What should I do?

[Dr Feel Guud]

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Hey all! I am a re-applicant (both DO and MD) who is in need of advice.

My stats:
BS in Biochemistry
cGPA:3.54
sGPA:3.51
MCAT 33P
(12B/11P/10V)

Medically related experiences:
200+ hours shadowing various doctors (Neurology, Nephrology, Interal Medicine, etc.)
1000+ direct patient care hours (I work as a MA at a skin cancer clinic assisting in Mohs surgery, etc.)
NYS registered EMT-B

Last year (2010-2011 cycle) I had applied to various schools in NY but really had no idea what I was doing. I had my primary submitted literally at the deadline (some time in December). Surprisingly enough, I had received two interview invites that cycle: one to Hofstra's new medical school and another to NYCOM. I went to both interviews, ended up being waitlisted at both schools, which obviously didn't pan out.

This year, I applied much earlier (all secondaries done by late September/early October). Here is the list of schools to which I have applied this time around:
Albany
Rochester
Hofstra
Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
Einstein
Vermont
Temple
Downstate
GW
NYMC
Upstate
Drexel
NYCOM
TouroCOM

I know, it is a short list, but I cannot afford to really apply to many more schools. Even though I applied earlier, I have not heard back from many of these schools (rejected from Rochester recently and NYMC just today).

Due to the lack of response from the schools I have applied to, I am becoming increasing concerned that the likely hood of being accepted this cycle is very small.. I do not know what to do from here on out. I am determined to get into medical school as it is a life long passion and I love interacting with patients. I will not let this obstacle deter my devotion. I just need advice on what to do from here.

What can I do to make my application more appealing to adcoms the next time around, or is there anything I can do to improve my current chances?

 

[tantacles]

Hey all! I am a re-applicant (both DO and MD) who is in need of advice.

My stats:
BS in Biochemistry
cGPA:3.54
sGPA:3.51
MCAT 33P
(12B/11P/10V)

Medically related experiences:
200+ hours shadowing various doctors (Neurology, Nephrology, Interal Medicine, etc.)
1000+ direct patient care hours (I work as a MA at a skin cancer clinic assisting in Mohs surgery, etc.)
NYS registered EMT-B

Last year (2010-2011 cycle) I had applied to various schools in NY but really had no idea what I was doing. I had my primary submitted literally at the deadline (some time in December). Surprisingly enough, I had received two interview invites that cycle: one to Hofstra's new medical school and another to NYCOM. I went to both interviews, ended up being waitlisted at both schools, which obviously didn't pan out.

This year, I applied much earlier (all secondaries done by late September/early October). Here is the list of schools to which I have applied this time around:
Albany
Rochester
Hofstra
Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
Einstein
Vermont
Temple
Downstate
GW
NYMC
Upstate
Drexel
NYCOM
TouroCOM

I know, it is a short list, but I cannot afford to really apply to many more schools. Even though I applied earlier, I have not heard back from many of these schools (rejected from Rochester recently and NYMC just today).

Due to the lack of response from the schools I have applied to, I am becoming increasing concerned that the likely hood of being accepted this cycle is very small.. I do not know what to do from here on out. I am determined to get into medical school as it is a life long passion and I love interacting with patients. I will not let this obstacle deter my devotion. I just need advice on what to do from here.

What can I do to make my application more appealing to adcoms the next time around, or is there anything I can do to improve my current chances?

Write a letter of interest to vermont. A long one, stating how much you love the school. They're very receptive, and there's a good chance it will net you an interview.

Other than that, I found that getting a new and interesting volunteer experience (in my case, recording books for blind and dyslexic students was my only really new activity) gave me something new to put on my application and I've received more interviews than I did the previous two times. If you can find an interesting volunteering experience in the next month and write about it well, it could be a huge asset.

 

[Buzz Me]

How did you improve your app from the previous year? Improved GPA? Clinical experience/volunteering/shadowing?

 

[mom2doc]

I'm shocked you didn't hear from Touro. I'd send them something indicating continued strong interest so they know you'd really attend and weren't just using DO as a back-up.

 

[Dr Feel Guud]

How did you improve your app from the previous year? Improved GPA? Clinical experience/volunteering/shadowing?

No change in GPA since last cycle, as I have not enrolled in any college level classes since graduating. Do you think engaging a graduate level course next semester will help my application? I was actually interested in possibly taking pharmacology or A&P anyway.

When I applied last cycle, it was just with the shadowing hours as medically related clinical experience. Since then I have obtained my EMT-B license and acquired a job as a medical assistant full time (which has net me a little over 1000 hours of first hand patient care to date).

 

[Dr Feel Guud]

Write a letter of interest to vermont. A long one, stating how much you love the school. They're very receptive, and there's a good chance it will net you an interview.

Thank you for the idea, will do. Hopefully it will translate into an interview invite.

 

[dragonfly99]

I think you need to have someone take a look at your essay, and the rest of your application as you presented it. I'm already a cardiology fellow so it's been a while since I applied, but I would think that you should have at least gotten some more interviews with the application you had.
The GPA is a little low. You should consider a couple of upper level science classes if you don't get in this time.

You should really push to get more interviews, though. Is there someone who wrote you a letter of recommendation who can put a good word in for you somewhere? It seems like you've just fallen through the cracks.

Also, who wrote your letters of recommendation? Is he/she accustomed to writing these types of letters? Was there at least one from a physician?

 

[Buzz Me]

No change in GPA since last cycle, as I have not enrolled in any college level classes since graduating. Do you think engaging a graduate level course next semester will help my application? I was actually interested in possibly taking pharmacology or A&P anyway.

When I applied last cycle, it was just with the shadowing hours as medically related clinical experience. Since then I have obtained my EMT-B license and acquired a job as a medical assistant full time (which has net me a little over 1000 hours of first hand patient care to date).

The extra clinical experience is good. Not improving your GPA - well, it's too late now, but I would have focused on that (especially since it's below the average for MD matriculants, and was the only questionable weak spot on your app, besides the LORs). Grad-level classes don't help your undergrad GPA - only post-bacc can do that.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Are you sure that you are complete at all of the schools that you applied to? One thing that happens is that you are missing 1 thing from your application packet and the school will not review the application as long as it is incomplete. And since it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that everything has been received, many schools will not tell you what is missing.

Call each school, if you have not done so, and make sure that they are still not waiting on components to complete your application. You may have sent them or were told that they have been sent, but if you did not confirm their receipt then you cannot be sure.

I am surprised you did not apply to the NJ schools if you are in NY.

 

[GraceEuphoria]

With those stats and that amount of experience, this definitely sounds like a case of an issue with LORs, personal statement or interview. I know you're saying you don't think you applied to enough schools....I may not know a ton because I didn't apply allopathic, but I did do osteopathic two times and both times only applied to 6 schools. By no means do I recommend it, but I was definitely not a super competitive applicant on paper and somehow it worked out for me. Did you speak with any of these schools? After not getting into LMU-DCOM, I stayed in contact with them and personally spoke with someone on the adcom to find out what weakness existed in my application that could be fixed. Also, when you asked for letters, did you ask if they could write you a STRONG letter? That's key. A lot of people will write you letters, but they'll be extremely generic and impersonal. My first LOR from a doc was like that and the next year I had one that was a raving review, very personal. I truly think it helped.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I would seriously take a good look at your essay. If it's "I want to be a doctor because", etc. Majorly not how to write it. Is it just a rehash of your clinical experience or a timeline of your college coursework? It should be interesting, like a story that is about your life your passions, your experiences that turned you onto medicine, etc.

I agree that you need to be sure the LOR's are done by those who believe in you? Do they really see you as someone's doctor who will fight for them and take care of them? Any negativity will not be viewed kindly.

Your GPA, MCAT, and experiences are all fine.

DId you come across in the interview as arrogant or a potential smart ass troublemaker who will make the school miserable and nitpick every test question?? There were a few of those in my class. Just a thought.

 

[tantacles]

Did you come across in the interview as arrogant or a potential smart ass troublemaker who will make the school miserable and nitpick every test question?? There were a few of those in my class. Just a thought.

The OP will definitely admit to this if it's true. Definitely.

 

[cabinbuilder]

The OP will definitely admit to this if it's true. Definitely.

Just putting out there what others may be thinking but don't necessarily say. I wasn't accusing anyone, just stating that personality and how one comes across in interviews really does matter. Something to think about in those who get interviews but no acceptances.

 

[Iluvcaffeine]

I didn't think that OP mentioned getting any interviews this cycle?

Do you have any community service experience or other interesting non-medical experience? Your EC seems a bit narrow imo.

 

[xanthomondo]

Call a few of the places that are high on your list and ask if they allow you to meet with the dean (or a representative) of the admissions department to talk about your application. Surprisingly many are willing to meet with you and talk about what went wrong with your app (I met with someone from two schools after I didn't get in the first time around).

My stats were very similar to yours. I also agree with the above in that you should contact/update/send a letter of love to all of the schools that you haven't heard from yet. It's not too late to squeeze out an interview or two from a school that hasn't rejected you yet!

 

[xanthomondo]

EDIT: looks like the post above mine was removed

 

[Dr Feel Guud]

Way to be a typical scumbag lawyer.

Who?

I have sent out letters of interest to a few schools on my list. Hopefully they will be read before it's too late.

I am considering applying to SGU at this point in the game. Any opinions?

Also, I am having a faculty member at UT take a look at my application materials for any flaws. Would anyone else be interested in taking a look at my PS for any feedback?

 

[GraceEuphoria]

Who?

I have sent out letters of interest to a few schools on my list. Hopefully they will be read before it's too late.

I am considering applying to SGU at this point in the game. Any opinions?

Also, I am having a faculty member at UT take a look at my application materials for any flaws. Would anyone else be interested in taking a look at my PS for any feedback?

I would be happy to do so! I was always told my PS was really good (and thank goodness, because something needed to redeem my abysmal GPA 🙂), so I think I can provide some decent feedback.

 

[tantacles]

I'd be happy to look at it as well, and while I'll definitely give you my full impression, beyond that, I'll only give you specific feedback on things I'm 99% sure about. PM me your statement if you'd like me to take a look.

 

[mipp0]

Hey all! I am a re-applicant (both DO and MD) who is in need of advice.

My stats:
BS in Biochemistry
cGPA:3.54
sGPA:3.51
MCAT 33P
(12B/11P/10V)

Medically related experiences:
200+ hours shadowing various doctors (Neurology, Nephrology, Interal Medicine, etc.)
1000+ direct patient care hours (I work as a MA at a skin cancer clinic assisting in Mohs surgery, etc.)
NYS registered EMT-B

Last year (2010-2011 cycle) I had applied to various schools in NY but really had no idea what I was doing. I had my primary submitted literally at the deadline (some time in December). Surprisingly enough, I had received two interview invites that cycle: one to Hofstra's new medical school and another to NYCOM. I went to both interviews, ended up being waitlisted at both schools, which obviously didn't pan out.

This year, I applied much earlier (all secondaries done by late September/early October). Here is the list of schools to which I have applied this time around:
Albany
Rochester
Hofstra
Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
Einstein
Vermont
Temple
Downstate
GW
NYMC
Upstate
Drexel
NYCOM
TouroCOM

I know, it is a short list, but I cannot afford to really apply to many more schools. Even though I applied earlier, I have not heard back from many of these schools (rejected from Rochester recently and NYMC just today).

Due to the lack of response from the schools I have applied to, I am becoming increasing concerned that the likely hood of being accepted this cycle is very small.. I do not know what to do from here on out. I am determined to get into medical school as it is a life long passion and I love interacting with patients. I will not let this obstacle deter my devotion. I just need advice on what to do from here.

What can I do to make my application more appealing to adcoms the next time around, or is there anything I can do to improve my current chances?

HOW STRONG ARE YOUR LORS? Those can make or break you, even with solid/excellent numbers and ECs...

 

[LieutenantDan]

I have stats very similar to yours, this is my third year applying, and first for DOs. My advice is get as many EC's as possible, your MCAT is fine and your GPA is good enough to get in, and in general unless you are willing to sacrifice two years to complete a masters program or post-bacc there isnt much you can do for your GPA. I see a lot of applicants with stellar ECs but lower GPA and MCAT scores than me get in at schools that I have applied to and havent yet heard back from. In general I have heard that EC's are becoming much more important than they used to be, and it is hard to compete with someone who has 7000+ hours of clinical work even if your stats are excellent. Also non-clinical volunteer work is important, they want to know that you are "community oriented," I started tutoring at a high school and I really enjoy it, just find something you like.
Definitely apply early, that was another mistake I have made but it is an easy way to improve your chances.
Unless you are unwilling to give up on MD programs yet, you should apply to more DO programs, and with your stats you should be competitive for the top DO programs. I applied to 10 MD and 7 DO this year, for MD I have 5 rejections, 1 interview and 4 that I am still waiting on (MD programs are slow this year from what I hear), and for DO I got 7 interviews (2 acceptances, one I hear from tomorrow, 2 upcoming interviews and 2 I canceled).
Getting the first acceptance is a big deal, even if it is not to your ideal school it eases the uncertainty of your future and makes other interviews much less nerve racking (less "do or die").
I recommend against SGU, or at least waiting until next cycle to apply, unless you are dying to do school in the Caribbean or just to start this year no matter where. I looked at it this way, do I think that four years down the road that I will have wished I had waited the one year to get into a more ideal school? If I thought there was any chance I might have regrets, I decided that the wait was worth it because you don't want to sell yourself short.