2011 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

[QofQuimica]

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I would be eternally grateful if USF and NYMC would send out their secondaries already.

Also, it would be nice if UF just went ahead and sent me the FU letter I'm expecting (I doubt I'll get past their primary screen). Being a UF graduate I know how score crazy they are, and I don't think I even come close to making that cut. :cry:

Hey, I didn't realize you were from FL, ea. Yay for Floridians!

Don't give up on UF just yet. My impression was that their class was a bit younger compared to USF or Miami, but it's not like they don't take people who are a little off the beaten path. They took me, and I had no grades since I am a New College grad. I had heard people say that they didn't like New College grads, but a New College student I was mentoring ended up getting in there also even without a crazy MCAT score, so.... Anyway, I had a phenomenal interview day there and left very impressed with the school as well as Shands. Best of luck, and if you make it to UCF, tell REL hi for me. 🙂

As another SDNer once posted, "You write a 17-character essay about your credit card number."

Haha, nice.

At least this post secondary/ pre-interview invite time serves as a eye of te storm for my bank account.

It gets worse before it gets better, unfortunately. I laugh my rear off every time premeds complain about how expensive the MCAT is.

Invite came from Ohio State, rejection came from Pritzker. I really had my money on Vanderbilt for "first rejection" but I guess I can't be right all the time.

Congrats on OSU, and good luck with your interview!

i got my first interview today after getting a presecondary rejection from indiana! good luck to everyone else!

All right on getting the first invite! You folks are doing great!

My exciting news for today is that I finally got the rotation director for a rotation that I took 1.5 years ago to submit an eval for me. Now the registrar will be able to put that rotation on my transcript before I submit my app in a month, which is kind of nice, especially since I mentioned that rotation in my PS. This rotation director also offered to write me a LOR, and I figure at this rate, I might even get that LOR in time to apply for a fellowship...or a first job. 😛

 

[EdLongshanks]

My exciting news for today is that I finally got the rotation director for a rotation that I took 1.5 years ago to submit an eval for me. Now the registrar will be able to put that rotation on my transcript before I submit my app in a month, which is kind of nice, especially since I mentioned that rotation in my PS. This rotation director also offered to write me a LOR, and I figure at this rate, I might even get that LOR in time to apply for a fellowship...or a first job. 😛

Let's hope he didn't get you confused with someone that was there 2 months before or 2 months after....

"Q was a very competent student physician. I enjoyed working with him very much..."

 

[QofQuimica]

Let's hope he didn't get you confused with someone that was there 2 months before or 2 months after....

"Q was a very competent student physician. I enjoyed working with him very much..."

Haha, he definitely remembers who I am, or at least he'd better if he ever wants me to finish the review article I'm writing for him.

BTW, Ed, I have to say I'm kind of disappointed that you don't handle snakes. It started me thinking how interesting and unique that being bitten by a poisonous snake for having insufficient faith would be to read about on an applicant's AMCAS as the reason why s/he became interested in going to medical school. 😛

 

[EdLongshanks]

Haha, he definitely remembers who I am, or at least he'd better if he ever wants me to finish the review article I'm writing for him.

BTW, Ed, I have to say I'm kind of disappointed that you don't handle snakes. It started me thinking how interesting and unique that being bitten by a poisonous snake for having insufficient faith would be to read about on an applicant's AMCAS as the reason why s/he became interested in going to medical school. 😛

Honestly, Q, would you ask a Japanese if he liked raw fish or a black man if likes collard greens and watermelon!!!

I do know the snake handlers (although I would never, ever attend a service) and I can tell you that they are very unpleasant people. Everything that is most unadmirable about my particular religion is exaggerated in them and becomes their most important attributes. Most of them can't read, so you can't talk to them about the Bible, because all they know are a few badly misquoted scriptures. Their "faith" is not based on any historical Christianity, but only on the sensational stories that we Pentecostals have developed over the last century. So you can talk about "dancing in the spirit" around babies without stepping on them, or handling coals out of the fire, but trying to discuss Jesus' sermon on the mount merely brings confused looks. Meanwhile they are very superior in their spirituality. They don't go to doctors and brag about how much they have suffered as a result. A service consists of the preacher calling on individuals in the congregation and saying things like, "Brother Arvin, wasn't the Loooord with you when your baby died of colic."

There are Pentecostals that I am proud to introduce to people, but the snake handlers aren't any of them. If you are ever unfortunate enough to meet one, you will be repelled.

 

[eablackwell]

Hey Q, I have a question. Not sure if you know this (since you were accepted), but does UF send rejections presecondary at all? It seems some people received secondaries today and I was wondering if they'd send me something if I'd been screened out, or if I would just never hear from the again.

Thanks.

 

[ChemMed]

I just received two secondaries that I didn't expect since I would be OOS. The cost would be around 100 total to apply to them, should I? Do I really have a chance being OOS or is this just a waste of money?

 

[eablackwell]

I just received two secondaries that I didn't expect since I would be OOS. The cost would be around 100 total to apply to them, should I? Do I really have a chance being OOS or is this just a waste of money?

Depends on the schools.

 

[QofQuimica]

There are Pentecostals that I am proud to introduce to people, but the snake handlers aren't any of them. If you are ever unfortunate enough to meet one, you will be repelled.

I'll keep that in mind. 😉

Hey Q, I have a question. Not sure if you know this (since you were accepted), but does UF send rejections presecondary at all? It seems some people received secondaries today and I was wondering if they'd send me something if I'd been screened out, or if I would just never hear from the again.

The one school that rejected me presecondary did send me a rejection letter, so that's my N=1 guess that if you get screened out by any screening school, they would send you a rejection letter. It does seem like the logical and polite thing to do, doesn't it? Of course, it's also possible that you could be put on some kind of hold for several months; a lot of schools seem to do that from what I gather by reading the forums. But I'm not sure if UF is one of them.

I just received two secondaries that I didn't expect since I would be OOS. The cost would be around 100 total to apply to them, should I? Do I really have a chance being OOS or is this just a waste of money?

Depends on the schools.

Agree. Tough to say without knowing the schools, Chem. But if they're screening schools, I'd say you do have a chance, because if you didn't, they'd have screened you out, right?

 

[ChemMed]

Agree. Tough to say without knowing the schools, Chem. But if they're screening schools, I'd say you do have a chance, because if you didn't, they'd have screened you out, right?

They would be the new school in Lebanon Oregon - Western U's new branch and OSU-COM.

Any suggestions on this one?

 

[QofQuimica]

They would be the new school in Lebanon Oregon - Western U's new branch and OSU-COM.

Any suggestions on this one?

Did they both screen you? If so, I would apply to both. Even if they're nonscreening, I would say yes, definitely for Western. Is OSU Oklahoma or Ohio State? I don't know anything about OK, but a lot of the OH schools are OOS-friendly from what I've gathered. Heck, I guess I don't know why you wouldn't do the secondaries if you've already spent the time and money to research them and pay to send your AMCAS/AACOMAS to them, and especially if they screened you.

 

[eablackwell]

Ohio state is very oos friendly 🙂

 

[EdLongshanks]

Did they both screen you? If so, I would apply to both. Even if they're nonscreening, I would say yes, definitely for Western. Is OSU Oklahoma or Ohio State? I don't know anything about OK, but a lot of the OH schools are OOS-friendly from what I've gathered. Heck, I guess I don't know why you wouldn't do the secondaries if you've already spent the time and money to research them and pay to send your AMCAS/AACOMAS to them, and especially if they screened you.

I met a 48-year old woman currently attending Oklahoma State.

 

[QofQuimica]

I met a 48-year old woman currently attending Oklahoma State.

When I interviewed at U Mich, there was apparently a guy in school there who was in his early 50s. The students started telling me about him when they found out I was a nontrad applicant. Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet him, but it was a cool story, at any rate. 🙂

Any more new updates for anyone? I now have three LORs in and am waiting on a fourth. This fourth one was not solicited by me, and I don't really need it. But I figured what the heck, someone who broadsided me by telling (not asking!) me they would write me a letter is bound to write a good one, right? I've also continued to fill in the info on the app form--some of these questions are kind of pointless. Like, they want to know if I have ever had my license suspended or revoked, and this is a required question even though I had already answered previously that I have never been licensed. They also made me list each USMLE step test, what date I took it, and whether I passed it, even though all of this information is available on my USMLE transcript.

I've saved the activities sections for last, because I want to discuss what to put in there with the dean first. Like, moderating SDN, for example. 😛

 

[Dianyla]

This fourth one was not solicited by me, and I don't really need it. But I figured what the heck, someone who broadsided me by telling (not asking!) me they would write me a letter is bound to write a good one, right?

Either that, or they've really got it in for you.

I've saved the activities sections for last, because I want to discuss what to put in there with the dean first. Like, moderating SDN, for example. 😛

I listed volunteer forum moderation on my work/activities section as one of my hobbies. I may or may not have used the term 'herding cats'.

 

[QofQuimica]

Either that, or they've really got it in for you.

Well, considering she scutted me out the last day I worked with her, you just might be right....

I listed volunteer forum moderation on my work/activities section as one of my hobbies. I may or may not have used the term 'herding cats'.

Haha, ain't that the truth. 😛

SDN is a funny beast though. I think there can be some mistrust and misunderstanding of it among adcom types, especially for people who are not very familiar with using this kind of medium. One person going around the forums bashing a particular program can get people at that program upset and make them want nothing to do with SDN. Then you have some administrators, including at least one IM residency program director, who make their own accounts and regularly post here answering questions. That enriches our community, and I wish there were more administrators who participated. Hopefully, this will happen as current student and resident SDN members become attendings and administrative types.

 

[eablackwell]

No real updates here. I got my AECOM secondary on Sunday and submitted it. That's one of my "I'm paying $120 because I like to flush money down the toilet" schools, but here's hoping. 🙂

I also have yet to hear anything from UF, but I'm not really that worried. If I get accepted there I'd have to stress about where and when to take biochem before matriculating, since the school I did my post-bacc work at doesn't have biochem classes that mesh with my work schedule.

 

[catswym]

19/27 secondaries done. Waiting on receiving the rest. Three of those are potential pre-screens but still waiting to hear.

 

[ChicagoSL]

Ouch! Feelin' the burn from my first rejection. 🙁

Got two more secondaries though, one of them screened. So literally today is two steps forward, one step back. Once more unto the breach, dear friends!

 

[eablackwell]

I haven't gotten any rejections yet, so I guess that's a plus, but still no secondary from UF. I'm starting to feel that rejection coming, and presecondary rejection at that 🙁

 

[Ditto1114]

Good Luck Everyone!

I thought I'd join the conversation. I finally submitted my AMCAS on 7/24. It took me a while to get over a year full of rejections and convince myself I was good enough to reapply! AACOMAS hopefully will be submitted this week. They still haven't gotten one of my transcripts. Let the games begin! 😛

PS. I'm only 25 but my parents just gave me the "age" talk. I just sat there dumbfounded. I still don't know what to say to them. Any suggestions?

 

[eablackwell]

Good Luck Everyone!

I thought I'd join the conversation. I finally submitted my AMCAS on 7/24. It took me a while to get over a year full of rejections and convince myself I was good enough to reapply! AACOMAS hopefully will be submitted this week. They still haven't gotten one of my transcripts. Let the games begin! 😛

PS. I'm only 25 but my parents just gave me the "age" talk. I just sat there dumbfounded. I still don't know what to say to them. Any suggestions?

What age talk? As in, you're too old to sit around the house doing nothing? 😵

 

[Ditto1114]

What age talk? As in, you're too old to sit around the house doing nothing? 😵

No, as in, you're too old to give up your cushy job and go to med school. I don't think you're ever too old to sit around the house doing nothing. I mean my mother is in her 50's and still does that.

 

[student1799]

No, as in, you're too old to give up your cushy job and go to med school.

Well, you can tell them there's a crazy lady on SDN who left a 20-year career on Wall Street and started med school at 46.

 

[QofQuimica]

No real updates here. I got my AECOM secondary on Sunday and submitted it. That's one of my "I'm paying $120 because I like to flush money down the toilet" schools, but here's hoping. 🙂

I liked AECOM a lot. Good luck; I hope you get an invite!

I also have yet to hear anything from UF, but I'm not really that worried. If I get accepted there I'd have to stress about where and when to take biochem before matriculating, since the school I did my post-bacc work at doesn't have biochem classes that mesh with my work schedule.

Well, you should jump off that bridge when you get there. But, if you do get accepted, you could ask if they would let you take an online biochem course. Another option would be to take it over the summer right before you matriculate. So you could quit work at the end of May, take the course in June/July, and matriculate in Aug. Regardless, I wouldn't let taking biochem be a deciding factor in whether you go there, that's for sure.

 

[QofQuimica]

No, as in, you're too old to give up your cushy job and go to med school. I don't think you're ever too old to sit around the house doing nothing. I mean my mother is in her 50's and still does that.

Once you get accepted, people's attitudes will change. All of a sudden, you magically become an inspiration. 🙂

 

[eablackwell]

No, as in, you're too old to give up your cushy job and go to med school. I don't think you're ever too old to sit around the house doing nothing. I mean my mother is in her 50's and still does that.

Oh! Gotcha! My mother told me that too, but I don't find being a teacher a cushy job 🙂

As for your last post, luckily, being a teacher I'm off work by the beginning of June anyway 🙂 depending on how many interviews I get, I may have as much as 3 weeks vacation at the end of this year, and since I'm teaching ap chem the kids don't need me after may 2nd anyway.

So I'm in luck!

 

[Ditto1114]

Once you get accepted, people's attitudes will change. All of a sudden, you magically become an inspiration. 🙂

👍

Oh! Gotcha! My mother told me that too, but I don't find being a teacher a cushy job 🙂

As for your last post, luckily, being a teacher I'm off work by the beginning of June anyway 🙂 depending on how many interviews I get, I may have as much as 3 weeks vacation at the end of this year, and since I'm teaching ap chem the kids don't need me after may 2nd anyway.

So I'm in luck!

I work for a pharmaceutical company in quality control. Our manufacturing plant is down for yearly inspections so I get paid to sit around commenting on SDN all day. 😀

I noticed you're from Florida. Did you apply to South Alabama?

 

[eablackwell]

👍




I work for a pharmaceutical company in quality control. Our manufacturing plant is down for yearly inspections so I get paid to sit around commenting on SDN all day. 😀

I noticed you're from Florida. Did you apply to South Alabama?

I didn't. Are they Florida friendly? My husband was just transferred to Orlando, so I was hoping like crazy for ucf or usf, but I only applied to schools in Florida and schools by major airports so he could visit me (NYC, atl, Nashville). Even though I'm from FL I've only been to Alabama once.

 

[Ditto1114]

I didn't. Are they Florida friendly? My husband was just transferred to Orlando, so I was hoping like crazy for ucf or usf, but I only applied to schools in Florida and schools by major airports so he could visit me (NYC, atl, Nashville). Even though I'm from FL I've only been to Alabama once.

Yea, they consider some Florida residents as in-state. I don't know the specifics, but last year when I interviewed several people told me that.

Edit: "Even though I'm from FL I've only been to Alabama once." - I don't blame you =P hehe j/k I moved here for work from Chicago. It's been an experience, but I'm starting to like it now.

 

[Dianyla]

PS. I'm only 25 but my parents just gave me the "age" talk. I just sat there dumbfounded. I still don't know what to say to them. Any suggestions?

Ending the conversation with a polite smile and a gentle "Mom, I love you too" generally does the trick. 🙂

 

[Mr Karatepants]

Well, I finally received "application received" emails from the two remaining UC's; I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will get screened in here as well. Let's see how long I can hold my breath...

 

[ChemMed]

I met a 48-year old woman currently attending Oklahoma State.

OSU-Oklahoma is the school. I am asking because I have very limited funds right now. I had to pay to attend a few conferences this summer so I'm on a tight budget. Didn't realize until a little to late, after the primaries, how strapped I've become. I'll go for it though. I think it would be worth it. Thanks for the replies.

 

[OneTyme]

Interview invite!!!!!

 

[EdLongshanks]

OSU-Oklahoma is the school. I am asking because I have very limited funds right now. I had to pay to attend a few conferences this summer so I'm on a tight budget. Didn't realize until a little to late, after the primaries, how strapped I've become. I'll go for it though. I think it would be worth it. Thanks for the replies.

Are you an Oklahoma resident? OSU-COM is very state-oriented.

 

[eablackwell]

Interview invite!!!!!

Grats!! Where to? 🙂

 

[OneTyme]

Grats!! Where to? 🙂

AZ COM. I just randomly logged in to see my status and it had an interview ready for scheduling!

 

[eablackwell]

AZ COM. I just randomly logged in to see my status and it had an interview ready for scheduling!

Woo!! I take it you're from az? WHat part? My grandparents lived in Yuma forever, and I used to go to Phoenix and Tucson yearly 🙂

 

[EdLongshanks]

Question for the knowledgeable people here (the rest of you can chime in also). I just spoke to Lake Erie and I'm considering applying. They have a class size of 269!!! and again I say !!! but they claim to have the highest Board pass rates in the country.

One of the things that attracts me is that they have a 3 year program - and despite my advice to everyone else to slow down - my ages does put me in a race against time.

My problem is that the 3 year program is only 12 people and one doesn't know until after you've started there whether you can get into it.

Tell me about Lake Erie.

 

[eablackwell]

Question for the knowledgeable people here (the rest of you can chime in also). I just spoke to Lake Erie and I'm considering applying. They have a class size of 269!!! and again I say !!! but they claim to have the highest Board pass rates in the country.

One of the things that attracts me is that they have a 3 year program - and despite my advice to everyone else to slow down - my ages does put me in a race against time.

My problem is that the 3 year program is only 12 people and one doesn't know until after you've started there whether you can get into it.

Tell me about Lake Erie.

This is one of the 2 DO schools I am applying to, the Bradenton,FL campus specifically. You do not need your DO review until the interview and one of the admin people told me if you were unable to get one, but your interviewers liked you, they'd get one of their docs to sit and talk with you and then write up the review. One of the drawbacks to LECOM is you have to wear business attire to class. That's all I know, really.

 

[LingoLaine]

You all are way ahead of me...

I'm only applying to one medical school, my state school (not looking for advice on that decision!) and we recently moved 40 miles closer to the school to make attending a possibility for me! I plan to apply there up to 3 times before I abandon med school or drag my family out of state.

Ironically, the move and everything that involved (selling our home, buying a new home, etc.) is what has taken my focus away from my med school application. I've had all my transcripts and letters of recommendation sent (and all have been received at AMCAS), and I've filled out most of the AMCAS application, but I still need to finalize the two most important parts (my personal statement and the work/activities section) before I can submit. I hope to have that wrapped up in the next couple days but am also planning to retake the MCAT in September due to a less than stellar score. (Too much time working on house stuff instead of MCAT practice exams.)

Good luck everyone!

 

[OneTyme]

Woo!! I take it you're from az? WHat part? My grandparents lived in Yuma forever, and I used to go to Phoenix and Tucson yearly 🙂

Actaully I'm from just a tad further north....... No med schools in my state so I'm applying allllllllll ooooover the place.

 

[eablackwell]

Actaully I'm from just a tad further north....... No med schools in my state so I'm applying allllllllll ooooover the place.

Wow, super grats on the interview then!! I heard they were mostly in state, but if you got to an interview they must super love your app! I know you'll have an awesome interview! 🙂

 

[ChicagoSL]

Go OneTyme!!! 4/10 for life!

 

[ChemMed]

AZ COM. I just randomly logged in to see my status and it had an interview ready for scheduling!

Congratulations!

 

[Mr Karatepants]

Alright, I got a couple days off of work so I can focus on these secondaries. Who thinks I can do fifteen in the next week and a half?

😱

 

[OneTyme]

Alright, I got a couple days off of work so I can focus on these secondaries. Who thinks I can do fifteen in the next week and a half?

😱

You can do it. Just be sure to take your time with those essays. I did a few that I went back to read and thought, "Wow, I don't sound literate.... At all!"

 

[OneTyme]

Go OneTyme!!! 4/10 for life!

4/10 for life!!!!

 

[Ditto1114]

YAY! \(^o^)/
AACOMAS finally processed my last transcript! Now let's get me verified!!

 

[StarStup]

Just ACCEPTED to LECOM!!!!! Yeah!!! Class of 2015! Soooo excited!

To the person asking about LECOM- LECOM's class size is so big because there are 4 different pathways you can apply for: the PBL (problem based learning where you meet in small groups and don't go to lectures), the LDP (lecture discussion pathway which is the traditional one with lectures), the ISP (independent study where you just meet with an advisor and study on your own), the 3 year Primary Care Scholars Program (this is an intense year round 3 year program), and a new Physician's Assistant to DO program where if you are already a PA, you can apply an only need to do 3 years because they count the time spent in PA school as toward your clinical years. So, in each pathway there aren't too many students, I think the LDP (which I was just accepted to) has around 100 or so students.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. LECOM moves pretty quickly, I submitted my secondary 6/10, was interviewed 7/16, and accepted 7/28.

 

[EdLongshanks]

Just ACCEPTED to LECOM!!!!! Yeah!!! Class of 2015! Soooo excited!

To the person asking about LECOM- LECOM's class size is so big because there are 4 different pathways you can apply for: the PBL (problem based learning where you meet in small groups and don't go to lectures), the LDP (lecture discussion pathway which is the traditional one with lectures), the ISP (independent study where you just meet with an advisor and study on your own), the 3 year Primary Care Scholars Program (this is an intense year round 3 year program), and a new Physician's Assistant to DO program where if you are already a PA, you can apply an only need to do 3 years because they count the time spent in PA school as toward your clinical years. So, in each pathway there aren't too many students, I think the LDP (which I was just accepted to) has around 100 or so students.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. LECOM moves pretty quickly, I submitted my secondary 6/10, was interviewed 7/16, and accepted 7/28.

Thank you that clears a lot up.

You were accepted very fast indeed. Do you expect the class to be filled up soon. I have just started considering filling out an AACOMAS app, so it would be August before my app even made it to them.