2012-2013 Panic Thread

[Claudin]

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Any tips on writing update letters preinterview?
How to format? Should I just list them in an email? write it in an essay form? formal like a letter?

I sent one to Einstein today. This is my format:

Dear Admissions Committee,

Paragraph 1: what I did during the months of silence
Paragraph 2: why I still love the school and begged them to not reject me (ok, I didnt include the second part )

Then thank them

Save as a pdf and send it to the admission's email address. Done

 

[BlackSwan]

Any tips on writing update letters preinterview?
How to format? Should I just list them in an email? write it in an essay form? formal like a letter?

Staple a couple o' these to your letter.

 

[matanpucla]

I sent one to Einstein today. This is my format:

Dear Admissions Committee,

Paragraph 1: what I did during the months of silence
Paragraph 2: why I still love the school and begged them to not reject me (ok, I didnt include the second part )

Then thank them

Save as a pdf and send it to the admission's email address. Done

i did this as well yesterday. very interested to see what happens to both of us.

 

[Claudin]

i think the general consensus is that for the silent schools, we still have a shot at some of them. however if by end of feb. we don't hear back, i think that's when it is most likely a no go. good luck to you. and to me. and to the rest of the panickers

True, but I also want to add that after Feb, some schools still give out interviews for waitlist spots. (e.g MCW, according to last year's school specific thread). All we can do now is pray and hope for the best ...

 

[r1d1]

I really do not want to go to DO route...

I understand, but you gotta give yourself a backup plan. You're almost guaranteed to succeed at one of the better DO schools, if you are not interested in ROAD (many DO's match into surgery too). Several DO schools have ward-based rotations and association with decent residency programs. Caribbean schools, on the other hand, are quite risky options. Lower-tier DO schools are probably not safe, either.
I find that the better DO school have matriculants with MCAT>40. Many people do not apply for DO the first time, thinking they're too good to be a DO. Then the next cycle they'd jump up and down for a DO acceptance (before an MD acceptance). I am one of them.

 

[einstein1990]

I'm a reapplicant, was in the same position as many of you last year. Last year I had 1 II, was wait listed and eventually rejected. I worked my booty off as a senior to raise my GPA, do more volunteering, get more clinical experience, and I also retook the MCAT. This year I've gotten 6 MD interviews, 1 acceptance so far, 3 decisions are still pending, 1 Waitlist, and 1 more interview to go.

It CAN be done. It does suck to have to reapply and it takes a lot of strength to do so. But if I can do it, so can you! See my MD apps for my stats, but I can tell you all that they are by no means stellar. I'm a fairly average applicant, if that. Medical schools can see your dedication and tenacity when you reapply and do so with confidence. Chin up, guys! 🙂

 

[daymann]

I'm a reapplicant, was in the same position as many of you last year. Last year I had 1 II, was wait listed and eventually rejected. I worked my booty off as a senior to raise my GPA, do more volunteering, get more clinical experience, and I also retook the MCAT. This year I've gotten 6 MD interviews, 1 acceptance so far, 3 decisions are still pending, 1 Waitlist, and 1 more interview to go.

It CAN be done. It does suck to have to reapply and it takes a lot of strength to do so. But if I can do it, so can you! See my MD apps for my stats, but I can tell you all that they are by no means stellar. I'm a fairly average applicant, if that. Medical schools can see your dedication and tenacity when you reapply and do so with confidence. Chin up, guys! 🙂

It's nice to have encouragement. Also, I read that in Elliot's voice.

 

[Vidpur]

MCATs don't compensate for low GPAs the way people think. Do a post-bacc program for a year to upgrade your GPA and get some quality connections.

How to get connections ??? What kind of a post-bacc can I do for a year and that means not to apply this year. That will make my MCAT useless too i think, I did that early part of 2011. As such i am a non-trad.

 

[matanpucla]

so i watched all 6 seasons of the sopranos in december and did not hear any good news about IIs or acceptance.

i just started the wire, if i don't hear anything good back by the time i finish the 5th season, that will not be chill.

 

[SixStringPsych]

so i watched all 6 seasons of the sopranos in december and did not hear any good news about IIs or acceptance.

i just started the wire, if i don't hear anything good back by the time i finish the 5th season, that will not be chill.

You should probably try watching some good TV shows

 

[SixStringPsych]

Sorry I couldn't resist 🙂

 

[nabilesmail]

The wire and The Sopranos, are two of the highest rated shows of our time :/?

 

[HughMyron]

8 interviews, but no acceptances yet 🙁. Can't give my stats or someone might identify me.

Def ain't mirin'. Also I'm sick to death of flying around.


I must be the worst speaker in the world.

 

[TheShaker]

Man, writing LOI's reminds me of writing secondaries all over again!

 

[SilverCat]

8 interviews, but no acceptances yet 🙁. Can't give my stats or someone might identify me.

Def ain't mirin'. Also I'm sick to death of flying around.


I must be the worst speaker in the world.

No, you're not. I've had 10 MD interviews, but zero acceptances. Life is good.

 

[daymann]

so i watched all 6 seasons of the sopranos in december and did not hear any good news about IIs or acceptance.

i just started the wire, if i don't hear anything good back by the time i finish the 5th season, that will not be chill.

I heard good things about the wire but I couldn't get myself to watch past the third episode

 

[reece05]

so i watched all 6 seasons of the sopranos in december and did not hear any good news about IIs or acceptance.

i just started the wire, if i don't hear anything good back by the time i finish the 5th season, that will not be chill.

Watched six feet under in December.... Excited to start sopranos!

 

[matanpucla]

Watched six feet under in December.... Excited to start sopranos!

enjoy, itll definitely get your mind off this whole waiting business.

and the wire is great, season one is a bit slow but its picking up towards the later episodes.

 

[The Beyonder]

enjoy, itll definitely get your mind off this whole waiting business.

and the wire is great, season one is a bit slow but its picking up towards the later episodes.

Breaking bad is great tv also. First season is slow, but after that it is gripping tv.

 

[TheShaker]

Breaking bad is great tv also. First season is slow, but after that it is gripping tv.

It's a really stressful show to watch but it's addictive. 😀

 

[kimposibl]

Watch BBC's Sherlock!! Its on Netflix if you have it. There are 2 seasons, 3 eps each but the eps are ~90mins. And if you like reality tv, Catfish on MTV is gooood.

Also, to contribute to this thread:
I know cookie-cutter applicants (~3.5 GPA, 30-34 MCAT, volunteer and research) who've had like 4 II's and didn't get an acceptance until May. January seems a bit early to start freaking out, as technically it's only about 1/2 way through the admissions process so then you can safely assume that approx 1/2 to 5/8 of seats have been filled, then there are applicants holding multiple acceptances and won't drop any until the deadline, thereby opening 10-20 more seats per school at that time.... And of course, if you have stellar everything, then you'll have heard back by now.

 

[Maxine450]

3.5, 31 MCAT, 2 ii, 2 waitlists. 🙁 I've searched and searched for statistics and ways how to get off the wait lists, I've found nothing helpful. All I can do is try to do more volunteering in the hopes that it will help me get off the waitlist in May. I really really hope I don't have to apply again, but the prospect looks likely.

 

[MiracleforMD]

I understand, but you gotta give yourself a backup plan. You're almost guaranteed to succeed at one of the better DO schools, if you are not interested in ROAD (many DO's match into surgery too). Several DO schools have ward-based rotations and association with decent residency programs. Caribbean schools, on the other hand, are quite risky options. Lower-tier DO schools are probably not safe, either.
I find that the better DO school have matriculants with MCAT>40. Many people do not apply for DO the first time, thinking they're too good to be a DO. Then the next cycle they'd jump up and down for a DO acceptance (before an MD acceptance). I am one of them.

This is probably my biggest pet peeve on SDN....and life. The above bolded is misleading and just genuinely not true. DOs do very well in anesthesiology (allopathic residencies) and most general surgery programs are notorious for not having a single DO. If you do not know what you are talking about, make that clear or just don't say anything.

 

[cinamin]

this is how I feel when I constantly refresh my inbox.

I won't hear back about two interviews until March and Feb, respectively. I am so anxious. Have 2 more coming up and can't stop thinking about what happens if I bomb all and am with zero acceptances at the end of the cycle.

I should think of a back up plan but I can't wrap my head around what to do for yet another year (I am a tee bit older than the traditional applicant)... BLAH. just venting.

 

[sinombre]

this is how I feel when I constantly refresh my inbox.

I won't hear back about two interviews until March and Feb, respectively. I am so anxious. Have 2 more coming up and can't stop thinking about what happens if I bomb all and am with zero acceptances at the end of the cycle.

I should think of a back up plan but I can't wrap my head around what to do for yet another year (I am a tee bit older than the traditional applicant)... BLAH. just venting.

You'll be fine. Who could resist a delicious cupcake? Certainly not an admissions committee.

 

[koolmoo]

Well, at least you got interviews and have hope, Good luck with the outcome of those.
I have a mcat >37, gpa <3.4 , wasn't that late as some others , great ECs, .. ZERO interviews , 1 rejection rest silence..... from 15 schools !! I wish they would say something...anything... Not leave me hanging on like this. ... This process truely sucks.. Don't know if i can handle another year of this.. Worst is, nothing clinical to add for next yr app . Is there even a point to apply again..... Any suggestions anyone?

Hey man, I'm in almost the exact same position as you. I recently spoke to the dean of a med school about my application, and he told me that the silence comes from adcoms not knowing what to do with split grades/scores like ours. They've read our apps but aren't convinced we're ready for med school. If you can, update the schools with something that improves your app now, or else they have no motivation to look at it a second time (at least not til they've looked at everyone else's). For applicants like us, we really have to prove our worth, which may mean taking a post-bacc or something along those lines..

 

[Vidpur]

Hey man, I'm in almost the exact same position as you. I recently spoke to the dean of a med school about my application, and he told me that the silence comes from adcoms not knowing what to do with split grades/scores like ours. They've read our apps but aren't convinced we're ready for med school. If you can, update the schools with something that improves your app now, or else they have no motivation to look at it a second time (at least not til they've looked at everyone else's). For applicants like us, we really have to prove our worth, which may mean taking a post-bacc or something along those lines..

Well, i am confused about post-bacc for myself. I have more credits under my "senior year" as AMCAS calculates it, than the rest of the years put together. A llot of upper division classes so I have 2 minors and a lot of credits. Isn't that wha a year of post bacc would be?
I wish I knew where to go with this...🙁

 

[tqtfx7]

Finish my secondary in early November. Just got my first II invite today (IS). I sent some LOI and was told that they're processing in order of completion. Some school wont sent out rejection til the end of their cycle. And some school go through April (CMS).
Hope this help guys.
Scores low 30s decent ECs, 3.75 gpa.

 

[nabilesmail]

Finish my secondary in early November. Just got my first II today (IS). I sent some LOI and was told that they're processing in order of completion. Some school wont sent out rejection til the end of their cycle. And some school go through April (CMS).
Hope this help guys.
Scores low 30s decent ECs, 3.75 gpa.

Congrats! what school!?

 

[smallone]

Well, no good news today but I DID get a rejection at 5pm. Someone def hit "send" right before leaving the office for the weekend. 😡

 

[colorfulfishies]

making reapplication year plans suck

 

[matanpucla]

making reapplication year plans suck

yo i looked at your MDApps, and you have quite impressive stats. have you heard back from your interviews yet? i have a feeling you will get in somewhere, good luck! and if you don't, i would suggest applying a bit more broadly and to a few more "lower" tier schools, with your stats you will get into a med school.

 

[MiracleforMD]

making reapplication year plans suck

Can you say top-heavy?

 

[colorfulfishies]

Can you say top-heavy?

Ho yeah, didn't join SDN until after all apps submitted, my advisor was wonderfully assuring when I was making the list...

But I'm okay with errthang, I'm graduating a year early and went straight ahead with the app process, a reapp year doesn't really feel like time lost

 

[colorfulfishies]

yo i looked at your MDApps, and you have quite impressive stats. have you heard back from your interviews yet? i have a feeling you will get in somewhere, good luck! and if you don't, i would suggest applying a bit more broadly and to a few more "lower" tier schools, with your stats you will get into a med school.

and should hear back from those interviewed schools end of this month through March :/ it feels sooo late

 

[cinamin]

Well, no good news today but I DID get a rejection at 5pm. Someone def hit "send" right before leaving the office for the weekend. 😡

booo! 👎

 

[MiracleforMD]

Don't sweat it. I would bet big money you'll get in somewhere. It's early....for people with stats like yours,

 

[Claudin]

Oh, I can't believe it. Another empty inbox week. I thought January would be faster 😡

 

[lcck]

Oh, I can't believe it. Another empty inbox week. I thought January would be faster 😡

Sigh. I agree.

 

[matanpucla]

Sigh. I agree.

only email i got was from a school telling me to send the LOI in the email body, not as a PDF, as they are paperless.

i have a feeling ill be getting some emails next week. whether good or bad, we will see.

 

[TheShaker]

Oh, I can't believe it. Another empty inbox week. I thought January would be faster 😡

Same. 🙁

 

[cinamin]

only email i got was from a school telling me to send the LOI in the email body, not as a PDF, as they are paperless.

i have a feeling ill be getting some emails next week. whether good or bad, we will see.

and by paperless, they just trash all our files. jk. einstein told me the same

 

[cinamin]

ugh i can't look at my inbox anymore... my goal is not to look at it for the rest of the night. i'm developing OCD from this process 🙁

 

[MedPR]

Oh, I can't believe it. Another empty inbox week. I thought January would be faster 😡

I haven't heard a peep (except a post-interview decision) since October.

 

[TheShaker]

ugh i can't look at my inbox anymore... my goal is not to look at it for the rest of the night. i'm developing OCD from this process 🙁

Even when I know the admissions offices are closed for the night, I check just for the sake of checking...

 

[matanpucla]

just saw zero dark thirty. osama is dead. i am no longer panicking.

 

[Ruhroh]

just saw zero dark thirty. osama is dead. i am no longer panicking.

Friggin' spoilers dude

 

[premed2000]

X

 

[Jas1360]

Has there been any II's this january yet?!?!? Been too quiet.

Just rejection month for me, so far.

 

[bearintraining]

Just rejection month for me, so far.

no news at all for me