Long story short, I have a 3.55 cGPA and sGPA from a BS in Biology in 3 years from a top 30 US & world news ranking school, applied last year, and didnt get in. I had about a 3.85 for the last two years, but a 3.0 freshman year (all Bs, no Cs Ds Fs etc) in a good number of introductory science courses. I made As in all the more advanced courses (eg B- in gen Chem 2, A in both Organics and Biochem)... except my B in Drama... Anyways since I have a forced gap year, might it be helpful to retake for instance Chem 102 or something? Or would that be a waste of time?
My list of ECs is long, I know for a fact 3 LoRs are fantastic, and MCAT score is 35. According to AMCAS I only have ~70% chance of admission and I want to be sure to get in this year because I do NOT want to deal with AMCAS, secondaries, and interviews for a third time. Any advice or opinion is welcome. Thanks,
Alex
Here is what I recommend. I doubt your problem is academic related at all so that leaves us with a few areas.
1) What kind of clinical experience do you have? Most med school expect patient contact. Basically did you have about a year where you were working or volunteering for an organisation that allowed you to get close enough to smell or touch patients. If so you're good here.
2) Do your EC reflect leadership? Did you start a new club or organisation. Did you take control in a club or organisation in some way and did you reflect this experince in your app? If so, you are good here.
3) Do your ECs reflect you are a real person? Do you have ECs with sports or things that are just plain fun? If so, you are good here.
4) Do your EC reflect that you are a compassionate well modivated person. Ever volunteer in a homeless shelter or hand out candy to kids on all hollows eve and make a note of it in your app? If so you are good here.
5) Check your personal statement and make sure you are not accedently telling adcoms you are a jerk or you have problem with bowel control when the going gets tough. How do you know if adcoms think these things, read the thread on personal statement and the many articles posted on it here on sdn.
6) Did you over apply? Big top tier schools like big top tier applicants. School like Columbia and WUSTL like people in the 3.8 37 MCAT range. If you are not sure what schools are top tier, get yourself a copy of the MSAR. Top school have a range of 3.7 to 3.9 and MCAT scores around 35 to 45.
7) Did you underapply? Believe it or not most mid tier and new school don't like being treated as a safety school. It cost the ADCOMS a lot in time and money to go over each applicant and won't waste time on those that don't express proper interest. Basically if your grades/ scores are about there norm, they don't believe you are interested unless they are the last resort. I doubt this is your problem seeing you have a GPA of 3.5 and an MCAT of 35.
8) Did you apply to enough schools? On average most applicants in the US apply to 15 schools, if you apply to less then this you are pushing it.
9) Did you apply to late? You need to be marked complete by every school you apply to by the end of AUGUST(if secondary is released on time), if you want a good shot at getting in. After this your chances get shaved 10 to 20 percent for every month you don't get an interview. So get your stuff done early.
10) Did you complete your secondary within two weeks of getting them? Getting your secondary done within two weeks tells the adcoms your are interested, failure to do so hints that you could care less.
11) Did you play agressive or did you sit on your hands and wait during the app year? Did you update schools with new grades and EC when they came in. Did you express your continued interest in their program by citing specific examples that you think fit you? Sometimes a school will put you on hold to see what you will do next. Just because the app is done does not mean you are.
12) Did you apply MD and DO? Shadow a DO and get that letter of rec from them and apply DO if you didn't. DO schools are great schools and can teach you things that many MD schools over look.
13) Did you call and ask the schools that rejected you how you can improve? Often times school will set up a rejection interview and tell you exactly what you lacked and what they want. To not take advantage of this would be foolish. Call them and ask.
Don'ts
1) Don't do nothing during your gap year. Stay involved and give them something to report on.
2) Don't retake classes if the score is a b- or greater. Bad luck happens. If you need something academic to do take upper level course or do research.
Do
1) Apply broadly and increase the amount of schools you applied to.
2) Continue ECs.
3) Stay positive, if you do all of these things I am believe you will get in.
