What more can I do?

[buffywannabe]

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I am trying to figure out a plan of attack for next year. I don't feel like things are going well this year and if the last two years are any indication I will not get in. 🙁

I have a 3.72 and a 34 MCAT which I will have to retake. Do you think a special masters program would be worth it for me?

I am currently volunteering 20 hours a week and will be increasing to 32 hours a week next week. I also work full time. Check my mdapps if you want more info.

I know reapplicants are judged on improvement, but I just don't know what to do to improve for next year.

 

[Phosphorus Ylide]

I am trying to figure out a plan of attack for next year. I don't feel like things are going well this year and if the last two years are any indication I will not get in. 🙁

I have a 3.72 and a 34 MCAT which I will have to retake. Do you think a special masters program would be worth it for me?

I am currently volunteering 20 hours a week and will be increasing to 32 hours a week next week. I also work full time. Check my mdapps if you want more info.

I know reapplicants are judged on improvement, but I just don't know what to do to improve for next year.

Why do you feel that things are not going well for you this year? Did you talk to any schools from the previous cycles. What did they say?

 

[Isoprop]

add more schools

 

[NontradICUdoc]

judging from your numbers there should not be a problem with getting an acceptance. That makes me wonder if somehow something went wrong in the interviews.

Did you contact the schools you interviewed with and ask them about their decision? If so, was it something you can work on? If you are applying to the same schools for the 3rd time, what is new and improved on your application?

There may be other factors in your application that someone or the committee felt that you needed to improve on.

 

[netminder]

.

Buffy,

I can't imagine someone with numbers like yours would have any problem at all. I don't have any kind of authority or experience here. I am an applicant as well. However, I have had a great experience (it will be better if I actually get in) with an admission counselor group called Inquarta. They have been great so far. You might try contacting them to see if they can help you refine your application. I am a re-applicant, too.

netminder

P.S. Cats are amazing creatures.

 

[buffywannabe]

I guess I might be being crazy. It's just I am always nervous. I really have no self confidence left after all of those rejections. I am trying but I really feel like it broke me. I have done a ton since the last cycle, but I just keep thinking it won't be enough. 🙁

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Though it's getting close to too late for this year, have you thought about doing more shadowing? You have over 500 hours volunteering, but ~15 hours of shadowing. To me this is a huge discrepancy. How do you know you want to be a doctor if you've only shadowed a doctor for basically 1.5 work days? You say you're volunteering like 32 hours a week. My pre-med advisor told me that after a certain point, extra volunteering doesn't do much. I think you've reached and exceeded that point easily. I would now concentrate on extra shadowing. Get 100 hours of shadowing under your belt by the time you get more interviews and you'll have more to talk about in the interview and it will reassure schools that you've seen what being a doctor is and that you're passionate about it.

 

[buffywannabe]

Thanks, that is a really great idea.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Glad I could help a bit. I do think you should keep the confidence up. Apart from my one criticism of your shadowing hours, I think you're a solid applicant. Are you applying to MD/PhD programs again this year or just MD?

My understanding is the MD/PhD programs only take the cream of the crop. So, your stats might be good enough for an MD program, but not MD/PhD. Not sure though on that.

Finally thought, have you done any mock interviews? Have someone like a pre-med advisor, parent, or close friend do a mock interview. Do it with several people if you like. Have them give you feedback on your answers and general demeanor. Videotape it even and watch yourself. Look at your expression, your hands, and your general "vibe". Watch for answers where you stumble or say something awkward. Make written outlines of those responses and memorize them. You want your answers to all be very fluid, without being entirely canned. Dress in your interview dress and have people critique it to be sure it's appropriate. Try to relax at interviews. I think lots of pre-meds come off as super, super enthusiastic, and while you want to display that you really want to be a doctor, too much enthusiasm can seem phony. It's a damn tough line to walk, I know.

Finally, do you mind mentioning your stats for your first two years? If your GPA and MCAT were about the same, I'd be surprised that you didn't get more interviews. Did you apply to lots of reach schools? Just curious. Your second year, I think you made things harder on yourself by only applying to four schools and going MD/PhD. So, I would discount last year as unlucky.

 

[buffywannabe]

I have had the same stats all four years. the first year I had very little volunteering and close to nothing clinical. Even though last year I had a lot more volunteering and clinical they still said I was lacking so that is why I have been volunteering so much. The first year my school choice was based on nearby law schools as my fiance was applying to law school. I applied to Madison, Milwaukee, Ohio State, Case Western, Wake Forest, Suny upstate, Miami, Gainsville (accidentally), rush and some others I can't remember.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Yeah, so my main recommendation stands that you should really put some time into shadowing. It's harder because if you have a full-time job, you might not be able to free up daytime hours as easily, but it's definitely the biggest thing lacking. At this point, you can easily cut back to ~5-10 hours/wk. volunteering (if it's possible with your positions) and start doing closer to 8-10 hrs./wk. shadowing.

Also, I really think the mock interview is important. If you don't have a pre-med advisor (which is sounds like you don't b/c of being out of school), go to this site to find interview questions. Really role-play and have your fiance (or whoever) be entirely serious and maybe even a bit testy to keep you on your toes. Both of you should dress very nicely (you in your interview attire) to make it easier to pretend. Videotape it and review. Get feedback from the interviewer too.

 

[Food]

You already have an interview for cleveland clinic and Case...put your 150% into that interview!

Though I totally can't imagine how you feel. I'm a second time applicant and it's hard not to feel depressed / unsure about the future. I'm rooming with 2 MS1s who got into the school I was waitlisted at up until the end. It's a miserable experience, but do what you can...

 

[netminder]

I'm rooming with 2 MS1s who got into the school I was waitlisted at up until the end. It's a miserable experience, but do what you can...

How does someone with numbers like yours not get in? You should rock it this year. Good luck, man.

 

[Food]

How does someone with numbers like yours not get in? You should rock it this year. Good luck, man.

Thanks, but to be fair my GPA is pretty bad =/

 

[buffywannabe]

Though it's getting close to too late for this year, have you thought about doing more shadowing? You have over 500 hours volunteering, but ~15 hours of shadowing. To me this is a huge discrepancy. How do you know you want to be a doctor if you've only shadowed a doctor for basically 1.5 work days? You say you're volunteering like 32 hours a week. My pre-med advisor told me that after a certain point, extra volunteering doesn't do much. I think you've reached and exceeded that point easily. I would now concentrate on extra shadowing. Get 100 hours of shadowing under your belt by the time you get more interviews and you'll have more to talk about in the interview and it will reassure schools that you've seen what being a doctor is and that you're passionate about it.

I found three more doctors to shadow. I am really excited about all of them! Two of them are FP (I emailed too many people. oops) and the other is specialty. I should have at least 10 more hours before my interview. It's something right?

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Absolutely! Good job. I would also talk in your interview about your continuing interest in shadowing and clinical exposure. Emphasize that you will continue to shadow even after that interview.

 

[cleothecat]

Best of luck in this cycle.

If things do not go well, get feedback about the interviews, and consider new LOR's.

Everybody needs to be careful about getting good LOR's. Negative or lukewarm LOR's can sink the best numbers, and often LOR's are looked at after the interview invite is sent out.

Meet with the people you ask for a LOR.
Ask them specifically if they feel they can write you a strong LOR.
Give them your portfolio including personal statement, CV, transcripts, and activities to refer to when the write the LOR.

 

[buffywannabe]

Now I have about 20 hours, but the last 5 were with family practice which should be a good thing. I have an interview next week and then the rest of mine two weeks later. I should have 30 hours by the other interviews. There was really no way I could get 100 hours unless I quit my job 🙁

 

[JRod72]

Yeah, so my main recommendation stands that you should really put some time into shadowing. It's harder because if you have a full-time job, you might not be able to free up daytime hours as easily, but it's definitely the biggest thing lacking. At this point, you can easily cut back to ~5-10 hours/wk. volunteering (if it's possible with your positions) and start doing closer to 8-10 hrs./wk. shadowing.

Also, I really think the mock interview is important. If you don't have a pre-med advisor (which is sounds like you don't b/c of being out of school), go to this site to find interview questions. Really role-play and have your fiance (or whoever) be entirely serious and maybe even a bit testy to keep you on your toes. Both of you should dress very nicely (you in your interview attire) to make it easier to pretend. Videotape it and review. Get feedback from the interviewer too.

Great advice till the "role playing with your fiance". I formed a group of six fellow applicants that were dedicated to getting in. We all studied and took the MCAT at the same time. We went over each others personal letters and applications. We criticized every word, spelling and meaning till it was polished. You need to have a mock interview with a career center WITH feedback!!! A stranger is a good second place. A close friend or family or girlfriends, ect are not mean enough!!!!! You need BRUTAL honesty for feedback. All six of us got into medical school... 3 M.D. and 3 D.O.

Academically you are perfect!!!!! Here is what you need for the interview.... Study the school before you walk into the door for the interview. You need to act like it is a test. What is the curriculum, what do they stand for, what direction are they going in the future, read everything you can about the school. Ask hard questions with depth. Say things like... I know that your college has dedicated the past three years to cancer research since you built the new wing onto the hospital; how has that impacted your patient care? BAM, instant acceptance. hit them hard with your dedication to being apart of the medical field!!!!!!!!! Walk out of there with them KNOWING your name with out even looking it up. Dominate the interview!!!!! Stop spinning wheels and listen to Nike....Just do it!!!!!

 

[JRod72]

I found three more doctors to shadow. I am really excited about all of them! Two of them are FP (I emailed too many people. oops) and the other is specialty. I should have at least 10 more hours before my interview. It's something right?

Here is your pre-interview homework!!!!

1) Read everything about the school. Even the 300 page Academic Catalog and Student Handbook!!!! Read the entire website! Form ideas about in depth questions.

2) Find and do a mock interview with a professional. Get feedback.

3) Practice holding a conversation with the doctors you are shadowing. Stay professional yet personable.

4) Get professional clothes

5) Fly at least 2 days early. This prevents flight delays from cutting into your nerves and your sleep!!!! Bring your Fiance to chill you out. You need a good cheerleader with a pep talk. If they stress you out....they stay home. Checkout the location. Is that where you want to live?

6) The day before the interview... READ EVERYTHING YOU SENT THEM!!!!! They will ask questions about the information you sent them and you will want to remember how you wrote it.

7) Eat before you show up! Your brain needs carbohydrates in order to dominate.

8) Show up 30 minutes early....use the bathroom! Not 20 minutes or under!!! They are keeping track of when you show up!!!!!!!!

9) In the interview, smile and stay professional. Do not tell jokes or stories. Be honest. Take your time to answer. Do not rush your answer. Repeat the question if you need to. Say you do not know if you do not.

10) STAY POSITIVE!!!!!

11) hit them with your super questions. Let them know by your comments that you have read everything and that you are prepared.

12) Make sure they know your name!!!!! (this is tricky but if you studied then you already accomplished this)

13) Be the last one to leave!!!!

14) Celebrate