2014-2015 Stanford University Application Thread

BU Medical Sciences
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Does anyone know how often they make those acceptance calls? Is it every week, every other week, etc?
 
Hey everyone,

I am a re-applicant this year after scoring a 25 on my MCAT last year. I bought my MCAT to a 37 and have good ec's including national awards, a 1st author publication, and starting a student group that raised thousands of dollar for a non-profit organization. I was wondering if you guys think Stanford would still look down on me because of my first MCAT score and if you guys think I have a good shot at Stanford. I would also love if you can tell me if you know anyone who got into Stanford med as a re-applicant after improving their MCAT score.
 
princessbooty said:
Hey everyone,

I am a re-applicant this year after scoring a 25 on my MCAT last year. I bought my MCAT to a 37 and have good ec's including national awards, a 1st author publication, and starting a student group that raised thousands of dollar for a non-profit organization. I was wondering if you guys think Stanford would still look down on me because of my first MCAT score and if you guys think I have a good shot at Stanford. I would also love if you can tell me if you know anyone who got into Stanford med as a re-applicant after improving their MCAT score.
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I'll tell you what man. Scratch off your name on your AMCAS and scribble someone else's name onto it. Then pretend you're some Stanford AdCom and look at that application and ask yourself if you'd throw it out or if you might give it a shot.

The only thing that would screw you over, as far as I can see, is if you started the student group for the sole purpose of boosting your application and not because you were genuinely interested in it.
 
Buggles said:
I'll tell you what man. Scratch off your name on your AMCAS and scribble someone else's name onto it. Then pretend you're some Stanford AdCom and look at that application and ask yourself if you'd throw it out or if you might give it a shot.

The only thing that would screw you over, as far as I can see, is if you started the student group for the sole purpose of boosting your application and not because you were genuinely interested in it.
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I actually started the student activity in the beginning of my college years and continued throughout. To be quite honestly, partly why I screwed up so bad on the MCAT the first time is that I was too focused on my ec's and did not put my efforts into MCAT studying. I definitely turned it around the second though.
 
Anyone else have opinions or know anyone who got accepted after a higher second MCAT score? The more responses, the merrier. I could really use people's insights.
 
princessbooty said:
Hey everyone,

I am a re-applicant this year after scoring a 25 on my MCAT last year. I bought my MCAT to a 37 and have good ec's including national awards, a 1st author publication, and starting a student group that raised thousands of dollar for a non-profit organization. I was wondering if you guys think Stanford would still look down on me because of my first MCAT score and if you guys think I have a good shot at Stanford. I would also love if you can tell me if you know anyone who got into Stanford med as a re-applicant after improving their MCAT score.
Click to expand...
I'm a reapplicant who got 6 points higher 3 years later and got II. I think the committee, or anybody, will give you the benefit of doubt when it comes to your first MCAT and think you were probably sick or had some issues, consider the fact that you are able to get 37. Congrats on the improvement! You might have a shot, but so do thousands of people ...unfortunately Stanford only interviews a small fraction of those who are all highly qualified. It's really a crap shot.
 
I wish Stanford allowed us to send them love letters expressing our interest before interview, but Stanford is one of the few schools that don't accept any updates.
 
princessbooty said:
I actually started the student activity in the beginning of my college years and continued throughout. To be quite honestly, partly why I screwed up so bad on the MCAT the first time is that I was too focused on my ec's and did not put my efforts into MCAT studying. I definitely turned it around the second though.
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I think your activity is fine, and even great. Don't worry about some people might look at it and think "she did this for application". No one cares about your motivation for starting something. In the world of medicine, people care about what you actually did and what difference you actually make and what you get out of it.
 
FriendlyFH said:
I'm a reapplicant who got 6 points higher 3 years later and got II. I think the committee, or anybody, will give you the benefit of doubt when it comes to your first MCAT and think you were probably sick or had some issues, consider the fact that you are able to get 37. Congrats on the improvement! You might have a shot, but so do thousands of people ...unfortunately Stanford only interviews a small fraction of those who are all highly qualified. It's really a crap shot.
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I did fall sick right before the exam because I forgot to take care of myself while studying. I was also going through relationship issues and couldn't get unwanted thoughts out of my mind and concentrate on studying. Thanks for giving me some hope.
 
princessbooty said:
I did fall sick right before the exam because I forgot to take care of myself while studying. I was also going through relationship issues and couldn't get unwanted thoughts out of my mind and concentrate on studying. Thanks for giving me some hope.
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Same here--being sick and had relationship issues. No one ever asked me about my first MCAT ever in all of my 10 interviews so far. Don't worry. just be honest when asked.
 
FriendlyFH said:
Same here--being sick and had relationship issues. No one ever asked me about my first MCAT ever in all of my 10 interviews so far. Don't worry. just be honest when asked.
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Wow I feel that we have so much in common. It is hearing about people like you that give me hope and encouragement, and I feel loads better now. Congratulations on your interview offer and achievements! I'm sure it has been a rough journey for you and I wish you and everyone else on this thread the best of luck in this application cycle! 🙂 Fingers crossed.....
 
princessbooty said:
Hey everyone,

I am a re-applicant this year after scoring a 25 on my MCAT last year. I bought my MCAT to a 37 and have good ec's including national awards, a 1st author publication, and starting a student group that raised thousands of dollar for a non-profit organization. I was wondering if you guys think Stanford would still look down on me because of my first MCAT score and if you guys think I have a good shot at Stanford. I would also love if you can tell me if you know anyone who got into Stanford med as a re-applicant after improving their MCAT score.
Click to expand...

IIRC, the confidence interval for the MCAT is +/- 2 points. Going up from a 25 to a 37 is not chance 🙂 I hope you get an invite!
 
Has anyone heard about potential dates for second look yet?
 
Let this Friday be the Friday!
 
breakintheroof said:
Um, okay, today is the Friday. Holy mackerel...I just got an acceptance call...I interviewed 10/7!

Good thing they have wine samples here at Trader Joe's because I need a drink.
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Ooooooommmmmmmgggggggggg! Have one on me!!!

Edit: just noticed that you swore on Mackerel! I grew up having one everyday and up to this day it's always been my favorite fish! That's awesome! I'm gonna use it too!
 
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breakintheroof said:
Um, okay, today is the Friday. Holy mackerel...I just got an acceptance call...I interviewed 10/7!

Good thing they have wine samples here at Trader Joe's because I need a drink.
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Congrats!! What a great phone call. Did they mention when the big envelope would be sent out or anything about second look?
 
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She said within the next week I think. But she didn't say anything about second look. I think it'll all be in the packet though!
 
cutepup101 said:
She said within the next week I think. But she didn't say anything about second look. I think it'll all be in the packet though!
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Ahh, I'll just have to be patient then. Congrats on getting the phone call too!
 
For all of you who have gotten an interview from Stanford, what do you think made your application stand out?
 
breakintheroof said:
Um, okay, today is the Friday. Holy mackerel...I just got an acceptance call...I interviewed 10/7!

Good thing they have wine samples here at Trader Joe's because I need a drink.
Click to expand...
I also interviewed on Oct 7. We probably met! Got my acceptance call on 11/20. Was literally jumping around my apartment and broke my bed 🙂

Congrats!
 
Note to accepted applicants: Be careful following the portal instructions. I just logged in and saw this:

Admitted applicants are required to provide a non-refundable enrollment deposit to reserve a place in the fall entering class. Please make the deposit now.
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But I clicked on the separate "Instructions" tab and saw that it isn't actually due until April 30. So hold onto your $100 for now!
 
princessbooty said:
Hey everyone,

I am a re-applicant this year after scoring a 25 on my MCAT last year. I bought my MCAT to a 37 and have good ec's including national awards, a 1st author publication, and starting a student group that raised thousands of dollar for a non-profit organization. I was wondering if you guys think Stanford would still look down on me because of my first MCAT score and if you guys think I have a good shot at Stanford. I would also love if you can tell me if you know anyone who got into Stanford med as a re-applicant after improving their MCAT score.
Click to expand...

Go for it. Nobody here is the adcom on Stanford, and most people who look at your post are pre-med students who are undergoing the same process anyway. Keep your hope up, but don't expect anything. What do you have to lose?
 
Haven't really been keeping up with this school even though it is by far my top choice. Can anyone tell me the current state of affairs here? Have people been getting post-secondary rejections? Are most interview spots already filled up at this point? Thanks!
 
For those who have been accepted: have you received any correspondence besides the phone call? I'm wondering if I should have received an email or a letter by now (accepted 11/20).

Although my secondary app website has the option to pay the $100 deposit.
 
I haven't heard anything else. I think we should be getting a packet soon too.

Does anyone know if there will be a Facebook group? Some other schools like UCSD have already made groups for accepted students.
 
breakintheroof said:
Um, okay, today is the Friday. Holy mackerel...I just got an acceptance call...I interviewed 10/7!

Good thing they have wine samples here at Trader Joe's because I need a drink.
Click to expand...

+1 on the acceptance call! Also, I have learned that I'm completely incapable of forming coherent sentences when I get super excited.

ETA: Also interviewed in early October.
 
Avo Cado said:
+1 on the acceptance call! Also, I have learned that I'm completely incapable of forming coherent sentences when I get super excited.

ETA: Also interviewed in early October.
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Congrats my friend! Your cycle has been amazing!

I worry about getting the phone call in the first place, and when I do, I'll be making a fool of myself.

Here is what I imagine how it will happen for me
Ring Ring!
Stanford: "Hi FFH, this is Stanford Med"
Me: "Ughhhhh....ugh.....ugh.....Stan.....dan....danfur fur....fur....what?." plus hyperventilating.
Stanford: "I have something to tell you."
Me: "ugh....ugh....ugh.....me....me me.....? plus hyperventilating.
Stanford thinking: we can't give offer to an complete idiot! "Never mind, wrong number!" Hang up.
Me: "......"
 
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I just want to make sure I have everything correct. There is a difference between the statement of acceptance form and the intent to matriculate form right? The statement of acceptance form should be scanned back to Stanford soon (accepting the offer) while the intent to matriculate form should only be sent back once I have officially decided to attend before April 30?
 
cutepup101 said:
I just want to make sure I have everything correct. There is a difference between the statement of acceptance form and the intent to matriculate form right? The statement of acceptance form should be scanned back to Stanford soon (accepting the offer) while the intent to matriculate form should only be sent back once I have officially decided to attend before April 30?
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Correct, that's what I understand as well. Quoted from the Statement of Acceptance: "I understand that I am expected to return this Statement to the MD Admissions Office and this response will not preclude my holding acceptances simultaneously at other schools in accordance with the AAMC policy on holding multiple acceptances." The intent to matriculate form is sent with the non-refundable deposit once we've made our final decision.

Have any accepted students received their packet in the mail yet?
 
For the sake of retrospective analysis of a point made earlier in this thread, anyone with interviews/acceptances not have any artistic/athletic endeavors listed in their activities? Odds seem very low, according to MDapplicants.
 
cutepup101 said:
I haven't heard anything else. I think we should be getting a packet soon too.

Does anyone know if there will be a Facebook group? Some other schools like UCSD have already made groups for accepted students.
Click to expand...

There will be a Facebook group for sure.

Noctámbulo said:
For the sake of retrospective analysis of a point made earlier in this thread, anyone with interviews/acceptances not have any artistic/athletic endeavors listed in their activities? Odds seem very low, according to MDapplicants.
Click to expand...

To be fair, this isn't unique to Stanford. Lots of students have some sort of artistic/athletic endeavors at top schools simply because these students tend to have more activities listed for ECs.
 
Noctámbulo said:
For the sake of retrospective analysis of a point made earlier in this thread, anyone with interviews/acceptances not have any artistic/athletic endeavors listed in their activities? Odds seem very low, according to MDapplicants.
Click to expand...
I am very un-athletic and non artistic haha. So, no, I did not have either of these things at all on my application, and I got an MD only II. (Rejected MSTP)
 
I doubt that tomorrow is going to be the day--still a week too early from the earliest day that I should be expecting anything. However, in case of any magic that might happen and considering the fact that I'll be at work until late and wouldn't be able to answer my phone most of the day, I've customized my VM greeting in anticipation.
 
does stanford give out acceptances only according to the interview day?
 
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