Hey everyone! I need some advice regarding my re-application to medical school.
My application was processed on 06/25/2020, but I didn't have my MCAT score until the end of July and CASPER score until October which delayed my application. I also could have submitted secondaries earlier than I did.
These are my stats:
MCAT: 512 (126, 127, 129, 130)
BCPM GPA: 3.65
AO GPA: 3.84
Total GPA: 3.72
I am also a Canadian citizen and do not hold a green card and this may lower my chances in some schools and narrows down the number of schools that I am eligible to apply to.
When I applied I had 60 hours of shadowing, 360 hours of microbiology research, and 90 hours of behavioral science research. I did not have any clinical experience other than shadowing which does not count. I also lacked meaningful volunteering or community service hours. As for my letters of recommendation, I think they were probably not the strongest as I did not have meaningful connections to many professors.
I received 1 interview with Wayne state and I am still on hold.
During this gap year, I worked as a medical scribe with a company called Robin that partners with physicians to deliver scribing services virtually, which was a great opportunity due to covid restrictions. I got great insight into the doctor's day-to-day as I watched patient encounters virtually and completed SOAP notes. I worked there for 7 months and had to stop due to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. I also started doing research at a new lab that I have become very involved in and now work full time as a research assistant. I will have 1-2 publications (not the first author) by the summer. I will also be able to get strong letters of recommendation from people mentors in my lab.
Unfortunately, I did not get involved in volunteering and community service or direct patient involvement and this is the main gap in my application.
The ways I think my application would have improved if I re-apply this coming cycle are:
Please let me know your thoughts! Thank you all so much for your insight.
My application was processed on 06/25/2020, but I didn't have my MCAT score until the end of July and CASPER score until October which delayed my application. I also could have submitted secondaries earlier than I did.
These are my stats:
MCAT: 512 (126, 127, 129, 130)
BCPM GPA: 3.65
AO GPA: 3.84
Total GPA: 3.72
I am also a Canadian citizen and do not hold a green card and this may lower my chances in some schools and narrows down the number of schools that I am eligible to apply to.
When I applied I had 60 hours of shadowing, 360 hours of microbiology research, and 90 hours of behavioral science research. I did not have any clinical experience other than shadowing which does not count. I also lacked meaningful volunteering or community service hours. As for my letters of recommendation, I think they were probably not the strongest as I did not have meaningful connections to many professors.
I received 1 interview with Wayne state and I am still on hold.
During this gap year, I worked as a medical scribe with a company called Robin that partners with physicians to deliver scribing services virtually, which was a great opportunity due to covid restrictions. I got great insight into the doctor's day-to-day as I watched patient encounters virtually and completed SOAP notes. I worked there for 7 months and had to stop due to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. I also started doing research at a new lab that I have become very involved in and now work full time as a research assistant. I will have 1-2 publications (not the first author) by the summer. I will also be able to get strong letters of recommendation from people mentors in my lab.
Unfortunately, I did not get involved in volunteering and community service or direct patient involvement and this is the main gap in my application.
The ways I think my application would have improved if I re-apply this coming cycle are:
- 7 months Scribe experience (virtual though)
- 1 year of research
- 1-2 publications coming up
- Better school list
- Stronger letters of rec.
- Complete entire application significantly earlier
- Direct clinical experience hours
- Volunteering and community service
- More shadowing
Please let me know your thoughts! Thank you all so much for your insight.
