapas]

@Goro : I dont have DO shadowing experience, dont they want applicants with significant DO shadowing? My plan B is to continue working in public health and reapply. I dont intend to give up just because I dont get in the first cycle.

 

[Goro]

@Goro : I dont have DO shadowing experience, dont they want applicants with significant DO shadowing? My plan B is to continue working in public health and reapply. I dont intend to give up just because I dont get in the first cycle.

Most DO schools are OK with an MD LOR. While lacking a DO LOR won't hurt you, having one will help you.

 

[atomi]

You aren’t competitive for nearly all of the schools you applied to. Do it again with a more appropriate school list. Sorry, you either had no advising or somebody led you astray. Very sorrry that you wasted your time and money, but you’ll get in somewhere if you apply more wisely next time.

 

[scapas]

Thank you for your honesty. I very much agree with you. I had no real advising, and all the advise was to apply to top schools haha. I recently made changes to my list, please see below and give opinions! Honesty is greatly appreciated:

Albany Medical College
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Drexel University College of Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Robert Larner, M.D., College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Tulane University School of Medicine
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
University of Colorado School of Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
University of Pittsburgh
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine

 

[scapas]

what do you think about adding:
Medical College of Wisconsin
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
New York Medical College?

Update to my CV, I am currently working in public health in Zambia, been here for six weeks.

 

[scapas]

I'm just spitting out medical schools at this point, I'm thinking about:
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Howard University College of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

I will do some research to weed a lot out. I would prefer to only apply to about 25, but definitely want to hear out other's opinions. I do feel kind of stupid that I applied to only good schools, I think I had a big head and since my friends got into great med schools I thought I could the same. Thank you everyone for being honest.

 

[scapas]

I think I should probably take out Mt Sinai, UNC, Emory, and Pitt. But I feel kind of bad for not even trying. Just have to think about my wallet as well.