2015 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

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I have one more to finish, and waiting for Drexel.

I haven't submitted my DO application yet. Am I too late to be reasonably considered for DO?
 
I have one more to finish, and waiting for Drexel.

I haven't submitted my DO application yet. Am I too late to be reasonably considered for DO?
I don't think so, I need to submit some more D.O. in a bit, so I hope not.

Question for thread posters:
I foolishly 'went for it' on some bad advice from a friend and retook the MCAT, only to get almost exactly the same score I did the first time (was averaging higher on practice but it just didn't work out). I am not retaking for this cycle, but when should I start planning to do a retake for next cycle (i.e. - at what point do I say 'I have no II's, I should probably get ready for next app cycle.' The MCAT is gonna change after January, and I don't need another section to whoop me. Advice is appreciated from anybody. This is giving me some angst.
 
I don't think so, I need to submit some more D.O. in a bit, so I hope not. I foolishly 'went for it' on some bad advice from a friend and retook the MCAT, only to get almost exactly the same score I did the first time. No more retakes for me this cycle.

BTW - When should I start planning to do a retake for next cycle (i.e. - at what point do I say 'I have no II's, I should probably get ready for next app cycle.' The MCAT is gonna change after January, and I don't need another section to whoop me. Advice is appreciated.
I've decided if no II by October and/or no acceptance by January I'll start planning a reapplication. I know that's early, but I'd rather be ready and not need it.

This process is painful. I'm going to apply MD and DO next time if I don't get in this time.
 
I've decided if no II by October and/or no acceptance by January I'll start planning a reapplication. I know that's early, but I'd rather be ready and not need it.

This process is painful. I'm going to apply MD and DO next time if I don't get in this time.
October for II is what I am thinking too (planned retake in Jan). My Mentor thinks I need to take some time off, but with the changes coming to MCAT I just don't know how I could wait.
 
I don't think so, I need to submit some more D.O. in a bit, so I hope not.

Question for thread posters:
I foolishly 'went for it' on some bad advice from a friend and retook the MCAT, only to get almost exactly the same score I did the first time (was averaging higher on practice but it just didn't work out). I am not retaking for this cycle, but when should I start planning to do a retake for next cycle (i.e. - at what point do I say 'I have no II's, I should probably get ready for next app cycle.' The MCAT is gonna change after January, and I don't need another section to whoop me. Advice is appreciated from anybody. This is giving me some angst.

I'm in the same boat with retaking the MCAT and trying again next year. I had a fabulous average on the practice exams with scores ranging from 33-41 then i scored a 30 on the actual exam. I have been debating ever since i received my score back in May on whether to retake. I know that the new exam will be tougher but the extra section isn't as hard as one would think. I opted to take the optional section and I scored well with zero practice (they do tell you your score in the thank you email). I will begin studying again in January if I am not accepted by then.
 
O M G
I have been struggling with the Colorado essay for 2 weeks now and was finally feeling like I could wrap it up tonight- had the diversity officer at my school read through it, he gave me some useful points to work on for flow and conclusion, and I'm sitting here trying to wrap it up. I called my mom to get a final read through and some final ideas about how to conclude everything. She's usually a pretty helpful reader, but what is she doing right now? Not reading through and giving me an idea or two. Nope. She's starting from the top. And. Nit. Picking.
I cannot watch this live on google docs and not scream. :arghh:
I just want to be done with this one.
:grumpy:


Sorry folks- just had to vent.
 
I'm in the same boat with retaking the MCAT and trying again next year. I had a fabulous average on the practice exams with scores ranging from 33-41 then i scored a 30 on the actual exam. I have been debating ever since i received my score back in May on whether to retake. I know that the new exam will be tougher but the extra section isn't as hard as one would think. I opted to take the optional section and I scored well with zero practice (they do tell you your score in the thank you email). I will begin studying again in January if I am not accepted by then.
That is so rough scoring over three points below your average. I'm sorry you are dealing with that. Hopefully you'll get in this cycle and it will be a moot point. 🙂
 
O M G
I have been struggling with the Colorado essay for 2 weeks now and was finally feeling like I could wrap it up tonight- had the diversity officer at my school read through it, he gave me some useful points to work on for flow and conclusion, and I'm sitting here trying to wrap it up. I called my mom to get a final read through and some final ideas about how to conclude everything. She's usually a pretty helpful reader, but what is she doing right now? Not reading through and giving me an idea or two. Nope. She's starting from the top. And. Nit. Picking.
I cannot watch this live on google docs and not scream. :arghh:
I just want to be done with this one.
:grumpy:


Sorry folks- just had to vent.
Ouch! Just try to be positive. At least you have so many people giving you helpful feedback. One more day is not going to kill your application. Let her make her comments and then let them be tonight. You'll feel better tomorrow. You can make the changes and submit it then.
 
I'm in the same boat with retaking the MCAT and trying again next year. I had a fabulous average on the practice exams with scores ranging from 33-41 then i scored a 30 on the actual exam. I have been debating ever since i received my score back in May on whether to retake. I know that the new exam will be tougher but the extra section isn't as hard as one would think. I opted to take the optional section and I scored well with zero practice (they do tell you your score in the thank you email). I will begin studying again in January if I am not accepted by then.
I took the trial section twice. The first time I got 69% right and was in the top 25%, The second time I got 39% and was in bottom half. And I have taken General Psychology, Devlopmental Psychology, and Sociology. I wouldn't be lolled to sleep on that last one. Just my experience tho, it might be different for others.
 
I'm in the same boat with retaking the MCAT and trying again next year. I had a fabulous average on the practice exams with scores ranging from 33-41 then i scored a 30 on the actual exam. I have been debating ever since i received my score back in May on whether to retake. I know that the new exam will be tougher but the extra section isn't as hard as one would think. I opted to take the optional section and I scored well with zero practice (they do tell you your score in the thank you email). I will begin studying again in January if I am not accepted by then.
Yeah, my averages weren't as high as yours but I definitely scored below my range as well. Feel like I choked, but nothing I can do now, it just looks like a trend.
 
Ouch! Just try to be positive. At least you have so many people giving you helpful feedback. One more day is not going to kill your application. Let her make her comments and then let them be tonight. You'll feel better tomorrow. You can make the changes and submit it then.
Thanks 🙂 You're always such a wonderful encourager!
It is nice to have the help and about half of her edits so far have been good ones- including catching a few typos. I'm just so over it right now, ya know?
 
I'm in the same boat with retaking the MCAT and trying again next year. I had a fabulous average on the practice exams with scores ranging from 33-41 then i scored a 30 on the actual exam. I have been debating ever since i received my score back in May on whether to retake. I know that the new exam will be tougher but the extra section isn't as hard as one would think. I opted to take the optional section and I scored well with zero practice (they do tell you your score in the thank you email). I will begin studying again in January if I am not accepted by then.
sorry, that definitely stings
Yeah, my averages weren't as high as yours but I definitely scored below my range as well. Feel like I choked, but nothing I can do now, it just looks like a trend.
ditto. I studied hard core for 5 months then choked in the PS and ended up 3 points below my average as well. Keeping my fingers crossed for this round though. I don't mind about the new section, I just don't want to restudy again period.
 
sorry, that definitely stings

ditto. I studied hard core for 5 months then choked in the PS and ended up 3 points below my average as well. Keeping my fingers crossed for this round though. I don't mind about the new section, I just don't want to restudy again period.

Amen to that sister! In fact this whole process is rather exhausting, and I would rather get on to the next step. But if I have to redo, then I will.
 
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Amen to that brother! In fact this whole process is rather exhausting, and I would rather get on to the next step. But if I have to redo, then I will.
sister 😉
but we are definitely still in agreement 🙂
 
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That is so rough scoring over three points below your average. I'm sorry you are dealing with that. Hopefully you'll get in this cycle and it will be a moot point. 🙂

Actually my average was 36. My score range was 33-41. It was definitely a confidence killer. Yeah...that's exactly what i'm hoping.
 
Actually my average was 36. My score range was 33-41. It was definitely a confidence killer. Yeah...that's exactly what i'm hoping.
With a 30 I feel like you will get in somewhere MD, but yeah I definitely feel your pain. Thats a big drop. And then you don't know how to improve because you were doing fine on the practice exams before, so what can you use to gauge your progress? I am thinking I will try an Examkrackers/Goldstandard combo next if I have too.
 
I took the trial section twice. The first time I got 69% right and was in the top 25%, The second time I got 39% and was in bottom half. And I have taken General Psychology, Devlopmental Psychology, and Sociology. I wouldn't be lolled to sleep on that last one. Just my experience tho, it might be different for others.

That's good to know. It's definitely fishy when one scores better on a section they didn't study for than on the actual exam. 30 = 78th (i think)
 
Thanks 🙂 You're always such a wonderful encourager!
It is nice to have the help and about half of her edits so far have been good ones- including catching a few typos. I'm just so over it right now, ya know?
Oh, I know. LOL I submitted most of secondaries in the middle of the night while my baby slept next to me and many many times I was like, "I don't even care anymore. I just need to send it!"
 
That's good to know. It's definitely fishy when one scores better on a section they didn't study for than on the actual exam. 30 = 78th (i think)
Agreed. When I did the trial section (the first time), my first thought was 'This is just like verbal, it won't be hard.' But its really not like verbal. The passages were almost completely useless to me, even though they were there.
 
With a 30 I feel like you will get in somewhere MD, but yeah I definitely feel your pain. Thats a big drop. And then you don't know how to improve because you were doing fine on the practice exams before, so what can you use to gauge your progress? I am thinking I will try an Examkrackers/Goldstandard combo next if I have too.

yep, i have no idea what went wrong. I honestly thought i was doing well on the exam while taking it. I've heard good things about Barron's prep. I've already gone through the examkracker books and princeton review.
 
Oh, I know. LOL I submitted most of secondaries in the middle of the night while my baby slept next to me and many many times I was like, "I don't even care anymore. I just need to send it!"
I feel like this describes my thought process towards some of the later apps as well.
 
yep, i have no idea what went wrong. I honestly thought i was doing well on the exam while taking it. I've heard good things about Barron's prep. I've already gone through the examkracker books and princeton review.
I was pure kaplan, and now I rather regret that. But c'est la vie. And at least I did the Aacomas app. I probably stand a good chance for D.O. even if my MD pickings are slim. Which is too bad, I don't want to move, but I doubt UCF will take me as is.
 
Did anyone else grow up playing the original Pokémon Red and Blue? Someone mentioned old 90s games and made me reminisce.
Never played Pokemon. CivIII though... ate up weeks of my time. Really loved Myst too, but could only play it at a friend's house.

Ahh, the good old days of dial-up, slow loading and pixilated graphics.
 
Never played Pokemon. CivIII though... ate up weeks of my time. Really loved Myst too, but could only play it at a friend's house.

Ahh, the good old days of dial-up, slow loading and pixilated graphics.

I played them in high school spanish. 🙂

This just became my favorite SDN thread
 
I scored 5 under my test average, unfortunately it happens.

But back to the current topic, civ iii was indeed awesome, as was tribes
My computer/internet speed always sucked, all I got to play was Age of Empires on the computer. Not complaining though, great game.

I'm more of a console gamer, got my Super Nintendo hooked up next to my Xbox One 🙂
 
My computer/internet speed always sucked, all I got to play was Age of Empires on the computer. Not complaining though, great game.

I'm more of a console gamer, got my Super Nintendo hooked up next to my Xbox One 🙂
Non-Trad Destiny Fireteam incoming?
 
I think the lamest computer game I played was Red Alert. I did love Civ III and IV. V not do much.
 
I've decided if no II by October and/or no acceptance by January I'll start planning a reapplication. I know that's early, but I'd rather be ready and not need it.

This process is painful. I'm going to apply MD and DO next time if I don't get in this time.
You know, Leslie, another thing to do (my plan) is if I don't have any II by September and have started receiving a lot of post secondary rejections, I'm going to apply DO. Even applying late DO could still get me in school somewhere. Friend applied in November last year, heading off to KC right now.
 
Did anyone else grow up playing the original Pokémon Red and Blue? Someone mentioned old 90s games and made me reminisce.
POKEMON RED FOR DAAAAAAAYYYYYS. I might have still played it periodically in my teens... :/
 
You know, Leslie, another thing to do (my plan) is if I don't have any II by September and have started receiving a lot of post secondary rejections, I'm going to apply DO. Even applying late DO could still get me in school somewhere. Friend applied in November last year, heading off to KC right now.
Why not apply now and set interviews for later in the year? I'm filling out my aacomas this week and I have interviews.
 
I think the lamest computer game I played was Red Alert. I did love Civ III and IV. V not do much.
WOAH. Red Alert 2 WAS THE BEST. I was never a civ guy. More AOE2 & Command & Conquer games.
 
Why not apply now and set interviews for later in the year? I'm filling out my aacomas this week and I have interviews.
For the $$$$ not going to drop more money unless I start feeling like I have to. Not turning this into a DO/MD thing. Solely about the $$$
 
O M G
I have been struggling with the Colorado essay for 2 weeks now and was finally feeling like I could wrap it up tonight- had the diversity officer at my school read through it, he gave me some useful points to work on for flow and conclusion, and I'm sitting here trying to wrap it up. I called my mom to get a final read through and some final ideas about how to conclude everything. She's usually a pretty helpful reader, but what is she doing right now? Not reading through and giving me an idea or two. Nope. She's starting from the top. And. Nit. Picking.
I cannot watch this live on google docs and not scream. :arghh:
I just want to be done with this one.
:grumpy:


Sorry folks- just had to vent.
Ha! done and done. :soexcited:
My brother chimed in and it turned into a family affair, but it's submitted now 🙂

21 down, 5+Drexel to go.
 
You know, Leslie, another thing to do (my plan) is if I don't have any II by September and have started receiving a lot of post secondary rejections, I'm going to apply DO. Even applying late DO could still get me in school somewhere. Friend applied in November last year, heading off to KC right now.
That's an interesting idea. I thought about that but my friends and husband all assured me to chill and have faith in myself. I prefer MD for a few reasons so I sort of want to apply DO only after a failed cycle. That said, I have no money left for another cycle so maybe I will do as you suggest. What is the DO timeline like? Is September late or average?
 
That's an interesting idea. I thought about that but my friends and husband all assured me to chill and have faith in myself. I prefer MD for a few reasons so I sort of want to apply DO only after a failed cycle. That said, I have no money left for another cycle so maybe I will do as you suggest. What is the DO timeline like? Is September late or average?
I did my first cycle only md and will be doing this one md/do. I don't think that is a bad way to go at all, then you don't get caught with a do acceptance wondering if you could get md if you did things differently.

I completely redid my ps and activity descriptions and have 2 IIs right now. I only had 3 all of last cycle.
 
That's an interesting idea. I thought about that but my friends and husband all assured me to chill and have faith in myself. I prefer MD for a few reasons so I sort of want to apply DO only after a failed cycle. That said, I have no money left for another cycle so maybe I will do as you suggest. What is the DO timeline like? Is September late or average?
It might be late, I'm the same as you, can't afford another cycle, prefer MD for some personal reasons. What's another couple hundred on the credit card, RIGHT? 😉
 
It might be late, I'm the same as you, can't afford another cycle, prefer MD for some personal reasons. What's another couple hundred on the credit card, RIGHT? 😉
My credit cards are almost maxed out. I'm sort of embarrassed but I promise it was all for good things.

Some things in life are worth sinking yourself into debt for. Some things.

@juliuspepperwood I am kinda torn. I can't do much to "improve" my application because I am a work at home mom right now. I already do volunteer work and work for money and take care of my kid full time on top of that. So... Maybe throwing DO this year would be better? I would always wonder what if, though... Hopefully, I get a couple IIs soon and look back at this and laugh.
 
It's definitely still early for do, I'm just going to complete my aacomas to get it verified and then go from there
 
My credit cards are almost maxed out. I'm sort of embarrassed but I promise it was all for good things.

Some things in life are worth sinking yourself into debt for. Some things.

@juliuspepperwood I am kinda torn. I can't do much to "improve" my application because I am a work at home mom right now. I already do volunteer work and work for money and take care of my kid full time on top of that. So... Maybe throwing DO this year would be better? I would always wonder what if, though... Hopefully, I get a couple IIs soon and look back at this and laugh.

Feel the same way! I hope you get IIs right away too!

It's definitely still early for do, I'm just going to complete my aacomas to get it verified and then go from there
Good call. I'll try and do the same.
 
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