What did I do wrong? How can I make my application stronger?

[deleted659912]

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I just want to start by saying that I'm not the most exceptional student and I was also complete late at all of my schools (Sept 1-ish) but I thought I would get at least one interview by now so I'm pretty bummed out at the way this cycle is going. I'm hoping for the best but reapplying is a strong possibility. What could I do to make my application stronger? I'm definitely taking the MCAT again and applying very early but what else?

I called UIC after I got rejected since the letter said I could call to find out why and the counselor guy said that I was qualified but they can't take everyone? and said that I should submit more letters of recommendation? Not really sure about what to make of that but will definitly use more than 3 next time.

Stats:
Undergrad: Top 10 public university, Biology major Chemistry minor, graduated a year early
cGPA: 3.81, sGPA: 3.79, I had a couple of B's during my freshman year in Chemistry and some Biology classes, but managed to get straight A's in my sophomore and junior years with advanced Biology classes, Orgo I and II and Physics.
MCAT: First time 26 (7/7/12), second time 30 (10/10/10)
IL, Female, ORM, 21 years old

Activities:
Hospital volunteer (Orthopedics Dept./Medical Dept./Hospital Daycare) - 2 and a half years/200 hours
Animal shelter volunteer - 1 and a half years/80 hours
Nursing home volunteer (nonclinical) - 1 and a half years/120 hours
Educational assistant for students with disabilities (employment) - half a year/120 hours
General science tutor - one year/120 hours
Behavioral psychology research - half a year/80 hours [ongoing]
Emergency medical services club - one year [ongoing, currently one and a half years]
Clarinet and piano - hobbies

I entered the above for my AMCAS activities although I started some new activities that I updated schools with in the secondary including:

Volunteering for ESL classes in an adult education center
Teaching job at a professional tutoring company
Continuing my undergrad research (I still live on campus)
Still participate in the Emergency medical services club

School list:
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medici: UNDER REVIEW
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien: Silence
Rush Medical College: Silence
Southern Illinois School of Medicine: Screener's Alternate --> REJECTION
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic: Rejected via snailmail
Albany Medical College: HOLD
Saint Louis University School of Medicine: Silence
Tulane University School of Medicine: REJECTION
Creighton University School of Medicine: Silence
Temple University School of Medicine: Silence
Drexel University College of Medicine: HOLD

Right now I'm just updating Creighton, Temple and Loyola with new information combined with a paragraph or two of interest. Rush and Rosalind Franklin don't accept updates so I'm just waiting and praying 🙁 Any thoughts/advice?

 

[MedicalEngineerDoctor]

Phenotype is salient. Clique?

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

You didn't apply very broadly, especially with that retake I would have applied to a lot more schools. Everything seems good to me other than that.

 

[deleted659912]

You didn't apply very broadly, especially with that retake I would have applied to a lot more schools. Everything seems good to me other than that.

In hindsight, I definitely should have since I'm getting rejected by schools I thought I had a strong chance at while still under review for schools that are slightly out of reach that have rejected higher stat friends of mine (Loyola's avg. is a 33 and with their policy on averaging scores, I'm sitting at a 28...while friends that have applied with 33s and 34s received snailmail rejections already)

 

[deleted659912]

Phenotype is salient. Clique?

????

 

[PlaqueBuster]

your mcat is on the lower end for MD schools. Try to retake and get above 32 (with the new test). Submit primary the first week when it opens.

 

[YogaBe@r]

Definitely get some more letters of rec! You have some good EC's, ask the coordinators/supervisors there to write you LOR's. If your undergrad has a health professions office, get them to write you a committee letter. That should hopefully help! But don't give up hope, some schools still give out interviews even in February!

Also consider maybe DO for next cycle as well.

 

[MrLogan13]

Like someone else already stated, should have applied more broadly. Why didn't you submit in June?

 

[deleted659912]

Thanks for the input! I've been stressing so badly about this lately but I've come to realize its not the end of the world if I don't get accepted this year. I just don't know how to break the news to my family.

 

[deleted659912]

Like someone else already stated, should have applied more broadly. Why didn't you submit in June?

I got my score back in late May, retook in late July and got my scores back on August 28th I think.

 

[Goro]

You're highly competitive for DO schools. Star with CCOM and DMU. and work outwards. Apply 6/1/15...it's too late in the cycle now.

I suspect that the MD schools didn't like the < avg 3nd MCAT and the 2x of taking them. Your avg MCAT is thus a 28. You might have had slightly better luck at the new MD schools. I'm surprised that you didn't get more nibbles. It might just be a more competitive year.

I just want to start by saying that I'm not the most exceptional student and I was also complete late at all of my schools (Sept 1-ish) but I thought I would get at least one interview by now so I'm pretty bummed out at the way this cycle is going. I'm hoping for the best but reapplying is a strong possibility. What could I do to make my application stronger? I'm definitively taking the MCAT again and applying very early but what else?

I called UIC after I got rejected since the letter said I could call to find out why and the counselor guy said that I was qualified but they can't take everyone? and said that I should submit more letters of recommendation? Not really sure about what to make of that but will definitly use more than 3 next time.

Stats:
Undergrad: Top 10 public university, Biology major Chemistry minor, graduated a year early
cGPA: 3.81, sGPA: 3.79, I had a couple of B's during my freshman year in Chemistry and some Biology classes, but managed to get straight A's in my sophomore and junior years with advanced Biology classes, Orgo I and II and Physics.
MCAT: First time 26 (7/7/12), second time 30 (10/10/10)
IL, Female, ORM, 21 years old

Activities:
Hospital volunteer (Orthopedics Dept./Medical Dept./Hospital Daycare) - 2 and a half years/200 hours
Animal shelter volunteer - 1 and a half years/80 hours
Nursing home volunteer (nonclinical) - 1 and a half years/120 hours
Educational assistant for students with disabilities (employment) - half a year/120 hours
General science tutor - one year/120 hours
Behavioral psychology research - half a year/80 hours [ongoing]
Emergency medical services club - one year [ongoing, currently one and a half years]
Clarinet and piano - hobbies

I entered the above for my AMCAS activities although I started some new activities that I updated schools with in the secondary including:

Volunteering for ESL classes in an adult education center
Teaching job at a professional tutoring company
Continuing my undergrad research (I still live on campus)
Still participate in the Emergency medical services club

School list:
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medici: UNDER REVIEW
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien: Silence
Rush Medical College: Silence
Southern Illinois School of Medicine: Screener's Alternate --> REJECTION
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic: Rejected via snailmail
Albany Medical College: HOLD
Saint Louis University School of Medicine: Silence
Tulane University School of Medicine: REJECTION
Creighton University School of Medicine: Silence
Temple University School of Medicine: Silence
Drexel University College of Medicine: HOLD

Right now I'm just updating Creighton, Temple and Loyola with new information combined with a paragraph or two of interest. Rush and Rosalind Franklin don't accept updates so I'm just waiting and praying 🙁 Any thoughts/advice?

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

In hindsight, I definitely should have since I'm getting rejected by schools I thought I had a strong chance at while still under review for schools that are slightly out of reach that have rejected higher stat friends of mine (Loyola's avg. is a 33 and with their policy on averaging scores, I'm sitting at a 28...while friends that have applied with 33s and 34s received snailmail rejections already)

I made the same mistake my 1st time applying too, I was scared to leave home and applied only in-state, this year I got accepted to the farthest state geographically possible. Next year, get your app in June 1st and consider DO schools as well and broaden your school list, you will get in somewhere w those stats!

 

[deleted659912]

Thanks everyone! Hopefully I get in somewhere this year but if I don't then what schools do you think I should I apply to? I noticed that I'm technically still in the running for the schools that highly emphasize community service and giving in their mission statements.

I'll definitely apply to a couple top DO schools and the one next to my house but I would strongly prefer the MD route.

 

[deleted659912]

Any more advice? Do you think shadowing would make a difference? And what company has the best 2015 prep material?

 

[IlDestriero]

I saw no leadership, no shadowing, and limited service time. I worked 80 hours a week as a resident and some of your activities are 80-120 hours over 1.5 years?
Your MCAT isn't doing you any favors, but don't take it again unless you study hard and are scoring much higher on practice tests.
Apply broadly, add a few DOs.
Instead of being peripherally involved in 10 activities, pick a couple and maximize your involvement. Passion and time lead to leadership opportunities. All these activities comes across to me as shotgunning for CV padding.

 

[Afford]

Maybe when he said more letters, he was hinting that your current letters are mediocre and they want stronger letters? I don't know if that's true, but it couldn't hurt.

 

[jsmith522]

My first round I didn't get many nibbles and had to go through the whole process again. Things I did differently was applying more broadly, reworked my personal statement and then paid $50 bucks to a friend who is an English PhD candidate to proofread and make sure it made sense to an outsider. Finally, I made sure I was ready to go before June 1st so that June 1st all I had to do was hit submit on the payment button. The DO route is also a good consideration.

 

[tima]

My first round I didn't get many nibbles and had to go through the whole process again. Things I did differently was applying more broadly, reworked my personal statement and then paid $50 bucks to a friend who is an English PhD candidate to proofread and make sure it made sense to an outsider. Finally, I made sure I was ready to go before June 1st so that June 1st all I had to do was hit submit on the payment button. The DO route is also a good consideration.

The proofreading option is very good. There are couple of sites that can edit your PS so it flows better. It really helps with the transitioning from paragraph to paragraph and better choice of words. Some of the experiences have been discussed in older threads.

 

[GavinThePremed]

I just want to start by saying that I'm not the most exceptional student and I was also complete late at all of my schools (Sept 1-ish) but I thought I would get at least one interview by now so I'm pretty bummed out at the way this cycle is going. I'm hoping for the best but reapplying is a strong possibility. What could I do to make my application stronger? I'm definitely taking the MCAT again and applying very early but what else?

I called UIC after I got rejected since the letter said I could call to find out why and the counselor guy said that I was qualified but they can't take everyone? and said that I should submit more letters of recommendation? Not really sure about what to make of that but will definitly use more than 3 next time.

Stats:
Undergrad: Top 10 public university, Biology major Chemistry minor, graduated a year early
cGPA: 3.81, sGPA: 3.79, I had a couple of B's during my freshman year in Chemistry and some Biology classes, but managed to get straight A's in my sophomore and junior years with advanced Biology classes, Orgo I and II and Physics.
MCAT: First time 26 (7/7/12), second time 30 (10/10/10)
IL, Female, ORM, 21 years old

Activities:
Hospital volunteer (Orthopedics Dept./Medical Dept./Hospital Daycare) - 2 and a half years/200 hours
Animal shelter volunteer - 1 and a half years/80 hours
Nursing home volunteer (nonclinical) - 1 and a half years/120 hours
Educational assistant for students with disabilities (employment) - half a year/120 hours
General science tutor - one year/120 hours
Behavioral psychology research - half a year/80 hours [ongoing]
Emergency medical services club - one year [ongoing, currently one and a half years]
Clarinet and piano - hobbies

I entered the above for my AMCAS activities although I started some new activities that I updated schools with in the secondary including:

Volunteering for ESL classes in an adult education center
Teaching job at a professional tutoring company
Continuing my undergrad research (I still live on campus)
Still participate in the Emergency medical services club

School list:
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medici: UNDER REVIEW
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien: Silence
Rush Medical College: Silence
Southern Illinois School of Medicine: Screener's Alternate --> REJECTION
University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medic: Rejected via snailmail
Albany Medical College: HOLD
Saint Louis University School of Medicine: Silence
Tulane University School of Medicine: REJECTION
Creighton University School of Medicine: Silence
Temple University School of Medicine: Silence
Drexel University College of Medicine: HOLD

Right now I'm just updating Creighton, Temple and Loyola with new information combined with a paragraph or two of interest. Rush and Rosalind Franklin don't accept updates so I'm just waiting and praying 🙁 Any thoughts/advice?

I mean right off I'd say your school list is much too short.

 

[giraffesuptop]

Any more advice? Do you think shadowing would make a difference? And what company has the best 2015 prep material?

Absolutely need to shadow. 50 hours minimum is a good benchmark for shadowing. I used the princeton review mcat prep and thought it was excellent.