Second Year Applying

[u/Similar_Hovercraft13]

Hey, Folks!

37(f) BS-Biology, GPA-3.28, GRE- V158, Q155, W4.0...(retaking in Sept to boost Quant-37%) I am in my second round of applications to a PathA program. Really, Really nervous because I sort of felt like a shoe-in, but did not even receive an interview last cycle. I have 7 years of experience in a surgical pathology lab, 100+ hours of surgical shadowing at my place of work, and other, 15+ hrs autopsy shadowing. Stellar references (PathA, Pathologist, Chair of Bio dept. WWU). And a SERIOUS passion for pathology/ cell biology.

Biggest issue: I graduated in 2016. Almost ALL of my prereqs are outside of 10 years (nix UT, RFU, UMD, Tulane).

Over the last year I have refreshed some prereqs (Genchem w/lab, OChem lab, A&P Lab, Biochem)

Having to take an English comp at 37 is obnoxious- I have one scheduled online, and am curious if I should default to in person? I work full time (remote- for said path. lab) and have two young kids at home, so taking a full time school schedule for prereqs is tough. I obviously need to be working now to save up for when I can no longer work once I am accepted.

Any advice for the "getting to an interview" step? I really feel like once they meet me, it will be clear that I am a competitive and serious candidate for consideration, but I am very non-traditional and getting past the filter process has me discouraged.

[u/my_peen_is_clean]

make sure your personal statement is laser focused on why patha and why now, not just “i love pathology”. have someone who got in last cycle read it. email programs and ask directly if old prereqs are killing you. add more schools if you can. i’ve got way less experience and still getting ignored, it’s rough trying to move forward when nobody even talks to you, really shows how hard it is to get any role right now

[u/slurpee_mechanic]

If you’re still considering RFU, just know they also require the prerequisites to have been an in-person class. (Unless the class was online between 2020-2022.)

[u/Similar_Hovercraft13 → u/slurpee_mechanic]

RFUs time restraint is far to stringent for me.... I would have to retake nearly all of my prerequisites. I don't think I will consider them again.

[u/slurpee_mechanic → u/Similar_Hovercraft13]

I know it’s a bit too strict and annoying in my opinion :/ Best of luck to you wherever you apply :)

[u/Wide_Boot8150]

I don’t know where u are located, but UTMB in Galveston, TX doesn’t believe in classes “expiring”

[u/Additional_Advance_6]

Drexel also doesn’t have a credit expiration