2012-2013 Panic Thread

[Doo]

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3.7/38 and only one interview? I'd be having a heart attack right now in fear of something being seriously wrong with my app. I know people say the application pool is competitive, but damn brother, I don't know how you slipped through the cracks. Hopefully you hear some good news real soon

Thanks, man. I prob really need to discuss my app with the advisors at my school. I am already planning to prepare for next app cycle. This cycle will haunt me for a while I'm sure, it's just way worse than my expectation.

well, I guess it's a good opportunity for resilience training and this is how life goes. 🙂 good luck to we all panickers.

 

[SOMBound13]

1 II, 5 rejections, all came before Nov. Then 2 silent months and just got 1 II last week. 14 more silent schools. So 2 II so far, but that doesn't feel safe to me. Really want to grab more II. 🙁

I know I've said this before, but I wonder if those with very strong stats need to contact the "lower SOMs" that they've applied to and communicate that they would attend if accepted. Those schools are likely protecting their yield and are assuming they wouldn't attend.

 

[Doo]

I know I've said this before, but I wonder if those with very strong stats need to contact the "lower SOMs" that they've applied to and communicate that they would attend if accepted. Those schools are likely protecting their yield and are assuming they wouldn't attend.

post II communication to both the schools interviewed/interviewing me? And is it binding? Also i just feel bad if they take me and I don't end up going to one of them.

I'll think about it, thanks a lot for the very helpful advice;

 

[SOMBound13]

^^^
No, it's not binding.



Perhaps the better way is to say that you're still very much interested in their SOM. The point is to let them know in an indiscreet way that you don't have big name acceptances, so they wouldn't be wasting an acceptance on you. Obviously, you wouldn't be sending the message if you had a Big Name in the bag.

 

[113]

That's a good question. I originally applied with a 25Q. I planned to stay in state, and I expected that DO was my only real option with that score. I got my 2nd test scores back, and I started to lean more towards MD.

Since then, I've spent a lot of time on SDN, and it seems as though if I want to get into a competitive specialty (I do), I'm making it tough on myself by going DO.

Furthermore, all of the disrespect towards DOs on this site makes me uncomfortable about my future as a DO. I really don't want to deal with my colleagues condescending to me for the rest of my life.

DO is an excellent option that produces great doctors. You shouldn't pay too much attention to the MD vs. DO crap on SDN. Most of the posters are bitter pre-meds with inflated egos who know nothing anyway.

Sent from my SPH-L700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Doo]

^^^
No, it's not binding.



Perhaps the better way is to say that you're still very much interested in their SOM. The point is to let them know in an indiscreet way that you don't have big name acceptances, so they wouldn't be wasting an acceptance on you. Obviously, you wouldn't be sending the message if you had a Big Name in the bag.

Then it should work before they reject me, which probably will be around march/apr? I'll wait to the end of Jan. Really thank you for this! It absolutely helps.

 

[Doo]

^^^
No, it's not binding.



Perhaps the better way is to say that you're still very much interested in their SOM. The point is to let them know in an indiscreet way that you don't have big name acceptances, so they wouldn't be wasting an acceptance on you. Obviously, you wouldn't be sending the message if you had a Big Name in the bag.

one more question: should I make it an update letter or just a short email? I don't have much news to update except for my continuous research job. Thank you!

 

[LaughingMan]

Hah--inspired from the Specific School Threads but getting scared reading this thread.

I wish all of you the best of luck and will be sharing in your agony this upcomming cycle (though hopefully all of you will get in this cycle!)

 

[nabilesmail]

Ii !!!!! To einstein wooohoooo

 

[Mavii]

Ii !!!!! To einstein wooohoooo

Congrats bro. Tear it up 👍

 

[matanpucla]

Ii !!!!! To einstein wooohoooo

wow man congrats, i've been dying to get an II there. Did you send them a LOI? good luck!!!

 

[nabilesmail]

wow man congrats, i've been dying to get an II there. Did you send them a LOI? good luck!!!

Nope, I even sent a In the area email in december for january and they didnt give me one though they said that if they did they would accomodate me. That made me feel like I wouldnt get one.

Also both Hofstra and Einstein were schools I added at the very end when I got scared and started panicking. If I hadn't added these schools after freaking out I would of been screwed lol

 

[matanpucla]

Nope, I even sent a In the area email in december for january and they didnt give me one though they said that if they did they would accomodate me. That made me feel like I wouldnt get one.

Also both Hofstra and Einstein were schools I added at the very end when I got scared and started panicking. If I hadn't added these schools after freaking out I would of been screwed lol

well there you go dude, you've got two great shots at very good schools. good luck!

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Also both Hofstra and Einstein were schools I added at the very end when I got scared and started panicking. If I hadn't added these schools after freaking out I would of been screwed lol

Similar thing happened to my friend that's struggling. All of her interviews were schools she added secondary to her initial application. She has 5 II, but if she didn't panic she would have only had one. That school postinterview rejected her too.... the scary realization of a reapp gets real lucid at the point...

 

[TheShaker]

Nope, I even sent a In the area email in december for january and they didnt give me one though they said that if they did they would accomodate me. That made me feel like I wouldnt get one.

Also both Hofstra and Einstein were schools I added at the very end when I got scared and started panicking. If I hadn't added these schools after freaking out I would of been screwed lol

It's funny how things work out but at least they do seem to have a way of doing so! Congrats, I hope I get called by that school one of these days. 🙂

 

[Iatro]

I'm right with you guys. Have 3 ii so far, but wont be hearing back from any of the schools till march (1 is nonrolling, the other 2 are late interviews). It's scary to think what will happen come March if there is no good news. God. I reallllly need to vent.

 

[nabilesmail]

CONGRATS!!! I know how much you've been waiting so this is awesome!! Very happy for you. Go kill that interview! 🙂

Thank you everyone! Once again I'm so happy, and interviews are still going out so halt yo panicking! (Just kidding, I'm still panicking too!)

btw my interview is for April lol, forever away!

 

[SOMBound13]

Then it should work before they reject me, which probably will be around march/apr? I'll wait to the end of Jan. Really thank you for this! It absolutely helps.

one more question: should I make it an update letter or just a short email? I don't have much news to update except for my continuous research job. Thank you!

If you want to wait until the end of this month, then fine. Spend the next few days writing up exactly what you want to say so that it's good to go on Feb 1st.

As for whether to send an update or email, look on each school's website to see what each says about new info.

 

[premed2000]

X

 

[nabilesmail]

Congrats! I want an II from Einstein too :'( it is one of the only schools I still feel like I have a shot out of the ten schools I have left.....dammit!

Guess I am alone having the worst application cycle on SDN..1 II and 14R. Sigh

I wouldnt say that! I'm 2 ii/ 14 rejections/33 schools, of the ones remaining half of them I have no chance at (top 20)

I think you'll get a few more too!

 

[SOMBound13]

One spring I didn't have any acceptances to the REUs I had applied to. I continued to send interest letters to two that I especially wanted. I almost gave up hope when in late May the phone rang and a prof said that someone had just cancelled and I could have the spot. I had just sent another "interest letter" the day before. Of course I said, "yes," which is what he expected to hear.

Conclusion: When it comes to down-selecting or filling in the empty spots, it's easier for people to select someone that they already know will say, "yes." They really don't want to bother going thru accepting someone who's just going to say, "sorry, going elsewhere."

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[SilverCat]

So attended 10 interviews- rejections/ waitlists/holds/deferred at all. Second time applying. Really, I am beginning to think I should do something else at this point. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but apparently, the way the cycle's going, I might as well have just walked into the interview naked and cursing.

 

[bearintraining]

So attended 10 interviews- rejections/ waitlists/holds/deferred at all. Second time applying. Really, I am beginning to think I should do something else at this point. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but apparently, the way the cycle's going, I might as well have just walked into the interview naked and cursing.

wow.. that is brutal 🙁

 

[SOMBound13]

So attended 10 interviews- rejections/ waitlists/holds/deferred at all. Second time applying. Really, I am beginning to think I should do something else at this point. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but apparently, the way the cycle's going, I might as well have just walked into the interview naked and cursing.

🤣

Gotta ask

Did you go to a mock interview at your college? If so, what did they say?

If not, is there a trusted professional that you know who could stage one for you and provide HONEST critique?

 

[nabilesmail]

On a negative note, I just got rejected from my alma meter USC which was my #1 choice lol. That sucks

 

[deleted127837]

Another day without any news. 🙁 after seeing you guys' comments, now I'm really worried about my submission (submitted apps early Sep because I knew one LOR wouldn't go out until later and my committee letter eventually went out mid-late Sep). Other than that, it must either be my average ECs or an unknown red flag (though I think I made a nice story out of my EC for the PS, and had people read it/fix it for 2 wks)

I guess I'll just rely on my 38R/3.7 to grab one more II out of 14 silent schools.. 🙁

You applied very late, and your LOR/committee letters certainly didn't help matters. If you applied in June next year you'd have a very different season - unless, like you said, there's a red flag. Have someone in the know look over it? I'll take a gander if you like.

Ii !!!!! To einstein wooohoooo

You got this! 😀👍

Similar thing happened to my friend that's struggling. All of her interviews were schools she added secondary to her initial application. She has 5 II, but if she didn't panic she would have only had one. That school postinterview rejected her too.... the scary realization of a reapp gets real lucid at the point...

The panic applications tend to be to mid-to-lower level schools, hence the improved odds. I think most people don't realize that "applying broadly" means "~3 top 10, ~3 10-20, about 3 20-30..." and so on. Up to 4 or 5 if you want to apply to more.

Many apply to the whole top 20 thinking it's broad and oh, well, I'll get into one of them! But it's not like college apps where a person with a good application could shotgun the Ivies and expect to get into one of them. Too much chance is involved, and too many people are competing for too few seats.

Rant rant rave rave.

So attended 10 interviews- rejections/ waitlists/holds/deferred at all. Second time applying. Really, I am beginning to think I should do something else at this point. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but apparently, the way the cycle's going, I might as well have just walked into the interview naked and cursing.

You should see an interview counselor at your school's career center. It sounds like something you're doing is rubbing people the wrong way. PM me if you want an app lookover, but with 10 interviews and no hookups, well.

And waitlists/holds/deferrals aren't rejections! There's still a chance 🙂 A good LOI may be in order.

 

[matanpucla]

On a negative note, I just got rejected from my alma meter USC which was my #1 choice lol. That sucks

damn sorry to hear that man. i got waitlisted there, at this point i'm hoping against hope i can get in off that waitlist.


go prepare for that Einstein interview and crush it man!!

 

[deleted127837]

On a negative note, I just got rejected from my alma meter USC which was my #1 choice lol. That sucks

That's rough. But you have two invites, right? You got this 🙂

 

[SilverCat]

🤣

Gotta ask

Did you go to a mock interview at your college? If so, what did they say?

If not, is there a trusted professional that you know who could stage one for you and provide HONEST critique?

I went to a mock interviewer from our pre- med office last year. At the end, she says (and I quote verbatim), "You're definitely going to get in."

This year, I went to three mock interviews at the career center, which weren't much help. I didn't know anyone else who could help.

It's just frustrating watching people get in with identical stats as me.

 

[NCMED101]

6 interviews and waitlistlisted/hold at 4 and rejections at 2. SilverCat, we might be the worst interviewers ever. I didn't practice interviewing as much as I would have liked and it has clearly shown. I am going to start preparing for next cycle starting next month. As a reapplicant can I expect the same number of interviews or am I going to be at a severe disadvantage next cycle?

 

[SilverCat]

6 interviews and waitlistlisted/hold at 4 and rejections at 2. SilverCat, we might be the worst interviewers ever. I didn't practice interviewing as much as I would have liked and it has clearly shown. I am going to start preparing for next cycle starting next month. As a reapplicant can I expect the same number of interviews or am I going to be at a severe disadvantage next cycle?

I know that feel, bro, I know that feel.

I actually did the same as last cycle in terms of interviews to schools applied to- it was roughly a 1/3 ratio. I just applied to more schools this year.

Best advice I can give- apply DO.

Edit: By the by, I found out that a school at which I interviewed and was rejected, has automatically put my name down as an applicant for their MS program. They figured that I'm apparently so terrible an applicant that, because they rejected me, no other school will accept me, so I will delighted by their offer and happily plunk down the 40-50 grand to get an MS. No thank you, Georgetown.

 

[SOMBound13]

I went to a mock interviewer from our pre- med office last year. At the end, she says (and I quote verbatim), "You're definitely going to get in."

This year, I went to three mock interviews at the career center, which weren't much help. I didn't know anyone else who could help.

It's just frustrating watching people get in with identical stats as me.

I can imagine. 🙁

Did you see my post 2442 above?



Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BiologyNerd]

I was pulling my hair out all month and finally an II!

 

[NCMED101]

I know that feel, bro, I know that feel.

I actually did the same as last cycle in terms of interviews to schools applied to- it was roughly a 1/3 ratio. I just applied to more schools this year.

Best advice I can give- apply DO.

Edit: By the by, I found out that a school at which I interviewed and was rejected, has automatically put my name down as an applicant for their MS program. They figured that I'm apparently so terrible an applicant that, because they rejected me, no other school will accept me, so I will delighted by their offer and happily plunk down the 40-50 grand to get an MS. No thank you, Georgetown.

Yeah definitely applying DO next cycle for sure

 

[TheShaker]

I was pulling my hair out all month and finally an II!

A lot of the panic people seem to be getting interviews today! Maybe the AAMC read our thread!! 😛

 

[doctorwho101]

A lot of the panic people seem to be getting interviews today! Maybe the AAMC read our thread!! 😛

I quite like this trend...

/waves

OVER HERE, MED SCHOOLS!

 

[matanpucla]

I quite like this trend...

/waves

OVER HERE, MED SCHOOLS!

yuuup.

we need some IIs ova here!

 

[slothster]

I'm not really talking about being transparent in terms of telling people why they were rejected, I don't really think that's even necessary. I meant more in terms of timelines: what they've accomplished, what their committee meetings are reviewing, when they are, etc. When I interviewed at UCSF the dean gave us a detailed description of how they select applicants for interviews, what their committee meetings look like, etc. He said he started telling people that at interviews when he realized how much we all wanted to know. I think that's more what I was talking about, but with expected dates and the progress of the cycle being included as well. I think that would be enough to have people be a bit more at ease throughout.

I can totally understand why schools would want to limit admin transparency to avoid getting into a bind when they don't come through on a "promise." But there is at least one school proving it can be done... My nomination for most transparent admin? University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix (hands down, at least among the 25 schools where I applied). I'd be curious if anyone can top this...

Supporting evidence? Just check out the school's SDN thread. Each month, the Director of Admissions posts # of accepted/ deferred/ released applicants. Since the beginning of this cycle, she has also been using the thread to promptly answer questions.

Also, during the interview, you're given a table showing the dates of each interview, committee meeting, and decision. They haven't missed a beat. For those deferred, the program provides monthly notification by email of your status (the situation that leaves me in a current state of panic).

And the award for most transparent admissions goes to...?

 

[SilverCat]

Oakland is pretty transparent- they give you the number of people offered interviews, and how many interviews they have left. There's also a twitter page, where the Dean of Admissions updates whenever there is a committee meeting, which interview dates interviewees were reviewed, and when the next committee meeting is. She also is responsive to questions from SDN 😉

 

[Doo]

You applied very late, and your LOR/committee letters certainly didn't help matters. If you applied in June next year you'd have a very different season - unless, like you said, there's a red flag. Have someone in the know look over it? I'll take a gander if you like.



You got this! 😀👍



The panic applications tend to be to mid-to-lower level schools, hence the improved odds. I think most people don't realize that "applying broadly" means "~3 top 10, ~3 10-20, about 3 20-30..." and so on. Up to 4 or 5 if you want to apply to more.

Many apply to the whole top 20 thinking it's broad and oh, well, I'll get into one of them! But it's not like college apps where a person with a good application could shotgun the Ivies and expect to get into one of them. Too much chance is involved, and too many people are competing for too few seats.

Rant rant rave rave.



You should see an interview counselor at your school's career center. It sounds like something you're doing is rubbing people the wrong way. PM me if you want an app lookover, but with 10 interviews and no hookups, well.

And waitlists/holds/deferrals aren't rejections! There's still a chance 🙂 A good LOI may be in order.

It would be very nice of you if you could take a look at my PS. How should I send you the document? Thanks a lot. 🙂

 

[Doo]

And another rejection learned 5min ago. Parents called, snail mail from Washington U St. Louis, postmarked Jan 17. 13 more silent schools to go. 🙁

 

[WhovianDO]

Why must schools give silent rejections? It adds unnecessary stress to an already stressful process.

I was rejected from my state school. That one hurt the most.

 

[chillaxbro]

Still have 9 silences...
4 are 99% chance already rejected (interview dates end at like end of January and no II yet :/)
So 5 schools where I still have a glimmer of hope....

 

[deleted127837]

It would be very nice of you if you could take a look at my PS. How should I send you the document? Thanks a lot. 🙂

PM me 🙂 Anyone can PM me if they want a review.

Why must schools give silent rejections? It adds unnecessary stress to an already stressful process.

Some men just want to watch the world burn. Not rejecting people until the whole class/waitlist is decided lets them add in people they didn't think they'd be interested in on first pass. It allows for a better balance (in theory) compared to schools that move very quickly.

 

[WhovianDO]

Some men just want to watch the world burn. Not rejecting people until the whole class/waitlist is decided lets them add in people they didn't think they'd be interested in on first pass. It allows for a better balance (in theory) compared to schools that move very quickly.

Sadistic ba****ds!

 

[premed2000]

X

 

[nabilesmail]

I posted a thread, but didn't get any response. So I guess maybe I should post it here since it's related to this "panic" thread. haha

anyways,so out of the ten schools I have left, I still feel like I may have a shot for II at maybe two of them, so I am determined to write a LOI/update to them. I have 1II and 14R so far this cycle. If I get an II and ultimately accepted by any of these two schools, I will matriculated without a doubt. So my question is whether I should mention anything about my app cycle and that if accepted I will definitely matriculated in my LOI/updates?

Interesting, I think you should just express interest/absoolute attendance without saying you have no other options, makes you seem like a stronger candidate thats ALSO interested

 

[skais595]

By the by, I found out that a school at which I interviewed and was rejected, has automatically put my name down as an applicant for their MS program. They figured that I'm apparently so terrible an applicant that, because they rejected me, no other school will accept me, so I will delighted by their offer and happily plunk down the 40-50 grand to get an MS. No thank you, Georgetown.

I know you found this insulting, but I can imagine being really relieved if this were me, so I can see why they do it. If I didn't get in anywhere, and I found out a school was looking at me for some type of SMP/MS/post-bacc program without me having to seek out LORs and transcripts and everything, I'd be pretty happy. At least then I wouldn't be up the creek without a paddle for another year.

Of course this is coming from someone who planned to do one of those programs if I didn't get in.

 

[deleted127837]

I posted a thread, but didn't get any response. So I guess maybe I should post it here since it's related to this "panic" thread. haha

anyways,so out of the ten schools I have left, I still feel like I may have a shot for II at maybe two of them, so I am determined to write a LOI/update to them. I have 1II and 14R so far this cycle. If I get an II and ultimately accepted by any of these two schools, I will matriculated without a doubt. So my question is whether I should mention anything about my app cycle and that if accepted I will definitely matriculated in my LOI/updates?

Honestly, I doubt they'll care. At this point, they're not looking at their uninterviewed stack for guaranteed matriculants. They're filling their wait list, or getting traits that are underrepresented in how their class is shaping up.

Saying you'll matriculate no matter what before the interview is essentially saying "I don't have any other interviews" or in general "I've had an unsuccessful season so far" - that doesn't engender a great deal of faith in your quality as an applicant.

TL;DR: I'd stick to a strong statement of interest.

I know you found this insulting, but I can imagine being really relieved if this were me, so I can see why they do it. If I didn't get in anywhere, and I found out a school was looking at me for some type of SMP/MS/post-bacc program without me having to seek out LORs and transcripts and everything, I'd be pretty happy. At least then I wouldn't be up the creek without a paddle for another year.

Of course this is coming from someone who planned to do one of those programs if I didn't get in.

I'd rather more schools do this.

 

[SOMBound13]

I posted a thread, but didn't get any response. So I guess maybe I should post it here since it's related to this "panic" thread. haha

anyways,so out of the ten schools I have left, I still feel like I may have a shot for II at maybe two of them, so I am determined to write a LOI/update to them. I have 1II and 14R so far this cycle. If I get an II and ultimately accepted by any of these two schools, I will matriculated without a doubt. So my question is whether I should mention anything about my app cycle and that if accepted I will definitely matriculated in my LOI/updates?

I would definitely indicate that I would attend if accepted. I wouldn't directly say, 'I have no acceptances." That's just too negative.

The adcoms will read between the lines when you indicate that you will enroll if accepted. They'll either think you have no acceptances, or that you have one that you don't want to attend. Either way, they would feel confident that they weren't wasting an acceptance on you. That's key. If they're going back and forth trying to down-select, it's easier for them to pick the person who's just told them, "hey, I'll enroll if you pick me." 🙂

As tired as we all are with this process, they're probably tired as well. It's human nature to kind of get worn out as the cycle goes on. If they know that a particular person will accept, it makes their life easier.

You need to also include why you really want to attend their school.

Good luck!!