2015 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

Started by milski
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Yes, I have been way too content these past couple days, I need to also wrap up the work/activities and I have a deadline also on Tuesday. But first, let's go celebrate. Off to a wedding this weekend.. maybe I'll get my list of schools completed? Maybe?
 
ConsultantMD said:
Yes, I have been way too content these past couple days, I need to also wrap up the work/activities and I have a deadline also on Tuesday. But first, let's go celebrate. Off to a wedding this weekend.. maybe I'll get my list of schools completed? Maybe?
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My school list has been surprisingly hard to get dialed in. Combing through MSAR + reading various mission statements and that type of thing has taken some time.

How many schools is everyone planning to apply to?
 
csj10 said:
My school list has been surprisingly hard to get dialed in. Combing through MSAR + reading various mission statements and that type of thing has taken some time.

How many schools is everyone planning to apply to?
Click to expand...


I'm one of the lucky guys that lives in Texas so I'm applying to all Texas schools and Mayo which equals a total of 11. I'm hardly even taking AMCAS serious compared to TMDSAS.
 
csj10 said:
My school list has been surprisingly hard to get dialed in. Combing through MSAR + reading various mission statements and that type of thing has taken some time.

How many schools is everyone planning to apply to?
Click to expand...

I've got my list down to 24, I think I'll probably apply to 15-16. This is the part where I wish I had known how important it was to take the MCAT early. It would really help with the list if I knew my score.
 
MedicalMomma81 said:
I've got my list down to 24, I think I'll probably apply to 15-16. This is the part where I wish I had known how important it was to take the MCAT early. It would really help with the list if I knew my score.
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I'm thinking around 20 or so. I want to reach so that means applying to more of those reach schools. You never know unless you try, right?
 
My list is at 26 and solid. I'm on FAP so finances are less of a concern. I'll also only be working and continuing some existing research so time should be a bit easier to come by for secondaries.

Being able to cast a broad net is such a relief.
 
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ConsultantMD said:
I'm thinking around 20 or so. I want to reach so that means applying to more of those reach schools. You never know unless you try, right?
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I agree. Can I get any thoughts on applying to Mayo? It is my dream school. My stats are on MD apps same name as here.
 
Couldn't find your MDapps profile, but from what I've heard Mayo is all about unique stories. They are at/near the top of my list as well. I know of 2 people who have gotten interviews there in the last 2 years, both of which I feel I am at least competitive with on all fronts.
 
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I think I am applying only to Southern CA schools this cycle (though my MCAT score might change that). If I branch out, I think it'll be to close schools (nevada/arizona). REALLLLLLY want to remain in SoCal though.

That leaves my list at ~7 schools I believe... UCI, UCLA, USC, UCSD, UCR, Loma Linda, Western. Probably add on Touro-Henderson if my MCAT is <30 and probably add on Univ Nevada if my MCAT >30. Not sure on the Arizona schools yet.
 
Inygma said:
I think I am applying only to Southern CA schools this cycle (though my MCAT score might change that). If I branch out, I think it'll be to close schools (nevada/arizona). REALLLLLLY want to remain in SoCal though.

That leaves my list at ~7 schools I believe... UCI, UCLA, USC, UCSD, UCR, Loma Linda, Western. Probably add on Touro-Henderson if my MCAT is <30 and probably add on Univ Nevada if my MCAT >30. Not sure on the Arizona schools yet.
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Does Univ NV give love to OOS applicants?
 
Realistically? I have 13 schools designated in AMCAS right now, but I'll probably bring that up to 20-25. Initial list was 41 schools, but slowly whittling that down as I look more into the school mission statements, curriculum, location, probability that I'd just be throwing money away by applying there, etc.
 
I have not even started deciding on schools. I know that I'll add my state school to submit next week but I'll worry about the rest of them later - there is almost a month to come up with something good.
 
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Leslie_Knope said:
Mind sharing your GPA?

I have sGPA 3.4 cGPA 3.5 and MCAT 36 (11/13/12)

I might need to copy your school list. 😛
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Very nice and very similar numbers. My gpa is slightly lower at a 3.45, sgpa I have no idea what they're going to do with that so we will see. It'll probably be about the same. My post bacc though was a 3.9 so I have a trend going.

Haha copy my list? No way! I am hearing that we should reach for the stars at this point. Why not?
 
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ConsultantMD said:
Very nice and very similar numbers. My gpa is slightly lower at a 3.45, sgpa I have no idea what they're going to do with that so we will see. It'll probably be about the same. My post bacc though was a 3.9 so I have a trend going.

Haha copy my list? No way! I am hearing that we should reach for the stars at this point. Why not?
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I want to reach for the stars, but I feel like with my limited funds I should reach for wherever I'll fit most easily first.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
I want to reach for the stars, but I feel like with my limited funds I should reach for wherever I'll fit most easily first.
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True, the costs are staggering. I have tuition and average debt as columns in my spreadsheet. Only a couple more days to figure it out!
 
Had my MCAT retake today. Now I wait. I checked the statistics before my retake, saw that >60% of people that score what I scored back in 2011 improve, and honestly I didn't do as good of a job studying the first time around. Did AAMC FLs 3,7,8,9,10,11 and average was competitive for MD schools. Crossing my fingers...
 
Well, the last year is finally in the books. Admitted to a PhD program on full scholarship, got through year one. GPA in new program is a 3.56. Grade distribution:

A: 4
A-: 5
B+: 2
B: 1
B-: 1

Goals for next year: finish coursework, get some more cool rotations, find a dissertation lab, start clinical volunteering and shadowing.
 
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I have 17 schools on my list so far, but still working on finalizing. Every time I think about getting rejected, I add another school. Probably not the best plan for my wallet, which is being seriously taxed right now!

On a side note, great MCAT scores guys-- more power to the non trads 🙂.
 
canadianinusa said:
MCAT twins! My sGPA is similar too (depending on whether or not my stats and biopsychology are accepted as science.)

I'm having a rough time putting together a list of schools. I don't have my green card yet. I legally reside in a state with one med school that heavily favours in-state applicants (acceptance is >30%). They have agreed to let me apply despite not having a GC so of course I am doing this. I will need my GC at matriculation, which I expect to have. I am looking to apply to several schools to show my commitment but I don't want to look stupid by applying to schools that are known to not accept foreigners!
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MSAR/USNews will give you details on if schools accept & interview international applicants at a decent rate.
 
Leslie_Knope said:
My last transcript won't be in until the end of the week so I'm hoping for June 10. 🙁
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I'm still missing two and they are the two "biggest" schools so they are usually way faster. I'm little worried they tried to email pdf versions but aren't approved senders.

I have emails to both registrar's offices, but am hoping to see the transcripts delivered when AMCAS opens monday morning.
 
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You can add letters of recommendation to your application after submitting, right? I have the required letters but found another letter writer who wanted to go to bat for me, but they're going out of the country until July (and in a pretty rural location).
 
akinetopsia said:
You can add letters of recommendation to your application after submitting, right? I have the required letters but found another letter writer who wanted to go to bat for me, but they're going out of the country until July (and in a pretty rural location).
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Yes, I didn't have any of my letters in when I submitted last year and the application will still get verified. Your secondaries won't be reviewed until your letters are in though.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
Yes, I didn't have any of my letters in when I submitted last year and the application will still get verified. Your secondaries won't be reviewed until your letters are in though.
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To be clear, you can check off which letters to send after you submit? Or at least can you change them up (since I haven't read everyone's requirements yet)?
 
ConsultantMD said:
To be clear, you can check off which letters to send after you submit? Or at least can you change them up (since I haven't read everyone's requirements yet)?
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Correct. You have to assign the letters individually for each school, so don't assign them until you are sure. So you can assign them when you send your app to the school, or any time after, but once you assign them you can't take it back.
 
juliuspepperwood said:
Correct. You have to assign the letters individually for each school, so don't assign them until you are sure. So you can assign them when you send your app to the school, or any time after, but once you assign them you can't take it back.
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So we should leave it blank for now then? Thanks!
 
What you can do depending on the school is later tell the school that a letter is no longer being submitted.

I played it safe though and added them all into AMCAS, but didnt assign any yet except for the ones that are already in.
 
ConsultantMD said:
So what is the earliest time you think we can hit submit? And pay amcas about a grand or so...
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I believe time of day doesn't matter as much as what day you submit. Also, I sometimes wonder what percentage of pool we make up? As in, are those that actually try and complete/submit my June 3rd <10% of the general application pool?
 
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