What to do if I get rejected from US schools

[MedHopeful97]

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I applied to a few MD and DO programs during this cycle. I have not gotten an interview as of yet and I don't think I will be. My problem now is what to do to better my application for next year. I have an overall GPA of 3.55 and a Science of 3.3. I have extensive hours as a medical scribe and have shadowed a lot of different specialties while being actively involved in numerous on campus clubs and organizations. I feel that my MCAT is what is holding me back since I scored a 497. After doing some research I found that is equal to a 23-24 on the old MCAT. I don't know if I should just apply to a Caribbean school and go there since I have a lot of pressure from my family to go that route, or if I should retake my MCAT and apply to a 1-year Masters program. What do you all think? I appreciate the advice and help.

 

[holycrap]

I'm not an expert but anything but Caribbean schools, and never do anything because of familial pressure.

 

[Weirdy]

I applied to a few MD and DO programs during this cycle. I have not gotten an interview as of yet and I don't think I will be. My problem now is what to do to better my application for next year. I have an overall GPA of 3.55 and a Science of 3.3. I have extensive hours as a medical scribe and have shadowed a lot of different specialties while being actively involved in numerous on campus clubs and organizations. I feel that my MCAT is what is holding me back since I scored a 497. After doing some research I found that is equal to a 23-24 on the old MCAT. I don't know if I should just apply to a Caribbean school and go there since I have a lot of pressure from my family to go that route, or if I should retake my MCAT and apply to a 1-year Masters program. What do you all think? I appreciate the advice and help.

Your family isn't you.

They can't pay for your mistakes 10 years from now. Even if they are, it doesn't increase your chances of success at a Caribb and after.

Be patient. Retake MCAT. Reapply. Reap rewards.

If they tell you otherwise, don't give a ****. Do what you need to do. Do what you feel is right in your gut.

 

[BurghStudent]

Retake that MCAT. You can do better. Go over your study plan, what was missing, adjust, go H.A.M.

Apply broadly to MD and DO schools, depending on your MCAT score, and availability of in-state schools.

It's probably late to apply to Master's programs that begin this fall. Maybe not. A science heavy courseload + A's would help. You could also look into a research assistant job, preferably at a large academic center.

 

[jchan10]

Take a bunch of advanced post bac science classes and kill them. also do them at an easier college. also need to kill the MCAT tho

 

[Gryffindor20]

Don't. Apply. Overseas. Ever.

 

[Lucca]

Don't apply Carib it's not worth it.

Retake that MCAT. GPA repair not entirely necessary, but might not hurt.

497 just isn't good enough, especially with that GPA. Prepare better (use the mcat forum here on SDN and read the study guides) and aim for 510+. 506+ could be good enough for DO.

 

[jqueb29]

NEVER go to the Caribbean. Literally never. Not under any circumstances whatsoever. It is a death sentence.

 

[bahdahboom]

I applied to a few MD and DO programs during this cycle. I have not gotten an interview as of yet and I don't think I will be. My problem now is what to do to better my application for next year. I have an overall GPA of 3.55 and a Science of 3.3. I have extensive hours as a medical scribe and have shadowed a lot of different specialties while being actively involved in numerous on campus clubs and organizations. I feel that my MCAT is what is holding me back since I scored a 497. After doing some research I found that is equal to a 23-24 on the old MCAT. I don't know if I should just apply to a Caribbean school and go there since I have a lot of pressure from my family to go that route, or if I should retake my MCAT and apply to a 1-year Masters program. What do you all think? I appreciate the advice and help.

I had similar stats. If I were you, I'd study to retake the MCAT late april/early May, and start studying in February. Within that time, between now and Feb 1st, I'd spruce up my personal statement (and have it peer-reviewed/edited), have my secondaries compiled, and ask letter writers to prepare a refreshed LOR for this upcoming cycle. This shouldnt take too long as I'm sure you have most of that stuff almost done because of this cycle. After studying hard and taking the MCAT in April/May, I would prepare an MD and DO school list (low tier MD to middle tier DO). Right before submitting my app in June, I would look into some volunteer opportunities I can go into - something I'm passionate about. I'd add it to my resume and submit my app DAY 1. Literally. As soon as that app opens, click submit.

A step-by-step of what I would do.

I would not apply to the carib.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Retake your MCAT after a sufficient amount of studying and you'll get DO interviews

If your family is pushing you to go Caribbean, see if they're willing to foot the bill for you. If they're not, then tell them to stop bothering you about it

 

[Med Ed]

Right before submitting my app in June, I would look into some volunteer opportunities I can go into - something I'm passionate about.

Yeah, we'll never see through that one. If you are passionate about something you should be doing it for a year or more prior to submitting.

 

[Med Ed]

I applied to a few MD and DO programs during this cycle. I have not gotten an interview as of yet and I don't think I will be. My problem now is what to do to better my application for next year. I have an overall GPA of 3.55 and a Science of 3.3. I have extensive hours as a medical scribe and have shadowed a lot of different specialties while being actively involved in numerous on campus clubs and organizations. I feel that my MCAT is what is holding me back since I scored a 497. After doing some research I found that is equal to a 23-24 on the old MCAT. I don't know if I should just apply to a Caribbean school and go there since I have a lot of pressure from my family to go that route, or if I should retake my MCAT and apply to a 1-year Masters program. What do you all think? I appreciate the advice and help.

A 497 MCAT with a 3.3 sGPA is not surprising. My question is how you prepared for that first take.

 

[bahdahboom]

Yeah, we'll never see through that one. If you are passionate about something you should be doing it for a year or more prior to submitting.

That's not necessarily true. Things get in the way of a student actually dedicating their time to doing something they love. When I submitted my app, I had free time to step into opportunities I actually loved. Plus, I finally had a car and could drive to the place (30 min drive) I wanted to volunteer at. In undergrad, I had to rely on public transportation and could never realistically dedicate my time there. I began volunteering at a shelter after I submitted my app and didn't even put it on my activities list. I was there every week for hours for 6 straight months (stopped going because I had to move for med school). On the contrary, I did research for 2 straight years in undergrad and didn't even enjoy it.

I know every student is not me, but I don't think one can make a broad assumption by saying you're not passionate about something unless you dedicate at least one year.

 

[Med Ed]

That's not necessarily true. Things get in the way of a student actually dedicating their time to doing something they love.

I get that, and it is particularly true when applicants have significant employment and/or family obligations while going to school. But I have seen many, many applications from such individuals who nonetheless find ways to make at least some time for service experiences that they are truly into. Planning one's experiences around the opening of AMCAS reeks of box-checking, which is not desirable.

 

[bahdahboom]

I get that, and it is particularly true when applicants have significant employment and/or family obligations while going to school. But I have seen many, many applications from such individuals who nonetheless find ways to make at least some time for service experiences that they are truly into. Planning one's experiences around the opening of AMCAS reeks of box-checking, which is not desirable.

I agree, planning ones experiences around box-checking isn't desirable for anyone. Hence the advice I gave was to do something he/she is passionate about (i.e. Something they'd want to dedicate their time to besides in hopes of getting into med school).

I also would like to introduce the point that the idea of spending "a year or more in a certain position to show passion/dedication" is a form of box checking. If adcoms aren't aware pre-meds are jumping on to this, they're being fooled. I remember getting into undergrad and most freshmen pre-meds were jumping into positions/clubs they pre-planned to continue for years in order to "show dedication and that they're passionate." Even doing things they didn't actually care about. Just to again, "check another box."

 

[mimelim]

That's not necessarily true. Things get in the way of a student actually dedicating their time to doing something they love. When I submitted my app, I had free time to step into opportunities I actually loved. Plus, I finally had a car and could drive to the place (30 min drive) I wanted to volunteer at. In undergrad, I had to rely on public transportation and could never realistically dedicate my time there. I began volunteering at a shelter after I submitted my app and didn't even put it on my activities list. I was there every week for hours for 6 straight months (stopped going because I had to move for med school). On the contrary, I did research for 2 straight years in undergrad and didn't even enjoy it.

I know every student is not me, but I don't think one can make a broad assumption by saying you're not passionate about something unless you dedicate at least one year.

Your suggestion was, "Right before submitting my app in June, I would look into some volunteer opportunities I can go into - something I'm passionate about. I'd add it to my resume and submit my app DAY 1." That has nothing to do with things getting in the way. That is what @Med Ed and I take issue with. Planning to start something in June (as you suggest) is blatantly transparent. You can try to sugar coat what you said after the fact with "but I said passionate about!", but the reality is that it is fairly easy to see through. Even when people spend a fair amount of time doing something, if they aren't invested in it, it is pretty obvious. I can't count the number of times that I have interviewed someone and asked about their activity of 2+ years only to have them falter. The same goes for research experiences as well.

As an aside, life gets in the way of the best laid plans. There are plenty of people who are working full time, caring for family, etc. who are going to naturally be at a disadvantage when doing these other things. However, if I can find the time to volunteer at habitat when working 80-100 hrs/week in a surgical residency and my co-resident can volunteer at the zoo 3 out of 4 weekends a month working the same hours, the standards for, "I didn't have time for something that I care about" are pretty high.

 

[candbgirl]

What MD schools did you apply to with a 497 MCAT and a 3.3 sGPA? Those scores are low for some DO schools. Where do you live? What have you done during this cycle to significantly improve your application for a reapplication next cycle? Have you thought about waiting a year to fix your deficits?


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[bahdahboom]

Your suggestion was, "Right before submitting my app in June, I would look into some volunteer opportunities I can go into - something I'm passionate about. I'd add it to my resume and submit my app DAY 1." That has nothing to do with things getting in the way. That is what @Med Ed and I take issue with. Planning to start something in June (as you suggest) is blatantly transparent. You can try to sugar coat what you said after the fact with "but I said passionate about!", but the reality is that it is fairly easy to see through. Even when people spend a fair amount of time doing something, if they aren't invested in it, it is pretty obvious. I can't count the number of times that I have interviewed someone and asked about their activity of 2+ years only to have them falter. The same goes for research experiences as well.

As an aside, life gets in the way of the best laid plans. There are plenty of people who are working full time, caring for family, etc. who are going to naturally be at a disadvantage when doing these other things. However, if I can find the time to volunteer at habitat when working 80-100 hrs/week in a surgical residency and my co-resident can volunteer at the zoo 3 out of 4 weekends a month working the same hours, the standards for, "I didn't have time for something that I care about" are pretty high.

Absolutely, and I agree with that. I don't want to assume that OP hasn't done anything he's not passion about up until this point. I personally would use that beautiful time between submitting my application and waiting to hear back from medical schools/getting in to medical school to take on something I would've not had the opportunity to do in undergrad. A way to give back and dedicate my time to a cause I care about.

I don't know if OP has started doing that from undergrad. But moving forward that's definitely something to look into.

 

[MedHopeful97]

Would applying to a research position while studying for the MCAT be more beneficial than the Masters route?

 

[CLB_MD]

Would applying to a research position while studying for the MCAT be more beneficial than the Masters route?

Masters programs can be pricey (~ $60,000 for SMP), and your GPA seems fine. Just try your best on the MCAT. I'm a current applicant this cycle with no ii, and I will be looking at SMPs to build up my GPA before reapplying.

 

[Goro]

Family pressure? An excellent way to make sure that you never, ever become a doctor.

Look, you're an adult. You're old enough to vote, drink, drive, smoke, work, pay taxes and fight and die for your country. You're thus old enough to tell your family that you'll apply to med school on your schedule, not theirs. Do a search on these for a to see why going to a Carib diploma mill is a bad idea. Then show it to your parents.

Next, you need to identify your weaknesses. And fix them This will be a 1-2 year process, which includes retaking the MCAT and doing much better. IF you have test taking anxiety issues, those can be fixed. Do NOT retake the MCAT until you are 100% ready. And F your family if they pressure you on this.

Your sGPA is too low for an MD school, but OK for DO. You can fix that with a post-bac or SMP, and aceing them.

I applied to a few MD and DO programs during this cycle. I have not gotten an interview as of yet and I don't think I will be. My problem now is what to do to better my application for next year. I have an overall GPA of 3.55 and a Science of 3.3. I have extensive hours as a medical scribe and have shadowed a lot of different specialties while being actively involved in numerous on campus clubs and organizations. I feel that my MCAT is what is holding me back since I scored a 497. After doing some research I found that is equal to a 23-24 on the old MCAT. I don't know if I should just apply to a Caribbean school and go there since I have a lot of pressure from my family to go that route, or if I should retake my MCAT and apply to a 1-year Masters program. What do you all think? I appreciate the advice and help.

 

[Goro]

No. We want people who can handle med school, not grad students.

Would applying to a research position while studying for the MCAT be more beneficial than the Masters route?