07-08 Applicants: You can Break the Rules

[notdeadyet]

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Here are some SDN no-no's/black flags that I had on my application:

1. Went to Community College
2. Didn't transfer to a name university
3. Didn't major in science
4. Zero research experience
5. A few F's and a whole mess of withdrawls
6. Post-BA career completely unrelated to healthcare
7. Didn't get 10 on each section of the MCAT (8 in Bio)
8. ... which I took in August, so my app was late
9. Didn't interview in the dark suit/white shirt/conservative tie
10. Got old (35 years worth)

In spite of this, even I managed to get accepted to medical schools this cycle.

Reaon for posting? There's a lot of pressure on SDN and elsewhere to be just like everybody else. The standard seems to be a 22 year old science major with a strong MCAT, sturdy GPA and ER volunteer/charity involvement/campus club leadership/1 semester research/1 semester TA.

And there's nothing wrong with that.

But you also can be different, a little nonconformist, a little long in the tooth. Standard med school applicants are legion; standing out a little bit is not a bad thing. Standing out in positive ways can compensate for other areas in which you may be lacking.

So don't sweat it if your app isn't picture perfect or doesn't look like everyone elses. Be smart, be sincere and be honest, and you might be suprised how many med schools will like the look of you.

Best of luck to all of you in your application process...

 

[spicedmanna]

So don't sweat it if your app isn't picture perfect or doesn't look like everyone elses. Be smart, be sincere and be honest, and you might be suprised how many med schools will like the look of you.

Right on, right on... 👍

 

[Bartelby]

Congratulations! I don't think rule #3-- major in a science-- is really a rule, though. I've heard bio majors have it harder than humanities and social science majors.

 

[chable]

11. Didn't have to eat a poop hotdog. (Yea, I know! Crazy right!)

 

[Critical Mass]

Congrats.

I looked at the mdapps, and a couple of things stand out that are worth mentioning that are somewhat standard "SDN rules."

First, a 30 MCAT with a 3.7/3.8 GPA is usually solid enough to get in someplace.

Second, look at how broadly he applied. Follow this example if you have similar credentials, and it will pay off if you really want to do medicine.

I have to say, however, that rule number 0.5 (i.e. should be #1) is that he is from California. 😀

Best of luck.

 

[DoctorPardi]

Good story, it is nice to let everyone know that you can get in without being the standard cookie cutter premed. Congratulations!

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Anecdotes are no proof of anything.

 

[notgettingin]

I too am in line with 1,2,5,6,8, &10. Plus I applied SUPER late- complete mid November at most schools. I too have an MD acceptance.

Congrats on your accomplishment, and on deciding like me that you wanted to pursue medicine late in the game! Although you have a few years on me- I am a relatively young 28 😀

 

[Kriyaban]

You have a 3.7/3.8 with a few F's? And high priority waitlist at UCSF? What do your EC's look like?

 

[notgettingin]

ANd my cum GPA was a 3.35 😀

 

[DrDrummer]

Anecdotes are no proof of anything.

Sure it is. It's proof positive that there are indeed exceptions to what might be perceived as "rules" by others, even though everyone knows that most rules have exceptions.

 

[spicedmanna]

Hey, notdeadyet, congratulations on your acceptances!

 

[notdeadyet]

I don't think rule #3-- major in a science-- is really a rule, though. I've heard bio majors have it harder than humanities and social science majors.

True. That illustrates what I was getting at: none of these "rules" are really rules.

Second, look at how broadly he applied. Follow this example if you have similar credentials, and it will pay off if you really want to do medicine.

Very true. I know the conventional wisdom is to keep the school list to 10-15, but if I did that, I'm not sure that my two acceptances would have made the cut.

You have a 3.7/3.8 with a few F's? And high priority waitlist at UCSF? What do your EC's look like?

I have the standard EC's, but nothing special. 2-1/2 years of volunteering in an ER, 1 summer at a free clinic, etc.

But I didn't resemble a typical applicant. Spent a lot of time working and volunteering abroad (2-1/2 years in total). Worked as a teacher for five years.

 

[notdeadyet]

Thanks to the folks for the congratulations. But do know that this thread wasn't meant to be a "LOOK AT ME" and patting myself on the back.

I just wanted to reassure applicants whose background doesn't look like the rest of the premeds in their class that all hope is not lost.

I went in to this process feeling a bit like the gangly kid at the sophomore dance with bad acne and worse clothes. But I took mom's advice, acted myself and a gentleman and a few girls asked me to dance.

 

[bigman43]

yo not dead yet, 100% you are black, hispanic, or another URM.

 

[bigman43]

oh wait just saw your md apps. truly congrats!

on another note, ATTN: AL SHARPTON AND RUTGERS, THE STATEMENT ABOVE, was not, i repeat, NOT, a politically charged/bigoted statement. thank you.

 

[MyStiKxFury]

yo not dead yet, 100% you are black, hispanic, or another URM.

Age: 35
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Home State: CA

-from his mdapp

 

[cnoevil]

oh wait just saw your md apps. truly congrats!

on another note, ATTN: AL SHARPTON AND RUTGERS, THE STATEMENT ABOVE, was not, i repeat, NOT, a politically charged/bigoted statement. thank you.

u racist, you need to apologize some more 😀

 

[LizzyM]

Your comment about breaking the rules applies, I think, to anyone over 25 who has already completed at least a few years of college. It does not apply to the recent high school graduate who wants to be a doctor (unless they want to wait 17 years to apply).

The best odds for those who are very young is to follow the script as near as possible because different drummers who are 21 are looked upon in a different light than those who are 35.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

But I didn't resemble a typical applicant. Spent a lot of time working and volunteering abroad (2-1/2 years in total). Worked as a teacher for five years.

that is pretty spectacular stuff if you ask me. thats interview fodder. that makes you stick out. you gave a barebones description of yourself at first. realize that you are giving people false hope and possibly costing them 1000s of dollars by doing so.
(in my mind, this is akin to the 12 yrold kid who got into mstp at uchicago telling middleschoolers "look at me, you can do it, now!").

You are a nontrad with atypical ECs that make you stick out from the crowd. i would be hesitant in implying to others to apply to med school straight out of community college with a low mcat and some academic weakspots.

 

[notdeadyet]

The best odds for those who are very young is to follow the script as near as possible because different drummers who are 21 are looked upon in a different light than those who are 35.

I'm not recommending that folks get a low MCAT, low GPA or abstain from clinical experience. To that extent, I agree with your "following the script". Where I disagree is the notion that applicants (of any age) need to work hard to structure their application so that it looks just like everyone elses. This gets lots of emphasis on SDN.

You don't need to major in a biological science (major in history, it's okay). You don't need to have ER volunteer experience (try a hospice). You don't need to do a two week medical mission in a developing nation (try a local soup kitchen). You don't need to get leadership experience by asst VP of the campus chemistry club (start a program assisting elementary school swith science projects).

Maybe my experience was unusual, but on the interview trail I saw atypical applicants represented at a far higher rate than SDN would have one believe.

The point of the thread is to reassure applicants who are worried that they don't fit the mold around here. It's a reaction to all of the threads about the "right" answers to why medicine, can I go to med school from a 2nd rate university, etc.

 

[notdeadyet]

(in my mind, this is akin to the 12 yrold kid who got into mstp at uchicago telling middleschoolers "look at me, you can do it, now!").

I have a hunch that 12 year old kid could out-think me nine ways to Sunday.

You are a nontrad with atypical ECs that make you stick out from the crowd.

Thank you. It's okay and even encouraged to have ECs that make you stick out from the crowd. That's exactly my point. You do not have to look just like everybody else.

i would be hesitant in implying to others to apply to med school straight out of community college with a low mcat and some academic weakspots.

Is it recommended to attend a community college? To get a low MCAT? To have some academic weakspots? No. But none of these three things will necessarily exclude you from medical school. That is my point.

I wouldn't recommend breaking all ten recommendations like I did, but it won't necessarily keep you out of medical school if you have a good app in other ways.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm not recommending that folks get a low MCAT, low GPA or abstain from clinical experience. To that extent, I agree with your "following the script". Where I disagree is the notion that applicants (of any age) need to work hard to structure their application so that it looks just like everyone elses. This gets lots of emphasis on SDN.

You don't need to major in a biological science (major in history, it's okay). You don't need to have ER volunteer experience (try a hospice). You don't need to do a two week medical mission in a developing nation (try a local soup kitchen). You don't need to get leadership experience by asst VP of the campus chemistry club (start a program assisting elementary school swith science projects).

Maybe my experience was unusual, but on the interview trail I saw atypical applicants represented at a far higher rate than SDN would have one believe.

The point of the thread is to reassure applicants who are worried that they don't fit the mold around here. It's a reaction to all of the threads about the "right" answers to why medicine, can I go to med school from a 2nd rate university, etc.

I agree completely and I've been a big proponent for volunteering in places other than ERs and child life, doing service domestically rather than abroad, and majoring in anything that is of interest. I certainly don't want cookie cutter applicants: to me following the script means good gpa & MCAT in a challenging course of study, excellent LORs from people who know you well in a professional/academic setting, well written, engaging PS, scholarly activity,(research or otherwise) and interesting extra-curriculars.