2012-2013 Panic Thread

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So do you guys think that there will be IIs going out this week or should I expect another empty inbox week? lol
 
just got my UPenn status of death.. 'no interview at this time but might be reviewed later' thing in case people don't know what that is

oh well, was a huge reach for me anyway

P.S.: seems true what people say.. PhD doesn't help you at all in the application process. no IIs.
 
punkedoutriffs said:
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Bearstronaut said:
Soooooooooo....

I got a new LOR to send in to my schools that might be pretty critical - if I send it in, should I send in an update letter as well, pointing it out, or just send it in?
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I think you'd have to contact them because I don't think all schools automatically download your letters from AMCAS after they consider you complete. I'm not 100% sure though.

Good luck to the rest of you guys :xf:
 
bearintraining said:
P.S.: seems true what people say.. PhD doesn't help you at all in the application process. no IIs.
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I'm not a PhD, but I have ~3 years full-time research as an assistant at a very accomplished lab. My feelings at this point are that I probably made research too much a centerpiece of my application, and that might have scared some schools away. Research is a nice supplement to a good overall application, but maybe it doesn't look particularly good if it's the dominant extracurricular. I also have normal shadowing and clinical volunteering, but spent much less time with those.

The months of waiting are wearing me down more and more. I just want an acceptance at my state school at this point.
 
JFK90787 said:
I'm not a PhD, but I have ~3 years full-time research as an assistant at a very accomplished lab. My feelings at this point are that I probably made research too much a centerpiece of my application, and that might have scared some schools away. Research is a nice supplement to a good overall application, but maybe it doesn't look particularly good if it's the dominant extracurricular. I also have normal shadowing and clinical volunteering, but spent much less time with those.

The months of waiting are wearing me down more and more. I just want an acceptance at my state school at this point.
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I have a feeling we are in the exact same boat.. It also doesn't help me that clinical volunteering is essentially 0%... but some schools might realize that in Canada it's basically unheard of for people to shadow doctors here.

anyway -- i'm starting to think the US is a no go for me. I have some glimmer of hope for an II at perhaps Dartmouth or Stanford.. both of which have been sending out rejections for people complete near my date or later, and yet I haven't heard anything.
 
bearintraining said:
I have a feeling we are in the exact same boat.. It also doesn't help me that clinical volunteering is essentially 0%... but some schools might realize that in Canada it's basically unheard of for people to shadow doctors here.

anyway -- i'm starting to think the US is a no go for me. I have some glimmer of hope for an II at perhaps Dartmouth or Stanford.. both of which have been sending out rejections for people complete near my date or later, and yet I haven't heard anything.
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I haven't gotten any IIs either =/ As long as you are not rejected, you still have a chance 👍
 
bearintraining said:
I have a feeling we are in the exact same boat.. It also doesn't help me that clinical volunteering is essentially 0%... but some schools might realize that in Canada it's basically unheard of for people to shadow doctors here.

anyway -- i'm starting to think the US is a no go for me. I have some glimmer of hope for an II at perhaps Dartmouth or Stanford.. both of which have been sending out rejections for people complete near my date or later, and yet I haven't heard anything.
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Wow, judging from your MDApps, your choice of schools was extremely top-heavy. That is probably the reason you haven't received any IIs yet. Even someone with stronger stats would have a difficult cycle with such a top-heavy pool of schools.
 
SilverCat said:
Wow, you have a really top-heavy list. Did you not include some lower- tier schools on your AMCAS? Just a thought.
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996GT2 said:
Wow, judging from your MDApps, your choice of schools was extremely top-heavy. That is probably the reason you haven't received any IIs yet. Even someone with stronger stats would have a difficult cycle with such a top-heavy pool of schools.
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I entirely agree with both you.. And I am wholly aware my stats are below their averages.

My reasoning for doing so is:

(1) I have applied to Canadian schools where I have a decent chance, mainly because of residency, and also because MCAT scores are less competitive. Thus, I wanted to give US schools that are generally better than the Canadian counterparts I applied to a chance. I guess simply put, some of these places I dream to go to school at and I would give up a Canadian acceptance to go there, despite the increase in cost to attend.

(2) I'm obviously coming in as a non-traditional applicant with a research background. Medicine was not my first choice -- research was. BUT, over the years of my PhD I realized that what I truly want is to be a physician-scientist. I *want* that clinical interaction with patients. I also want to keep conducting research, but much more translational than what I am currently doing (although somewhat unexpectedly my work has become more clinically-relevant near the end). Thus, I also went for research-heavy schools with the hope that they will be able to appreciate my background and reason for now pursuing medicine. Generally, the research heavy schools are also top tiers.

lastly,

(3) Many of the private schools, and thus mainly higher tier, do not 'discriminate' against canadian/international applicants.


I realize that I am taking a huge risk here... but part of me feels like this is something I'm going to leave up to fate.
 
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Not panicking, but just disappointed. I am grateful however. I got 3 II from great schools, but also 3 rejections. No word at all from my other 15 schools. I've been complete for months.
 
I received my first interview invite from GUSOM today!
3.74 GPA, 3.74sGPA, 31Q (10/11/10).

I am so amped right now!
 
bearintraining: I think you have a good shot a UToronto, because I had a friend with similar stats that got in last cycle. He was also a PhD
 
Claudin said:
bearintraining: I think you have a good shot a UToronto, because I had a friend with similar stats that got in last cycle. He was also a PhD
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That's great to hear.. I'm sending in my supplemental package for grad students today actually. *Crossing my fingers*. U of T would be my top choice in Canada.
 
This cycle has taught me that the fastest way to get an interview is to stop checking your email compulsively. 😀
 
This is my application cycle in animation:

Waiting for the MCAT:
tumblr_mdfs64jR7i1rb4mdio1_250.gif




Receiving MCAT score:
tumblr_ma7qrvvFHZ1rsw1yf.gif

tumblr_md0mqlBEdi1r3faq4.gif




After receiving interviews:
tumblr_m7hx4t5N461qew1kc.gif

tumblr_m2uo0lUC1V1r4qo34.gif

tumblr_m7l056o8yL1rswhnh.gif




After the excitement fades and realize I received zero prematches:
tumblr_mdsjrtwUdY1rhextvo1_250.gif




Realizing I might have to take the MCAT again if I don't match in February:
tumblr_lwuiuloRzQ1qm4no6.gif
 
Ok I am starting to panic now. Right now I have 7 II and have received 2 WL. Is this normal? I'm starting to think I'm going to get wait listed everywhere 🙁. I think it might be WL 3 bc I haven't heard from Hofstra and they started releasing decisions. This whole cycle is killing my confidence
 
SourD21 said:
Ok I am starting to panic now. Right now I have 7 II and have received 2 WL. Is this normal? I'm starting to think I'm going to get wait listed everywhere 🙁. I think it might be WL 3 bc I haven't heard from Hofstra and they started releasing decisions. This whole cycle is killing my confidence
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The chances of you getting wait listed/rejected AT EVERY school are pretty slim. You have 7IIs! Relax.
 
If I had 7 II right now I would be thrilled! Don't worry man, you're fine.

My 2 II/late applicant/below average stats is killing me.
 
askamsky51 said:
If I had 7 II right now I would be thrilled! Don't worry man, you're fine.

My 2 II/late applicant/below average stats is killing me.
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Eh, I have 7 right now too, and 4/4 waitlists of schools I've interviewed at 🙁

Damn undergrad gpa- that was 10 years ago, there's nothing I can do about it!
 
wanderedtoolong said:
Eh, I have 7 right now too, and 4/4 waitlists of schools I've interviewed at 🙁

Damn undergrad gpa- that was 10 years ago, there's nothing I can do about it!
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I've only heard from 2 of the schools so far. I should be hearing from NYMC, Downstate, and hopefully Hofstra within a month or so. Plzzzz let me just get one acceptance! 🙁
 
reece05 said:
yeah-- when i do that i find i rejection in my inbox. :scared:
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Boo. I think I avoided that only by being extremely selective in where I applied. Otherwise I would probably have more rejections than IIs and would be pretty bummed out. Hopefully good news soon for you!
 
SourD21 said:
Ok I am starting to panic now. Right now I have 7 II and have received 2 WL. Is this normal? I'm starting to think I'm going to get wait listed everywhere 🙁. I think it might be WL 3 bc I haven't heard from Hofstra and they started releasing decisions. This whole cycle is killing my confidence
Click to expand...

Had a rejection and waitlist before my first acceptance. 3rd time was the charm for me. Hang tight.

Had another waitlist just a few days ago. I feel like this whole process is a bit like capture the flag. All your teammates but one could get tagged, but as long as someone carries the flag home, it's allll goood...
 
bearintraining said:
Thanks bud! let's hold out hope for canadians 🙂
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WOO CANADA!! Canadian here.
idk... I had very little trouble finding docs to shadow. If you want any advice on shadowing please PM me =)

My school has two shadowing programs (through premed societies) that are extremely hard to get into, but I've had docs even ask me if I want to shadow them. No docs in the family at all, so that wasn't a factor. I have about 130 hours shadowing Canadian docs of a bunch of specialties in all the Montreal English hospitals (plus 6 in the US and 40 overseas). It's way easier to get shadowing opportunities if you volunteer at a hospital and work in a clinical setting and get a chance to get to know doctors. My four years of volunteering in a small hospital has gotten docs to like and trust me (I have good reputation because I really care about what I do, I think that plays a part - I am really not the typical gunner premed they are used to). It's not that shadowing is impossible to get in Canada - it's impossible if you don't know the proper way to approach it.
 
BurghStudent said:
Not panicking, but just disappointed. I am grateful however. I got 3 II from great schools, but also 3 rejections. No word at all from my other 15 schools. I've been complete for months.
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Sounds like me 😛

Batman MD said:
I received my first interview invite from GUSOM today!
3.74 GPA, 3.74sGPA, 31Q (10/11/10).



I am so amped right now!
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Congrats! Go nail it! 🙂👍

SourD21 said:
Ok I am starting to panic now. Right now I have 7 II and have received 2 WL. Is this normal? I'm starting to think I'm going to get wait listed everywhere 🙁. I think it might be WL 3 bc I haven't heard from Hofstra and they started releasing decisions. This whole cycle is killing my confidence
Click to expand...

The process does that. You'll have to get past it. Might be good to analyze where your weak points are in terms of interviewing, unless you had 2 WL at schools with stats above yours. Don't make decisions for the schools, though, wait til they tell you. 🙂👍
 
physiologist said:
WOO CANADA!! Canadian here.
idk... I had very little trouble finding docs to shadow. If you want any advice on shadowing please PM me =)

My school has two shadowing programs (through premed societies) that are extremely hard to get into, but I've had docs even ask me if I want to shadow them. No docs in the family at all, so that wasn't a factor. I have about 130 hours shadowing Canadian docs of a bunch of specialties in all the Montreal English hospitals (plus 6 in the US and 40 overseas). It's way easier to get shadowing opportunities if you volunteer at a hospital and work in a clinical setting and get a chance to get to know doctors. My four years of volunteering in a small hospital has gotten docs to like and trust me (I have good reputation because I really care about what I do, I think that plays a part - I am really not the typical gunner premed they are used to). It's not that shadowing is impossible to get in Canada - it's impossible if you don't know the proper way to approach it.
Click to expand...

Due to insurance policies in Canada, it is against hospital regulations to shadow at a lot of different hospitals (though this varies from hospital to hospital), and in general since it is not a factor in the Canadian medical admissions process most doctors aren't familiar with it and thus one will have a harder time finding a doctor who is willing to let an undergrad shadow.

However, I think US adcoms seem to understand this difficulty Canadians face. I have no shadowing at all and have gotten a couple IIs from top schools.
 
Taranis said:
Due to insurance policies in Canada, it is against hospital regulations to shadow at a lot of different hospitals (though this varies from hospital to hospital), and in general since it is not a factor in the Canadian medical admissions process most doctors aren't familiar with it and thus one will have a harder time finding a doctor who is willing to let an undergrad shadow.

However, I think US adcoms seem to understand this difficulty Canadians face. I have no shadowing at all and have gotten a couple IIs from top schools.
Click to expand...

All Montreal English hospitals are run by the MUHC (McGill University Health Center) and through volunteering I have signed the organization's joint confidentiality agreement. Therefore shadowing hasn't been an issue. I even managed to shadow a family doctor in his private practice - he was a friend of one of the docs at my hospital. I did Shad Valley McMaster, much of the program was medicine/hospital related, so we all had to sign a CA at McMaster General/Children's. Through that I managed to shadow the doc at McMaster.

So I've shadowed 2 docs I met volunteering, 1 (at McMaster Children's) who was the daughter of my 11th grade chem teacher (all three offered), 1 from a girl I used to mentor, I helped her through a hard time, had no idea her dad was a doc until she told her dad I was premed and he offered to allow me to shadow him for helping his daughter (one of the wonderful ways kindness could yield unexpected rewards), and 1 from the premed society's shadowing program. If you're friendly and kind to everyone, opportunities will fall in your lap (if you are a volunteer with a good reputation who has signed a confidentiality agreement with the hospital/consortium). One of the things i have learned through the years is to always keep your heart open. You would never believe the kind of rewards you get from it, not only the satisfaction of making people's lives brighter because of your existence, but also people who are excited to do nice things for you because they feel you deserve it. I consider myself extremely lucky, however.

I don't want to turn this into a Dalai Lama speech, so I'm going to end here.
 
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Taranis said:
Due to insurance policies in Canada, it is against hospital regulations to shadow at a lot of different hospitals (though this varies from hospital to hospital), and in general since it is not a factor in the Canadian medical admissions process most doctors aren't familiar with it and thus one will have a harder time finding a doctor who is willing to let an undergrad shadow.

However, I think US adcoms seem to understand this difficulty Canadians face. I have no shadowing at all and have gotten a couple IIs from top schools.
Click to expand...

Surprised you didn't apply to UToronto.. what gives?
 
physiologist said:
All Montreal English hospitals are run by the MUHC (McGill University Health Center) and through volunteering I have signed the organization's joint confidentiality agreement. Therefore shadowing hasn't been an issue. I even managed to shadow a family doctor in his private practice - he was a friend of one of the docs at my hospital. I did Shad Valley McMaster, much of the program was medicine/hospital related, so we all had to sign a CA at McMaster General/Children's. Through that I managed to shadow the doc at McMaster.

So I've shadowed 2 docs I met volunteering, 1 (at McMaster Children's) who was the daughter of my 11th grade chem teacher (all three offered), 1 from a girl I used to mentor, I helped her through a hard time, had no idea her dad was a doc until she told her dad I was premed and he offered to allow me to shadow him for helping his daughter (one of the wonderful ways kindness could yield unexpected rewards), and 1 from the premed society's shadowing program. If you're friendly and kind to everyone, opportunities will fall in your lap (if you are a volunteer with a good reputation who has signed a confidentiality agreement with the hospital/consortium). One of the things i have learned through the years is to always keep your heart open. You would never believe the kind of rewards you get from it, not only the satisfaction of making people's lives brighter because of your existence, but also people who are excited to do nice things for you because they feel you deserve it. I consider myself extremely lucky, however.

I don't want to turn this into a Dalai Lama speech, so I'm going to end here.
Click to expand...

I hate to say it, but this might be a case of where Quebec is different from the rest of Canada.

Anyway -- regardless as to the reasons why, we all agree it's not that common for Canadians. Furthermore, a little late in this process for me to gain that experience.. and to be really 100% frank, it's pretty tough to have time to do these things when you're in grad school.
 
bearintraining said:
I hate to say it, but this might be a case of where Quebec is different from the rest of Canada.

Anyway -- regardless as to the reasons why, we all agree it's not that common for Canadians. Furthermore, a little late in this process for me to gain that experience.. and to be really 100% frank, it's pretty tough to have time to do these things when you're in grad school.
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Good point 👍

EDIT: 1300th post!
 
bearintraining said:
I hate to say it, but this might be a case of where Quebec is different from the rest of Canada.

Anyway -- regardless as to the reasons why, we all agree it's not that common for Canadians. Furthermore, a little late in this process for me to gain that experience.. and to be really 100% frank, it's pretty tough to have time to do these things when you're in grad school.
Click to expand...

It's almost unheard of for someone in Quebec to get shadowing experience as well. None of my friends have shadowed. I also shadowed in Ontario without issue. I think I'm just extremely lucky. But I also know that schools are aware of difficulties with shadowing.

Shadowing isn't a major component. You should be fine. Chin up, I have faith in you 🙂

Also I hope you get in because CANADA REPRESENT, eh?
 
physiologist said:
It's almost unheard of for someone in Quebec to get shadowing experience as well. None of my friends have shadowed. I also shadowed in Ontario without issue. I think I'm just extremely lucky. But I also know that schools are aware of difficulties with shadowing.

Shadowing isn't a major component. You should be fine. Chin up, I have faith in you 🙂

Also I hope you get in because CANADA REPRESENT, eh?
Click to expand...

crossing my fingers for everyone, including my canadian brethren, on the Panic Thread... let's turn this sucker into an Acceptance Thread!! 🙂
 
Wouldn't say I'm in panic mode, but I'm seriously concerned. 5 rejections from some good schools and some mediocre. 2 interviews (UCSD wait listed and Minnesota pending decision), 2 pre-interview holds at Maryland and Madison (my state school), and crickets from 6 others. Is it common to get a batch of II invites in January-April? I submitted most secondaries in July.
 
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