What to do next?? **Reapplicant**

[golgi body]

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Hello everybody, I’m currently in my second application cycle with no II yet so I’m starting to think about my strategy if I have to reapply.

Stats:
3.52 cGPA/sGPA (upward trend)
-3.0 freshman
-3.5 soph/junior
-3.9+ senior
508 MCAT (1st take)
514 MCAT (2nd take)
3 years research w 2nd author pub
~150 hours clinical volunteering
~100 hours non-clinical volunteering
Substantial shadowing/clinical exposure

I feel my biggest weaknesses are my gpa and volunteering, as I’ve kind of jumped around between different volunteering positions and don’t have much long-term commitment to show for. Overrall, a pretty sub-par cookie cutter app regarding my EC’s, however, I am a first gen American and college student, and I have a somewhat interesting diversity story.

I did receive an II interview last cycle but was ultimately waitlisted/rejected.

What should my reapplication strategy be for a third cycle? I was thinking maybe an SMP with a linkage program as I am pretty confident in my academic ability to do well in it.

Thank you

 

[ciestar]

School list? When were you complete? State of residence?

IMO, with a >3.5 gpa you dont need an SMP

 

[golgi body]

Florida Resident. My school list was composed of 24 low/mid tier schools per advice from SDN adcoms.

I submitted late (August/September) as I was waiting on my second MCAT and was dealing with personal issues that came up in the middle of my application process.

 

[golgi body]

You are a weak applicant with weak GPA and weak volunteering who applied late the second time? Besides the fact that it is still EARLY in the cycle for evaluation and review, what did you change from first to second cycle?

A full year of 3.9+ gpa coursework in sciences, a better MCAT, and a publication. I got an MD interview last cycle before all of that so I wouldn’t say I’m a terrible applicant

 

[chemdoctor]

You are a weak applicant with weak GPA and weak volunteering who applied late the second time? Besides the fact that it is still EARLY in the cycle for evaluation and review, what did you change from first to second cycle?

Could you elaborate as to how OP is a “weak applicant”? I would’ve said his chances are fine but I want to enlighten myself

 

[chemdoctor]

@Goro weigh in pls

 

[golgi body]

Just got my first interview 2 minutes ago lol. Still would appreciate advice though.

 

[Goro]

Hello everybody, I’m currently in my second application cycle with no II yet so I’m starting to think about my strategy if I have to reapply.

Stats:
3.52 cGPA/sGPA (upward trend)
-3.0 freshman
-3.5 soph/junior
-3.9+ senior
508 MCAT (1st take)
514 MCAT (2nd take)
3 years research w 2nd author pub
~150 hours clinical volunteering
~100 hours non-clinical volunteering
Substantial shadowing/clinical exposure

I feel my biggest weaknesses are my gpa and volunteering, as I’ve kind of jumped around between different volunteering positions and don’t have much long-term commitment to show for. Overrall, a pretty sub-par cookie cutter app regarding my EC’s, however, I am a first gen American and college student, and I have a somewhat interesting diversity story.

I did receive an II interview last cycle but was ultimately waitlisted/rejected.

What should my reapplication strategy be for a third cycle? I was thinking maybe an SMP with a linkage program as I am pretty confident in my academic ability to do well in it.

Thank you

Rewrite all essays and have multiple eyeballs review them
Double your EC hours in both clinical and nonclinical

I suggest the following schools:
All FL state schools
U Miami
Nova MD
Wake
Drexel
Albany
Temple
Netter
Gtown
GWU
Wayne State
NYMC
SLU
Tulane
Rosy Franklin
Loyola
Tufts
Temple
Jefferson
Oakland-B
Western MI
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide.





Could you elaborate as to how OP is a “weak applicant”? I would’ve said his chances are fine but I want to enlighten myself
2x MCAT taker.
< avg GPA (and yes, there are schools that reward reinvention)

 

[golgi body]

Rewrite all essays and have multiple eyeballs review them
Double your EC hours in both clinical and nonclinical

I suggest the following schools:
All FL state schools
U Miami
Nova MD
Wake
Drexel
Albany
Temple
Netter
Gtown
GWU
Wayne State
NYMC
SLU
Tulane
Rosy Franklin
Loyola
Tufts
Temple
Jefferson
Oakland-B
Western MI
Any DO school. I can't recommend Touro-NY, Nova, Wm Carey, LUCOM, for different reasons. MSUCOM? Read up on Larry Nasser and you decide.





Could you elaborate as to how OP is a “weak applicant”? I would’ve said his chances are fine but I want to enlighten myself
2x MCAT taker.
< avg GPA (and yes, there are schools that reward reinvention)

Thank you, your advice is always appreciated

 

[chemdoctor]

Ah true. Forgot chances go down when u take the MCAT more than once and below average gpa... I thought the upward trend would make up for that... I thought OP was an average applicant

 

[Goro]

Just got my first interview 2 minutes ago lol. Still would appreciate advice though.

Practice interview skills! Practice, practice, practice!

 

[golgi body]

Weakness 1: a reapplicant. At many schools this is already a flag. Not only does it mean reapplicant at this schools, but would have the strong implication they have been rejected at every other school.



Is this applicant really a 3.9 level or is 3.5 reflect the long term consistent nature of their academic ability?



The AAMC guidance now recommends averaging MCAT scores so this may be seen as 511 at some schools.
In either case, solely on GPA/MCAT applicant runs 50%-60% acceptance but the uneven academic performance makes this likely lower


While a plus, many applicants give too much weight to research where volunteering, working with underserved, etc are more important. This is also true for candidate who are not looking at research schools



With a weaker/uneven GPA, an applicant should shine in this area. Clinical Volunteering at 150 is my ROT for a solid candidate. Same for non clinical. Not enough hours to give a boost, no long term commitment, no leadership, etc. So instead of being outstanding to help application, they at best below average. Additionally, too much shadowing when out balance with other factors, can be looked at unfavorably.


and one interview with a waitlist is the result



1) I would skip a year as many schools say the most mistake in reapplicants is applying again too soon (see links below)
2) increase both clinical and non clinical, particularly in underserved

Should I do anything academic-related during that year?

 

[chemdoctor]

@gonnif

Thank you for clearing it up. I didn’t even think of those things! Makes a lot more sense...

 

[chemdoctor]

That's why my father calls me son 'cause I am so bright

Stop.