2014 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

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Just had my interview at USC and all I can say is 😍. I wasn't sure what to expect and has somewhat low expectations, but this school is pretty awesome.
 
Had my seventh interview today. One of them told me that despite being disconcerted at my disdain for the location of the school he was going to rate me "recruit" because of my honesty. Maybe I should tell more schools I'm hesitant to go there because of the crappy locale!
 
Captain Sisko said:
Had my seventh interview today. One of them told me that despite being disconcerted at my disdain for the location of the school he was going to rate me "recruit" because of my honesty. Maybe I should tell more schools I'm hesitant to go there because of the crappy locale!
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lol congrats sisko. i think you should start moving some of these interviews past oct 15 or you will soon be in the poor house 😛
 
5th ii today for UT houston. I'm starting to feel really good about my chances now. Maybe I'll even get to choose where I go. It doesn't even matter that I have the flu I'm in a fantastic mood
 
QuantumJ said:
5th ii today for UT houston. I'm starting to feel really good about my chances now. Maybe I'll even get to choose where I go. It doesn't even matter that I have the flu I'm in a fantastic mood
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I have already congratulated you in the UT Houston thread, but good luck anyway :luck:

A microbiologist/infectionist wannabe in me can't pass by this: flu as in flu flu or as in bad cold? It may be an early flu season... Get better anyway!

I was absolutely exhausted from my CCLCM and Case interviews last week - I don't know how Captain Sisco and other 10+ interview holders do this.

To whom it may concern: I'll write you a personal CCLCM visit report, just give me some time 😉
 
Amygdarya said:
I have already congratulated you in the UT Houston thread, but good luck anyway :luck:

A microbiologist/infectionist wannabe in me can't pass by this: flu as in flu flu or as in bad cold? It may be an early flu season... Get better anyway!

I was absolutely exhausted from my CCLCM and Case interviews last week - I don't know how Captain Sisco and other 10+ interview holders do this.

To whom it may concern: I'll write you a personal CCLCM visit report, just give me some time 😉
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Oh god, I really hope this year is a mild flu season. I got the flu last year and it was horrible, if I get it while interviewing this year I'll just be totally screwed.

I had interview #3 yesterday and absolutely loved the school. I could see myself at any of the schools I interviewed at so far, which is really encouraging.
 
Woke up with a rash all over my face today. Itchy, puffy. Flying to Chicago in two days for an interview...sigh. In PCP waiting room now.
 
Got an email the second I posted my rash complaint. II at BU!!
 
SN12357 said:
Oh god, I really hope this year is a mild flu season. I got the flu last year and it was horrible, if I get it while interviewing this year I'll just be totally screwed.

I had interview #3 yesterday and absolutely loved the school. I could see myself at any of the schools I interviewed at so far, which is really encouraging.
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Can you get a flu shot? It's not one of the most effective vaccines (it's only about 60% protective, depending on the season), but it's better than nothing. I had a flu once, and I've gotten my shots regularly since then 😉 As a matter of fact, I just got one today (plus, everyone who has patient contact is pretty much required to get one at my job).

Great to hear you like the schools you're interviewing at. I think there may be something about the "fit" after all: I like all the schools I've interviewed at so far, too, and I kind of feel like I was not invited randomly because of my stats or whatever, but because we have a mutual interest in each other 😉 Well, we'll see what the outcome of this is.
Pose said:
Woke up with a rash all over my face today. Itchy, puffy. Flying to Chicago in two days for an interview...sigh. In PCP waiting room now.
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Oh, sorry to hear that - hopefully it's something that subsides quickly (an allergic reaction?).
Pose said:
Got an email the second I posted my rash complaint. II at BU!!
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And congrats on your interview! BU seems quite selective.
 
Amygdarya said:
I have already congratulated you in the UT Houston thread, but good luck anyway :luck:

A microbiologist/infectionist wannabe in me can't pass by this: flu as in flu flu or as in bad cold? It may be an early flu season... Get better anyway!

I was absolutely exhausted from my CCLCM and Case interviews last week - I don't know how Captain Sisco and other 10+ interview holders do this.

To whom it may concern: I'll write you a personal CCLCM visit report, just give me some time 😉
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Haha thank you and no worries I do the same every time someone tells me they have the flu because their stomach hurts and they're tired 😕. My wife is immune compromised and got it this last week and it's got a hold of me now. I've finally got around to watching Breaking Bad and it's pretty good.
 
Ooh, I *love* Breaking Bad! Too bad it's over. Enjoy!
 
Amygdarya said:
Can you get a flu shot? It's not one of the most effective vaccines (it's only about 60% protective, depending on the season), but it's better than nothing. I had a flu once, and I've gotten my shots regularly since then 😉 As a matter of fact, I just got one today (plus, everyone who has patient contact is pretty much required to get one at my job).

Great to hear you like the schools you're interviewing at. I think there may be something about the "fit" after all: I like all the schools I've interviewed at so far, too, and I kind of feel like I was not invited randomly because of my stats or whatever, but because we have a mutual interest in each other 😉 Well, we'll see what the outcome of this is.
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Oh, I get the flu shot every year. I work in a patient care facility, so it's mandatory. Got the flu last year anyway! If the flu shot has a mitigating effect, I never want to find out what flu without the flu shot was like.

Last year Boston got hit with a particularly vicious flu season with a massive spike in cases right before christmas. Really hoping this year is a more normal trend.

I've been pondering the 'fit' thing too. I've never been the kind to have a 'top' choice without seeing the schools, but I certainly had a small handful of schools I THOUGHT were my top choices. But some of them are ignoring me, and others want to see me right away, so that certainly upends some of my initial thinking.
 
Got my MCAT scores today. They're solid and good enough for most MD schools. 😀 Come on ii's!!!
 
And now for a change of pace - I just got an email from AMCAS that my application was verified. Secondaries time, woohoo!!
 
Spirit Airlines just charged me $80 for my carry-on round trip. They charge for everything. I caution you all to either avoid them, or consider carefully. After paying that, I could've flown AA or United for cheaper.

Also, go Milski!
 
First II today! In-state, but it's a start. (Stats: 3.7,30) Here's to hoping that some others come around too. Best part, I only have to take a half day from work.
 
Congrats!

Got another II today, in a state I'm already flying to for another interview. Unfortunately the only dates start a week after, meaning two flights to the same airport. Not complaining, but wow is interviewing pricey.
 
Congrats, to both of you! All I have to brag about today is more secondaries showing in my inbox. At least that's some sort of progress. I also found out that I've done something incredibly stupid which makes my school list shorter by two. Oh, well...
 
Kage said:
First II today! In-state, but it's a start. (Stats: 3.7,30) Here's to hoping that some others come around too. Best part, I only have to take a half day from work.
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Pose said:
Congrats!

Got another II today, in a state I'm already flying to for another interview. Unfortunately the only dates start a week after, meaning two flights to the same airport. Not complaining, but wow is interviewing pricey.
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Congrats guys!
Yeah, depending on where you end up traveling for interviews this process can become crazy expensive. I got little in-state love, which is OK considering what kind of schools I got IIs from; the only problem is, I have to do quite a bit of flying, and it ain't cheap.
But, as milski pointed out earlier, it's nothing compared to tuition bill 😀
 
Ok, it's paranoia time! 😱 Are all schools going to send me an email about secondaries? Or do I have to go search some of their websites? I know that's probably answered a million times, but it's my turn to be lazy.
 
Looks like I'm stagnating at 14, haven't had an ii in about a week and a half. I've about ten schools i haven't heard from yet, but they're all competitive and it'll be a while if at all. Good news is acceptances come out in five days, two of which are weekend days, which go by faster. How are you all doing? Sn you catch up yet?
 
Captain Sisko said:
Looks like I'm stagnating at 14, haven't had an ii in about a week and a half. I've about ten schools i haven't heard from yet, but they're all competitive and it'll be a while if at all. Good news is acceptances come out in five days, two of which are weekend days, which go by faster. How are you all doing? Sn you catch up yet?
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That's just horrible. 😀 With one in-state school and one in driving distance, I'll be destitute if I had to go (fly) to so many interviews. :scared:
 
milski said:
Ok, it's paranoia time! 😱 Are all schools going to send me an email about secondaries? Or do I have to go search some of their websites? I know that's probably answered a million times, but it's my turn to be lazy.
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Most schools don't screen (notable exceptions are UC schools and Vanderbilt), and most schools send emails inviting you to complete their secondaries - don't forget to check you spam folder, ' cause that's where some of them end up. TX schools (including Baylor) don't send you secondary invitation emails, you have to register on their web sites yourself. I don't know of any other exceptions to the secondary email rule; it's a good idea to read on schools' web sites about their secondaries though if you're not sure.
Also, I'm sure you know about this, but it's a good idea to find secondary essay prompts in school-specific threads and "prewrite" your secondaries, so there are no more unnecessary delays for you.
Captain Sisko said:
Looks like I'm stagnating at 14, haven't had an ii in about a week and a half. I've about ten schools i haven't heard from yet, but they're all competitive and it'll be a while if at all. Good news is acceptances come out in five days, two of which are weekend days, which go by faster. How are you all doing? Sn you catch up yet?
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The horror! :laugh: You crack me up, seriously 😛 I'm sure you'll get lots of good news next week, just wait 🙂
I hope to hear some good news from one school next week - all the other schools I've been interviewing at release their first decisions mid-November and later.
 
milski said:
That's just horrible. 😀 With one in-state school and one in driving distance, I'll be destitute if I had to go (fly) to so many interviews. :scared:
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Of the 14, 10 are in driving distance. One thing the Midwest has going for it 🙂
 
Amygdarya said:
Most schools don't screen (notable exceptions are UC schools and Vanderbilt), and most schools send emails inviting you to complete their secondaries - don't forget to check you spam folder, ' cause that's where some of them end up. TX schools (including Baylor) don't send you secondary invitation emails, you have to register on their web sites yourself. I don't know of any other exceptions to the secondary email rule; it's a good idea to read on schools' web sites about their secondaries though if you're not sure.
Also, I'm sure you know about this, but it's a good idea to find secondary essay prompts in school-specific threads and "prewrite" your secondaries, so there are no more unnecessary delays for you.
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Thanks! I guess I'll spend some time checking tonight, just in case I hit an exception.

Captain Sisko said:
Of the 14, 10 are in driving distance. One thing the Midwest has going for it 🙂
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Speechless... The only retaliation I have is 3 Starbuckses and 4 off brand coffee shops within 10 minutes walking from where I live. 😀
 
milski said:
Congrats, to both of you! All I have to brag about today is more secondaries showing in my inbox. At least that's some sort of progress. I also found out that I've done something incredibly stupid which makes my school list shorter by two. Oh, well...
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Secondaries are awful! Make a word document of all the essays you've done so far. Some questions are common between applications, so you just rearrange words to meet the character limits.
 
Captain Sisko said:
Looks like I'm stagnating at 14, haven't had an ii in about a week and a half. I've about ten schools i haven't heard from yet, but they're all competitive and it'll be a while if at all. Good news is acceptances come out in five days, two of which are weekend days, which go by faster. How are you all doing? Sn you catch up yet?
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I've stagnated too! Nothing in the last two weeks. 11 ii, 1 rejection, 12 silences. Have one school that has promised some kind of answer on Oct 16th or 17th... the wait is killing me.
 
Kage said:
Secondaries are awful! Make a word document of all the essays you've done so far. Some questions are common between applications, so you just rearrange words to meet the character limits.
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Great advice! 👍 I already have a Pages document, with all the questions, the essays that I've written so far, state of my application, etc. There's no way I could keep track otherwise.
 
Kage said:
Secondaries are awful! Make a word document of all the essays you've done so far. Some questions are common between applications, so you just rearrange words to meet the character limits.
Click to expand...

Just don't forget to change the name of the school you're applying to. For some reason, Campbell never gave me an interview invite after I sent them a very well-written secondary on why I wanted to go to medical school at VCOM. In my defense, the two schools are very similar and Campbell plagiarized most of their secondary questions from VCOM, so it was an easy mistake to make. I got a better acceptance elsewhere so it all worked out in the end, but I'd hate to see anyone else lose an interview invite unnecessarily.
 
Chip N Sawbones said:
Just don't forget to change the name of the school you're applying to. For some reason, Campbell never gave me an interview invite after I sent them a very well-written secondary on why I wanted to go to medical school at VCOM. In my defense, the two schools are very similar and Campbell plagiarized most of their secondary questions from VCOM. I got a better acceptance elsewhere so it all worked out in the end, but I'd hate to see anyone else make the same mistake.
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I imagine the old trick of using "honey", "dear", "babe" or other generic replacements for a name does not work too well with schools? :meanie:
 
milski said:
I imagine the old trick of using "honey", "dear", "babe" or other generic replacements for a name does not work too well with schools? :meanie:
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It doesn't. I can't speak for other medical schools, but for some reason the only nickname Tulane likes to be called is "My sweet Cajun honeychile." Don't ask me why.
 
milski said:
Great advice! 👍 I already have a Pages document, with all the questions, the essays that I've written so far, state of my application, etc. There's no way I could keep track otherwise.
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I have separate (electronic) folders for each school where I keep the school's secondary and info, and I also have an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the deadlines, completion dates etc.
wholeheartedly said:
😏


:whistle:
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😉
Sorry, been terribly busy since my Cleveland trip. Good thing we submitted the paper I worked on last weekend, so I will actually have this weekend off 🙂 Stay tuned.
 
Amygdarya said:
😉
Sorry, been terribly busy since my Cleveland trip. Good thing we submitted the paper I worked on last weekend, so I will actually have this weekend off 🙂 Stay tuned.
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No worries, think everyone is crazy busy right now. Although the extra motivation it'll probably give me certainly wouldn't hurt right now.
 
Amygdarya said:
I have separate (electronic) folders for each school where I keep the school's secondary and info, and I also have an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the deadlines, completion dates etc.

😉
Sorry, been terribly busy since my Cleveland trip. Good thing we submitted the paper I worked on last weekend, so I will actually have this weekend off 🙂 Stay tuned.
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I do that too!

As long as you have it by next Friday I'm good 🙂
 
Captain Sisko said:
Looks like I'm stagnating at 14, haven't had an ii in about a week and a half. I've about ten schools i haven't heard from yet, but they're all competitive and it'll be a while if at all. Good news is acceptances come out in five days, two of which are weekend days, which go by faster. How are you all doing? Sn you catch up yet?
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I know how you feel. I'm stagnating at 1! 😛
 
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