2006 Non-Trad Applicants' Progress Thread

[thegenius]

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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.

Oh yea, I also wanted to ask what kinds of questions we ought to be asking to the medical schools. Now, I don't want to give the impression that I will be a mute unless I'm asked a specific question (not that my impression on this board in the grand scheme of things really matters) but by enlarge I only have a small set of questions to ask, and I'm not really sure what else to ask. It's like I don't know what I don't know. If I were interviewing for another job (as I am today, actually), I know exactly what to ask.

Are there resources that I can read to help me with this?

 

[QofQuimica]

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.

Not this year's crew. If you have applied ED (which I assume you haven't, since you applied to a bunch of schools 😉 ) then you would find out by Oct. 1. For RD, no schools can tell you before Oct. 15. Since Oct. 15 is on a Sat. this year, I'm guessing there won't be any news until Mon. the 17th. Many of the schools you applied to are non-rolling, so they won't tell you until the spring (Feb. or Mar., depending on the school.) MI is a rolling school though, so they could tell you any time after Oct. 15.

*EDIT* I forgot to say, if you don't have a copy of the MSAR, it's worth your while to splurge on the $25 and buy it from the AAMC. It will give you all of this kind of info about the schools.

 

[thegenius]

*EDIT* I forgot to say, if you don't have a copy of the MSAR, it's worth your while to splurge on the $25 and buy it from the AAMC. It will give you all of this kind of info about the schools.

Yea, I do have the MSAR 2006. I actually find it less informative than I was expecting. First, schools round their MCAT scores in a funny way. I don't believe that the average matriculant has a 31 (it I think is about 1.2 points less, but I may have a bad memory) and schools that have an MCAT average of, say 34.2 will list their MCAT scores as 11,12,12. There are in fact some more egregious errors about that.

But whatever. I'm not all that concerned with the MCAT scores. They are what they are, and I can't change mine now unless I take the test again, and I'm not going to.

Overall I find that the description of the schools themselves are not that helpful. First they are biased, second they do not have enough room to about a lot of their specifics of their school. It's like they are writing a "personal statement" about their school and as a result it will probably be a little too general.

I do think it's a useful book overall but I wouldn't elevate it to the "bible" status that some on this website do. My humble opinion. 😉

 

[QofQuimica]

I agree with you about the MCAT scores, but I was talking about all of the deadlines. If you look on the right-hand page for each school, it will give you a list of deadlines along with the dates when the schools start sending out secondaries and acceptances. (It also gives the deadlines for submitting each part of your app. 😛 ) U. Mich. starts offering acceptances on Oct. 15; they're a rolling school. Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, and several other places you mentioned don't accept anyone until later b/c they're all nonrolling. You can check the deadlines for every school where you applied, and it will tell you when the earliest you can expect to hear from them is.

 

[Faust]

Yea, I do have the MSAR 2006. I actually find it less informative than I was expecting. First, schools round their MCAT scores in a funny way. I don't believe that the average matriculant has a 31 (it I think is about 1.2 points less, but I may have a bad memory) and schools that have an MCAT average of, say 34.2 will list their MCAT scores as 11,12,12. There are in fact some more egregious errors about that.

But whatever. I'm not all that concerned with the MCAT scores. They are what they are, and I can't change mine now unless I take the test again, and I'm not going to.

Overall I find that the description of the schools themselves are not that helpful. First they are biased, second they do not have enough room to about a lot of their specifics of their school. It's like they are writing a "personal statement" about their school and as a result it will probably be a little too general.

I do think it's a useful book overall but I wouldn't elevate it to the "bible" status that some on this website do. My humble opinion. 😉

Yeah the numbers are preety weird. They have high averages and then some schools have low minimums. Like P:7 V:6 B:8 . Does that mean that they probably accepted one person that had that combined score i.e. 21 or is possible that they accepted one person with a P:12 V:14 B:8 and that 8 stands for that specific minimum?

Strange stuff.

 

[QofQuimica]

Yeah the numbers are preety weird. They have high averages and then some schools have low minimums. Like P:7 V:6 B:8 . Does that mean that they probably accepted one person that had that combined score i.e. 21 or is possible that they accepted one person with a P:12 V:14 B:8 and that 8 stands for that specific minimum?

Strange stuff.

I think probably most matriculants have one low section and the other two are higher like your second scenario.

 

[titoincali]

First interview invite: U of Iowa (Carver)! I'm completely surprised because I haven't turned in my secondary yet. Also, I added this school almost 2 months after I submitted my AMCAS because I found out how excellent they were in primary care education. I guess I should make sure to quickly finish the secondary this weekend!

 

[SailCrazy]

First interview invite: U of Iowa (Carver)! I'm completely surprised because I haven't turned in my secondary yet. Also, I added this school almost 2 months after I submitted my AMCAS because I found out how excellent they were in primary care education. I guess I should make sure to quickly finish the secondary this weekend!

Congrats!! 👍 I too think it is a very good school, and their admissions staff seems very friendly.

I'm jealous. I was complete just over a month ago and still have yet to hear anything...

Good luck!

 

[MollyMalone]

First interview invite: U of Iowa (Carver)! I'm completely surprised because I haven't turned in my secondary yet. Also, I added this school almost 2 months after I submitted my AMCAS because I found out how excellent they were in primary care education. I guess I should make sure to quickly finish the secondary this weekend!

Congratulations!!

I have only heard good things about that school. Have fun with the secondary!

 

[blee]

Had my VCU interview today. Quick summary: I had higher expectations of VCU than EVMS, and my expectations were met. Seems like a good school. The tour guides did not seem to know much about the nontrad population in their class, though. While everyone I met at EVMS was super enthusiastic, the people at VCU were happy but more reserved. I do think I'd be happy there. More complete impressions, along with info on their admissions process (which you'll get if you go to the interview) later.

 

[QofQuimica]

Congrats, tito! And you, too, blee. 😀

 

[titoincali]

OK. I know this is my fault because I applied to so many schools but I'm down to the last 6 schools (Boston, GT, GWU,Tulane, Stanford, UCIrvine) and I'm vascillating between wanting to turn them all in for fear of not getting in somewhere if I don't maximize my chances and honestly NOT wanting to do any more secondaries.

The UCIrvine secondary I'm definitely finishing this week. And I figure I can hold off on sending Tulane for a couple of weeks because of everything going on there (I'm almost done with it anyway). But that leaves the last 4.

Would you guys suggest just shutting up and finishing them, holding off a bit for a couple of weeks and then finishing, or just withdrawing? I've already withdrawn from 2 schools that I realized I don't really want to go to.

Advice?? Or maybe I just a shot of motivation, please?!

 

[thegenius]

OK. I know this is my fault because I applied to so many schools but I'm down to the last 6 schools (Boston, GT, GWU,Tulane, Stanford, UCIrvine) and I'm vascillating between wanting to turn them all in for fear of not getting in somewhere if I don't maximize my chances and honestly NOT wanting to do any more secondaries.

The UCIrvine secondary I'm definitely finishing this week. And I figure I can hold off on sending Tulane for a couple of weeks because of everything going on there (I'm almost done with it anyway). But that leaves the last 4.

Would you guys suggest just shutting up and finishing them, holding off a bit for a couple of weeks and then finishing, or just withdrawing? I've already withdrawn from 2 schools that I realized I don't really want to go to.

Advice?? Or maybe I just a shot of motivation, please?!

You know, I would apply. The more I think about the entire med school application process, the more I realize that it's almost completely random. I've looked briefly at your stats and EC's, and there is nothing to think that you are not a competitive candidate at those last remaining schools (except perhaps Stanford).

I happened to apply to those schools as well, except Tulane. I'm just finishing up Georgetown's right now, and will do George Washington tonight. I actually don't have the pre-reqs for Boston U unfortunately (no 1 year in G Chem because they don't accept advanced placement.)

I say it's random because when you have 4000+ students applying, the differences between applications become so minor. So I think it's worth it. Like you, I don't want to apply again.

 

[titoincali]

You know, I would apply. The more I think about the entire med school application process, the more I realize that it's almost completely random. I've looked briefly at your stats and EC's, and there is nothing to think that you are not a competitive candidate at those last remaining schools (except perhaps Stanford).

I happened to apply to those schools as well, except Tulane. I'm just finishing up Georgetown's right now, and will do George Washington tonight. I actually don't have the pre-reqs for Boston U unfortunately (no 1 year in G Chem because they don't accept advanced placement.)

I say it's random because when you have 4000+ students applying, the differences between applications become so minor. So I think it's worth it. Like you, I don't want to apply again.

I actually don't necessarily want to apply to Stanford but I work at the Stanford School of Medicine and two of my recommendations are from professors there. They are urging me to apply and considering all that they have done for me I don't have the heart to tell them I don't necessarily want to apply there. Pathetic, isn't it? Also, I've been involved with numerous medical events and a free clinic there for several years that I feel I know everyone there anyway and it would be an easier transition if I did get in (not likely though).

 

[thegenius]

I actually don't necessarily want to apply to Stanford but I work at the Stanford School of Medicine and two of my recommendations are from professors there. They are urging me to apply and considering all that they have done for me I don't have the heart to tell them I don't necessarily want to apply there. Pathetic, isn't it? Also, I've been involved with numerous medical events and a free clinic there for several years that I feel I know everyone there anyway and it would be an easier transition if I did get in (not likely though).

Well, I can see why you may not want to attend Stanford. But if they are encouraging to apply....you might get in.

Would you rather go to Stanford or no medical school?

 

[QofQuimica]

OK. I know this is my fault because I applied to so many schools but I'm down to the last 6 schools (Boston, GT, GWU,Tulane, Stanford, UCIrvine) and I'm vascillating between wanting to turn them all in for fear of not getting in somewhere if I don't maximize my chances and honestly NOT wanting to do any more secondaries.

The UCIrvine secondary I'm definitely finishing this week. And I figure I can hold off on sending Tulane for a couple of weeks because of everything going on there (I'm almost done with it anyway). But that leaves the last 4.

Would you guys suggest just shutting up and finishing them, holding off a bit for a couple of weeks and then finishing, or just withdrawing? I've already withdrawn from 2 schools that I realized I don't really want to go to.

Advice?? Or maybe I just a shot of motivation, please?!

tito,

Why don't you prioritize those last six schools (by ease of completion, order you received them, your perceived likelihood of getting an interview/acceptance there, whatever) and just do them one at a time? Since you're feeling unmotivated, I'd say start with whichever secondary is shortest. You already plan to do UC-Irvine this week and hold off on Tulane, so after you're done with UC-Irvine, pick the shortest one of the remaining four and work on it next week. If you still are up to it, you can pick another one of the remaining three do do afterward, and so on. But don't commit either way on all of them right now. You may have some more interviews in two or three weeks, or feel differently about some of the other schools, which can change your future plans. Regardless, I think you will feel a lot better if you take your applications one at a time instead of telling yourself, "oh my god, I have SIX more applications to do," because of course that kind of pressure is going to make anyone feel overwhelmed.

P.S. I'd save Stanford for last, since it isn't a school that you are applying to for yourself. Do all of the others first, and then if you don't get around to Stanford, hey, s*** happens, right? 😳

 

[titoincali]

Ok. Thanks for helping me with my lack of motivation lately. I think I'm just tired from trying to keep up at work and school while getting these secondaries done. I'm done complaining and I am going to get them done quickly. 😳

I got my second interview today: Case Western! Having some response from schools helps because it feels like there is a "reward" to all the hard work.

Thanks for to all the non-trads that were trying to help. Hope everyone out there is doing well.

 

[QofQuimica]

Ok. Thanks for helping me with my lack of motivation lately. I think I'm just tired from trying to keep up at work and school while getting these secondaries done. I'm done complaining and I am going to get them done quickly. 😳

I got my second interview today: Case Western! Having some response from schools helps because it feels like there is a "reward" to all the hard work.

Thanks for to all the non-trads that were trying to help. Hope everyone out there is doing well.

wow, congrats! You're doing great!

 

[gdbaby]

First interview invite: U of Iowa (Carver)! I'm completely surprised because I haven't turned in my secondary yet. Also, I added this school almost 2 months after I submitted my AMCAS because I found out how excellent they were in primary care education. I guess I should make sure to quickly finish the secondary this weekend!

I too am interviewing at Iowa on October 3--my first interview. when will you be there? All I keep thinking is if they ask me how my fellow students would describe me, I would have to answer "Old."

This is my first posting here. Nice to meet you all.

 

[titoincali]

I too am interviewing at Iowa on October 3--my first interview. when will you be there? All I keep thinking is if they ask me how my fellow students would describe me, I would have to answer "Old."

This is my first posting here. Nice to meet you all.

I'm actually interviewing on 10/10 so I won't get to see you there but you'll have to let us know how it goes. Congrats on the interview!

U of Iowa's structured interview format seems strange to me because the interviewers can't respond to you but otherwise I'm excited. I find myself asking myself possible questions and answering myself outloud. Thank goodness I do it in my car and no one can hear me!

 

[titoincali]

I actually got the U of Washington Secondary as an out-of-stater! I'm so excited because I love this school and their mission. Definitely one I'm going to finish this weekend!

 

[MollyMalone]

I actually got the U of Washington Secondary as an out-of-stater! I'm so excited because I love this school and their mission. Definitely one I'm going to finish this weekend!

Congrats! That's awesome... what a great school!

I got an email invite to interview at Yale today... I'm very excited!! 😀

 

[QofQuimica]

Congrats! That's awesome... what a great school!

I got an email invite to interview at Yale today... I'm very excited!! 😀

Congrats to you both!

 

[blee]

Ya know Q....you started this whole thread with a post about submitting AMCAS early. And yet you seem to be suspiciously quiet about your own successes/foibles. No fair! 😀

 

[titoincali]

Congrats! That's awesome... what a great school!

I got an email invite to interview at Yale today... I'm very excited!! 😀

What a great start to the application cycle for you! Congrats.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

Congrats! That's awesome... what a great school!

I got an email invite to interview at Yale today... I'm very excited!! 😀

Oooh I'm so jealous. I love yale.

 

[QofQuimica]

Ya know Q....you started this whole thread with a post about submitting AMCAS early. And yet you seem to be suspiciously quiet about your own successes/foibles. No fair! 😀

I'm sorry. 😳 I don't mean to be unfair, but I decided not to publically post anything about my "successes and foibles" because I am not anonymous on this forum; anyone who knows me in real life (or has seen my application file 😛 ) would easily be able to identify QofQuimica as me. I have a lot of students who visit SDN and know my SDN ID; sometimes they even PM me to ask if it's really me. So I hope you will grant me a little leeway here, and let me enjoy all of y'all's successes without divulging my own results. 😉

 

[1Path]

I'm sorry. 😳 I don't mean to be unfair, but I decided not to publically post anything about my "successes and foibles" because I am not anonymous on this forum; anyone who knows me in real life (or has seen my application file 😛 ) would easily be able to identify QofQuimica as me. I have a lot of students who visit SDN and know my SDN ID; sometimes they even PM me to ask if it's really me. So I hope you will grant me a little leeway here, and let me enjoy all of y'all's successes without divulging my own results. 😉

I'm feeling you on the anonimity (SP?). Although with all the "issues" I've had here expressing my unique views about things over the years combined with my "unique" applicant profile, I doubt it would take much for anyone to identify me.

But with you Q, it's not a matter of "if" but when and where! 😉

 

[blee]

😀 Just poking fun. I understand the anonymity desire, and I contemplated being incognito myself.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm feeling you on the anonimity (SP?). Although with all the "issues" I've had here expressing my unique views about things over the years combined with my "unique" applicant profile, I doubt it would take much for anyone to identify me.

I would have to agree that you'd be readily identifiable, 1path. There can't be too many Black 39-year-old women applying to MSTPs with extensive NIH work histories like yours. 😉 And that's my issue too, mainly b/c of the MCAT. 😳

blee, no offense taken. BTW, I think you've gotten another interview invite since I last checked. 😉

 

[Arsenic]

I'm sorry. 😳 I don't mean to be unfair, but I decided not to publically post anything about my "successes and foibles" because I am not anonymous on this forum; anyone who knows me in real life (or has seen my application file 😛 ) would easily be able to identify QofQuimica as me. I have a lot of students who visit SDN and know my SDN ID; sometimes they even PM me to ask if it's really me. So I hope you will grant me a little leeway here, and let me enjoy all of y'all's successes without divulging my own results. 😉

if anyone wants to know all of Q's secrets, just PM me

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO KIDDING 😛

 

[QofQuimica]

if anyone wants to know all of Q's secrets, just PM me

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO KIDDING 😛

You're not a non-trad! Get lost, freak, or I'm telling Mom. 😛

 

[Arsenic]

You're not a non-trad! Get lost, freak, or I'm telling Mom. 😛

fine sis! 😡

 

[1Path]

And that's my issue too, mainly b/c of the MCAT. 😳

Well I guess when you have an MCAT score that'ss in the top 0.000000000000000000001% of all test takers in the history of the exam, I'd imagine that would bring just a wee bit of attention. What pisses me off (and I've always hoped that this was SDN urban legend) is that fact that you had to PROVE your score. 🙄

So what I would pay 1 million bucks to see, is the look on the face of that crusty old emeritus-emeritus adcom member that has to look at your score and realized that it was a WOMAN that has it. Absolutely priceless!!!!!!!!

 

[MoosePilot]

Well I guess when you have an MCAT score that'ss in the top 0.000000000000000000001% of all test takers in the history of the exam, I'd imagine that would bring just a wee bit of attention. What pisses me off (and I've always hoped that this was SDN urban legend) is that fact that you had to PROVE your score. 🙄

So what I would pay 1 million bucks to see, is the look on the face of that crusty old emeritus-emeritus adcom member that has to look at your score and realized that it was a WOMAN that has it. Absolutely priceless!!!!!!!!

Do you really think anyone cares? I'm from OK and I'm not even that sexist. I'm just jealous

 

[QofQuimica]

Well I guess when you have an MCAT score that'ss in the top 0.000000000000000000001% of all test takers in the history of the exam, I'd imagine that would bring just a wee bit of attention. What pisses me off (and I've always hoped that this was SDN urban legend) is that fact that you had to PROVE your score. 🙄

So what I would pay 1 million bucks to see, is the look on the face of that crusty old emeritus-emeritus adcom member that has to look at your score and realized that it was a WOMAN that has it. Absolutely priceless!!!!!!!!

I did copy and post my score report in the MCAT forum, although I didn't photograph it like they wanted me to do. But it's kind of understandable that some people thought I might be a troll; the first day I ever showed up on SDN was the day that the score reports came out, and from their perspective, here I was coming out of nowhere claiming to have this crazy score.

There are actually several gals on SDN who scored 40+, but they aren't non-trads or MSTPers, so that's probably why you don't know about them. One girl with a 40 is applying now. Two others are first year med students; one scored 42 and the other also scored 43. I'm sure there are some more that I don't know about. At any rate, the AAMC data does show that girls tend to score lower than guys on all sections except WS. But the admissions people have expressed more surprise about me being nontrad than they have about me being female; the MCAT generation gap is much bigger than the MCAT gender gap. 😉

 

[unfrozencaveman]

😀 Just poking fun. I understand the anonymity desire, and I contemplated being incognito myself.

I'm considering a fake mustache at interviews.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

hah. there was more to that post, but for some reason, it decided to post only the first, cryptic sentence.

 

[1Path]

the MCAT generation gap is much bigger than the MCAT gender gap. 😉

Tell me about it. I know a little something about the MCAT generation gap and feel strongly that this is the main "issue" with nontrad MD admissions NOT age.

 

[blee]

We now take you back to you regularly scheduled progress thread. 😀

Got a snailmail rejection today from Maryland, post-secondary. They used the word "regret" three times in the letter, and went through some lengths to discourage applicants from calling to find out why they were rejected. LOL.

In other news, I called EVMS today and was told of their decision.

 

[SailCrazy]

They used the word "regret" three times in the letter, and went through some lengths to discourage applicants from calling to find out why they were rejected. LOL.

That would pretty much guarantee them a call from me if I were in your shoes! 😀

 

[SailCrazy]

In other news, I called EVMS today and was told of their decision.

I hope that congratulations are in order!

 

[titoincali]

😴 Can someone send med schools a time zone chart?! Received a call at 6:30am this morning inviting me to interview at Loyola Chicago. Considering the invite, I'm not toooo upset and the loss of 1 hour of sleep.

 

[SailCrazy]

😴 Can someone send med schools a time zone chart?! Received a call at 6:30am this morning inviting me to interview at Loyola Chicago. Considering the invite, I'm not toooo upset and the loss of 1 hour of sleep.

Congrats on Loyola! 👍

Did they have a deadline on their secondary app? I haven't submitted mine, and someone told me this week that they thought they had a deadline. If so, I guess I don't need to bother finishing up those essays! 😉

 

[titoincali]

Congrats on Loyola! 👍

Did they have a deadline on their secondary app? I haven't submitted mine, and someone told me this week that they thought they had a deadline. If so, I guess I don't need to bother finishing up those essays! 😉

I think they had a 1 month deadline. You might want to look at the letter you were mailed. Mine was stamped with a 9/6 deadline. I had to overnight my application to get it there in time! You might want to check your letter, you might still be within the deadline.

 

[SailCrazy]

I think they had a 1 month deadline. You might want to look at the letter you were mailed. Mine was stamped with a 9/6 deadline. I had to overnight my application to get it there in time! You might want to check your letter, you might still be within the deadline.

If there was any deadline, then I have definitely missed it! Oh, well.

I'll take a look for that letter, but I'm guessing that I just saved a few bucks in secondary fees! 😉 Thanks for the info.

 

[MollyMalone]

😴 Can someone send med schools a time zone chart?! Received a call at 6:30am this morning inviting me to interview at Loyola Chicago. Considering the invite, I'm not toooo upset and the loss of 1 hour of sleep.

Congrats! 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

😴 Can someone send med schools a time zone chart?! Received a call at 6:30am this morning inviting me to interview at Loyola Chicago. Considering the invite, I'm not toooo upset and the loss of 1 hour of sleep.

Congrats, tito! That is pretty funny actually. How many hours time difference is it for you? Two, right? So they were making interview calls at 8:30 their own time, which is still pretty early!

Sorry to hear about Maryland, blee. But you're still doing great overall, and I hope you're not too disappointed. And like Sail, I hope that you heard good things from EVMS.

 

[jmugele]

I have an interview at UVa on Tuesday, and I'll be in town part of Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. Anyone going to be there?

 

[blee]

I have an interview at UVa on Tuesday, and I'll be in town part of Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. Anyone going to be there?

No, but I'm jealous of your UVA invite. Good luck1 🙂