Ok, ok, so I know I'm jumping the gun a little :o , but I'm done with the rough draft of my AMCAS and I am sick of waiting already. :p Anyone else planning to submit AMCAS this week?

Yeah, I'm sick of looking at AMCAS and am ready to give them my money. Good luck to everyone! :luck:

Ok, ok, so I know I'm jumping the gun a little :o , but I'm done with the rough draft of my AMCAS and I am sick of waiting already. :p Anyone else planning to submit AMCAS this week?

I'm right there with ya. We should start an AMCAS submitted thread, so that people can post the moment we submitted... see how many we get :)

I had my honey review all my stuff today. It's all ready and waiting to go! I have to request transcripts, tho - have the forms filled out and in the envelopes. Going to drop one in the mailbox tonight, the other I'll hand-deliver on Tuesday. Shouldn't take too long to process this early, should it?

FYI, everyone, AMCAS is open to submit. I am going to proofread mine once more before hitting the big blue button. :D

Okey-dokey, I'm officially submitted. :eek: Anyone else? Good luck to everyone applying this cycle. :luck: :thumbup:

Okey-dokey, I'm officially submitted. :eek: Anyone else? Good luck to everyone applying this cycle. :luck: :thumbup:

Whoo-hoo! Snaps to you! :thumbup:

I'm test-driving my PS past a few folks and then I'm good. I'll prolly submit after the weekend. Not like it matters *that* much because I still have a transcript hitch to sort out, but I'll feel better having it over.

Trying my hardest this year.

I'm submitted to TMSDAS, AACOMAS, and AMCAS. I've submitted secondaries to three of the TX schools that don't require invitations first.

I also have a request in to AF to allow me to go to med school. This is what blocked me last year, although something later in the process might have stopped me, but I thought I had a good shot. I also have a plan in case this is disapproved.

Trying my hardest this year.

I'm submitted to TMSDAS, AACOMAS, and AMCAS. I've submitted secondaries to three of the TX schools that don't require invitations first.

I also have a request in to AF to allow me to go to med school. This is what blocked me last year, although something later in the process might have stopped me, but I thought I had a good shot. I also have a plan in case this is disapproved.
I'm rooting for you most of all.......:love:

Still haven't submitted...still waiting for my MCAT scores. I really hope I don't have to retake this August :scared: !

Still haven't submitted...still waiting for my MCAT scores. I really hope I don't have to retake this August :scared: !

:luck: to you; you'll find out next week already.

Any non-trads reviewed yet? I am still in line. I think it will take them a while to review me. :meanie:

:luck: to you; you'll find out next week already.

Any non-trads reviewed yet? I am still in line. I think it will take them a while to review me. :meanie:

I'm reviewed. Waiting to hear from schools.

I'm reviewed. Waiting to hear from schools.

I think it will be a few weeks until you hear from many of them. I have been told not to expect to hear much until after July 4th. The calm before the storm.... :meanie:

My AMCAS is done. Now I wait on my MCAT socres before sublitting to know if I can apply to the 5 schools on my list or if I need to apply to 50! :eek:

I think it will be a few weeks until you hear from many of them. I have been told not to expect to hear much until after July 4th. The calm before the storm.... :meanie:

So, you're saying I don't have to check my mailbox 5 times a day?

So, you're saying I don't have to check my mailbox 5 times a day?

lol, oh no, if you're anything like me, you absolutely must and should check your mailbox multiple times per day, and then you should come on to SDN and post worried messages about how you're freaking out because you haven't heard anything yet. :laugh: Speaking of storms, looks like we might get a repeat of last year here in FL....we already have our first tropical storm of the year and it's heading our way....

Hope the scores turn out well, 1Path. :luck: And I REALLY hope that you don't need to apply to fifty schools. :eek:

submitted amcs, now I'm waiting for it to process.

:luck: to all fellow nontrads

lol, oh no, if you're anything like me, you absolutely must and should check your mailbox multiple times per day, and then you should come on to SDN and post worried messages about how you're freaking out because you haven't heard anything yet. :laugh: Speaking of storms, looks like we might get a repeat of last year here in FL....we already have our first tropical storm of the year and it's heading our way....




Yeah, sometimes I run after the mailman and dig through his truck too.

Hope you weather the storm okay, Q.

By the way, if you don't mind me asking, which schools are you applying to? You can PM me if you'd rather.

Still haven't submitted...still waiting for my MCAT scores. I really hope I don't have to retake this August :scared: !


I'm waiting for the scores, too, and am now thinking of just applying MD rather than MD/PhD.

I'm in the same place. Waiting for MCAT scores before submiting application. Crying over the amount of money AMCAS will be taking from me! Already nervous beyond belief. Although I think a big part of that is waiting for the MCAT score. I'm also kicking myself for planning a 2-week trip to Europe the last two weeks of July. I think I'd rather be here checking e-mail 20 times a day and chewing my nails than in Europe desperately searching for internet cafes and chewing my nails. And that, my friends, is pretty pathetic! ;)

I'm finally processed; I got the email today. :) Anyone getting secondaries yet?

I'm finally processed; I got the email today. :) Anyone getting secondaries yet?

Still ... waiting ... for ... secondaries. Tat is if I get any. :scared:

I submitted last week, but one of my transcripts wasn't received by anyone until the 13th! :mad: :mad: At least now I'm in line to be reviewed by both aacomas and amcas. Tomorrow I leave for my famly's first vacation in 8 years... and I'm going to try VERY VERY hard not to think about this process for two whole weeks.

Still ... waiting ... for ... secondaries. Tat is if I get any. :scared:

lol, I know, me too. Check your PM box. :)

Good luck to all non-trads applying in 2006! you can do it! :love:

submitted amcs, now I'm waiting for it to process.

:luck: to all fellow nontrads

Hey Murphomatic:

Your stats are identical to mine, and I too went to CU! My undergrad grades were very subpar cause I partied and snowboarded my way through the 90s. I sucked it up, got a PhD in oncology, and matriculated in medschool last fall at age 30. I'm now officially a M2. I think with your MCAT and postbac grades you'll definitely get in.

Good luck,
OC

Still waiting for secondaries, but I did get an email from UT Southwestern that they received my secondary app (no invite required secondary).

This is my first application cycle. I submitted AMCAS on 6/1, and it was processed/sent on 6/8. My MCAT scores just arrived, so I assume my schools now have access to them.

It's way early to be thinking about secondaries, isn't it? I mean, at this point, med schools would have had access to my full application package for less than 48 hours.

This is my first application cycle. I submitted AMCAS on 6/1, and it was processed/sent on 6/8. My MCAT scores just arrived, so I assume my schools now have access to them.

It's way early to be thinking about secondaries, isn't it? I mean, at this point, med schools would have had access to my full application package for less than 48 hours.

Some schools don't screen applicants, blee. So you'll get secondaries as soon as they find out that you've applied there period.

If anyone wants to start working on secondaries, there's a thread from pre-allo that lists them: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=201532

Yes, many schools will have them posted online and you can start right away ...

Good luck guys. :)

I just hit the button! Am from NC. Applying to UNC, ECU, Wake, SLU, Drexel, NYMC, UChicago, Vanderbilt, Pitt, Penn, Hopkins, Stanford.
34 MCAT, 4.0 post-bacc (30+ hrs), should have 3.25 cum gpa and ~3.55 sci gpa. We'll see what happens. :luck: :luck: :luck: everyone!

Good luck to you. :)

As an aside, I've learned that some schools post their secondaries online. I haven't touched any of them yet, but I suppose it could save some time later on to at least look them over.

Pushed the button this morning! MCW, Early Decision.

Submitted!! One more hurdle down.

16 schools :scared: !

Case Western Reserve University
Cornell University
Loyola University Chicago
Mayo Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin
Northwestern University
Rosalind Franklin University
Rush Medical College
Stanford University
University of California, San Francisco
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Pennsylvania
University of Rochester
University of Wisconsin
Yale University

Maybe too many reaches, but what the hell. You never know unless you try. :D

Maybe too many reaches, but what the hell. You never know unless you try. :D

Mama always said "Go big or go home". Good luck! :luck:

I just pressed submit. :scared:

I'm amazed how scary it was just to click that button.

I just pressed submit. :scared:

I'm amazed how scary it was just to click that button.

Ditto! I read and reread my essay and the work/activities section so many times I thought I would go crazy if I had to read it again. So I went ahead and pressed submit! Now I'm too nervous to look at the application in case I find some glaring error.

Congrats to all who have submitted. It's nice to have one more step down.

Now I'm too nervous to look at the application in case I find some glaring error.

Same here. Just the thought of finding some huge mistake and knowing I can't do anything about it at this point is enough to keep me far away from my application.

Same here. Just the thought of finding some huge mistake and knowing I can't do anything about it at this point is enough to keep me far away from my application.

hee hee, I did remember something that I should have added after submitting, but it just affects one school. Hopefully I can explain on the secondary if it comes up. :o

well....erm.....I have a little bit of brushing up to do on my foreign languages. :scared: Whoops!

well....erm.....I have a little bit of brushing up to do on my foreign languages. :scared: Whoops!

:laugh: I checked Spanish before I read on here that you're only supposed to put languages that you're fluent in. Thank god I remembered to uncheck that before I sent the application.

Same here. Just the thought of finding some huge mistake and knowing I can't do anything about it at this point is enough to keep me far away from my application.


So, I finally looked over my application once more late last night and found three errors. Two places that should have had commas and one where a space is missing between two words! Oh well. I think sometimes you read something so much that you lose the ability to "see" what's on the page. It's ok though. I've decided that it's not worth getting too upset about! :laugh:

:laugh: I checked Spanish before I read on here that you're only supposed to put languages that you're fluent in. Thank god I remembered to uncheck that before I sent the application.


I did the same with ASL! It's been a couple of years since I've used it and while I would have considered myself fluent I didn't want to run the risk of getting tested and blanking. :rolleyes:

Well, at least I have the Spanish...

I also put Spanish as one of my languages. I'm fine with normal communication, but I can only hope that I am not asked to describe my chemistry research in Spanish. Anyone know how to say "peptidomimetic" in Spanish??? :meanie: Actually, I have seen that even many people who took science classes in Spanish end up using the English terms for the scientific words. Which is what I'd have to do, too. :p

AMCAS just certified my application. It only took one week. I guess they're not overloaded yet.

I just submitted AMCAS today :scared: :eek:. Now, ALL i have to do is study for MCAT (I'm taking it for the first time in August). Well, that's not all I have to do, but I will definitely focus on that.

Do you guys think I'll get any secondaries without the MCAT scores? Or I have to wait until October?

Good luck to everybody! :luck:

I got permission from the Air Force to apply! Hooray!! :D

I would say that feels like 50% of the job done to me (although there's much more than 50% left, with all these secondaries. Uggh).

I got permission from the Air Force to apply! Hooray!! :D

I would say that feels like 50% of the job done to me (although there's much more than 50% left, with all these secondaries. Uggh).

Congratulations! That's awesome!

I just submitted AMCAS today :scared: :eek:. Now, ALL i have to do is study for MCAT (I'm taking it for the first time in August). Well, that's not all I have to do, but I will definitely focus on that.

Do you guys think I'll get any secondaries without the MCAT scores? Or I have to wait until October?

Good luck to everybody! :luck:

I would think so for the schools that don't screen based on MCAT score. But you can start working on them ahead of time anyway; there's a sticky in the pre-allo forum with secondary prompts for various medical schools.

I got permission from the Air Force to apply! Hooray!! :D

I would say that feels like 50% of the job done to me (although there's much more than 50% left, with all these secondaries. Uggh).

:thumbup: Great news, Moose. :D Best of luck to you. :love:

Congratulations! That's awesome!

:thumbup: Great news, Moose. :D Best of luck to you. :love:

Thank you, thank you!

I was finally verified by AMCAS this morning! My overall GPA was a bit lower than what I thought it would be but considering where it was when I first started taking my pre-reqs I won't complain! Hopefully, my MCAT will help.

Anyway, it feels good to have one more thing done. Now bring on the secondaries! :thumbup:

I was finally verified by AMCAS this morning! My overall GPA was a bit lower than what I thought it would be but considering where it was when I first started taking my pre-reqs I won't complain! Hopefully, my MCAT will help.

Anyway, it feels good to have one more thing done. Now bring on the secondaries! :thumbup:

Congrats on getting verified. :thumbup: You know something, I was thinking how funny it is that I've been so impatient these last few weeks for secondaries. Because now I'm considering how I'll be able to handle the onslaught if they all arrive at once. :eek: :scared:

Congrats on getting verified. :thumbup: You know something, I was thinking how funny it is that I've been so impatient these last few weeks for secondaries. Because now I'm considering how I'll be able to handle the onslaught if they all arrive at once. :eek: :scared:

I know. My big concern is I'm leaving on July 16th for a 16 day trip to Scandinavia and Russia. I'm afraid there is going to be an onslaught of secondaries sent while I'm there! My e-mail account sends my e-mails to my phone, which is a world phone that will have coverage in Europe, so I'll know when I get secondaries but I can't guarentee that I can do something about it. :scared:

Anyway, I'm going to try to complete secondaries that are already posted online in the next couple of weeks but the rest is going to be tough. Do you know if there are time limits on the secondaries? Meaning, do they tell you they have to be returned within a certain amount of time?

Hey y'all,

First post for me. Very nontrad. Middle of AMCAS, shooting for July 11. Too late? Maybe. Anyway, just wanted to get started here.

Good luck everyone.

Emet

Anyway, I'm going to try to complete secondaries that are already posted online in the next couple of weeks but the rest is going to be tough. Do you know if there are time limits on the secondaries? Meaning, do they tell you they have to be returned within a certain amount of time?

I don't know the answer to that. But I think that your plan to start working on your apps now is smart, and I don't think that waiting two weeks to return them will hurt you. I've started working on some of my essays as well. Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to start gently harrassing your LOR writers, because you'll need those letters for your secondaries.

EMET_BUTS, welcome to our humble forum. No, I don't think you'll be too late. Some people are not going to be complete until Oct. if they are taking the Aug. MCAT.

Hey y'all,

First post for me. Very nontrad. Middle of AMCAS, shooting for July 11. Too late? Maybe. Anyway, just wanted to get started here.

Good luck everyone.

Emet


Welcome and good luck! :luck:

I don't know the answer to that. But I think that your plan to start working on your apps now is smart, and I don't think that waiting two weeks to return them will hurt you. I've started working on some of my essays as well. Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to start gently harrassing your LOR writers, because you'll need those letters for your secondaries.

EMET_BUTS, welcome to our humble forum. No, I don't think you'll be too late. Some people are not going to be complete until Oct. if they are taking the Aug. MCAT.

I asked for my letters to be completed by July 1st, and by some miracle, they are all complete and waiting at my alma mater to be sent out!

And welcome EMET_BUTS!

Any of you non-trads receive secondaries yet? jmugele, tito, darkside, moose, anyone else?

Any of you non-trads receive secondaries yet? jmugele, tito, darkside, moose, anyone else?
I got an automated email from VCU today, saying that my application status has changed and that I can go online to check on it. Well, I also discovered today that their application status system for 2006 applicants won't be available until 7/18. Cripes.

Any of you non-trads receive secondaries yet? jmugele, tito, darkside, moose, anyone else?


I'm embarressed to admit that I've been obsessively checking my blackberry to see if I've received notification of an e-mail from schools. Now I know why they call it crackberry! I just checked the pre-allo forum and the only two schools that people mentioned they have received secondaries from are MCG and VCU, neither or which I applied to, so hopefully they are coming soon!

I just want at least one this week so I can feel validated or something. :laugh:

Any of you non-trads receive secondaries yet? jmugele, tito, darkside, moose, anyone else?

No, but every time I get a notification from SDN, I think it might be a school contacting me. You're really throwing me off, here.

Anyone else hear anything yet?

lol, well, I've gotten one automated email so far, but that's it. Not like I'm obsessively checking or anything. :meanie:

lol, well, I've gotten one automated email so far, but that's it. Not like I'm obsessively checking or anything. :meanie:

Where's your automated email from?

lol, well, I've gotten one automated email so far, but that's it. Not like I'm obsessively checking or anything. :meanie:


Was that the MCW e-mail?


Hey! I just hit the 100+ posts mark. Considering I was at the 10+ post mark early June I'd say it's a sad reflection of what my days are like now. Work, work, work, let's see if anyone has gotten off a waitlist, work, work, work, I wonder what SailCrazy has said lately, work, work, work...you get the picture. :meanie:

I haven't gotten ANYTHING from my amcas schools :(, but got OUCOM and MSUCOM secondaries and the NYCOM notification (basically a receipt for my aacomas app and saying interviews start in September). I applied to MCW and VCU but haven't heard anything! :eek:

I just (five minutes ago) got an email from Georgetown SOM saying they received my primary. The email then goes on to explain how selective GU is, their average stats, and that I should carefully consider everything before I submit my secondary and nonrefundable check. I wonder if they send the same form email to everyone, or if they filter based on the raw numbers.

I just (five minutes ago) got an email from Georgetown SOM saying they received my primary. The email then goes on to explain how selective GU is, their average stats, and that I should carefully consider everything before I submit my secondary and nonrefundable check. I wonder if they send the same form email to everyone, or if they filter based on the raw numbers.

I have no way of knowing for sure, but my guess is that it's a form letter they send to everyone. It probably keeps people from complaining too much about their costs, and if it eliminates a few lower-tier secondaries, it lowers their cost too. I wouldn't worry that you were targeted or anything. Just one man's opinion.

No, I didn't apply to MCW. But I'm happy to announce that I just got my first secondary. :D It, and the mass email I mentioned before, are both from USF. They do screen based on state of residence, MCAT, and GPA. I haven't heard anything yet from any of the other FL schools.

Any other non-trads from FL applying? It seems like most of you guys are from the midwest or northeast. :p

No, I didn't apply to MCW. But I'm happy to announce that I just got my first secondary. :D It, and the mass email I mentioned before, are both from USF. They do screen based on state of residence, MCAT, and GPA. I haven't heard anything yet from any of the other FL schools.

Any other non-trads from FL applying? It seems like most of you guys are from the midwest or northeast. :p

Congrats! I know you'll be successful in this application cycle. :love:

I'm waiting for that first response from a school that screens. Although it was nice to receive one today, even though I know the school doesn't screen and it practically told me to rethink applying to their school! :eek:

Any of you non-trads receive secondaries yet? jmugele, tito, darkside, moose, anyone else?

Zip, zero, zilch, nada, nothing so far.

Not that I'm actually complaining, I'm still waiting on a few LOR's.

Zip, zero, zilch, nada, nothing so far.

Not that I'm actually complaining, I'm still waiting on a few LOR's.

I just now got a secondary notification from UVa. I don't know if they screen or not.

I just now got a secondary notification from UVa. I don't know if they screen or not.
According to MSAR, they don't. I got the same email a little while ago today.

FYI (and for everyone else), their secondary app is all online, except for the part where you mail them a check. I could not find any provision to save your progress, though, so you might want to login, copy the mini essay prompts, and answer them in Textpad or Word or something similar. That way you can conveniently review them before pasting them in to submit.

Whoo! 1st secondary, from MCW. :thumbup:

Now I just have to get all my LOR's in order...

(banging head violently against table)

Whoo! 1st secondary, from MCW. :thumbup:

Now I just have to get all my LOR's in order...

(banging head violently against table)

Hang in there, DarkSide. I totally sympathize. I got my LORs sent in early by telling my letter writers in May that the letters had to be received by the end of June. :meanie: Of course, half of them were still late, but they did all make it in before I got any secondaries. All in all, I highly recommend fibbing to the letter writers about when the letters are due....I guess I should have told you about this idea a month ago instead of now. :o

One more sign of life for me: an acknowledgment form from U. Miami. :thumbup:

I've gotten secondaries from OSU-COM, AZCOM, and TCOM. Now I've gotten the one from GWU as well.

I have a question for all you non-trads. Being that I am 5 years out of school and took all my science classes at a different school than where I got my degree am I required to use my under-grad pre-health committee? Here's the situation. I talked to my undergrad pre-health committee chair (who I know well from working in the Bio dept while in school) and he agreed to write a letter for me even though I didn't take my prereqs there. I also got 1 bio, 1 chem, 1 physics prof (all from my post-bacc classes) and 2 MD's from work to write letters for me. Everyone has finished and submitted their letter except the undergrad committe letter and it looks like they are going to take a while. I want to start sending in some of my secondaries in the next week. Should I just use the letters from my post-bacc and work for now and think about using my committee letter for later schools when it's complete?

I have a question for all you non-trads. Being that I am 5 years out of school and took all my science classes at a different school than where I got my degree am I required to use my under-grad pre-health committee? Here's the situation. I talked to my undergrad pre-health committee chair (who I know well from working in the Bio dept while in school) and he agreed to write a letter for me even though I didn't take my prereqs there. I also got 1 bio, 1 chem, 1 physics prof (all from my post-bacc classes) and 2 MD's from work to write letters for me. Everyone has finished and submitted their letter except the undergrad committe letter and it looks like they are going to take a while. I want to start sending in some of my secondaries in the next week. Should I just use the letters from my post-bacc and work for now and think about using my committee letter for later schools when it's complete?

Schools usually give an impression on whether they want a pre-med committee letter or are willing to take faculty letters in place of it. If they're ok with it and your LORs are good, run with that. Otherwise I'd wait.

Hang in there, DarkSide. I totally sympathize. I got my LORs sent in early by telling my letter writers in May that the letters had to be received by the end of June. :meanie: Of course, half of them were still late, but they did all make it in before I got any secondaries. All in all, I highly recommend fibbing to the letter writers about when the letters are due....I guess I should have told you about this idea a month ago instead of now. :o

Heh. Did that. :rolleyes:

I'm sure it will be no big. I'm gonna chase my boss and the doc that's writing for me down this weekend, and if I remain unable to contact my English prof I have another I can use for a back up. It's still very early, I know... I'd just rather have it all under wraps.

I have a question for all you non-trads. Being that I am 5 years out of school and took all my science classes at a different school than where I got my degree am I required to use my under-grad pre-health committee? Here's the situation. I talked to my undergrad pre-health committee chair (who I know well from working in the Bio dept while in school) and he agreed to write a letter for me even though I didn't take my prereqs there. I also got 1 bio, 1 chem, 1 physics prof (all from my post-bacc classes) and 2 MD's from work to write letters for me. Everyone has finished and submitted their letter except the undergrad committe letter and it looks like they are going to take a while. I want to start sending in some of my secondaries in the next week. Should I just use the letters from my post-bacc and work for now and think about using my committee letter for later schools when it's complete?

I think it is best to get letters from the people who taught you your pre-req classes; those are the most recent classes you took, right? I guess you should probably contact your medical schools and ask them about this. I didn't get any letters from my undergrad or even my MS, b/c how the heck am I supposed to show up after five years and ask for a LOR??? :rolleyes: :meanie: So I have one from my PhD PI, one from a committee member, one from an academic physician with whom I am volunteering, and two character letters.

Yeah, I'm not even sure who my instructors were for some of my pre-reqs! I got LORs from my old PI, my current PI, two of my recent instructors, and a coworker/advisor. Anyway, given the situation that many of us are in I can't imagine being required to use a pre-med committee. How could they possibly write a letter having no knowledge of you? Besides, many schools do not have these committees so it's not unheard of to send in LORs directly.

I got secondaries from OSU and OU via email today. It's too bad we don't know which schools screen before sending out secondaries.

I know that USF and U. Miami ask for a minimum MCAT and GPA, declaration of state residency, that kind of thing. I think that a lot of the schools that don't screen are the ones that sent mass emails to tons of people. There are several threads about it in pre-allo.

BTW, I want to tell you guys that I have been using Interfolio for my LORs and it is absolutely fantastic. It costs more ($4 to e-deliver the LORs and $5 to snail mail them) but it is so easy and convenient that it's worth the price. If you haven't checked it out, you might want to take a look: www.interfolio.com.

From TheDarkSide's mdapplicants profile - this has to be one of the best nontrad quotes ever:
"Very average EC stuff: .... 1 year science fiction & fantasy research assistant." :laugh: At least is was science fiction!

You were right though. My background is pretty similar, except I have a year and a half as an associate research tech. investigating happenstance and whimsy! :D

Just found this thread...

I finally submitted AMCAS on 7/7. I couldn't get any momentum going on my personal statement and activity descriptions, but I'm happy with the final product once I got rolling.

I've applied to too many schools, but couldn't help myself. I can't wait to get processed, but fear the essay onslaught at the same time... :eek:

Good luck everyone! :luck:

I'm not quite up for dropping this into my sig. yet, but here I am in a nutshell: My MDapplicants profile (http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=3724)

OK, so I just pressed the buttons to submit (and bill my credit card). Not sure I can believe I am actually doing this. I have thought about it every day of every year for 17 years. Even took MCATs back in the late 90's, only to let a 33 expire.

Thanks for starting and continuing these threads.... keeps us newbies hopeful...

Best of luck folks.

By the way, Sail.... I have about 8 of the same schools as you... you could be 9 years younger than a classmate (if I should be so lucky and be accepted!!)

OK, so I just pressed the buttons to submit (and bill my credit card). Not sure I can believe I am actually doing this. I have thought about it every day of every year for 17 years. Even took MCATs back in the late 90's, only to let a 33 expire.

Thanks for starting and continuing these threads.... keeps us newbies hopeful...

Best of luck folks.

By the way, Sail.... I have about 8 of the same schools as you... you could be 9 years younger than a classmate (if I should be so lucky and be accepted!!)

Congrats!

From TheDarkSide's mdapplicants profile - this has to be one of the best nontrad quotes ever:
:laugh: At least is was science fiction!

You were right though. My background is pretty similar, except I have a year and a half as an associate research tech. investigating happenstance and whimsy! :D


:laugh: I actually almost didn't put that in since it was during my first go round in college. But then I figured, hey, it's post-secondary and it's prolly something they don't see every day. And then I never went back and changed the "very average EC stuff" part.

It was a great job. I got to meet Madeleine L'Engle, if anyone knows who she is (A Wrinkle in Time).

OK, so I just pressed the buttons to submit (and bill my credit card). Not sure I can believe I am actually doing this. I have thought about it every day of every year for 17 years. Even took MCATs back in the late 90's, only to let a 33 expire.

Thanks for starting and continuing these threads.... keeps us newbies hopeful...

Best of luck folks.

By the way, Sail.... I have about 8 of the same schools as you... you could be 9 years younger than a classmate (if I should be so lucky and be accepted!!)

And best of luck to you! :luck:

Just found this thread...

I finally submitted AMCAS on 7/7. I couldn't get any momentum going on my personal statement and activity descriptions, but I'm happy with the final product once I got rolling.

I've applied to too many schools, but couldn't help myself. I can't wait to get processed, but fear the essay onslaught at the same time... :eek:

Good luck everyone! :luck:

I'm not quite up for dropping this into my sig. yet, but here I am in a nutshell: My MDapplicants profile (http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=3724)

Your MDapplicant profile looks quite solid for getting into MI schools...MSU in particular. Are you considering DO, or just MD? I, too, am from MI, and have done a great deal of research on UM and MSU. I met a recent non-trad graduate of UM, and was quite surprised to hear that his qualifications (for getting in) were less than stellar. As you may already know, UM has this (in-state) image that you practically have to be a genius to get accepted to its medical school. I also recently met with a non-trad DO graduate from MSU who is now practicing. Based on everything that I am hearing, if you are solid in your post-bacc or required classes, do well on the MCAT (30+), and have a good interview, then your chances are pretty good. You're definitely at an exciting phase of the game. Good luck!

Just found this thread...

I finally submitted AMCAS on 7/7. I couldn't get any momentum going on my personal statement and activity descriptions, but I'm happy with the final product once I got rolling.

I've applied to too many schools, but couldn't help myself. I can't wait to get processed, but fear the essay onslaught at the same time... :eek:

Good luck everyone! :luck:

I'm not quite up for dropping this into my sig. yet, but here I am in a nutshell: My MDapplicants profile (http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=3724)

Hey Sail...
I have a question for you. I was a double major in Finance & Accounting, so I am coming from a similar background of business. I will be starting my pre-req 2 year plan this fall. Although I am very excited, and confident that I'll do well...I'm also a little anxious. In other words, how quickly will the legs come back...will it be information overload in the beginning...etc. And...even though I aced my calculus class, and all math related classes come very easy...I'm worried about physics as a result of being rusty. So, my question is: Did you feel similar to this? How long did it take you to get back into a groove? Did you find yourself working overly hard in physics just to reacquaint yourself with the mathematical requirements of the class? How difficult did you find classes like OChem and Genetics to be? Thanks for any input that you can offer!

It was a great job. I got to meet Madeleine L'Engle, if anyone knows who she is (A Wrinkle in Time).

That's so incredibly awesome, Darkside. :thumbup: One of my favorite books as a kid was the sequel to that one, called "A Wind in the Door." I really like how she mixes real science (mitochondria) with made up things (farandolae). Another thing I learned more recently is that L'Engle also wrote a novel about Antarctica (Troubling a Star), which I read a couple of years ago while I was working down there. Apparently L'Engle has been to Antarctica herself. Actually there is a program for artists to come down there, although I don't know if she participated in that or just came down on her own.

Sail, I'm glad you found our humble thread, and please keep updating us. I'm rooting for you. :thumbup:

EMET_BUTS, congrats on pushing the button. :cool: I know how you feel; I did the same thing w/ the MCAT in 1996. :rolleyes:

I was just thinking how fun it would be if we could have a medical school class somewhere that was majority non-trads. I have to say that I'd love to have any or all of you guys as my classmates. :thumbup: Here's to continuous good luck to all of the non-trad applicants. :love:

Hi JM,

It took me a little while to develop efficient study habits, but I made up for that initially with quantity rather than quality...! I had an advantage in that I took genchem & bio my first time through, so some things did ring a bell every now and then.

As far as physics is concerned, I took the non-calc physics. I worked hard but it went well. I don't know if I would have survived trying to re-learn calc in a calc-based class. Review your basic trig. early if that isn't fresh. I beat OChem into submission, again through lots of time & effort.

The main difference in returning to school was the ability to do most/all of the things that everyone knows should be done. I read the book (most of the time), did the homework, and studied. I didn't quit working when I would rather be doing something else. I quit when I knew the material. With a purpose and solid drive I found it much easier for me to put my nose to the grindstone that my classmates who lacked the same academic focus. Most of the time I don't mind it either... I know I'm working my way toward a great goal.

Good luck! :luck:

Hey Sail...
I have a question for you. I was a double major in Finance & Accounting, so I am coming from a similar background of business. I will be starting my pre-req 2 year plan this fall. Although I am very excited, and confident that I'll do well...I'm also a little anxious. In other words, how quickly will the legs come back...will it be information overload in the beginning...etc. And...even though I aced my calculus class, and all math related classes come very easy...I'm worried about physics as a result of being rusty. So, my question is: Did you feel similar to this? How long did it take you to get back into a groove? Did you find yourself working overly hard in physics just to reacquaint yourself with the mathematical requirements of the class? How difficult did you find classes like OChem and Genetics to be? Thanks for any input that you can offer!

Congrats! It does seem a bit crazy to have this process moving along...

I hope that we have 8 options to end up at the same place, but I'll still be happy with just 1 acceptance somewhere! :thumbup:
OK, so I just pressed the buttons to submit (and bill my credit card). Not sure I can believe I am actually doing this. I have thought about it every day of every year for 17 years. Even took MCATs back in the late 90's, only to let a 33 expire.

Thanks for starting and continuing these threads.... keeps us newbies hopeful...

Best of luck folks.

By the way, Sail.... I have about 8 of the same schools as you... you could be 9 years younger than a classmate (if I should be so lucky and be accepted!!)

Are you considering DO, or just MD? .... I met a recent non-trad graduate of UM, and was quite surprised to hear that his qualifications (for getting in) were less than stellar. As you may already know, UM has this (in-state) image that you practically have to be a genius to get accepted to its medical school. II think about it more and more as I hear stories like that! :laugh:
Seriously though, I am thinking about it. I'm just giving myself a little post-AMCAS break. In my mind there is really no difference between a DO and an MD in practice. I haven't noticed any in my physician shadowing. If I felt comfortable that my current $670 in AMCAS fees and $1175 in secondary fees (if I am asked to and do return them all) - BEFORE any travel costs - were sure to gain 1 acceptance somewhere, I probably would opt not to incur the additional costs. I'm still worried, so I may add MSU DO and Chicago DO as well.

By the way, what were the stats of the UofM non-trad?

Your MDapplicant profile looks quite solid for getting into MI schools...MSU in particular. ... I also recently met with a non-trad DO graduate from MSU who is now practicing. Based on everything that I am hearing, if you are solid in your post-bacc or required classes, do well on the MCAT (30+), and have a good interview, then your chances are pretty good. You're definitely at an exciting phase of the game. Good luck!Thanks! I'm hoping that is the case. I feel (and have been told) that I will interview well, so I hope that my MCAT, post-bacc grades, & essays/letter of rec are enough to get me there! :luck:

:laugh: I actually almost didn't put that in since it was during my first go round in college. But then I figured, hey, it's post-secondary and it's prolly something they don't see every day. And then I never went back and changed the "very average EC stuff" part.

It was a great job. I got to meet Madeleine L'Engle, if anyone knows who she is (A Wrinkle in Time).

I love Madeleine L'Engle! I used to reread the Time trilogy all the time when i was younger. In fact, I can't wait until my niece is a few years older so I can introduce her to the books. What a great job!

I'm such a dork that I don't think meeting celebraties would phase me much but I get excited about meeting authors!

Sweet! Just got my first secondary :thumbup: . Its nice to see an email from Penn, even if I know they send one to everybody. Hey JM, I got your PM, check yer inbox.

I'm such a dork that I don't think meeting celebraties would phase me much but I get excited about meeting authors!

I feel the same way about authors, and also Nobel-prize winners in the sciences. I have met about a dozen of them at lectures (I always go talk to them afterward) and it is pretty cool. :cool:

I feel the same way about authors, and also Nobel-prize winners in the sciences. I have met about a dozen of them at lectures (I always go talk to them afterward) and it is pretty cool. :cool:

Have you also started a collection of signed books by authors? :laugh:

Re: secondaries, I've received MCW, MSUCOM, OUCOM, KCOM. MCW and MSUCOM are out the door, working on OUCOM and KCOM hoping to have them out the door by Friday. MSUCOM was kindof a pain in the brain - they wanted all your work history and other "nonacademic experiences" since high school. With dates for each. But I suppose it gives them a very thorough overview of the applicant that way.

Have you also started a collection of signed books by authors? :laugh:

lmao, yes. :o :D Some of the more interesting authors I've met were Joceyln Elders (surgeon general under Clinton who advocated masturbation to avoid pregnancy and spread of STDs), Laurie Garrett (The Coming Plague, Betrayal of Trust, both about public health), Fred Shuttlesworth (leader of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights; he was the one who invited MLK to B'ham to face Bull Connor), and Cornell West (African American studies prof who was rebuked by Pres. Summers while at Harvard).

I also have a signed copy of Ralph David Abernathy's memoirs, although I didn't meet him. (He was the third leader of the B'ham civil rights campaign with King and Shuttlesworth; Shuttlesworth is the only one of the three who is still alive.)

Who are some of the more interesting authors that you have met?

lmao, yes. :o :D Some of the more interesting authors I've met were Joceyln Elders (surgeon general under Clinton who advocated masturbation to avoid pregnancy and spread of STDs),

With all due respect Q, I'd like to think (and I'm sure she would agree) that Dr. Elders would probably rather be rememered more for being the first black woman surgeon general and a STRONG advocate for safe sex, than someone who advocated masturbation. :confused:

lmao, yes. :o :D Some of the more interesting authors I've met were Joceyln Elders (surgeon general under Clinton who advocated masturbation to avoid pregnancy and spread of STDs), Laurie Garrett (The Coming Plague, Betrayal of Trust, both about public health), Fred Shuttlesworth (leader of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights; he was the one who invited MLK to B'ham to face Bull Connor), and Cornell West (African American studies prof who was rebuked by Pres. Summers while at Harvard).

I also have a signed copy of Ralph David Abernathy's memoirs, although I didn't meet him. (He was the third leader of the B'ham civil rights campaign with King and Shuttlesworth; Shuttlesworth is the only one of the three who is still alive.)

Who are some of the more interesting authors that you have met?

You met Laurie Garrett? I really have enjoyed her books, especially Betrayal of Trust. That book was what cemented my belief that I wanted to pursue preventive medicine and public health in general. I tend to read a lot fiction (outside from my numerous books on public health). I have met Barbara Kingsolver, Garrison Keillor, Simon Winchester, Sandra Benitez, Jane Hamilton (went to my undergrad), Amy Tan, and Alice Walker. Those are the only books in my library I won't lend out!

I once saw Jimmy Buffett having lunch at the Margaritaville cafe in Key West.

I also at lunch at a table next to Dennis Franz in Chicago.

I spotted Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn eating lunch at an airport cafe in San Francisco.

I once tracked down Dr. J as he was hiding behind a wall in the Philadelphia airport eating a hot dog.

I saw Joe Thiesman on an escalator in O'Hare. (He must have had a sandwich in his carry-on!)


Apparently I have a knack for finding celebrities & their lunches!! :D

P.S. This doesn't really count for me, but my dad once took a leak next to Michael Jordan in the skybox area of Wrigley Field... No, he didn't look. & Yes, someone (not my dad) did ask Jordan for an autograph as he was taking care of business! :eek:

[QUOTE=SailCrazy]I once saw Jimmy Buffett having lunch at the Margaritaville cafe in Key West.

Are you kidding?! That's pretty ironic and funny. :laugh:

I once saw Jimmy Buffett having lunch at the Margaritaville cafe in Key West.Are you kidding?! That's pretty ironic and funny. :laugh:Not as ironic & funny as it might sound.
He owns the place (so I guess he eats & plays there with some frequency) and was in town for an authors convention.

With all due respect Q, I'd like to think (and I'm sure she would agree) that Dr. Elders would probably rather be rememered more for being the first black woman surgeon general and a STRONG advocate for safe sex, than someone who advocated masturbation. :confused:

lol, I'd agree that may well be her preference, but that isn't the first thing that comes to most people's minds when they think of her. That whole Clinton era in general has the same problem.... ;)

Not as ironic & funny as it might sound.
He owns the place (so I guess he eats & plays there with some frequency) and was in town for an authors convention.

Oops. Didn't know that. It's great that he spends time there. Bet the customers love that.

Whenever I'm in Carmel the locals love to tell me about Clint Eastwood and places he likes to frequent.

By the way, what were the stats of the UofM non-trad?

I believe he said he was low 30's on the MCAT, and around a 3.6 for his pre-reqs. It just sounded low to get into UofM.

Submitted on 7/1
Verified 7/14.

Difference between UG and Grad is like night and day. Really crappy UG (no need to get into specifics) really good Graduate (cumm.:3.63). Yes I did finish the program, graduated this year in fact, I am still working on my thesis which is still in draft.

Taking August MCAT and applied to both DO and MD schools.

Hopefully, the schools will put more emphasis on the fact that my graduate grades are great and this was done while working full time and raising a family. And I am not talking about just 1 class a semester. The last year I took 2-3 classes per semester. Wish us all luck.
:scared:

As far as physics is concerned, I took the non-calc physics. I worked hard but it went well. I don't know if I would have survived trying to re-learn calc in a calc-based class. Review your basic trig. early if that isn't fresh. I beat OChem into submission, again through lots of time & effort.



Ok Sail,
I have another question for you. Do you feel that the non-calc physics prepared you well enough for the MCAT? Also, do you think that schools may give you less consideration as a result of taking the 'less difficult' route? The reason I ask is that I also have the option of taking the non-calc physics, and wouldn't mind not stressing over calc review if you know what I mean. Anyone else who'd like to put their two cents in is welcome. I'd love to hear what you guys think about it.
Thanks.

If anything I'd say that it was better preparation. The MCAT physics is non-calculus, so I felt that my physics classes were almost identical to what I saw on test day.

As far as how schools view the two classes, I really don't know. To look at it another way, I'm pretty sure my A in non-calc physics looks better than the likely B I would have earned (with a lot of work and some luck) in calc-based! ;)

What do others think?

Ok Sail,
I have another question for you. Do you feel that the non-calc physics prepared you well enough for the MCAT? Also, do you think that schools may give you less consideration as a result of taking the 'less difficult' route? The reason I ask is that I also have the option of taking the non-calc physics, and wouldn't mind not stressing over calc review if you know what I mean. Anyone else who'd like to put their two cents in is welcome. I'd love to hear what you guys think about it.
Thanks.

Well, now that some secondaries have come in, I kind of wish they'd stop for a while. These things are more annoying than I had expected them to be. And the $$$ isn't much fun, either! :P

Well, now that some secondaries have come in, I kind of wish they'd stop for a while. These things are more annoying than I had expected them to be. And the $$$ isn't much fun, either! :P

lol, I was just telling a friend last night that I have to be more careful about what I wish for in the future. To think, only a short week ago I was impatient to start receiving secondaries. ;) :meanie:

lol, I was just telling a friend last night that I have to be more careful about what I wish for in the future. To think, only a short week ago I was impatient to start receiving secondaries. ;) :meanie:I hear ya' Q!

My status is now updated:
Transcripts: 5/24
Submitted: 7/7 ~11am (hopefully a lucky day!)
Verified: 7/15 noon :)

I haven't received a secondary yet, and I'm already a bit intimidated by the task ahead of me!

Good luck everyone! :luck:

So has anyone not received secondaries from some schools that have already sent some out? I applied to Jefferson, for example, and have yet to hear anything.

So has anyone not received secondaries from some schools that have already sent some out? I applied to Jefferson, for example, and have yet to hear anything.Well, as I was just verified Friday at noon, I'm not surprised by a lack of secondaries! :)

I did receive CaseWestern's right away on Friday evening.

So has anyone not received secondaries from some schools that have already sent some out? I applied to Jefferson, for example, and have yet to hear anything.
I haven't heard from Temple or VCU, though I understand a few others have gotten their secondaries from those schools already. On the other hand, folks are still hearing from KCOM and MCW giving out secondaries and mine have been submitted for about a week now (waiting on LORs).

I guess I'm a late addition. I'm still working on my application and personal statement and will definitely finish everything by the end of July. Anyways, I'll probably be back with last minute questions later, but I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself and wish the best of luck to us all.

sweetdoc :o

VCU's status site is now available; all they had to tell me is that they received my AMCAS application and will make a decision on whether to invite me to submit a secondary.

I've read of a few people who have submitted secondaries for some schools that have them openly available online. Will these schools still contact me at some point, or is that just their standard procedure?

I got the VCU status page as well, and Temple today too.

So has anyone not received secondaries from some schools that have already sent some out? I applied to Jefferson, for example, and have yet to hear anything.

I haven't heard from Jefferson either and have been verified since 6-27. I'm not gonna worry about it until next month. Let us know when you get it.

Got EVMS earlier today. I submitted AMCAS on the first day and was verified a week later, just for reference.

I received UF's secondary today and sent off U. Miami. :thumbup: How are the rest of you guys doing?

(oops, repost...sorry)

Hello non-trads!

This is how obsessive I am: I am in beautiful Oslo, Norway and I can't help myself from logging on to SDN! At least I was able to wait until day 4 of my vacation. Plus, someone I don't even know on SDN decided to PM to tell me how "sucky" my college is and to tell me I "lied" about the ranking in some random posting. WTF??? I couldn't help from logging on to see who this guy is and write back with the link to US News and World Report. I should have let it go but the one thing I hate is being called a liar.

Anyway, I finally got Jefferson's secondary last night. Yeah! I've decided to enjoy this vacation and not stress about secondaries. That hasn't stopped me from pulling out my notebook and writing when there is some down time! I think sitting at an outdoor cafe in Europe drinking some Norweigian beer is good for me though because I've already finished one more essay! :laugh:

Until later...

Yep, I got Jefferson yesterday as well. Phew.

Plus, someone I don't even know on SDN decided to PM to tell me how "sucky" my college is and to tell me I "lied" about the ranking in some random posting. WTF???

I'm amazed anyone even heard of your college, let alone PMd you to diss it. :rolleyes: I went to an even smaller liberal arts college than Carleton and hardly anyone has heard of mine. :meanie: Anyway, I wouldn't worry about what some random person on SDN says about it, Tito, unless that person is an adcom member at a school where you're applying. ;) :p

If I'm not mistaken, isn't Carleton a rather well-respected little liberal arts college? That PM must have been from a large university or ivy snob.

OK. Here's my status:

Secondaries received--done:
Albany: 7/20 notified that amcas received (secondary available in few weeks)
MCW: 7/10--7/10
Temple: 7/15--7/19
VCU: 7/12 notified amcas received
KCOM 7/12--7/15
MSUCOM: 7/10--7/18
NYCOM: 7/12 receipt for amcas
OUCOM: 7/6 (not done yet - waiting for Adobe Pro program so I can so the stupid PDF file!)

Still waiting for/haven't heard from:
Drexel
Univ Colorado
Univ Vermont
DMUCOM
PCOM
PCOM-Ga
UNECOM

The ones I have out the door are waiting for LORs.
Anyone else?

We interrupt this thread for a short announcement...



These essays are driving me insaaaaaaaaaaaane!!!
:eek: :p :rolleyes: :sleep: :meanie: :laugh:



We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Yes, the essays suck. I've finally reached the point where I can semi-recycle them,though.

I just got this from Wake Forest:
Dear Applicant:

Your application for the next entering class has been received from the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

Our office will contact you when further information is required.

LOL. How informative, thanks!

I can finally post something here. I submitted my DO application on the 15th of July :love: My MD application is complete just need a little more money :scared:

Got Vermont, finished Vermont. Another $85 out the door. *sigh*

VCU guys, check your status online. I just did (didn't get anything from them, just being neurotic) and found out that I was invited to submit a secondary.

I am having serious trouble describing my motivation for medicine without rehashing my PS.

The other ones aren't so bad. Well, the OSU wants one about altruism and I don't have a story about how I jumped out of a plane without a parachute so a stranger could have the last chute and live. Most of my altruism is tied into work or school. Is helping people with a class you aren't even in altruism?

I wish they all gave the same essay prompt. Grrrrr!

I cant think of a good reason to bash Carleton, unless you went to my undergrad institution (across town). You probably saw about half of the Olaf class over there in Norway :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I cant think of a good reason to bash Carleton, unless you went to my undergrad institution (across town). You probably saw about half of the Olaf class over there in Norway :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


An Olie! I have never met an Olie outside of of at St. Olaf! Did you guys have as many jokes about us as we did about you?? All in good fun though. I'm actually on a tour with my choir and the conductor has mentioned St. Olaf at every concert and you can see the heads in the audience nodding in recognition. It's funny!

I'm in Sweden now. I'm not exactly where. We're spending the night in some resort town and heading off to Stockholm tomorrow. I'm a little disorientated by this whole trip; I barely know what day it is.

Thanks for all the support about the whole college thing. Q, you're right. Most of the time when I say I went to Carleton they ask me if it's a community college nearby! I don't mind. It amused me. ShyRem, Carleton is pretty well respected but doesn't have the name recognition that a lot of the east coast liberal arts schools out there.

Ok. I've got to go. I'll post again when I get to Russia. Hope the secondaries are going well. I'm still waiting for one from a school that screens. :)

Thanks for all the support about the whole college thing. Q, you're right. Most of the time when I say I went to Carleton they ask me if it's a community college nearby! I don't mind. It amused me.

I never got asked if New College was a community college, but for some reason people thought it was hysterical to ask if there was an Old College. :rolleyes: Actually, we were named after the original New College, which is hardly new or obscure. It was founded in 1379, and it's part of some little rinky dink school called OXFORD UNIVERSITY. :rolleyes: :meanie:

If I'm not mistaken, isn't Carleton a rather well-respected little liberal arts college? That PM must have been from a large university or ivy snob.


Everyone that respects the value of a good education enough to go to an Ivy would also know what and where Carleton is (and New for that matter). People who don't know probably didnt have a shot of getting in.

Why is everyone always picking on the ivys??

Everyone that respects the value of a good education enough to go to an Ivy would also know what and where Carleton is (and New for that matter). People who don't know probably didnt have a shot of getting in.

Why is everyone always picking on the ivys??

Because the Ivies are supposed to be the Golden Standard, right? Most people, if asked to pick the most prestigious American institution, would pick Harvard, not a liberal arts college. You'd be amazed how few people know about liberal arts colleges actually. I'm guessing you might have heard of NC since you're from FL, but there are lots of people who haven't, even Floridians.

On a completely different note, are you a non-trad, caveman? Did you apply to the other FL schools besides Miami? Maybe we'll end up as classmates. :D

Because the Ivies are supposed to be the Golden Standard, right? Most people, if asked to pick the most prestigious American institution, would pick Harvard, not a liberal arts college. You'd be amazed how few people know about liberal arts colleges actually. I'm guessing you might have heard of NC since you're from FL, but there are lots of people who haven't, even Floridians.

On a completely different note, are you a non-trad, caveman? Did you apply to the other FL schools besides Miami? Maybe we'll end up as classmates. :D

Yeah it's true that liberal arts schools dont get the respect they deserve from the public at large- but I'm sure most ivy grads would know of them... Just part of getting sucked into that culture of academia..

Anyway, yes, I am a non-trad- I was an undergrad at Penn (boo-hiss!!!), worked for a while, did my pre-reqs in a postbacc at Miami, and now keeping my fingers crossed for the year. Keep me updated on your progress... I have applied so far to Miami, USF and UF, and am procrastinating on FSU. Not really sure I want to end up sending in that app (program not really for me, location not for me, secondary too annoying)- but can beggars be choosers? I'm hoping the great state of florida will show me some mercy on Oct 15 so I can start sleeping at night.

I'm an Ivy grad who (no offense) had never heard of New College or Carleton.

I think the main reason most people know the big schools and not the small liberal arts colleges has to do with sports & media. You hear about the bigger school both during sports coverage and when the media mentions XYZ discovery from scientists working at ABC Ivy/Big University.

Unless you specifically set out on a quest to learn the identities of small LA schools, or you know someone who went there (less likely because they are small) you probably don't know most of them. Also, because people already know the names of the bigger schools, when they are mentioned the name sticks in your head. If a small LA school is mentioned you might later remember the topic of the story, but not the school's name...

Those are my random thoughts.
Yeah it's true that liberal arts schools dont get the respect they deserve from the public at large- but I'm sure most ivy grads would know of them... Just part of getting sucked into that culture of academia...

Anyway, yes, I am a non-trad- I was an undergrad at Penn (boo-hiss!!!), worked for a while, did my pre-reqs in a postbacc Sounds just like me... except why no love for the Quakers?!? :confused:

I'm all love for the Quakers, the booing was related to the anti-ivy-ness of the earlier post.

Plus what kind of philadelphian doesnt love to boo stuff?

I'm all love for the Quakers, the booing was related to the anti-ivy-ness of the earlier post.Gotcha!
I was a little slow on that one... Probably because I was educated at an Ivy and not a high-powered, small LA school! :thumbup: :laugh:
(just kidding, of course, and no offense intended to any or all)

I have applied so far to Miami, USF and UF, and am procrastinating on FSU. Not really sure I want to end up sending in that app (program not really for me, location not for me, secondary too annoying)- but can beggars be choosers? I'm hoping the great state of florida will show me some mercy on Oct 15 so I can start sleeping at night.

You and me both. ;) I'm glad to meet another non-trad from FL. I am not applying to FSU, but I sent in secondaries to UF, USF, and U. Miami for the FAU campus. (I just sent off UF today. ) I ended up having to do quite a lot of work for UF, because I wrote a research essay, and I also had to write essays for all three schools about what I have done to improve my application since I last applied to medical school....which I did a decade ago. So that's quite a bit of stuff. :meanie:

SailCrazy, no offense taken. Going to NC has certainly made applying to medical school interesting, because I don't have grades, a GPA, or credit hours for any of my pre-reqs. But the good thing is that all of the FL schools are familiar with NC, and I passed their screening, even though I have a 0.00 GPA at my main institution. :laugh:

You and me both. ;) I'm glad to meet another non-trad from FL. I am not applying to FSU, but I sent in secondaries to UF, USF, and U. Miami for the FAU campus. (I just sent off UF today. ) I ended up having to do quite a lot of work for UF, because I wrote a research essay, and I also had to write essays for all three schools about what I have done to improve my application since I last applied to medical school....which I did a decade ago. So that's quite a bit of stuff. :meanie:

SailCrazy, no offense taken. Going to NC has certainly made applying to medical school interesting, because I don't have grades, a GPA, or credit hours for any of my pre-reqs. But the good thing is that all of the FL schools are familiar with NC, and I passed their screening, even though I have a 0.00 GPA at my main institution. :laugh:

Q- keep me abreast of the progress... We are very much in the same boat, right down to the 0.0 gpa. But mine is Ivy. [clenched jaw chortle] And out of 4 [embarassed dejection]

Anyhoo, any idea on the turnaround time on these puppies? I should be complete at UF and UM (waiting for recs) aug 15...

How often do you suppose med schools update their status websites? I've been checking Penn's daily, since that's the first school to which I submitted a secondary. My application and money were received quickly enough (online), but so far, none of my recommendation letters show up as being received. I'm not 100% positive, but I would think/hope that at least one of them would've made it out by now.

In other news, JHU's secondary invite and viewbook arrived in the mail yesterday, along with unsolicited WUSTL literature.

Q- keep me abreast of the progress... We are very much in the same boat, right down to the 0.0 gpa. But mine is Ivy. [clenched jaw chortle] And out of 4 [embarassed dejection]

Anyhoo, any idea on the turnaround time on these puppies? I should be complete at UF and UM (waiting for recs) aug 15...

Hee hee, cool. I'm glad I'm not the only one with no GPA. :thumbup: :meanie: Maybe you are my alter ego, along with lorelei. :laugh: I checked the FL schools' websites and they all start interviews in Sept. I don't think that they'll process you before they receive your LORs. But I'm guessing nothing is going to happen for a few weeks now anyway. I'm complete at USF and Miami, and I've just submitted everything to UF, so I'll let you know if I hear anything.

blee, Wash. U. will send you a booklet if you score well on the MCAT. How long ago did you send your letters to Penn? They might just not be caught up with updating their website because of the mail backlog, so I suggest that you give them a couple of weeks and then call or email them if your file is still not complete. I'm sure they must be getting tons of mail....Just think, every school must have hundreds of applicants sending them stuff right about now! Can you guys imagine being the person who has to collect and transport the medical admissions mail for any med school??? It must be like an avalanche every day when you open the mailbox!!! :eek:

blee, Wash. U. will send you a booklet if you score well on the MCAT. How long ago did you send your letters to Penn? They might just not be caught up with updating their website because of the mail backlog, so I suggest that you give them a couple of weeks and then call or email them if your file is still not complete. I'm sure they must be getting tons of mail....Just think, every school must have hundreds of applicants sending them stuff right about now! Can you guys imagine being the person who has to collect and transport the medical admissions mail for any med school??? It must be like an avalanche every day when you open the mailbox!!! :eek:

MCAT pimping. Gotta love it. :P WUSTL was at least kind enough to send a paper brochure (with a letter that began "Dear Applicant:"). MCW's email solicitation was just sad.

Anyway...I have no idea how these schools sort through all of our mail. My LORs don't have my AAMC ID on them, and a bunch of the secondaries don't ask specifically from whom your letters will come (other than a committee). Putting it all together has got to be a bear. Has anyone gotten word of a school receiving their LORs yet?

Anyway...I have no idea how these schools sort through all of our mail. My LORs don't have my AAMC ID on them, and a bunch of the secondaries don't ask specifically from whom your letters will come (other than a committee). Putting it all together has got to be a bear. Has anyone gotten word of a school receiving their LORs yet?

Yes, all three FL schools have received mine. But I sent them electronically through Interfolio, so they arrived instantaneously. I think I've posted about this before, but I'll do it again. For anyone who hasn't heard of it, Interfolio is a godsend. It's more expensive than doing things yourself, but it's well worth it in terms of peace of mind and convenience for you and your letter writers. You can check it out at www.interfolio.com

Sorry if I missed this discussion earlier.....
I am really interested in how medical schools treat the interfolio references.... do you think that the letters are considered in good light compared to original copies? I signed up for an account, but am now leaning toward having references sending originals.... I would love to hear your thoughts... :)

To keep in the spirit of the thread....

Most transcripts in: July 8.
AMCAS submitted: July 11.
Final transcript received :mad: : July20. (and July21. and July24. and July 26.)
Ready for review: July 20.

The maddening transcript saga is a thread in itself... for some other time :laugh: .

Sorry if I missed this discussion earlier.....
I am really interested in how medical schools treat the interfolio references.... do you think that the letters are considered in good light compared to original copies? I signed up for an account, but am now leaning toward having references sending originals.... I would love to hear your thoughts... :)


Assuming you waive your right to see your letters, there is no difference between using Interfolio and any other confidential letters. All of the FL schools even accepted electronic deliveries, which is great, because the letters arrive instantly and your file is complete, just like that. As far as I know, all medical schools will accept Interfolio; if they aren't set up for electronic delivery, Interfolio can snail mail your letters. If you're worried about one of your schools not accepting Interfolio, you can always email or call them and ask. I was a bit skeptical of Interfolio at first too, but one of my students who applied last year told me about it, and it's really so easy and convenient that I'd highly recommend it to everyone.

Good to hear, Q! While I will not have a committee letter, I might have to manage a handful of disparate writers, and am considering a non-uniform distribution of these.... it looks like interfolio might be a good choice for that as well. :thumbup:

I am going to try to get my old school letter writers to consider this. The first person I asked to write a letter was really hesitant to even look at interfolio, but I will keep lobbying.

Tito: I think there was a certain amount of good humor about Carleton at Olaf, but, at least when I was there, we envied the Carleton alcohol policy.... Olaf being a dry campus, of course. Things have likely changed in the many years since then.

Any idea of what the Wash U MCAT cutoff number is?

Thanks.

EMTT, I also don't have a committee and my letter writers were/are hesitant to use interfolio. There are some med schools (MSUCOM) that won't accept interfolio since they have a mandatory form, and I think there is another one that slips my mind that requires original signatures on the letters. However, several medical schools actually prefer interfolio (UVM, the Florida schools as Q pointed out). Right now when my secondaries are all received and paid for, I'm still waiting for LORs to be received and wishing my writers had agreed to interfolio. :(

Any idea of what the Wash U MCAT cutoff number is?


They don't screen, do they? So there shouldn't be a cutoff. I would check the MSAR and their website to make sure though.

However, several medical schools actually prefer interfolio (UVM, the Florida schools as Q pointed out).

Yes, this is true about FL schools; they actually tell the undergrads to use Interfolio. So a couple of my students were able to help me set up my account and show me how it works. It's nice for the recommenders also because they only have to send your letter once, to Interfolio, and then you don't have to keep bothering them to send another letter for every individual school. When I read about some people applying to 25 or 30 schools (or more!), I have to wonder how they convince their recommenders to mail out that many LORs!!! I can't imagine asking my boss or my PI to do that. :laugh:

Tito: I think there was a certain amount of good humor about Carleton at Olaf, but, at least when I was there, we envied the Carleton alcohol policy.... Olaf being a dry campus, of course. Things have likely changed in the many years since then.


you guys both have me beat. There are a large number of Olaf and Carlton grads that get into med school, I went to St. Thomas where all that we produce are business majors and gold-diggers!

Glad to see some fellow MIAC students on SDN :thumbup:

Good Luck with the process, I'll be right there with you next year!

Em.

Long ago, I went to a party at St. Thomas and, later the same night, a party down the road at Macalester. That was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

So you are sitting out this application cycle? You don't know how much fun you are missing!!

Q.... That is really cool that UF suggests interfolio.... I was looking at the LOR "form" that the U of MN requires along with a letter. I am not sure how I am going to work that out. I, too, am worried about potentially needing 20 letters sent from a given writer (plus a form or two).... ughh.

So Q.... are you teaching at a college/university?

Q.... That is really cool that UF suggests interfolio.... I was looking at the LOR "form" that the U of MN requires along with a letter. I am not sure how I am going to work that out. I, too, am worried about potentially needing 20 letters sent from a given writer (plus a form or two).... ughh.

So Q.... are you teaching at a college/university?

Did you ask U of MN about it? Interfolio has its own form that must be signed and submitted along with the LORs to verify them. Maybe U of MN would be willing to accept that in lieu of their own form. It's worth a shot, right? Anyway, even if that one school doesn't accept Interfolio, if you're applying to more than two others that will take it, Interfolio really does make things a lot easier. (They should pay me to be their spokesperson. :D )

I taught at the university last year, but I don't anticipate continuing this year, since I am planning to graduate in May. I do still teach at Kaplan, though, so I have a lot of pre-med students through the MCAT classes there. I often end up getting some of my old gen chem and organic students again at Kaplan. There's usually a few in each class. :p

Well, I got my first rejection today. But I also received secondary invites to two uc's so that made up for the rejection! Can't wait to get home and see what else I've received by snail mail. I just left Russia today and am spending my last two days in Finland. So happy to get home and sleep in my own bed!

Well, I got my first rejection today. But I also received secondary invites to two uc's so that made up for the rejection! Can't wait to get home and see what else I've received by snail mail. I just left Russia today and am spending my last two days in Finland. So happy to get home and sleep in my own bed!From which school was the rejection, if you don't mind my asking?

Lately I've been focusing a lot more on my exceptionally crappy overall GPA and lack of much research rather than my decent science GPA and good MCAT. As I hear of others who are getting screened secondaries that I am not, I'm sure a few thin envelopes will start rolling my way sooner than later... :o

I knew it was going to happen. I applied to a lot of reach schools - but it still isn't fun. I think secondary essays and preparing for finals of summer classes is doing a good job of beating me down right now... It will get better soon, I'm sure! :rolleyes:

Well, I got my first rejection today. But I also received secondary invites to two uc's so that made up for the rejection! Can't wait to get home and see what else I've received by snail mail. I just left Russia today and am spending my last two days in Finland. So happy to get home and sleep in my own bed!
At least they didn't do the "Send us $75 secondary fee...then we'll send your rejection notice"

You have a real good mcat...you'll get in somewhere.

Well, I got my first rejection today. But I also received secondary invites to two uc's so that made up for the rejection! Can't wait to get home and see what else I've received by snail mail. I just left Russia today and am spending my last two days in Finland. So happy to get home and sleep in my own bed!

Are you home yet, tito? Sorry to hear about the rejection, and I hope that the rest of your news is better. :love:

Did that happen to you, JohnnyOU? :eek:

Hope the rest of you are doing well....tomorrow is August already! I haven't heard too much more since I last posted here. UF is still waiting for my secondary to arrive, and USF sent me an email to say that I'm complete and they are reviewing me now. Oh, and I bought my interview suit today. :p

Are you home yet, tito? Sorry to hear about the rejection, and I hope that the rest of your news is better. :love:

Did that happen to you, JohnnyOU? :eek:

Hope the rest of you are doing well....tomorrow is August already! I haven't heard too much more since I last posted here. UF is still waiting for my secondary to arrive, and USF sent me an email to say that I'm complete and they are reviewing me now. Oh, and I bought my interview suit today. :p

I'm starting to get very nervous about Florida schools Q... I'm now just waiting for my LOR packet to get sent, and then I'm on the chopping block. I keep reading those "July is our month" waitlisters threads and crying myself to sleep. Aaaaagh.

I'm starting to get very nervous about Florida schools Q... I'm now just waiting for my LOR packet to get sent, and then I'm on the chopping block. I keep reading those "July is our month" waitlisters threads and crying myself to sleep. Aaaaagh.

lol, you are as neurotic as the college kids. :meanie: Don't spend too much time in pre-allo; it'll only make things worse. Not like I'm really one to talk; I check in there every day to see which schools are giving secondaries or sending rejections or interview invites to people. :laugh: (Several SDNers got rejected from Wake Forest this past week. :eek: ) I'm feeling a little anxious too I guess. I'm complete at the FL schools, and they've each sent me an email that basically says: we've got your app, so sit tight, and we'll get back to you. :p The waiting has got to be the worst part of this whole process. When are your letters going out, caveman?

I called my school to check on the status of their recommendation letters. Apparently they're working on getting the first batch of letters mailed today. Well, that would certainly explain why none of my med schools has gotten one yet! My physician letters were mailed out last week at the earliest, so I'm fine with waiting a bit on those. Oddly enough, the one letter that I figured was my "weakest" (relatively speaking) has been delivered.

lol, you are as neurotic as the college kids. :meanie: Don't spend too much time in pre-allo; it'll only make things worse. Not like I'm really one to talk; I check in there every day to see which schools are giving secondaries or sending rejections or interview invites to people. :laugh: (Several SDNers got rejected from Wake Forest this past week. :eek: ) I'm feeling a little anxious too I guess. I'm complete at the FL schools, and they've each sent me an email that basically says: we've got your app, so sit tight, and we'll get back to you. :p The waiting has got to be the worst part of this whole process. When are your letters going out, caveman?


I know, it's shameful. I'm turning into one of "them"....
There is a backlog for committee letters (due to procrastination on the AMCAS, I am now in it), but the tentative date for them going out is 8/15. The best is, I get all my school mail sent to my office, and someone comes in with a stack everyday, tentatively handing me thin envelopes. I get to keep reminding her that I wouldnt have been rejected just *yet*. But it's coming. She looks scared.

Q SAID: Are you home yet, tito? Sorry to hear about the rejection, and I hope that the rest of your news is better. :love:

Hey! I finally got back late Sunday night and ended sleeping most of Monday. Now I'm back at work and trying to organize all my secondaries so I can start cranking them out. Yikes! I'm prioritizing them by schools I'm really interested in and those with no essays and then I'll complete the rest.

Q SAID: lol, you are as neurotic as the college kids. Don't spend too much time in pre-allo; it'll only make things worse. Not like I'm really one to talk; I check in there every day to see which schools are giving secondaries or sending rejections or interview invites to people. (Several SDNers got rejected from Wake Forest this past week. )


I'm one of those people that got rejected from Wake Forest. But I'm really not that upset about it. I think it's because I assumed that I would get rejected by most of the schools I applied to. I'm just hoping for 1 acceptance! But I think I need to stop reading the pre-allo forum also.

I read about people that got screened secondaries for schools I also applied to and I start feeling insecure and telling myself that I MUST have been rejected! I have to stop doing that to myself.

blee and caveman, I hope your letters get out soon. I just sent individual letters. How were you guys able to access a pre-med service like that? Did you do post bacs? They don't have anything like that for grad students here.

tito, I'm sorry to hear about Wake. They must have some kind of GPA cut off, because your MCAT sure was high enough for anywhere! I know what you mean about feeling insecure if someone else received something that you are waiting to get. Even if it's just a day's delay, you're on pins and needles. Nowadays I keep checking to see if anyone is getting interviews, but so far I haven't seen any from the FL schools. I haven't heard any anecdotal stories yet either....actually my current students are late applicants, because they're getting ready to take the MCAT in a few weeks.

Boy I'm glad that I don't have to take the MCAT now. I think last summer while I was studying for it was one of the most miserable times in my whole life. :p

I did my postbac through a certificate-granting undergrad postbac program. It's unstructured, which means that there's no set schedule of courses, but there are some requirements in order to qualify for the certificate, which then gives access to the school's undergrad premed committee.

What is up with Wake? When have people been hearing from them?

I was verified on 7/15 and haven't heard anything. My MCAT is high, but GPA is low. Anyone know what their cutoff is?

Thanks!

What is up with Wake? When have people been hearing from them?

I was verified on 7/15 and haven't heard anything. My MCAT is high, but GPA is low. Anyone know what their cutoff is?

Thanks!
:( Sorry to hear it. My AMCAS was verified 6/1, I got the "we have your application" email from Wake on 7/20, and I was invited to fill out the secondary on 7/27. I have a strong MCAT score but a dismal GPA by any measure; my saving grace is that my postbac GPA was excellent. I also got my undergrad degree in 1999, which might be long enough ago that the adcoms are being lenient w/ me. So far, I've gotten past all of the schools that screen pre-secondary, which has surprised me to say the least. Doesn't make me any less anxious about the process as a whole, though.

:( Sorry to hear it. My AMCAS was verified 6/1, I got the "we have your application" email from Wake on 7/20, and I was invited to fill out the secondary on 7/27. I have a strong MCAT score but a dismal GPA by any measure; my saving grace is that my postbac GPA was excellent. I also got my undergrad degree in 1999, which might be long enough ago that the adcoms are being lenient w/ me. So far, I've gotten past all of the schools that screen pre-secondary, which has surprised me to say the least. Doesn't make me any less anxious about the process as a whole, though.

Wow, this makes me feel worse because I'm in the same exact position as you. Execpt that I got out right rejected. I keep wondering if I put anything in my AMCAS that is off-putting and that is why I am not getting all the screened secondaries that I know are out there. I don't want to take it as an ominous sign but....

Wow, this makes me feel worse because I'm in the same exact position as you. Execpt that I got out right rejected. I keep wondering if I put anything in my AMCAS that is off-putting and that is why I am not getting all the screened secondaries that I know are out there. I don't want to take it as an ominous sign but....

I wouldn't try to over-interpret anything at the moment. I'm certainly happy that I've passed the screens so far, but two of the three screening schools to date are in-state for me (VA), and the third (Wake) is just south of me. I chalk my "success" up to geographic proximity more than anything else. Still, there's just no way to know what's going on in these adcoms, and their reasons for accepting or rejecting anyone are truly mysterious.

Boy I'm glad that I don't have to take the MCAT now. I think last summer while I was studying for it was one of the most miserable times in my whole life. :p

Hey Q,
Recalling that you have an amazing MCAT score, I was wondering if you did more than the Kaplan? Did you have a excess amount of material on hand due to your background? I also recall references to your Chem background, which I am sure was a big help. I was just wondering if you had any other tips or ideas for assimilating the information that you think might be helpful. Suggestions from others are appreciated as well.

Wow, this makes me feel worse because I'm in the same exact position as you. Execpt that I got out right rejected. I keep wondering if I put anything in my AMCAS that is off-putting and that is why I am not getting all the screened secondaries that I know are out there. I don't want to take it as an ominous sign but....

Does Wake give geographical preference? They're in NC, right? So maybe NC residents get preference. I know that Miami gives preference to FL residents even though they're private.

Here's the profile for the 2004 Wake Forest entering class: http://www1.wfubmc.edu/MDProgram/Admissions/Class+Profile.htm

I didn't see anything about residency requirements anywhere, but it looks like it's about 40% NC residents, so they do seem to give preference.

Hey Q,
Recalling that you have an amazing MCAT score, I was wondering if you did more than the Kaplan? Did you have a excess amount of material on hand due to your background? I also recall references to your Chem background, which I am sure was a big help. I was just wondering if you had any other tips or ideas for assimilating the information that you think might be helpful. Suggestions from others are appreciated as well.

No, I just used Kaplan. I did take one of the AAMC tests, which are provided at the Kaplan center. If you haven't seen it before, I'd recommend that you go up to the MCAT forum at the top of the page, and read through the "30+ MCAT study habits" thread. There are about three years' worth of people's suggestions for studying for the MCAT. It's a sticky at the top of the page; here's the URL: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=46880

Everybody here seems to be on top of their game. I just submitted today :) and hopefully I'll be working on my secondaries soon :D

sweetdoc

Everybody here seems to be on top of their game. I just submitted today :) and hopefully I'll be working on my secondaries soon :D

sweetdoc

Best of luck! :luck:

Best of luck! :luck:

I second that. And same for you, too, DarkSide; congrats about Mayo!!! :D Anyone else have anything new to report? Or do I have to stop fooling around here and go run my column now? :p

All secondaries received out except for OUCOM 'cuz I'm waiting for Adobe Pro to show up. My husband isn't too keen on the OUCOM contract tho, so we're debating about even sending it. Just waiting for Colorado and Drexel to come in now and I'll be done. Unfortunately, my pre-med advisor STILL has not sent his LOR anywhere!! ARGH!! My chemistry prof got all his LORs out within two days..... I'm getting a wee tad PO'd.

On another note, pouring columns is a nasty touchy thing. Took me four tries to pour my last one right so it didn't have too many bubbles in it. :) But you probably have someone doing that for you, huh Q? lucky devil :)

I've contacted two schools out of curiosity to see whose letters they'd received, if any. In both cases, only one out of the three that were sent. Augh...

On another note, pouring columns is a nasty touchy thing. Took me four tries to pour my last one right so it didn't have too many bubbles in it. :) But you probably have someone doing that for you, huh Q? lucky devil :)

No, unfortunately I don't have a student anymore; my summer student's last day was today. Sigh, that always happens. I get someone trained, and then....the semester is over. :p

P.S. If you get air bubbles in your column, you can cap it off and shake it (gently, especially if you have sand at the bottom!) and the air bubbles will work their way up to the top. You can avoid bubbles in the first place by pouring in the slurry slowly down the side of the column.

No, unfortunately I don't have a student anymore; my summer student's last day was today. Sigh, that always happens. I get someone trained, and then....the semester is over. :p

P.S. If you get air bubbles in your column, you can cap it off and shake it (gently, especially if you have sand at the bottom!) and the air bubbles will work their way up to the top. You can avoid bubbles in the first place by pouring in the slurry slowly down the side of the column.
Yeah, tried that. Still got bubbles. Ended up degassing the beaker with the slurry before pouring, then putting extra eluent on top and forcing it through under pressure. Weird.. all four of us in adv. lab had problems that week with our silica columns. If you were in Colorado, I need a job :).

Yeah, tried that. Still got bubbles. Ended up degassing the beaker with the slurry before pouring, then putting extra eluent on top and forcing it through under pressure. Weird.. all four of us in adv. lab had problems that week with our silica columns. If you were in Colorado, I need a job :).

lol, maybe it's a high altitude thing. I've never tried to run a column at high altitude; we don't have any altitude higher than a bridge overpass here in FL. :p

njb, will you stick this thread for us? No disrespect meant for the 2005 old farts, but how about some love for the 2006 ones? :p ;)

Everybody here seems to be on top of their game. I just submitted today :) and hopefully I'll be working on my secondaries soon :D

I haven't submitted my application either and while it's natural to compare your progress to others, sometimes it's best to just dance to your own beat. I'll be submitting my application as soon as I relocate to another state in the next week(then I'll know where to have schools send the secondaries) but until then, I'm cool!!! :cool:

I haven't submitted my application either and while it's natural to compare your progress to others, sometimes it's best to just dance to your own beat. I'll be submitting my application as soon as I relocate to another state in the next week(then I'll know where to have schools send the secondaries) but until then, I'm cool!!! :cool:I agree, no need to stress. :)

Just an FYI if you are ready to submit and only waiting on the move: most secondaries are electronic, so your postal address won't be an issue.

You can update your address after submission, so might not need to wait for your new address.

Your friendly neighborhood will forward mail too. (You can find a thread in the pre-allo forum that lets you know which seconaries come in the mail, so you'll know what to look for and could even contact the schools if you want.)

Your friendly neighborhood will forward mail too.
The fact is that 1 particular school is taking their time getting my transcript in so it's not really like I have a choice in this matter (The other 10 we in by the middle of June). Then there's the distraction of retaking the MCAT in two weeks, relocating my family 2 states away, getting my daughter registered in a new school, getting her physical for her new school, ect.ect. Not to mention to constant editing of the 3 essays I had to submit since I'm applying MD/PhD. I do have my LOR's ready to go, so at least THAT's out of the way.

But anyone who would depend on the US postal system to forward mail to them is absolutely insane!!!! :eek: :laugh:

Right now, it's looking like September 1 at the latest and to be honest I'm not the least bit worried. I'm one of those folks who lives convicted by a strong faith that everything I'm supposed to get in this life, will be had sooner or later. ;)

Well, I guess the system works -- just got an email saying that UVA has my complete application. The email also had this choice snippet:

Please do not become alarmed if you do not hear from us for an extended period of time. Repeated phone calls to the Admissions Office are not helpful and require the staff to take time away from processing incoming applications.

:laugh: I guess they're familiar with premed psychoses.

:laugh: I guess they're familiar with premed psychoses.

It's nice when you can look on line to see what they have and what they're missing. The frustrating thing is when you're not sure whether you're complete and you don't know what they don't have.

Is it possible to change the citizenship/PR info in the biographic info section after submitting/verification? I ask because I have been holding out on (re)-submitting this year because I am still an international. I'm hoping to get my permanent residency card soon (within the next month or so) so I can apply to all those schools that would suddenly open up to me.

I checked on my submitted AMCAS application and it looks like you can't change citizenship/visa info. When I click on this section, it says "application already submitted - this information cannot be changed". This is stupid, since your immigration status can change at any time... Sorry :(

Maybe what you could do is submit it as an international and then notify each school individually when your status changes. It might be risky though, because some schools will screen you out automatically if you're international. I think you should contact schools individually and see what they suggest.

When do you expect to get your green card? I was in the same situation as you, but I just got it less than a month ago. Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be... Just have your AMCAS ready to send, with your transcripts already there. It took them only 3 days to verify mine, and that was about 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it will go smoothly this time. Good luck with BCIS! ;)

Agh! Just got an email from Virtual Evals saying my letters had been uploaded by my advisor. I thought I had a solid week to procrastinate on some beastly secondaries (pritzker, BU).... I guess not.

I guess it's that time to start being afraid of my mail!

Hello all. I really like this thread. Anyway I have received three secondaries (MSUCOM, UMDNJ, PCOM-GA) :thumbup:

My pre-med office is slowing me down. They've put me a week or two further behind by their dawdling. I'm a bit upset at that. Why does it take a month and a half to write a letter?!

I just got a notice from MCW to expect an interview invitation next week! Interview in September! Woohoo!

Awesome news!!!

Not much going on here. Received UMD and Cornell secondaries in the last couple of days.

I just got a notice from MCW to expect an interview invitation next week! Interview in September! Woohoo!Congrats!!! :D

When was your file complete?

I just got a notice from MCW to expect an interview invitation next week! Interview in September! Woohoo!

Wow, great news! :clap:

I received 12 out of 14 secondaries.

UMDNJ-RWJ
UMDNJ-NJMS
Mt. Sinai
Cornell
NYMC
AECM
GWMC
UVM
Dartmouth
UMDNJ-SOM
PCOM
LECOM


NYCOM screens in September
Nova still waiting.

I submitted 3, I am hoping that by the begining of next week I can submit my fourth and then once the MCAT passes I will be sending them out like crazy.

I just got a notice from MCW to expect an interview invitation next week! Interview in September! Woohoo!

Congrats!! All I've received today is an e-mail from MCW reminding me that they have not received my secondary and that I should remember they are on rolling admissions. Geez! I felt like I was being reprimended by my mother.
:rolleyes:

lol, you are as neurotic as the college kids. :meanie: Don't spend too much time in pre-allo; it'll only make things worse.

LOL -- that's so true b/c boy! do I feel like crap when I browse pre-allo. Old, no research or clinical experience and crappy MCAT scores back by "life experience". Just bad karma. Anyway, despite that -- I still received pre-screened secondaries. So if *I* can get a couple, there's hope for others. :))

Anyway, I digress. I think in a way, WE, non-trads, are competing against each other and not them. I would think that most schools plan on a handful of non-trads, just to have their bases covered and not be accused of some weird discrimination.

Congrats!! All I've received today is an e-mail from MCW reminding me that they have not received my secondary and that I should remember they are on rolling admissions. Geez! I felt like I was being reprimended by my mother.
:rolleyes:
BAD TITO!!!!!!
BAD BAD BAD!

Now I want you to have a time-out and just THINK about what you did!

(something like that?) :)

BAD TITO!!!!!!
BAD BAD BAD!

Now I want you to have a time-out and just THINK about what you did!

(something like that?) :)

Mom? Is that you? :p

Big trouble. Florida has renounced me as a resident! I've been a card carrying, tax paying, car driving, home owning, ashamed red-state voter for the past four years- I just took a job in a boston based office (so I can pay for all of this nonsense)- while maintaining all of the above, and being physically in Florida about half the time, and UF is telling me to F-off. So I'm stateless, unless I can get this all sorted out. Seems ridiculous, no? Definitely not a good development. Ughhhh so this is what this process is all about....

UTHSCSA interview rocked!

Big trouble. Florida has renounced me as a resident! I've been a card carrying, tax paying, car driving, home owning, ashamed red-state voter for the past four years- I just took a job in a boston based office (so I can pay for all of this nonsense)- while maintaining all of the above, and being physically in Florida about half the time, and UF is telling me to F-off. So I'm stateless, unless I can get this all sorted out. Seems ridiculous, no? Definitely not a good development. Ughhhh so this is what this process is all about....

Really? I think I'm about to go through the same thing in Michigan. I just started a job based out of CA even though I'm still a MI resident/homeowner/taxpayer, etc. I'll be working out of a local (MI) office, though, so maybe that will make a difference. I'm filing my residency application in a couple of weeks. Let me know how it works out for you. Good luck.

Really? I think I'm about to go through the same thing in Michigan. I just started a job based out of CA even though I'm still a MI resident/homeowner/taxpayer, etc. I'll be working out of a local (MI) office, though, so maybe that will make a difference. I'm filing my residency application in a couple of weeks. Let me know how it works out for you. Good luck.

You should be fine then. My problem is that in florida, they are unconvinced that I am maintaining a "physical presence" in the state- because I actually work in boston, just with one huge commute.

Big trouble. Florida has renounced me as a resident! I've been a card carrying, tax paying, car driving, home owning, ashamed red-state voter for the past four years- I just took a job in a boston based office (so I can pay for all of this nonsense)- while maintaining all of the above, and being physically in Florida about half the time, and UF is telling me to F-off. So I'm stateless, unless I can get this all sorted out. Seems ridiculous, no? Definitely not a good development. Ughhhh so this is what this process is all about....

Caveman, have you called Robin and talked to her about this? My understanding is that if you have a FL driver's license, a residence, a voter's ID, a FL license plate, you file your taxes from FL, and you get paid in FL, then you ARE a resident. I mean, those are all of the things that the schools listed as proof of residency. I really think you should call Robin.

UTHSCSA interview rocked!

Glad to hear it, Moose. :) When do you find out if you've been admitted?

And to whichever non-trad mod stickied us: thanks a bunch. :D

Glad to hear it, Moose. :) When do you find out if you've been admitted?

And to whichever non-trad mod stickied us: thanks a bunch. :D

Well, they've changed their admissions policies for out of state applicants, so I *could* find out as early as October 15th. I'd be pretty blown away if I found out I got in that early. Disappointed if I got rejected...

Caveman, have you called Robin and talked to her about this? My understanding is that if you have a FL driver's license, a residence, a voter's ID, a FL license plate, you file your taxes from FL, and you get paid in FL, then you ARE a resident. I mean, those are all of the things that the schools listed as proof of residency. I really think you should call Robin.

I'm going to wait for the outcome of what her underlings say before getting in a panic- even if it could be easily sorted by calling Robin directly. Hopefully just a couple more days on that. I did post about this in the pre-allo, and more than one person said they were having the same problems at UF. If UM or USF raises the same stink, then I'll start getting worried.

I'm going to wait for the outcome of what her underlings say before getting in a panic- even if it could be easily sorted by calling Robin directly. Hopefully just a couple more days on that. I did post about this in the pre-allo, and more than one person said they were having the same problems at UF. If UM or USF raises the same stink, then I'll start getting worried.

I hope it works out for you. I saw your post in pre-allo; I don't think it's possible for a US resident to be "stateless" unless you live in Washington DC or one of the commonwealths like PR or USVI. But none of those exceptions would apply to you. :confused:

I hope it works out for you. I saw your post in pre-allo; I don't think it's possible for a US resident to be "stateless" unless you live in Washington DC or one of the commonwealths like PR or USVI. But none of those exceptions would apply to you. :confused:
------

I hope it works out for you. I saw your post in pre-allo; I don't think it's possible for a US resident to be "stateless" unless you live in Washington DC or one of the commonwealths like PR or USVI. But none of those exceptions would apply to you. :confused:

It's actually a lot easier to be "stateless" than one would think. It boils down to the fact that a person can have the afore mentioned ID's for one state, reside in another, yet accoding to the state schools in each state, be an out-of-state candidate. Crazy I know, but it almost happened to me. The only thing that saved my arse was that in addition to mentioned "proof" of residency, I was also an alumni/former employee of 2 state schools in the state I was claiming to be a resident.

It's actually a lot easier to be "stateless" than one would think. It boils down to the fact that a person can have the afore mentioned ID's for one state, reside in another, yet accoding to the state schools in each state, be an out-of-state candidate. Crazy I know, but it almost happened to me. The only thing that saved my arse was that in addition to mentioned "proof" of residency, I was also an alumni/former employee of 2 state schools in the state I was claiming to be a resident.

Isn't that incredible? I'm pretty confident I can get my situation sorted out- but I now feel REALLY bad for all of the americans adrift out there. It seems completely unfair that people who contribute to their state's schools through their taxes are then ineligible to reap their benefits.

It's actually a lot easier to be "stateless" than one would think. It boils down to the fact that a person can have the afore mentioned ID's for one state, reside in another, yet accoding to the state schools in each state, be an out-of-state candidate. Crazy I know, but it almost happened to me. The only thing that saved my arse was that in addition to mentioned "proof" of residency, I was also an alumni/former employee of 2 state schools in the state I was claiming to be a resident.

I guess I could see this kind of thing being common in places like New England; those states are really small, and people often live in one state and work or go to school in another. But I've just not ever heard of that happening to someone from FL before, though I guess it probably does happen to people in the Panhandle sometimes. Anyway, I'm glad you were ultimately able to prove your residency.

caveman, I hope you get yours sorted out too. What a mess. :(

Got an email this morning and made a phone call. My first interview is scheduled with EVMS on 9/9! Nervous....

Got an email this morning and made a phone call. My first interview is scheduled with EVMS on 9/9! Nervous....

Wow, blee, congrats! :clap: If you haven't already, you should look at the interview feedback for EVMS and get one of your friends (someone who will be hard on you is best!) to mock interview you. Don't worry, you're going to be great. :luck:

Wow, blee, congrats! :clap: If you haven't already, you should look at the interview feedback for EVMS and get one of your friends (someone who will be hard on you is best!) to mock interview you. Don't worry, you're going to be great. :luck:

:) Thanks for the tips. I've read through a few of the interview feedback pages. That whole section of SDN is great; as long as one reads everything with a critical eye, there's a wealth of important info about most schools' interviews. I got my suit ordered just yesterday, which means that it's going to be ready just before I'm scheduled to head down to Norfolk. Good timing on my part.

BTW, did any of us take the August MCAT last Saturday? How'd it go?

Aug MCAT taker here...and I'm still trying to recoup! My poor house is a mess and my children probably feel very neglected :o ...Tomorrow is a new day and I will get up and clean the house, and spend lots and lots of cuddlin' w/ the kids and hubby :D
As far as the test ohhhhhhhh drainning! Thank God its over; I just feel like I bombed the thing. Right now I can't remember most of the test and feel like I asnwered everything wrong...I feel like crap! :(

Oh and did I mention I still haven't submited AMCAS :eek: ...how bad is this?
I am sending my transcripts request tomorrow, and hope to finish the tedious grades part (I double majored, so have a really long transcript) tomorrow to submit, which I'm still not so sure I should since I feel I did bad on the dam test...what do you guys think?

I am only applying to my state school, and they already have a file on me including all letters of rec.(I did a summer program there, so they kept my stuff...only waiting for AMCAS and MCAT) cross my fingers on the score.

As far as the test ohhhhhhhh drainning! Thank God its over; I just feel like I bombed the thing. Right now I can't remember most of the test and feel like I asnwered everything wrong...I feel like crap! :(

Oh and did I mention I still haven't submited AMCAS :eek: ...how bad is this?
I am sending my transcripts request tomorrow, and hope to finish the tedious grades part (I double majored, so have a really long transcript) tomorrow to submit, which I'm still not so sure I should since I feel I did bad on the dam test...what do you guys think?


How were your practice tests? Unless you have a good concrete reason to think that you bombed the test (like you came down with food poisoning in the middle of the test, or you realized that you misgridded an entire section) that you should assume your scores will be similar to your practice test scores. So if they were decent, go ahead and apply. But if you just have this nebulous feeling that the test kicked your butt, don't rely on that. *Everyone* comes out of the MCAT feeling like the test kicked their butts. Including me. ;)

I would continue to apply, regardless of how you think you did. Q has the right idea -- your impressions of how well you did probably don't amount to much, unless you did something very obvious.

It's been pretty quiet in here lately. How is everyone doing? I'm slowling getting through all the secondaries. I have 5 I want to finish in the next 5 days. But they are secondaries that I keep putting off for some reason or another. Mostly because I don't know how to answer their questions without sounding cheesy.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well! :D

It's been pretty quiet in here lately. How is everyone doing? I'm slowling getting through all the secondaries. I have 5 I want to finish in the next 5 days. But they are secondaries that I keep putting off for some reason or another. Mostly because I don't know how to answer their questions without sounding cheesy.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well! :D

Just finished with my secondaries (except for UCSF longshot). I've been waiting for the last week for my last LOR, which was sent out Friday. Hopefully I'll be getting interview invites soon.

I kept sounding cheesy in my secondaries too. It's unavoidable. But I'm happy to be done with that stage.

I think we are all waiting to hear some news. :p

I think we are all waiting to hear some news. :p

I was doing a lot of waiting too before I found out my pre-med committee won't be done with my letter for another week or so. Which means I won't be complete at schools until probably mid-September. It kind of lifted my anxiety a bit. I'm not obsessively checking my status at school websites any more. Well, ok, I'm still checking my status at UCLA. But that's because it's the only instate school I have yet to hear from!

Ok. I just got a little anxiety. Is mid-September still early enough?? Arghh! I should stop thinking about this and just get back to typing.

I got my first interview invite to DMUCOM today... :) :)

Have yet to hear anything from MD schools, except for Vermont which says I'm finally complete - the others are wading through tons of mail I expect and haven't logged my last LOR yet.

I got my first interview invite to DMUCOM today... :) :)

Have yet to hear anything from MD schools, except for Vermont which says I'm finally complete - the others are wading through tons of mail I expect and haven't logged my last LOR yet.

Congrats, ShyRem. :clap:

I got my first interview invite to DMUCOM today... :) :)

Have yet to hear anything from MD schools, except for Vermont which says I'm finally complete - the others are wading through tons of mail I expect and haven't logged my last LOR yet.


Awesome! Congrats!

Great news ShyRem! :)

I got my first interview invite to DMUCOM today... :) :)

Have yet to hear anything from MD schools, except for Vermont which says I'm finally complete - the others are wading through tons of mail I expect and haven't logged my last LOR yet.


Congratulations!! :hardy:

I just got my first official interview invite, from UWisc. :) September 9th seems very, very, very, very soon. :eek:

Congratulations!! :hardy:

I just got my first official interview invite, from UWisc. :) September 9th seems very, very, very, very soon. :eek:

Excellent! I've heard that UWisc is a great medical school. Let us know how it goes!

Congrats DarkSide! :)

I have some news to share myself -- I just got (via email) an invite to interview at Georgetown. Too late to call today, but it looks like my interview slot won't be until the end of September, which gives me more time to prepare. I'm starting to think that I just might have a good shot this year, after all.

Congrats DarkSide! UWisc is indeed an awesome school - I know someone on the faculty there. good luck!

Blee, AWESOME!!!! Good luck!

My DMU interview is 9/22, which seems at once far away and right around the corner :). And now Vermont and VCU both say i'm complete (finally!), awaiting review. Four other DO schools have me "under review" as well. This year is definitely going better than last year.

Here's hoping for the best to everyone. Remember, it's still super-early in this whole process; my wife's cousin was a nontrad in '96, when the nationwide acceptance rate was much lower than it is today. He applied relatively late, even for an August MCATer, and got more than one acceptance to some great schools.

Congrats to you both, blee and DarkSide! :clap: :clap: And DarkSide, don't forget about that Mayo phone interview....it counts! So you have two interviews, not one. ;)

I just got an interview invite for UVA today (one of my first secondaries complete). Interviewing on Oct. 4. :D

I just got an interview invite for UVA today (one of my first secondaries complete). Interviewing on Oct. 4. :D

All right, jmugele! :clap: I knew you'd start hearing soon; you're an awesome applicant.

I just got my first official interview invite, from UWisc. Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great. :)


I'm still waiting to see if I get a secondary! :o

Sweet, UVA! That's probably my top choice. Hopefully I'll get one of those invites, too. :) Did it come via email or snail mail?

Sweet, UVA! That's probably my top choice. Hopefully I'll get one of those invites, too. :) Did it come via email or snail mail?

Mine came snail-mail, and like I said, it was the first one I got completed (official date complete was 8/9).

Good luck to everyone. If anyone's there the same time, let me know.

I would like to say that the Duke secondary is a BEAR. Sheesh.

I just got my first official interview invite, from UWisc. I just got my first official rejection, from UWisc. :p

I just got my first official rejection, from UWisc. :p

Sorry to hear that, Sail. I hope the next news you get is better. :love: Weren't you one of the people having trouble getting your LORs in? Did you get that all taken care of?

Sorry to hear that, Sail. I hope the next news you get is better. :love: Weren't you one of the people having trouble getting your LORs in? Did you get that all taken care of?The only trouble I've had with LORs is that some schools (UWisc) never requested them! :laugh: :laugh:

I wasn't surprised at the Madison rejection, and I just received an invite today for the very first interviews granted at Wayne State, which is great! :thumbup:

I knew I'd have a good number of rejections and hopefully a few offers, so everything is going about as I'd hoped. I'm not sure what I should do for interview prep. I guess I'll have to dig up some old threads...

I just received an invite today for the very first interviews granted at Wayne State, which is great! :thumbup:
I'm not sure what I should do for interview prep. I guess I'll have to dig up some old threads...

Great news! :clap: What you should do is go look at the interview feedback posted for Wayne State. You can find the interview feedback on the login page when you first go to SDN. Good luck on your interview and with the rest of your apps. :luck:

The only trouble I've had with LORs is that some schools (UWisc) never requested them! :laugh: :laugh:

I wasn't surprised at the Madison rejection, and I just received an invite today for the very first interviews granted at Wayne State, which is great! :thumbup:

I knew I'd have a good number of rejections and hopefully a few offers, so everything is going about as I'd hoped. I'm not sure what I should do for interview prep. I guess I'll have to dig up some old threads...

Hey congratulations about Wayne. I'm waiting to hear from them (I'm an in-state applicant). I have a buddy who just finished a surgical residency in Cincinnati. He said interns he got from Wayne State were always very high quality -- they had lots of practice apparently. For what it's worth.

First progress in awhile. My pre-med committee LOR got to interfolio today (mailed Friday, how's that for quick?), so I sent all my letters to my schools. Hopefully that will cause some positive movement.

Hey congratulations about Wayne. I'm waiting to hear from them (I'm an in-state applicant). Definitely don't sweat waiting on Wayne at this point. It sounds like they are doing very few interviews in this group. They only have 2 days, and few spots each day. It sounds like they're just inching their way into the interview process.

I think I was fortunate to have my LORs sent out immediately upon receiving the secondary, and sent my secondary back right away. I must have been one of the first people with a complete file.
I have a buddy who just finished a surgical residency in Cincinnati. He said interns he got from Wayne State were always very high quality -- they had lots of practice apparently. For what it's worth.I have also heard that, and think it's a big plus. I was speaking with a family friend of mine this weekend who had been in private practice, but has spent the last 15+ years as a "higher up" in corporate medicine. He strongly recommended against the "elite" school like UofM, etc. because there is such a hierarchy of people that it is pretty tough for those at the bottom of the totem pole (the lowly med students) to get much hands-on time.

Great news! :clap: What you should do is go look at the interview feedback posted for Wayne State. You can find the interview feedback on the login page when you first go to SDN. Good luck on your interview and with the rest of your apps. :luck:Thanks Q. I've also scheduled a mock interview with my pre-med advisor for next week. Hopefully that will allow me to be well prepared.

First progress in awhile. My pre-med committee LOR got to interfolio today (mailed Friday, how's that for quick?), so I sent all my letters to my schools. Hopefully that will cause some positive movement.

Great news, Moose. :thumbup: I think you're going to start getting all kinds of invites now. :)

First progress in awhile. My pre-med committee LOR got to interfolio today (mailed Friday, how's that for quick?), so I sent all my letters to my schools. Hopefully that will cause some positive movement.It has to feel good. I'm definitely seeing some positive movement in your future! Good Luck! :luck:

Great news, Moose. :thumbup: I think you're going to start getting all kinds of invites now. :)

Thanks, Q! From your mouth to the big guy! :D

It has to feel good. I'm definitely seeing some positive movement in your future! Good Luck! :luck:

Thanks! I sure hope so. It's going good, though. I wouldn't mind getting a lot of progress at a couple of schools rather than a little at a whole lot of schools. The tardy schools might end up getting rejection letters, though :p

FYI -- I finally got invited to do the Mayo secondary interview and just now the UCSF secondary (I'm out of state).

Another DO interview invite today - UNECOM. Seems the DO schools are moving faster than the MD schools for me.

Another DO interview invite today - UNECOM. Seems the DO schools are moving faster than the MD schools for me.
Good stuff. I got a VCU invite a couple of days ago, scheduled for just over two weeks from now. I don't know which is worse, worrying about an interview or worrying about getting one in the first place.... Thankfully (sorta), my wife just started to have some reflux issues due to her pregnancy, so a bottle of Tums is close at hand.

Congrats to all of you. :clap:

Congrats! JMugele let me know if you end up coming to Mayo for on site interview..

MSUCOM just came in, too. Interestingly, MSUCHM rejected me twice last year. Once before August MCAT scores came in, and again after August MCAT scores came in (the letter was postmarked the day scores were posted - could'a guessed that was going to happen! :) )

MSUCOM just came in, too. Interestingly, MSUCHM rejected me twice last year. Once before August MCAT scores came in, and again after August MCAT scores came in (the letter was postmarked the day scores were posted - could'a guessed that was going to happen! :) )

Georgetown pulled through with an interview this afternoon- my first. Sitting around waiting for that first one was starting to get unfun. Whew.

Georgetown pulled through with an interview this afternoon- my first. Sitting around waiting for that first one was starting to get unfun. Whew.

All right! :clap:

:clappy:

VCU interview invite came today! Wee-hoo!

Congrats, ShyRem! Glad to see the interviews coming in. :thumbup:

I'll play along, if I may. I'm 25, married, and did pre-reqs post-bacc. I've had two interviews so far at UT-Houston and UTMB. :) I'm anxiously awaiting August MCAT scores and more interview dates...

Welcome to the party. :)

So I know that everyone is now at the point of celebrating interviews but I am really excited about finally passing the "20 secondaries submitted" mark! I only have 7 left and for at least 5 of them I know it's going to be mostly cutting and pasting and changeing a few words. My LOR's should be sent out next week and I was hoping to be done with the secondaries at the same time so that I can be complete soon. I might actually make it.

OK, back to the truly exciting interview invite postings! I just needed to share with someone since I'm home alone. :laugh:

So I know that everyone is now at the point of celebrating interviews but I am really excited about finally passing the "20 secondaries submitted" mark! I only have 7 left and for at least 5 of them I know it's going to be mostly cutting and pasting and changeing a few words. My LOR's should be sent out next week and I was hoping to be done with the secondaries at the same time so that I can be complete soon. I might actually make it.

OK, back to the truly exciting interview invite postings! I just needed to share with someone since I'm home alone. :laugh:

Getting secondaries submitted was one of the hardest parts of this whole process for me, so I understand your celebration. Congratulations!

I'm *still* sitting on Duke's secondary. I've gotta get off my butt this week.

We're getting there, everyone. I hope that we all start hearing some good news soon. :luck:

Have most schools veered away from screened secondaries and just go for the $$? Glancing at the MSAR, it seems that more schools send secondaries to all applicants than not.

Good luck to everyone this year!!!

Have most schools veered away from screened secondaries and just go for the $$? Glancing at the MSAR, it seems that more schools send secondaries to all applicants than not.

Good luck to everyone this year!!!

From my own experience, only a minority of schools screen before sending out secondaries; only three ouf of my 15 schools screened. I don't think this is a recent development, though.

I think that most of the state schools screen, at least for residency. My state schools also screen for minimum GPA and MCAT. Some private schools screen for all of these things, too; the University of Miami does.

We're getting there, everyone. I hope that we all start hearing some good news soon. :luck:


Good news, good news!! My final LOR writer has gotten off his butt after three months and submitted my letter!!!

I could do a little dance of joy mingled with abject frustration and severe trepidation, but nobody would want to see it. :laugh:

My first interview is tomorrow at EVMS. Will report back this weekend or tomorrow evening with my impressions.

Meanwhile, I'm going nuts (in typical inconsequential pre-med fashion) over UVA and their non-response to my secondary, which was complete on 8/8. I know I have no reason to worry about it, barely a month after submitting everything, but still. I also don't know why I'm fretting over UVA and not any of the other schools. Valium, anyone?

My first interview is tomorrow at EVMS. Will report back this weekend or tomorrow evening with my impressions.

Meanwhile, I'm going nuts (in typical inconsequential pre-med fashion) over UVA and their non-response to my secondary, which was complete on 8/8. I know I have no reason to worry about it, barely a month after submitting everything, but still. I also don't know why I'm fretting over UVA and not any of the other schools. Valium, anyone?

Good luck blee!!! :luck: :luck: :luck:

I just got word that my Recommendation packet/committee letters were sent out about 10-12 days ago. Finally! I can't wait to start getting some complete notices. :D

My first interview is tomorrow at EVMS. Will report back this weekend or tomorrow evening with my impressions.

Meanwhile, I'm going nuts (in typical inconsequential pre-med fashion) over UVA and their non-response to my secondary, which was complete on 8/8. I know I have no reason to worry about it, barely a month after submitting everything, but still. I also don't know why I'm fretting over UVA and not any of the other schools. Valium, anyone?

Best of luck to you! :luck: :luck:

Well, I'm back from Norfolk. Only about a three hour drive away from home. I'll post more later (it's late), but in a nutshell...I loved it! I came in with the expectation that it would just be a decent school, but left with a much higher impression. I definitely think I'd be happy there, and it'll be interesting to compare it to the rest of my interviews.

Well, I'm back from Norfolk. Only about a three hour drive away from home. I'll post more later (it's late), but in a nutshell...I loved it! I came in with the expectation that it would just be a decent school, but left with a much higher impression. I definitely think I'd be happy there, and it'll be interesting to compare it to the rest of my interviews.

That's great to hear. :) Hope the rest of your interviews go as well. :luck:

Any non-trads applying to UCSF? I did, haven't heard anything though...I'm hoping they just save all those non-trad secondaries for last!

Any non-trads applying to UCSF? I did, haven't heard anything though...I'm hoping they just save all those non-trad secondaries for last!

I'm applying to UCSF from out of state. I received my secondary maybe 2 weeks ago. But I saw someone on the pre-allo thread just get their secondary interview just today or yesterday, so maybe it's a rolling thing.

Any non-trads applying to UCSF? I did, haven't heard anything though...I'm hoping they just save all those non-trad secondaries for last!

I got one a couple of weeks ago. But I'm in-state so that might help.

Any non-trads applying to UCSF? I did, haven't heard anything though...I'm hoping they just save all those non-trad secondaries for last!

I got the UCSF secondary 8/18... haven't heard a peep out of them since, though...

13/14 secondaries have been received.

5 have been sent out
1 will be sent out this week

13/14 secondaries have been received.

5 have been sent out
1 will be sent out this week

Please, please tell me where that avatar is from?

I gotta see more!

I don't want to tell TheDarkSide's good news in this thread before she does, but major congrats are in order! :clap:

I don't want to tell TheDarkSide's good news in this thread before she does, but major congrats are in order! :clap:

LOL. Ever since this forum got moved, I forget to check it. You'd think that wouldn't be a problem with it being up top and all, but... I should just subscribe to the thread (doh).

At any rate, I've been invited for an onsite interview at Mayo! :)

Nice. :)

LOL. Ever since this forum got moved, I forget to check it. You'd think that wouldn't be a problem with it being up top and all, but... I should just subscribe to the thread (doh).

At any rate, I've been invited for an onsite interview at Mayo! :)


Wow, Congrats! That is certainly an accomplishment.

Things are going well for me, I suppose. I don't think I've posted to this thread yet, but I sent my AMCAS to about 35 schools. Received about 30 secondaries, and have filled out 17 of them.

Won't be sending in the BU secondary because I didn't realize that they do NOT accept AP credit. So I don't have a year of general chemistry and I don't have a lab either (because I placed out of that sequence.) I'm a little upset about that because I was actually looking forward to writing an essay on the Professionalism of Medicine. I've done some research on that topic and there has been a lot of discussion lately about what it means in the context of today's health care industry.

Anyway...these secondaries are tough. Thankfully I'm good at cutting and pasting. I have about six, 2000 character responses to the general questions (what have you done since College, anything else you want to tell us about, what are your special qualities, explain your research, explain a tough circumstance you've been through, and one or two others.) But there are still difficult secondaries that I haven't tackled yet, like Yale, USC, and Rush.

I don't have an overall opinion on what it's like being a non-trad student applying. I'm fairly competitive with a BSE in Engineering, MS in Biomedical Engineering, good volunteer experience in and out of the medical field, interesting professional experience, URM (Hispanic), an excellent (IMO) personal statement, 31 yrs of age, married w/ 8 month old son, 3.6 science GPA, 3.4 overall, 31S on the MCAT (10,10,11). It really is a struggle just to get out all of the secondaries. I'm confirmed at about 10 schools and waiting to hear on another 6.

The good news is I have an interview at Univ of Michigan. I'm very excited about that. It's on 10/7. And I'm out of state (in CA). I'm still waiting to hear from UC San Francisco, UC Los Angeles, and UC Davis. Haven't heard anything from Pitt either. I've applied to a ton of good schools, almost all of them actually with exception of John Hopkins, Washington, Mayo, Duke (these are places my wife and I don't want to move to). But I'm aiming high at places like Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Michigan, UCSF, UCSD, NYU, other NY's, and a host of other schools. I was told that I will have a better chance of getting in there than some state schools because the private good schools really want a diverse class and have better means of accomplishing that then the state schools.

So far, I've had no rejections but have really not heard back from any of the schools. I'm not saying that I'm nervous, in reality I am not feeling any nervousness at all. In fact I'm surprisingly calm about all of this yet. Maybe I'll change my tune once I start getting rejections, or better yet interviews.

How are others doing? I've read this thread a few times. How have the interviews gone thus far? Are the schools really grilling you on why you want to change careers, about your academic prepardness, your challenges, etc? I hear about some candidates getting 25 interviews, and others who receive no interviews. So I'm really not sure what to expect.

I'm most interested in how the interviews have gone, and how we non-trads have prepared for them. Not like we should prepare any differently than normal kids who are applying directly out of college.

I'm most interested in how the interviews have gone, and how we non-trads have prepared for them. Not like we should prepare any differently than normal kids who are applying directly out of college.

Hello and welcome!

I've only had one interview so far, and I don't think it was terribly representative (UWisc has a rep for low-stress interviews as they don't place much weight on them), but my interviewer was nothing but positive about my non-trad-hood. She actually said she didn't even need to ask me about my career change motivations because I had laid them out so well in my PS. Many of my fellow interviewees had taken some time off between college and med school apps (one was a biomedical engineer, too). Overall, none of the worries I had had materialized.

As for prep, I read the interview feedback and practiced some mock interview stuff with my boyfriend.

Good luck to you and keep us posted on how things go! :luck:

Hello and welcome!

I've only had one interview so far, and I don't think it was terribly representative (UWisc has a rep for low-stress interviews as they don't place much weight on them), but my interviewer was nothing but positive about my non-trad-hood. She actually said she didn't even need to ask me about my career change motivations because I had laid them out so well in my PS. Many of my fellow interviewees had taken some time off between college and med school apps (one was a biomedical engineer, too). Overall, none of the worries I had had materialized.

As for prep, I read the interview feedback and practiced some mock interview stuff with my boyfriend.

Good luck to you and keep us posted on how things go! :luck:

Thank you! TheDarkSide, you sure do have impressive statistics. I would think that you should receive several interview requests. We all know that stats are not the only determining factor, but your EC's appear to be fairly solid as well.

Glad to hear that the interview process, thus far, has been painless. I'm going to have my wife and friend also grill me as hard as they can. I plan on videotaping myself and learning from my mistakes too.

Thanks for the reply!

I second DarkSide's suggestion to read the interview feedback. People have already been interviewing at Michigan, so there might even be some sample questions that have been asked this year during earlier interviews. Good luck to you, Genius! :)

I second DarkSide's suggestion to read the interview feedback. People have already been interviewing at Michigan, so there might even be some sample questions that have been asked this year during earlier interviews. Good luck to you, Genius! :)

Yes, I have already perused the interview feedback section. In a week or two I'm going to scour the Univ of Mich. one to get a much better idea of what they are going to ask.

Have any of us non-trads received an acceptance offer yet? Or are we still too early in the process for that. Actually I think we are. Acceptances are usually not offered for another month or two, at the earliest.