Brief Profile:
Triple-major (B.A.) completed in 4 years. Some volunteer activities during college, part-time lab work, teaching assistant, IM sports, etc.
Following graduation, I worked in a clinical setting for a year with the U.S. Navy, enrolled in some post-bacc courses, then proceeded to enroll in an SMP (GPA 3.75).
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2008
Undergraduate college: Brandeis University
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Institution: S.M.P.
Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
Degree Obtained: M.S.
Total MCAT SCORE: 509
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 127,
C/P 127,
CARS 127
Overall GPA: 3.30
Science GPA: 3.00
Summary of Application Experience
As you can see, my undergrad stats were far from great. Instead of listing a million excuses, its clear that for whatever reason, I didn't get the job done. So even though I've had my AMCAS filled-out and ready-to-go since 2006 (I submitted it in July 08), I decided to hold off until I felt like I had the necessary academic and clinical creds to be somewhat 'competitive.'
The past 2+ years have allowed me to explore some unique opportunities that enabled me to present myself as a better candidate. My advice to anyone in a similar situation (plz remember, this is just based off my own experience)...
1) Instead of just submitting your AMCAS with the mindset that you can always re-apply next year if things don't work out, consider that if you are in more of a 'gray area,' it might be better for you take an extra year and really shore up your academic/clinical credentials (I have friends with better stats than me that have reapplied multiple times while shoring up their credentials without any success). This way, you are putting your presenting yourself as the best possible applicant (short of doing a Ph.D) from the get-go and don't have to continuously wonder 'what could have i done better?' and waste tons of money and more importantly time caught up in what really is a grueling process.
2) Spend some time tailoring your AMCAS, secondaries, etc. to your own strengths, unique experiences and such. From my interview experience, as a non-traditional applicant, my post-undergrad activities, job experience, etc. that I've listed on my AMCAS have often provided something that I feel has helped me a lot in both getting the interview and doing well in it.
The 2+ years I spent building up my application were at times both very challenging (especially during the SMP) and rewarding. S.M.P's are tough but I think are well worth the time and money, if you go in with the right mindset.
UGrad GPA: 3.3 BCPM GPA: 3.0 SMP GPA: 3.75 MCAT: 30P (08/2006) ** NOT A URM **
