2012-2013 Panic Thread

[Nahnia]

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I think many of us would agree that the app process for int'ls may be more subjective than it is for domestic applicants.

Which schools did you think that you were competitive at, but they rejected you?

You're an int'l, so the situation may be very different and more subjective. How many int'ls (non Canadians) do those schools accept each year? Are any of them MD/XXX? Do the int'ls that they usually accept have god-like stats?

I have no idea how the int'l MD app process works except for the fact that many SOMs accept few or none, there is a financial concern, and that for many SOMs, they feel that their primary mission is to educate future American doctors, so giving seats to int'ls may require some kind of mental jusitification on their part (maybe??).

Just curious - as an int'l, did you have to demonstrate affordability with your application?

Who has interviewed you so far?

Before applying I have to check if the schools will give me a fair chance and won't discriminate. SOMs generally may accept 2- 8 international students it just depends. You only have to prove you can pay if you get accepted. I really felt that Georgetown and Rosalind Franklin would've interviewed me since I felt I was at least competitive there but then lo and behold I get interviews from Harvard, Emory, and Baylor to my surprise. I just didn't realize the process was so subjective. I only know one international in med school and he went to Howard with no god like stats. I guess these schools that interviewed me decided to look past my ok MCAT but then I wonder if it then comes into play when they go for acceptances.

 

[SOMBound13]

Before applying I have to check if the schools will give me a fair chance and won't discriminate. SOMs generally may accept 2- 8 international students it just depends

I'm not sure that these schools aren't "discriminating". I think there's a difference between "all applicants are considered" and viewing them as the same as domestic applicants. Being "considered" is not the same thing as saying that there isn't any discrimination going on. It just means that an int'l app won't be auto-rejected...it will get considered.

Accepting only 2-8 int'l applicants each year does sound like they do discriminate. It sounds like they set aside a handful of seats for int'ls and int'ls compete for those few seats. The annual matriculating numbers would vary because of how the dust settles each year.

I don't know what your MCAT breakdown is but I've heard that G'town auto rejects non-URMs that have a sub-section that is below 10. Don't know if that's true or not. G'town accepts about 3-4 int'l applicants per year so the competition is likely fierce. Don't know if they give an edge to their own int'l undergrads or not.

 

[sinombre]

I came here to panic, and stumbled upon... whatever this is. Come on people, back on topic! There's still large amounts of panicking to do!

 

[Nahnia]

I came here to panic, and stumbled upon... whatever this is. Come on people, back on topic! There's still large amounts of panicking to do!

It's still panic lol just a subset of panicking not really tapped into due to the small pickings of intl on this site

 

[Nahnia]

I don't know what your MCAT breakdown is but I've heard that G'town auto rejects non-URMs that have a sub-section that is below 10. Don't know if that's true or not. G'town accepts about 3-4 int'l applicants per year so the competition is likely fierce. Don't know if they give an edge to their own int'l undergrads or not.

Doesn't apply to me if it's true or not and there is an edge given to their own int'l. My advisor called some SOMs and they told her they prefer to interview their intl'l first. Sigh * int'l injustice rant over lol

 

[jemstone]

I came here to panic, and stumbled upon... whatever this is. Come on people, back on topic! There's still large amounts of panicking to do!

Yes, me too, it's prime panicking time, and nobody responded to my earlier post because they were too busy with whatever they were talking about!

 

[sinombre]

Yes, me too, it's prime panicking time, and nobody responded to my earlier post because they were too busy with whatever they were talking about!

To answer your earlier post: better safe than sorry. It's definitely worth thinking about how you can improve your application in case you have to reapply. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Good luck with the third interview!

 

[reece05]

panic panic panic.
and nemo is coming.

 

[sinombre]

panic panic panic.
and nemo is coming.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

 

[SOMBound13]

I've had three interviews this cycle and I've been wait listed at two, still waiting on the third. Should I expect to be a reapplicant at this point?

Well, you should be strategizing in case it comes to that. What are your stats? Where did you apply? Were you a late applicant?

 

[jemstone]

Well, you should be strategizing in case it comes to that. What are your stats? Where did you apply? Were you a late applicant?

Interviewed at GW (11/15), Maryland (10/22), Penn State (1/30). Waiting on Penn State. I submitted my primary mid-June, so no, I wasn't a late applicant. My MCAT is a little low, but my GPA is a 3.8 and I have pretty great EC's.

I'm already registered to take the MCAT again on May 11, so strategy is already in action, I'm just getting more opinions because we all know how obnoxious the MCAT experience is.

 

[reece05]

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

👍

 

[Nahnia]

Interviewed at GW (11/15), Maryland (10/22), Penn State (1/30). Waiting on Penn State. I submitted my primary mid-June, so no, I wasn't a late applicant. My MCAT is a little low, but my GPA is a 3.8 and I have pretty great EC's.

I'm already registered to take the MCAT again on May 11, so strategy is already in action, I'm just getting more opinions because we all know how obnoxious the MCAT experience is.

In the unfortunate circumstance that you do have to reapp it's wise to have everything in place if the need arises. Hopefully you won't need to go down that route. Do you know how wait list movement is for GW and Maryland?

 

[jemstone]

Not specifically. I saw in last year's thread that Maryland had 240+ people on the waitlist and they only tell you top or bottom half which is roughly useless information. I assume GW has a wildly long waitlist. If anyone else has that information, I would be glad to know.

 

[SOMBound13]

Interviewed at GW (11/15), Maryland (10/22), Penn State (1/30). Waiting on Penn State. I submitted my primary mid-June, so no, I wasn't a late applicant. My MCAT is a little low, but my GPA is a 3.8 and I have pretty great EC's.

I'm already registered to take the MCAT again on May 11, so strategy is already in action, I'm just getting more opinions because we all know how obnoxious the MCAT experience is.

What state are you a resident of?

When you say that your MCAT is a little low, how low do you mean (on SDN, some think anything below a 34 is low... 😛 ) What was your MCAT breakdown? Did you have a low section?

Good that you're retaking the MCAT, are you doing any prep class or anything?

Where else did you apply?

 

[jemstone]

What state are you a resident of?

When you say that your MCAT is a little low, how low do you mean (on SDN, some think anything below a 34 is low... 😛 ) What was your MCAT breakdown? Did you have a low section?

Good that you're retaking the MCAT, are you doing any prep class or anything?

Where else did you apply?

I live in Maryland, which is rough because we only have one state school and it happens to be excellent and accepts tons of OOS. And, I actually mean low, I'm not an SDN crazy. I had a single digit verbal, double digits in everything else. Unfortunately, I feel that my verbal score is automatically waitlisting me everywhere, even though everything else on my application looks great.

And definitely not taking a prep course. I took a prep course last time and it really screwed me. I last took the MCAT in 2011, so my scores are going to expire relatively soon, and I wasn't as prepared as I am now to take it, so I'm confident I can get my scores up this time.

 

[SOMBound13]

Interviewed at GW (11/15), Maryland (10/22), Penn State (1/30). Waiting on Penn State. I submitted my primary mid-June, so no, I wasn't a late applicant. My MCAT is a little low, but my GPA is a 3.8 and I have pretty great EC's.

I'm already registered to take the MCAT again on May 11, so strategy is already in action, I'm just getting more opinions because we all know how obnoxious the MCAT experience is.

What state are you a resident of?

When you say that your MCAT is a little low, how low do you mean (on SDN, some think anything below a 34 is low... 😛 ) What was your MCAT breakdown? Did you have a low section?

Good that you're retaking the MCAT, are you doing any prep class or anything?

Where else did you apply?

I live in Maryland, which is rough because we only have one state school and it happens to be excellent and accepts tons of OOS. And, I actually mean low, I'm not an SDN crazy. I had a single digit verbal, double digits in everything else. Unfortunately, I feel that my verbal score is automatically waitlisting me everywhere, even though everything else on my application looks great.

And definitely not taking a prep course. I took a prep course last time and it really screwed me. I last took the MCAT in 2011, so my scores are going to expire relatively soon, and I wasn't as prepared as I am now to take it, so I'm confident I can get my scores up this time.

So, it sounds like your MCAT is in the 29-30 range, is that correct?

If you do have at least a 30 the next time you apply, include USouthAlabama in your list. It's pretty good about considering OOS students with at least a 30 and a 3.5 GPA. And, if you're a female, your chances may even be better since they are heavy male.

I interviewed, toured, and was accepted to USA all within a few days (interviewed on a Wednesday, acceptance came in snail mail on Monday.) They have impressive facilites.

Yes, a single-digit section can get you excluded from many privates without some hook.

What privates did you apply to?

 

[physiologist]

Another Thursday, another empt---- oh, wait. Rejection from Jefferson.

What is it with all the bottom-tier schools rejecting me? While I'd be over the moon if one of the top-tier schools that interviewed me would let me in, if LizzyM's staircase analogy has any truth to it, I consider myself pretty much screwed.

 

[sinombre]

Another Thursday, another empt---- oh, wait. Rejection from Jefferson.

What is it with all the bottom-tier schools rejecting me? While I'd be over the moon if one of the top-tier schools that interviewed me would let me in, if LizzyM's staircase analogy has any truth to it, I consider myself pretty much screwed.

Jefferson isn't a bottom-tier school. Sorry for the rejection though.

 

[physiologist]

Jefferson isn't a bottom-tier school. Sorry for the rejection though.

Is there a list of what is top tier, what is mid, and what is bottom? Not that I care about rankings, I just wanna go to any medical school in the US that would be daring enough to take me!

 

[matanpucla]

and another week has gone by. i can hear the crickets chirping in the street. i just heard a pin drop in the other room.

 

[Taranis]

Is there a list of what is top tier, what is mid, and what is bottom? Not that I care about rankings, I just wanna go to any medical school in the US that would be daring enough to take me!

Obviously there's no defined list, but generally looking at the USNews Medical school rankings (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankings...schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings) Approximately 1-20 is top tier, 21-60 is mid-tier, the rest is low-tier.

 

[colorfulfishies]

Beginning to make solid plans for reapplication has strangely been the most calming diversion from this cycle's panic and anxiety.

 

[drscholls]

Beginning to make solid plans for reapplication has strangely been the most calming diversion from this cycle's panic and anxiety.

+1 for sure. Let myself have a pity party for a few days last week and since then I've been moving forward with next cycle full steam. Still blows, but it took the edge off of a rejection I got today.

 

[jemstone]

Beginning to make solid plans for reapplication has strangely been the most calming diversion from this cycle's panic and anxiety.

+1 for sure. Let myself have a pity party for a few days last week and since then I've been moving forward with next cycle full steam. Still blows, but it took the edge off of a rejection I got today.

These are encouraging/calming thoughts that we're all in this together. Keep up the good faith, guys!

 

[physiologist]

+1 for sure. Let myself have a pity party for a few days last week and since then I've been moving forward with next cycle full steam. Still blows, but it took the edge off of a rejection I got today.

Dude, I got 3 rejections in 2 days.

Freaking brutal. At least it's better than silence, but still...

I just wanna get in somewhere so the panic could be over.

Also does anyone else have this feeling like getting into medical school would get rid of every single bit of worry/panic/uncertainty/stress....like a fairytale ending? I know intellectually that medicine has its own set of stressors, but doesn't it still feel like that? Like you're waiting for that happily ever after?

 

[drscholls]

Dude, I got 3 rejections in 2 days.

Freaking brutal. At least it's better than silence, but still...

I just wanna get in somewhere so the panic could be over.

Agreed, though recently I've settled on the idea of the reapplications. Frustrating because if I knew I would be spending 2 years working I'd be doing something differently. Ah well.

 

[cinamin]

Dude, I got 3 rejections in 2 days.

Freaking brutal. At least it's better than silence, but still...

I just wanna get in somewhere so the panic could be over.

Also does anyone else have this feeling like getting into medical school would get rid of every single bit of worry/panic/uncertainty/stress....like a fairytale ending? I know intellectually that medicine has its own set of stressors, but doesn't it still feel like that? Like you're waiting for that happily ever after?

yes.

 

[matanpucla]

yes.

most def.

 

[NCMED101]

Heard back from my last post interview school this week making it 4 waitlists and 2 rejections. Making this my pity week and next week will start my reapp plans. Have to start looking for jobs again...sigh

 

[physiologist]

Heard back from my last post interview school this week making it 4 waitlists and 2 rejections. Making this my pity week and next week will start my reapp plans. Have to start looking for jobs again...sigh

Sorry to hear that. Anymore interviews coming up?

 

[NCMED101]

Sorry to hear that. Anymore interviews coming up?

Nope unfortunately not. Bunch of silent schools which I am expecting as rejections. Wish I practiced interviewing more, but beating myself about it isn't helping. Only positive...I get to enjoy another year off from the craziness of med school.

 

[matanpucla]

Nope unfortunately not. Bunch of silent schools which I am expecting as rejections. Wish I practiced interviewing more, but beating myself about it isn't helping. Only positive...I get to enjoy another year off from the craziness of med school.

i think it's definitely a good idea to look for jobs and make your reapp plans, but isn't there a decent chance you will get off one of those waitlists??

 

[cinamin]

i think it's definitely a good idea to look for jobs and make your reapp plans, but isn't there a decent chance you will get off one of those waitlists??

yeah depending on the schools you are WL'd at, you could have very very good chances!!

edit: I am on a waitlist currently so I am biased and just tell myself every minute of the day that it's a fairly good situation!

 

[physiologist]

yeah depending on the schools you are WL'd at, you could have very very good chances!!

edit: I am on a waitlist currently so I am biased and just tell myself every minute of the day that it's a fairly good situation!

👍

I'm just hoping at least one of my two interviews result in an acceptance. Despite some awkwardness, in retrospect I think I did a pretty good job this time....

...I hope.

 

[lpp06]

I was doing a bit of thinking about the whole concept of interviews coming through here in the later months and came to a realization.

SDN, as we all know, represents a fraction of the applicant pool. This fraction most likely represents the top 10-20% of candidates. So as we all check school specific threads for word of interview invites, it's safe to assume that this community will be reporting fewer gross numbers of IIs, due in part to less IIs going out, but also due to the fact most SDN'ers have probably gotten their IIs. So I think that SDN becomes a slightly worse II barometer as time marches on.

This is the only way I can assuage my panic.

Related note: At the end of the application seasons, have their ever been polls to accurately determine what % of SDN actually gets an acceptance somewhere, waitlist, or complete rejection? It'd be neat to compare this number to the national average, just to see what type of applicant SDN actually represents.

 

[NCMED101]

i think it's definitely a good idea to look for jobs and make your reapp plans, but isn't there a decent chance you will get off one of those waitlists??

Yeah there is definitely a chance and two of the waitlist schools typically have large movements. However, there is movement primarily in late May/early June. This is too late since new cycle starts June 1st. It's too much of a risk to place hope on something such as a waitlist when applying early/being prepared are so crucial to the cycle. I am preparing for the worst case scenario, but of course would be glad to not apply again, but you never know. I will be applying DO as well as MD next cycle and hopefully with polished interviewing skills I can gain an acceptance outright.

 

[premed2000]

X

 

[matanpucla]

Another week has gone by without any news (good news or bad news).....if I don't get another II by next week, I am going to assume I am done with this cycle and I should start looking for jobs and how to bolster my ECs.....

same thing for me. unless i hear good news from an interview i had in october, and/or get off the waitlist of another school in may/june.

 

[VisceralFlame]

same thing for me. unless i hear good news from an interview i had in october, and/or get off the waitlist of another school in may/june.

You're waiting for initial feedback from an interview in October? Or was it a waitlist?

 

[matanpucla]

You're waiting for initial feedback from an interview in October? Or was it a waitlist?

initial feedback from an interview. it's a foreign school which i am interested in going to if i get accepted, and they only started giving decisions in march.

 

[drscholls]

Another week has gone by without any news (good news or bad news).....if I don't get another II by next week, I am going to assume I am done with this cycle and I should start looking for jobs and how to bolster my ECs.....

Same for sure. Also starting to look at how to afford the app again.

 

[VisceralFlame]

initial feedback from an interview. it's a foreign school which i am interested in going to if i get accepted, and they only started giving decisions in march.

Ahh I see. Good luck! Waiting on initial
feedback from one of my top choices too. Should be the next week or so. Panicky

 

[askamsky51]

Feeling incredibly anxious atm.

1 WL, waiting on decisions at 2 others (one was interviewing for WL)... OHSU is prolly gonna waitlist me too. That's what they do.

 

[physiologist]

Feeling incredibly anxious atm.

1 WL, waiting on decisions at 2 others (one was interviewing for WL)... OHSU is prolly gonna waitlist me too. That's what they do.

Wait...how do you know you are interviewing for the waitlist? How do I find out which schools do that?

 

[smallone]

Nothing to do but sit inside Nemo and PaNiC.

 

[nabilesmail]

Even with a 34 MCAT, as an Asian male, you're going to be considered to be average or even below average. You're not really competing against the entire app group; you're competing against other male Asians. What is that group's avg stats for USC? MCAT 35? 36? If you were a male URM, your stats might be considered to be very strong for USC.

(Though with only 1 year of coursework, all my prereqs were completed at USC with the exception of Biology and 1 semester of Gen-chem).

I know that many CC students transfer to UCs and USC. I don't know how many go to med school without doing a glide year.

Are you saying that during your junior year at USC, you took Orgo I and II, Gen Chem II, Physics I and II, and Cal I?

I took Honors Bio1, Honors Bio 2, Gen Chem 1, Calc 1, Calc 2 at CC, and Gen chem 2, ochem 1, physics 1, physics2 (ochem 2 during the fall after application) at USC

Also your right, according to US News, 1/2 of USC's class is minority applicant. Thought I don't think that puts my stats below average, it does probably make me average as 1/2 class probably has lower numbers

 

[MedPR]

Heard back from my last post interview school this week making it 4 waitlists and 2 rejections. Making this my pity week and next week will start my reapp plans. Have to start looking for jobs again...sigh

Do you have anymore interviews? I got wait listed at 7/9 MD interviews.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[Jas1360]

I made the mistake of reading a school thread for the past two years. Looks like I really shouldn't be expecting anything other than a wait list next week. 🙁

Then I will have to wait until May to find out if I am top third.

Guess I have to wait until June before I will know where I am going next year or what I am going to do.

 

[BecksTriad]

Heard back from my last post interview school this week making it 4 waitlists and 2 rejections. Making this my pity week and next week will start my reapp plans. Have to start looking for jobs again...sigh

Hey we're in similar situations. Don't lose hope. Four wait lists means you still have a decent chance this cycle. Just send updates and LOIs to the schools ur WL at.