Where is my application lacking?

[pickle0928]

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My stats:
MCAT: 30 (9v/12ps/9bs)
Cumulative GPA: 3.5
BCPM GPA: 3.67
Biomedical Engineering major at large public university

Scribing >1.5 year full time experience (ER and Internal Medicine)
CNA in nursing home ~ 2 years part time during undergrad
Non-clinical volunteering ~ 300 hours creating federal non-profit for students with autism, ~60 hours volunteering in homeless shelter for families
Shadowing ~ 75 hours in Cardiac Cath lab, ~ 50 hours shadowing in Germany
Leadership in my fraternity

Possible Pitfalls..?
- little to no research experience
- didn't actually take O-chem lab in undergrad

I applied to 14 MD schools with (basically) the same info as above ^
As of right now, I got a single II, and currently on the waitlist

My question is:
What should I do to improve my application (assuming that I don't get accepted)? I'm undecided if I should reapply this year or wait until the next cycle, seeing as I only got 1 interview. I'm already planning on retaking the MCAT this Summer sometime as it expires :/ (took it in August 2013). How can I find out if I NEED to take this O-chem lab?

 

[ciestar]

This is easy...for MD schools your numbers are LOW. A lackluster GPA with a below-average MCAT to match it.

Research helps, but doesnt keep you out of school. Check the MSAR regarding the lab, many schools require 8 organic chem credits with lab. Again, this alone wont keep you from an acceptance provided you complete what you need before you matriculate. I got a Dartmouth interview without completing biochem, which they require.

 

[candbgirl]

Did you apply DO? Where is your list of schools? Maybe the problem is where you applied.


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[pickle0928]

Didn't apply DO this round, but will next time I reapply.

MD schools : Netter, Gtown, GW, Jefferson, MCW, NYMC, OUWB, Penn State, Rosy Franklin, Rush, North Dakota, U of Minnesota, U of Arizona, South Dakota

 

[ciestar]

Didn't apply DO this round, but will next time I reapply.

MD schools : Netter, Gtown, GW, Jefferson, MCW, NYMC, OUWB, Penn State, Rosy Franklin, Rush, North Dakota, U of Minnesota, U of Arizona, South Dakota

Not sure what your state of residency is, but there are a few state schools there that you probably should have avoided...and quite a few low-yield schools (GW, GTown, etc). Definitely take a look over the MSAR next time, consider adding all your stare school(s), Temple, Loyola, Drexel, Albany, WMich, EVMS, VCU, UVM, Wake, as well as DO schools.

 

[pickle0928]

Not sure what your state of residency is, but there are a few state schools there that you probably should have avoided...and quite a few low-yield schools (GW, GTown, etc). Definitely take a look over the MSAR next time, consider adding all your stare school(s), Temple, Loyola, Drexel, Albany, WMich, EVMS, VCU, UVM, Wake, as well as DO schools.

Thanks, those are good suggestions. I'm familiar with the MSAR and used it last cycle.

In the mean time, what can I do to improve my application? As I said, I'm already forced to re-take the MCAT...

 

[BurghMed]

yeah unfortunately your numbers are getting to be low in this ever increasing process. Those 9s aren't doing you any favors and the gpa is eh. You have a solid MD list though, give you credit for doing the necessary research. Where is your residency


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[NickNaylor]

It depends on where you're applying. For top programs, your numbers are low and are likely to keep you out of most places. The lack of research experience will also likely hold you back at those institutions. You have good medical exposure on paper but nothing in your extracurricular column that is truly attention-grabbing or outstanding.

That being said, I'm sure you could get into an MD school and almost certainly a DO school if you present yourself well both in your application and in your interviews. Probably not at Harvard/Yale/etc., but certainly at your state institutions (depending on what they are) as well as decent institutions that perhaps aren't at the top of the list. I would suspect that you also would be able to do well at DO schools, though that is a somewhat different process that may require some work (getting a letter from a DO at schools that require it, for example). Assuming, of course, that you'd be willing to go to a DO school. Not saying you shouldn't, but for some folks going to a DO school isn't something they'd prefer to do if they can go the MD route.