2012-2013 Panic Thread

[MedGroupie]

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...and depression sets in after another rejection. Sigh...33 applications, 23 rejections, 7 silent, 0 interviews Stats are mediocre but not unheard of, late application may have doomed me this cycle 🙁

 

[MedGroupie]

...and depression sets in after another rejection. Sigh...33 applications, 23 rejections, 7 silent, 0 interviews Stats are mediocre but not unheard of, late application may have doomed me this cycle 🙁

Correction: 25 rejections and 8 silences

 

[VisceralFlame]

Correction: 25 rejections and 8 silences

Ouch. Sorry to hear that 🙁. When did you apply?

 

[MedGroupie]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that 🙁. When did you apply?

early September, all secondaries completed by the end of November

 

[LadyPengCat]

I think that some postbacc programs accept MD letters from interfolio and your AMCAS app... I remember reading about BU's postbacc being like that. eitherway.

Thanks so much! I got a couple more waitlist positions in the last 2 days (up to 4 in total now), so I am going to pass on the program that has the first deadline (today!), and instead direct some energy to LOI's...and prayer!! 🙂

 

[photogeek]

It seems like any reasonable employer wouldn't hold you a spot because you are on a wait list. They need to look out for their own benefit too.

 

[jlescher]

It seems like any reasonable employer wouldn't hold you a spot because you are on a wait list. They need to look out for their own benefit too.

This is only for lab tech jobs.

Most PIs want a person with a specific set of skills. Hopefully a given person has gained some skills by this point by doing UG research. With that said, it usually isn't imperative that a PI hire someone immediately for a project, so they might give you a little time. If you are a good fit, which you will be if you are offered a job, they will typically give you some leeway with timing. That's not to say they are going to give you 6 months or the entire summer while you wait for a spot, but a month or two isn't that unusual.

 

[type12]

early September, all secondaries completed by the end of November

Hey, SAME EXACT situation with me! Care to share stats? Also 20-25 (I applied 25, but finished 18 secondaries, and 2 schools REALLY late).

34/3.3

 

[MedGroupie]

Hey, SAME EXACT situation with me! Care to share stats? Also 20-25 (I applied 25, but finished 18 secondaries, and 2 schools REALLY late).

34/3.3

3.44 cGPA, 3.42BPCM, 31R...yea, feels kinda good to not be alone in this predicament but I hope the cycle ends up being fruitful for you.

 

[type12]

3.44 cGPA, 3.42BPCM, 31R...yea, feels kinda good to not be alone in this predicament but I hope the cycle ends up being fruitful for you.

Thanks. It's time to fold for me, I'm getting feedback and seems like I seem like a cold jerk on my app due to lots of research and no community and clinical experience. I'm trying to get feedback from all the schools that have rejected me so far.

 

[MedGroupie]

Thanks. It's time to fold for me, I'm getting feedback and seems like I seem like a cold jerk on my app due to lots of research and no community and clinical experience. I'm trying to get feedback from all the schools that have rejected me so far.

I have a lot of research as well and some decent amount of clinical/hospital exposure. Perhaps I should start calling schools for some feedback. I hesitate because I expect them to say...not good enough.

 

[theherowedeserv]

i would kill to have 5 waitlists.

3 seem so meager lol.

 

[VisceralFlame]

i would kill to have 5 waitlists.

3 seem so meager lol.

Same here! But I only have one WL and one school still deciding my fate

 

[nabilesmail]

I have a lot of research as well and some decent amount of clinical/hospital exposure. Perhaps I should start calling schools for some feedback. I hesitate because I expect them to say...not good enough.

Average matriculant stats are 3.65 and 31 so your a decent amount off (though certainly not impossible) the problem with being on the low end of stats is you MUST apply as early as possible. The only way I see a low stat applicant getting in with that late of an app and those stats is if you are an amazing writer or have outstanding ecs. Being average/good in your situation + extremely late is just not going to work. I suggest applying as early as possible next cycle with prewrirten secondaries, make sure they are all well written and apply low tier M.D. (and probably D.O. just in case). Low stats can be made possible with a super early app and great writing. Good luck and Im sorry the cycle turned out the way it is, it is such a painful thing to experience especially when a late app destroys 3 years of working your butt off!

 

[MedGroupie]

Average matriculant stats are 3.65 and 31 so your a decent amount off (though certainly not impossible) the problem with being on the low end of stats is you MUST apply as early as possible. The only way I see a low stat applicant getting in with that late of an app and those stats is if you are an amazing writer or have outstanding ecs. Being average/good in your situation + extremely late is just not going to work. I suggest applying as early as possible next cycle with prewrirten secondaries, make sure they are all well written and apply low tier M.D. (and probably D.O. just in case). Low stats can be made possible with a super early app and great writing. Good luck and Im sorry the cycle turned out the way it is, it is such a painful thing to experience especially when a late app destroys 3 years of working your butt off!

yea, I'll work on raising that GPA before I reapply. I'll do it early. Reapplying without changing anything about my application doesn't seem like a recipe for success. Thanks for your advice.

 

[nabilesmail]

yea, I'll work on raising that GPA before I reapply. I'll do it early. Reapplying without changing anything about my application doesn't seem like a recipe for success. Thanks for your advice.

I think you would be right if you applied early with no success, but your late application sunk you, you should reapply this cycle if you are craving to be in med school asap (like me 😛)

My application is considered pretty damn late and detrimentally so, your application was so late that short of an amazing app. you didn't have a chance. But that factor is time, not your application as a whole. Do a new EC starting now and reapply right away. Transcripts all in and checked off by June 1st, submit June first with a multi edited PS, pre-write secondaries so that you submit all of them when your verified in July. You'll be complete in July and have a decent shot of snagging a couple of MD as well as a great shot at D.O.

Are you URM?

 

[MedGroupie]

I think you would be right if you applied early with no success, but your late application sunk you, you should reapply this cycle if you are craving to be in med school asap (like me 😛)

My application is considered pretty damn late and detrimentally so, your application was so late that short of an amazing app. you didn't have a chance. But that factor is time, not your application as a whole. Do a new EC starting now and reapply right away. Transcripts all in and checked off by June 1st, submit June first with a multi edited PS, pre-write secondaries so that you submit all of them when your verified in July. You'll be complete in July and have a decent shot of snagging a couple of MD as well as a great shot at D.O.

Are you URM?

I have an economically disadvantaged background but I am not from an URM ethnic background...so the short answer is no. I am ABSOLUTELY craving to be in med school asap but to rush through this entire process again may do me more harm than good. You make a compelling point though, I have been wondering how much influence can an early application have on the med school admissions process because med schools often put applications on hold while they review more competitive applicants. And almost all of them ask what have you done to improve your application...so I have to think about this carefully.

 

[SilverCat]

I would definitely wait 1 year before reapplying, if I were in your shoes. I 'm a reapplicant this cycle, and I didn't wait 1 year between app cycles. The first time I applied, I applied late, too, and I figured just retaking the MCAT and getting a few more clinical experiences would be enough. Long story short, I still haven't been accepted to any MD schools yet. So think twice before diving in again right away.

 

[nabilesmail]

You have tons of interviews though, if you can get to that stage you can get an acceptance, I suggest applying in June to both D.O. and M.D., if you only want M.D. then spend another year. Late apps do destroy you, I have pretty decent stats 3.74/34 and I only got 3 late ii/ 34 secondaries/36 schools

Whereas people with early apps and much lower stats faired way better , and there were tons of them!

Reapply !

Based off my experience and seeing how many late apps are sceewed I think a late/very late app is worth -5 LizzyM points

 

[physiologist]

UPDATE: (Well, not really an update since everything is identical to how it was a month ago).

Still at 2 solid rejections and 2 silences.

The wait. It burns.

 

[type12]

I would definitely wait 1 year before reapplying, if I were in your shoes. I 'm a reapplicant this cycle, and I didn't wait 1 year between app cycles. The first time I applied, I applied late, too, and I figured just retaking the MCAT and getting a few more clinical experiences would be enough. Long story short, I still haven't been accepted to any MD schools yet. So think twice before diving in again right away.

Hey SilverCat, can I ask if you applied to the same exact schools the second time around, or did you add schools that are seeing you for the first time in your 2nd cycle?

I've always wondered if "reapplicant" is the level you stand at those schools, even if you didn't apply to them.

 

[chillaxbro]

I would definitely wait 1 year before reapplying, if I were in your shoes. I 'm a reapplicant this cycle, and I didn't wait 1 year between app cycles. The first time I applied, I applied late, too, and I figured just retaking the MCAT and getting a few more clinical experiences would be enough. Long story short, I still haven't been accepted to any MD schools yet. So think twice before diving in again right away.

That really scares me...

 

[SilverCat]

Hey SilverCat, can I ask if you applied to the same exact schools the second time around, or did you add schools that are seeing you for the first time in your 2nd cycle?

I've always wondered if "reapplicant" is the level you stand at those schools, even if you didn't apply to them.

I applied to 16 schools the first time, and 34 the second. Some schools were the same, and gave me an interview the second time, whereas they rejected me the first. That being said, the two schools I interviewed at last year rejected me immediately this year.

Reapplicant tends to mean that you submitted a primary app to the school in the first cycle. Some schools, though, will ask if you have applied previously to other schools, which I think is a little annoying.

I tried to do everything right this cycle in terms of timing- applying early and broadly. I assume either my lack of leadership experiences, my personality, or my 'run of the mill' app must be sinking me, because my numbers are slightly above the matriculation average.

 

[TheShaker]

I applied to 16 schools the first time, and 34 the second. Some schools were the same, and gave me an interview the second time, whereas they rejected me the first. That being said, the two schools I interviewed at last year rejected me immediately this year.

Reapplicant tends to mean that you submitted a primary app to the school in the first cycle. Some schools, though, will ask if you have applied previously to other schools, which I think is a little annoying.

I tried to do everything right this cycle in terms of timing- applying early and broadly. I assume either my lack of leadership experiences, my personality, or my 'run of the mill' app must be sinking me, because my numbers are slightly above the matriculation average.

You've gotten an absurd amount of interviews though. There must be something eye catching on your application.

 

[nabilesmail]

I applied to 16 schools the first time, and 34 the second. Some schools were the same, and gave me an interview the second time, whereas they rejected me the first. That being said, the two schools I interviewed at last year rejected me immediately this year.

Reapplicant tends to mean that you submitted a primary app to the school in the first cycle. Some schools, though, will ask if you have applied previously to other schools, which I think is a little annoying.

I tried to do everything right this cycle in terms of timing- applying early and broadly. I assume either my lack of leadership experiences, my personality, or my 'run of the mill' app must be sinking me, because my numbers are slightly above the matriculation average.

I think its just the interviews not going as well- maybe run some mocks and get feedback?

But the point is, you reapplied and did as well as your application could, 10 MD II is amazing

 

[VictorAlpha]

Had 6 interviews. I've been waitlisted/deferred/we'll see to 5 of them. The sixth, my in-state school, has straight up rejected me. I have a 36R and a 3.8 sci 3.85 c GPA. Graduated recently with biochemistry degree and business degree. 3 years research experience no pubs, but I tried. Decent volunteering experence including 1+ year at the hospital. Loads of leadership exp through clubs/fraternity. Starting to feel like I'm screwed. I don't feel like the interviews went bad, some of them could have been better but I have no idea what really went wrong. Some seemed to go great! Sent some updates in and a LOI to my top school a month ago, still nothing...

...i gotta say i just read the last four pages to catch up. Everyone waiting, keep your heads up. If you all can get that many interviews you will get in, either now or on a subsequent cycle. If you are on multiple wait-lists or had multiple interviews and you are willing to keep at it..(even though this is the Panic thread)..don't panic it will happen. High hopes for everyone posting 😍

 

[type12]

I applied to 16 schools the first time, and 34 the second. Some schools were the same, and gave me an interview the second time, whereas they rejected me the first. That being said, the two schools I interviewed at last year rejected me immediately this year.

Reapplicant tends to mean that you submitted a primary app to the school in the first cycle. Some schools, though, will ask if you have applied previously to other schools, which I think is a little annoying.

I tried to do everything right this cycle in terms of timing- applying early and broadly. I assume either my lack of leadership experiences, my personality, or my 'run of the mill' app must be sinking me, because my numbers are slightly above the matriculation average.

My sympathies. I requested feedback from schools that turned me down. I received a phone call from one, which was just awesome. The admissions person told me "old" was also an issue in my application (not age per-say, but the fact that I applied ages ago and now am reapplying), as it makes it appear I was rejected ad naseum. Said leadership, community, and clinical stuff is also lacking (mostly research here!). I come off as a cold jerk.

I bring that up because you said you don't know for sure, and you feel your app is run of the mill. Did any schools actually say that to you, or are you just a modest person and don't think highly of your accomplishments?

 

[jlescher]

Fare warning for future applicants/re-applicants. Madison might interview you even if they have absolutely no intention of accepting you. It's my state school and I interviewed there Feb. 15th, was WL last week, and received a letter stating that I was no longer under consideration. I didn't even make the cut to be ranked. Interestingly enough, both of my interviewers said they gave me a very strong recommendation. The student even said I was amazing. I am completely baffled by how committees make their decisions.

 

[SilverCat]

Fare warning for future applicants/re-applicants. Madison might interview you even if they have absolutely no intention of accepting you. It's my state school and I interviewed there Feb. 15th, was WL last week, and received a letter stating that I was no longer under consideration. I didn't even make the cut to be ranked. Interestingly enough, both of my interviewers said they gave me a very strong recommendation. The student even said I was amazing. I am completely baffled by how committees make their decisions.

Wow, did you call them to ask why they rejected you from the wait list this early? Usually they keep you on the wait list until orientation is over and the class is set.

 

[LadyPengCat]

Fare warning for future applicants/re-applicants. Madison might interview you even if they have absolutely no intention of accepting you. It's my state school and I interviewed there Feb. 15th, was WL last week, and received a letter stating that I was no longer under consideration. I didn't even make the cut to be ranked. Interestingly enough, both of my interviewers said they gave me a very strong recommendation. The student even said I was amazing. I am completely baffled by how committees make their decisions.

🙁 Sorry to hear that. I also interviewed at Madison. I fell in love with the place, but they gave me the straight-up post-interview rejection. I am OOS, though, so I had a big hurdle to clear from the beginning. What I hear is that they tend to interview the people they really want early on. So maybe future applicants should be wary of attending one of the later interview dates? I interviewed not long before you, but I also submitted my secondary very late, and I was happy just to get the II.

Anyway, I don't know that it's fair to say they interviewed you with no intention of accepting you. The fact that you were waitlisted at first seems to indicate they were still considering you as recently as last week. It just might have been that you would have needed the combination of doing spectacularly well on your interviews (which it seems you might have done) and having more highly ranked applicants do very poorly on theirs (which it seems didn't happen, at least not in great enough numbers).

If I have to re-apply, I think Madison will be on the list again. It's a really great place. Also, they do offer post-rejection application feedback, so you might want to take advantage of that if you think you might be re-applying (even if not to Madison).

 

[jlescher]

My faculty interviewer said she would ask why I wasn't accepted and they told her to direct me to the pre-med advisor. She handles application inquires like this which is more of a service than other schools provide so that's nice. I emailed her about setting up an over the phone meeting so hopefully I'll get some answers by the end of the week. What bothers me, is that the first correspondence I had post interview was the WL letter I received last week. They then cut down the wait list, I think they trim it down to 70 which is nice, to avoid stringing people along. I was cut right away, so why WL me in the first place? I interviewed on the last day which means they had a full picture of the applicant pool when they WLed me. I assumed that because I was wait listed, I would probably get a good rank or at least be ranked. The fact that they offer ~200 acceptances to IS applicants and then rank another 70-100 out of the 400-500 interviewed means I wasn't even one of the top 300 IS applicants. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I sorry, there is no way 300 IS applicants are more qualified than I am.

 

[red doctober]

My faculty interviewer said she would ask why I wasn't accepted and they told her to direct me to the pre-med advisor. She handles application inquires like this which is more of a service than other schools provide so that's nice. I emailed her about setting up an over the phone meeting so hopefully I'll get some answers by the end of the week. What bothers me, is that the first correspondence I had post interview was the WL letter I received last week. They then cut down the wait list, I think they trim it down to 70 which is nice, to avoid stringing people along. I was cut right away, so why WL me in the first place? I interviewed on the last day which means they had a full picture of the applicant pool when they WLed me. I assumed that because I was wait listed, I would probably get a good rank or at least be ranked. The fact that they offer ~200 acceptances to IS applicants and then rank another 70-100 out of the 400-500 interviewed means I wasn't even one of the top 300 IS applicants. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I sorry, there is no way 300 IS applicants are more qualified than I am.

It isn't necessarily the fact that they are more qualified than you, rather they may be a better fit with the school than you. Med schools like to have a diverse class of people with many different backgrounds. You may not have been competing against everyone interviewing but rather people with the same particular niche as you.

It sucks that you were put on the waitlist and then almost immediately rejected. Putting people on the wailtist and ranking the waitlist were probably two separate processes. Because you were in the last interview, the days that they did each were close together. They must have thought that you were good enough for second consideration, but when re-evaluating all the waitlisters, you fell below the cut-off. Head up, you still have a chance to get into two really good med schools.

 

[jlescher]

It isn't necessarily the fact that they are more qualified than you, rather they may be a better fit with the school than you. Med schools like to have a diverse class of people with many different backgrounds. You may not have been competing against everyone interviewing but rather people with the same particular niche as you.

I agree with you to some degree, and I would probably agree a lot more if it was another school. The problem is, Wisconsin is a mid-west state school made up of 80% Wisconsin born and raised white kids. The diversity isn't really that high. Of the 700 IS applicants each year, roughly 450 are UW seniors. That's not diversity to me. There is a little in terms of experience, but not much. I feel my previous statement is valid in general. Moreover, I think I do have some pretty unique experiences which should set me apart and help me to make the cut.

 

[jemstone]

Just accepted! Thank you guys for supporting me in this thread when I was still panicking. Stay strong, friends!

 

[jlescher]

It isn't necessarily the fact that they are more qualified than you, rather they may be a better fit with the school than you. Med schools like to have a diverse class of people with many different backgrounds. You may not have been competing against everyone interviewing but rather people with the same particular niche as you.

It sucks that you were put on the waitlist and then almost immediately rejected. Putting people on the wailtist and ranking the waitlist were probably two separate processes. Because you were in the last interview, the days that they did each were close together. They must have thought that you were good enough for second consideration, but when re-evaluating all the waitlisters, you fell below the cut-off. Head up, you still have a chance to get into two really good med schools.

I'm sure that is what happened. I assume a lot of this is automated to some point (ie you make a cut off and you're sent a letter and there is no thought to it.) I'm ecstatic about the other two, UCSD has always been my top choice. I'm just a little worried because they only took 5 OOS off the WL last year. At least it's a smaller list because they only interview about 100 to begin with.

 

[red doctober]

I agree with you to some degree, and I would probably agree a lot more if it was another school. The problem is, Wisconsin is a mid-west state school made up of 80% Wisconsin born and raised white kids. The diversity isn't really that high. Of the 700 IS applicants each year, roughly 450 are UW seniors. That's not diversity to me. There is a little in terms of experience, but not much. I feel my previous statement is valid in general. Moreover, I think I do have some pretty unique experiences which should set me apart and help me to make the cut.

It's not just life experiences, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, etc. They are also looking for diversity in the type of doctors they will graduate. The disparity in the state is PCPs in rural areas, and your application says nothing to indicate you'd do that. They're also going to look for people interested in public/global health, people likely to practice in underserved urban areas, and on and on. Which category do you fall into? Looking at your MDApps, I'd say you were very research oriented. You may have been competing mainly with other research-oriented applicants. To make things worse for your type of applicant, they've already allocated ~10 spots of their class to research-oriented applicants, spots you were not considered for--MD/PhD.

 

[jlescher]

It's not just life experiences, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, etc. They are also looking for diversity in the type of doctors they will graduate. The disparity in the state is PCPs in rural areas, and your application says nothing to indicate you'd do that. They're also going to look for people interested in public/global health, people likely to practice in underserved urban areas, and on and on. Which category do you fall into? Looking at your MDApps, I'd say you were very research oriented. You may have been competing mainly with other research-oriented applicants. To make things worse for your type of applicant, they've already allocated ~10 spots of their class to research-oriented applicants, spots you were not considered for--MD/PhD.

That is true but as you start to catagorize me into a type and only discuss fighting over those spots that also eliminates a lot of other applicants. Overall the ratios of accepted vs rejected applicants should remain the same even if you focus on a type. That's assume that equal numbers of each applicant type apply. Unless they want a huge number of primary care docs in their class. Then it would make it harder for me.

 

[SilverCat]

That is true but as you start to catagorize me into a type and only discuss fighting over those spots that also eliminates a lot of other applicants. Overall the ratios of accepted vs rejected applicants should remain the same even if you focus on a type. That's assume that equal numbers of each applicant type apply. Unless they want a huge number of primary care docs in their class. Then it would make it harder for me.

Let's just call it for what it is: unfair. I interviewed at a state school last year where I went to high school in state, and was treated just like this- deferred, then rejected flat out several months later. I was told the reason I was rejected was because, 'I didn't seem like I wanted to practice in the state.' How did they ascertain this knowledge? When asked, ' who is the governor of our state?' I admitted that I did not know. BOOM, BAM! By honestly admitting I didn't know one fact about the state, They now know for certain I would leave the state immediately after graduating, never mind the fact that I was honest when I said that I would like to practice in state as a doctor, and still have hopes of returning to practice there once I'm finished with med school and residency.

Your case is probably similar; you have great stats, but you may have come off as uninterested in practicing in the state as a PCP. So they took the applicant with slightly lower stats who showed how much they loved the idea of working as an FP in Wisconsin. Never mind that many students just put on an act during the interview and apply to competitive residencies out of state immediately after graduating.

Look, I understand the desire for

 

[Doo]

Hi guys, I have been following this thread for a long time. As time goes by, I think my chance to get in this cycle is getting very slim. Now I am accepting the fact that I need to reapply, but I am not sure if I should reapply immediately in the up-coming cycle. I would appreciate any suggestion/advice from you gusy.

3.6/38R, 2 yrs full-time biol lab research after college. heavy teaching experience in college, mediocre? clinical experience (1 summer/1 winter hospital volunteering, 0 shadow experience), no leadership role.

Applied to 22 schools this cycle (relatively top heavy, too confident about MCAT... 🙁 ). AMCAS verified mid-Aug, secondaries completed mid-late Sep. So far I have 1 II, 16 rej, and 5 silences.

I think my meager clinical exposure is dealing the lethal damage to my application, which I have only started to fix recently (started shadowing and volunteering last month, and am planning to keep it going throughout the year). I'm not sure if this will be enough to make me a competitive reapplicant in the up-coming cycle though, since it's already April and it probably takes more than just a few months to show commitment in volunteering/clinical service.

Ultimate question: do I have a legitimate chance in the immediate reapplying cycle as long as I apply early or should I take a year off before I reapply to build my application stronger? I know of course the second option makes me a lot more competitive, but I really don't want to wait another year given an option.

Sorry about the long post. Thanks a lot and good luck to everyone! 🙂

 

[photogeek]

Hi guys, I have been following this thread for a long time. As time goes by, I think my chance to get in this cycle is getting very slim. Now I am accepting the fact that I need to reapply, but I am not sure if I should reapply immediately in the up-coming cycle. I would appreciate any suggestion/advice from you gusy.

3.6/38R, 2 yrs full-time biol lab research after college. heavy teaching experience in college, mediocre? clinical experience (1 summer/1 winter hospital volunteering, 0 shadow experience), no leadership role.

Applied to 22 schools this cycle (relatively top heavy, too confident about MCAT... 🙁 ). AMCAS verified mid-Aug, secondaries completed mid-late Sep. So far I have 1 II, 16 rej, and 5 silences.

I think my meager clinical exposure is dealing the lethal damage to my application, which I have only started to fix recently (started shadowing and volunteering last month, and am planning to keep it going throughout the year). I'm not sure if this will be enough to make me a competitive reapplicant in the up-coming cycle though, since it's already April and it probably takes more than just a few months to show commitment in volunteering/clinical service.

Ultimate question: do I have a legitimate chance in the immediate reapplying cycle as long as I apply early or should I take a year off before I reapply to build my application stronger? I know of course the second option makes me a lot more competitive, but I really don't want to wait another year given an option.

Sorry about the long post. Thanks a lot and good luck to everyone! 🙂

Hey!!!!

I think I'm in a similar boat as you and I actually decided to reapply the next cycle (not this one). I don't have as high of an MCAT as you but I have similar research experience, a high GPA and a good MCAT. However, I had the same problem with clinical experience. I thought it would be better to perfect my app over more time and not rush it so I don't have a repeat cycle!

I hope this helps!

 

[Member 331305]

Hi guys, I have been following this thread for a long time. As time goes by, I think my chance to get in this cycle is getting very slim. Now I am accepting the fact that I need to reapply, but I am not sure if I should reapply immediately in the up-coming cycle. I would appreciate any suggestion/advice from you gusy.

3.6/38R, 2 yrs full-time biol lab research after college. heavy teaching experience in college, mediocre? clinical experience (1 summer/1 winter hospital volunteering, 0 shadow experience), no leadership role.

Applied to 22 schools this cycle (relatively top heavy, too confident about MCAT... 🙁 ). AMCAS verified mid-Aug, secondaries completed mid-late Sep. So far I have 1 II, 16 rej, and 5 silences.

I think my meager clinical exposure is dealing the lethal damage to my application, which I have only started to fix recently (started shadowing and volunteering last month, and am planning to keep it going throughout the year). I'm not sure if this will be enough to make me a competitive reapplicant in the up-coming cycle though, since it's already April and it probably takes more than just a few months to show commitment in volunteering/clinical service.

Ultimate question: do I have a legitimate chance in the immediate reapplying cycle as long as I apply early or should I take a year off before I reapply to build my application stronger? I know of course the second option makes me a lot more competitive, but I really don't want to wait another year given an option.

Sorry about the long post. Thanks a lot and good luck to everyone! 🙂

With your MCAT score, I think adcoms will forgive a lack of non-clinical volunteering and leadership. However, I doubt anything could make-up for meager shadowing and clinical experience. How many shadowing hours do you think you can complete before June? If you can get 100+ hours of shadowing, then I think you are set for the upcoming cycle. I wouldn't reapply until you have enough shadowing hours and clinical experience.

 

[BABSstudent]

Hi guys, I have been following this thread for a long time. As time goes by, I think my chance to get in this cycle is getting very slim. Now I am accepting the fact that I need to reapply, but I am not sure if I should reapply immediately in the up-coming cycle. I would appreciate any suggestion/advice from you gusy.

3.6/38R, 2 yrs full-time biol lab research after college. heavy teaching experience in college, mediocre? clinical experience (1 summer/1 winter hospital volunteering, 0 shadow experience), no leadership role.

Applied to 22 schools this cycle (relatively top heavy, too confident about MCAT... 🙁 ). AMCAS verified mid-Aug, secondaries completed mid-late Sep. So far I have 1 II, 16 rej, and 5 silences.

I think my meager clinical exposure is dealing the lethal damage to my application, which I have only started to fix recently (started shadowing and volunteering last month, and am planning to keep it going throughout the year). I'm not sure if this will be enough to make me a competitive reapplicant in the up-coming cycle though, since it's already April and it probably takes more than just a few months to show commitment in volunteering/clinical service.

Ultimate question: do I have a legitimate chance in the immediate reapplying cycle as long as I apply early or should I take a year off before I reapply to build my application stronger? I know of course the second option makes me a lot more competitive, but I really don't want to wait another year given an option.

Sorry about the long post. Thanks a lot and good luck to everyone! 🙂

Why not start clinical now (aim to get at least 40 hours before applying). It won't be too bad. You can do 8 hours a week and get that by mid may.

As for schools, add more safety schools. Make sure your PS isn't bad and think about your LORs. Try to find out if one is bad and sabotaging your chances. Tailor each secondary to the school and their mission statement (which should match yours).

Being early with all those will get you multiple interviews.

 

[theherowedeserv]

4 ii. verified 10/4. complete mid-october to late november most schools.

i dont think i should wait b4 reapplying right?

 

[jlescher]

4 ii. verified 10/4. complete mid-october to late november most schools.

i dont think i should wait b4 reapplying right?

Were you rejected by all 4? Regardless I think you just had bad luck. Reapply!

 

[chillaxbro]

I accepted the fact I will have to reapply
It's already April and I haven't had anything added to my app since last time except more volunteer and research hours at the same hospital and lab.
What else should a reapplicant do other than continue research and volunteer?

 

[BABSstudent]

I accepted the fact I will have to reapply
It's already April and I haven't had anything added to my app since last time except more volunteer and research hours at the same hospital and lab.
What else should a reapplicant do other than continue research and volunteer?

Make your primary stand out as much as possible by reworking your PS and activities description.

 

[type12]

I accepted the fact I will have to reapply
It's already April and I haven't had anything added to my app since last time except more volunteer and research hours at the same hospital and lab.
What else should a reapplicant do other than continue research and volunteer?

Sometimes that's all it takes. If you are numerically good, then add more unique experiences. Volunteer at a gay men's health clinic instead of the run of a mill hospital. Share a story about the time an ER patient stole the needle from you and injected you with the sedative.

That last joke aside, try to be interesting (within medicine) is the short of it. There's no limit. I had the great opportunity to speak with an adcom person (so awesome of that school!), told me leadership opportunities really shine to them. So take charge in medicine in some fashion! Scribing seems to be an awesome thing to do, one of the best things you can do for your glide year.

Why did you remove your Bone for Tuna sig?! I loved it! That is my 2nd favorite show after Sherlock!

 

[prado]

I accepted the fact I will have to reapply
It's already April and I haven't had anything added to my app since last time except more volunteer and research hours at the same hospital and lab.
What else should a reapplicant do other than continue research and volunteer?

Reapply on the very first day. You also might need updated LORs so I'd contact your LOR writers just in case.

 

[SilverCat]

Just need to vent.

Received yet another alternate list email this morning. I wasn't supposed to hear back from the school for another three weeks, but apparently, I'm so terrible a candidate they can't wait to be done reviewing my app. I've tried doing everything right this cycle- applying early, broadly, not too top heavy, doing many mock interviews--but it's just not enough. I must be so socially inept that I'm ruining all these interviews, because I don't know what more I can do. Even the lowest tier MD schools won't take me, and the only reason I was accepted into the DO school, I'm pretty sure, is because my numbers were significantly above their averages.

My family is suffering as well. I won't go into details, but they invested very heavily in my education, and were expecting me to keep up my end of the bargain, and get into a top tier school. I did very well in high school, graduated first in my class, and two of my relatives were in a BS/MD program. Not only did I not do so great in college, but I failed to get into med school the first time around by making stupid mistakes--applying late, mediocre MCAT, etc. I was not 100% committed to med school, and it showed. When I did realize that I loved medicine, it was too late. Now, every day, my parents remind me of the mistakes I made and how much they are going to cost me, what I could have done, and how disappointed they are in me. Everything that's happened to me is really my fault, I'm would never blame anyone else.

Honestly, right now I feel absolutely worthless. Why? Because I have finally come face to face with reality; it's not that I am not intelligent enough to accomplish something, but I am lazy and unmotivated. People struggle to get the resources I have been hand-given; essentially, I have been given gold and turned it to dust. I worked as little as possible, and my application shows that. My interviewers must have recognized this, and that's why I haven't been accepted anywhere.

I'm seriously considering withdrawing from the school I was accepted at, I worry I lack the drive to succeed, and will never match. I have wasted so much time for so long, that I don't know how to become ambitious and hard-working again. Please, any pre-meds reading this, don't make the same mistakes that I did.

I think I'm done posting in the forums. Good luck to everyone out there!

 

[lcck]

Just need to vent.

Received yet another alternate list email this morning. I wasn't supposed to hear back from the school for another three weeks, but apparently, I'm so terrible a candidate they can't wait to be done reviewing my app. I've tried doing everything right this cycle- applying early, broadly, not too top heavy, doing many mock interviews--but it's just not enough. I must be so socially inept that I'm ruining all these interviews, because I don't know what more I can do. Even the lowest tier MD schools won't take me, and the only reason I was accepted into the DO school, I'm pretty sure, is because my numbers were significantly above their averages.

My family is suffering as well. I won't go into details, but they invested very heavily in my education, and were expecting me to keep up my end of the bargain, and get into a top tier school. I did very well in high school, graduated first in my class, and two of my relatives were in a BS/MD program. Not only did I not do so great in college, but I failed to get into med school the first time around by making stupid mistakes--applying late, mediocre MCAT, etc. I was not 100% committed to med school, and it showed. When I did realize that I loved medicine, it was too late. Now, every day, my parents remind me of the mistakes I made and how much they are going to cost me, what I could have done, and how disappointed they are in me. Everything that's happened to me is really my fault, I'm would never blame anyone else.

Honestly, right now I feel absolutely worthless. Why? Because I have finally come face to face with reality; it's not that I am not intelligent enough to accomplish something, but I am lazy and unmotivated. People struggle to get the resources I have been hand-given; essentially, I have been given gold and turned it to dust. I worked as little as possible, and my application shows that. My interviewers must have recognized this, and that's why I haven't been accepted anywhere.

I'm seriously considering withdrawing from the school I was accepted at, I worry I lack the drive to succeed, and will never match. I have wasted so much time for so long, that I don't know how to become ambitious and hard-working again. Please, any pre-meds reading this, don't make the same mistakes that I did.

I think I'm done posting in the forums. Good luck to everyone out there!

Chillax. They're wait lists, not rejections. If anything you're probably just too much of a pessimist.