What If I Do Not Get Into Medical School?

By the beginning of June the majority of the movement off medical school wait lists has occurred, so that if you are not accepted to medical school by this time you will need to apply again. However, before you apply again you need to assess your application portfolio and determine why you were not accepted. When reapplying you need to have changed your portfolio for the better—otherwise, reapplication will probably result in the same outcome.

1. First, you know how competitive the application process is, so much of the reason you were not accepted is pure numbers. Most schools receive 5,000 applications and have room for 100 or so students. Some of the application process is random and unscientific, so take heart!

2. Second, look at the components of your application which include:
   GPA
   MCAT scores
   Experience in health care
   Motivation level in personal statement
   Interviewing and interpersonal skills

3. Before you reapply you should address these components of your application. The first two (numerical) elements of your application are the most important. They are what get you “in the door” for the interview. The last three characteristics carry you the rest of the way.

• GPA
  If your overall GPA (particularly your science GPA) is low, you need to take additional coursework to boost your GPA. Please see the section on glide year activities for ideas of which courses to take. If additional course work will slightly boost your GPA, but not above 3.4-3.5, you may want to consider applying to osteopathic medical school the second time around, in order to enhance your chances for acceptance.
• MCAT Scores
  If your MCAT scores are 9’s or below across the board you will need to consider retaking the exam. To do this you will need to prepare and improve your knowledge in the areas where you have the lowest scores. You may want to take additional course work to boost your knowledge, or put in extra time with MCAT preparation books or a course. If your scores do not improve the second time you take the exam you may want to consider applying to osteopathic medical school the next time around.
• Follow-up Counseling with the Medical Schools
  It can also be helpful to contact any schools that rejected you application, and see if they will conduct a follow-up counseling session with you regarding how your application could improve for the next application cycle. Not all medical schools will be willing to discuss your application with you but you should at least call and check. The admissions counselors and directors may want to wait till the interviewing for that year is over before they have time to truly discuss your situation, so be patient.
• Experience in Health Care
  If you do not have sufficient past experience in a health care environment, then the obvious course of action is to strengthen this aspect by additional volunteer or paid work. Please see the glide year section for internship ideas. On the other hand, your experience may be sufficient but may not be apparent in your personal statement, your overall application or at your interview. If this is the case you will need to consult with the Faculty Advisor and Program Administrator to see how to improve this aspect of your profile.
• You might also want to look at Academic Record Enhancing Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Programs or getting a Master’s Degree in a Molecular Biology Field in order to prove your self and be better prepared to take the MCAT a second or third time. Two web sites worth investigation include: http://services.aamc.org/postbac and http://hpap.syr.edu/listpb.htm.
• Motivational Level in Personal Statement and Interview Skills
  If these components seem to be weak in your application portfolio, you need to speak with us and let us review your application and/or personal statement. Please also look at the materials provided in this guidebook about writing personal statements and interviewing in case you have just not presented your experiences well? You may also want to schedule a mock interview through your career planning office to see if you may need to improve on your interview skills.