What Next? :\

[dlqo0oplb]

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Hello Everyone,

I have applied to 18 med schools this cycle (2013-2014) and only gotten one interview thus far. My interview was in September, 2013, so it has been a while since I heard anything from the school. I have given up hope that I will get in this cycle, and refocusing on improving my application for next, or possible the cycle after.

Here is my stats: 3.91 cGPA, 3.82 sGPA, 33 MCAT (12/8/13-BS/VR/PS)
During undergraduate, I took a year of to work in a local law firm to pay for my living expenses and tuition.
I have 360+ hours volunteer at a local hospital, 60 hours shadowing a doctor, couple volunteer experience in helping conducting research studies, and that's about it. I don't have any research experience, since the research at my school does not interest me at all.

Here are my questions: Should I reapply this June? (since most schools I applied to are top heavy last cycle), Should I consider applying for a post bacc programs? Should I find a research assistant job and sit out next cycle? or Any other advice for improving my chances of getting in?

Thanks

 

[DrMidlife]

Sounds like a California story, where high stats are nowhere near enough.

My suggestion is to reapply when you have one substantial new asset in your application. If you have been doing things since you last applied, so that you have the equivalent of 6 months of full time work/school/volunteering, that's fine. If you want to attempt to get a higher MCAT score that would not be the worst idea, but the average retake does not result in a higher score.

Be completely paranoid about three things, and exert yourself to be in control of them:
1. Your essays and other written app answers
2. Your letters
3. Your interview

There's plenty of discussion in this forum about how to sink yourself with these elements, and how to fix them.

Also, be assertive in inviting, and be willing to consider, as much negative feedback as you can stand. Put yourself in position to hear what you need to know, such as that you are too quiet/loud/arrogant/smelly/twitchy/casual/immature/stammery/etc.

Best of luck to you.

 

[GM2006]

I was in a similar situation last year. I applied late and ended up with a grand total of ZERO interviews. This year I applied early and more broadly and already have 8 ii and multiple acceptances. I think you should continue volunteering and apply this June. You have solid stats and I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

 

[pietachok]

Hello Everyone,

I have applied to 18 med schools this cycle (2013-2014) and only gotten one interview thus far. My interview was in September, 2013, so it has been a while since I heard anything from the school. I have given up hope that I will get in this cycle, and refocusing on improving my application for next, or possible the cycle after.

Here is my stats: 3.91 cGPA, 3.82 sGPA, 33 MCAT (12/8/13-BS/VR/PS)
During undergraduate, I took a year of to work in a local law firm to pay for my living expenses and tuition.
I have 360+ hours volunteer at a local hospital, 60 hours shadowing a doctor, couple volunteer experience in helping conducting research studies, and that's about it. I don't have any research experience, since the research at my school does not interest me at all.

Here are my questions: Should I reapply this June? (since most schools I applied to are top heavy last cycle), Should I consider applying for a post bacc programs? Should I find a research assistant job and sit out next cycle? or Any other advice for improving my chances of getting in?

Thanks

In addition to what Dr Midlife said . . .

Have you not heard anything at all from the school post interview? Did they tell you you're waitlisted? If not, you're the most patient pre-med on the planet, and I think you maybe need to contact them unless they told you to expect silence.

You don't need an SMP or Postbacc -- those are to prove you can perform academically. They do not remedy whatever problem you have in your application. You have to fix the appropriate aspect of your application to change the outcome. Consider the things Dr Midlife pointed out. If you have this few interview invitations with such strong stats, something is wrong with your PS/essays, LORs, or school choices (or application date . . . but w/ a Sept interview that seems unlikely). The reason to sit out a cycle at this point would be if you have strong suspicion your problem is a LOR and you need time to develop a relationship to get a new LOR.