**2016-2017 URM Medical School Application Thread**

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AA female from Florida here! Panicking because I'm late to the party. I was waiting for the July 22nd scores to come out before submitting to more schools.

GPA: 3.7cGPA 3.65sGPA
Major: Biological Science
MCAT: 498 and 510 ... Even though retakes aren't a good thing, I'm still really proud of my improvement.
Volunteering: 250 hrs clinical / 210 hrs non-clinical
Research: 100 hrs, no pubs just data collection and 2 classes (1 written research proposal) all in neuroscience.
Other: 50 hours shadowing, worked as a research & teaching assistant

If anyone can help me with my school list that would be greatly appreciated! I am verified on AMCAS and got one secondary from Howard this morning.

Here is my "What are my chances" thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/urm-3-70cgpa-3-65sgpa-498-510-retake-school-list-help.1218521/

Good luck to everyone this cycle!!!! You all are so impressive!
 
How do the people with 35+ schools pay for those.
So far I have applied to 15 schools and submitted 9 secs.
I dont have any IIs yet but I am almost out of money.
 
DoctressM said:
How do the people with 35+ schools pay for those.
So far I have applied to 15 schools and submitted 9 secs.
I dont have any IIs yet but I am almost out of money.
Click to expand...

Credit cards for apps and parents for IIs at least that's what I'm doing.

I plan to pay my parents and the credit cards back over the next year.

(Not 35+ but still expensive)
 
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
 
Meowgical said:
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
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Some schools average MCAT scores, so the 510 might look more like a 504 depending on the school. With your stats, I would aim for low to mid tier, HBCUs, and state schools.

I personally don't put too much stalk in the MED-MAR emails, but that's just my opinion. They pretty much send it to anyone that meets a certain threshold (e.g. 3.2/500 or whatever). It's pretty impersonal. It looks like non-URMs even get those by mistake sometimes. If you like the school, I would talk to admissions first and get their opinion. Since you will have met their minimum threshold, though, I don't know how useful any feedback would be or if they would be able to give you an honest opinion on your competitiveness. If it is schools like NW who waive secondary fees, you don't have much to lose, so I say go for it. I treat all others like spam and just delete.
 
Meowgical said:
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
Click to expand...

I live in the midwest I got two of those emails I applied to both. One from Loyola offers to pull your app and have it expedited for review and waives the secondary fee. I can speak personally that as soon as I submitted everything I emailed them and was moved right to committee. I'll post when I hear back. But I think its worth it. especially if its private so no IS bias
 
Meowgical said:
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
Click to expand...

alpha-GTP said:
Some schools average MCAT scores, so the 510 might look more like a 504 depending on the school. With your stats, I would aim for low to mid tier, HBCUs, and state schools.

I personally don't put too much stalk in the MED-MAR emails, but that's just my opinion. They pretty much send it to anyone that meets a certain threshold (e.g. 3.2/500 or whatever). It's pretty impersonal. It looks like non-URMs even get those by mistake sometimes. If you like the school, I would talk to admissions first and get their opinion. Since you will have met their minimum threshold, though, I don't know how useful any feedback would be or if they would be able to give you an honest opinion on your competitiveness. If it is schools like NW who waive secondary fees, you don't have much to lose, so I say go for it. I treat all others like spam and just delete.
Click to expand...

I agree with alpha I didn't blindly apply, both schools that reached out to me were already on my schools list before I was verified. I was applying to both anyways. But I did call each school to get feedback then submitted the secondaries. One school was just super plain and wasn't enthusiastic. Loyola was super personal and very receptive.
 
Meowgical said:
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
Click to expand...

I believe that this process is unpredictable and you never know which school will be receptive to your application. I applied broadly. I first applied to my state schools, then lower to mid-tier schools and lastly upper-tier schools which I had some sort of connection to (e.g. summer program or internship, alma mater, etc.). To be honest I would craft a list based on your own criteria for what you want in your medical education. There are many factors to consider like location, patient population, diversity, curriculum, etc.

I received some e-mails through the Med-Mar. I applied to most of the schools that I received e-mails from because they were on my list of schools prior to working on my AMCAS, with the exception of one school.
 
The only school that sent an email/letter that was originally on my list was NW, but I'm not holding my breath waiting on an II from them. The others were Loyola (applied b/c secondary waived, not expecting an II here either), Harvard (ha!), and a couple of random state schools (wtf!) that I would never apply to due to the strong IS bias.
 
Thanks for the feedback! I compiled my list based on stats, mission, # of black students, %OOS accepted, location, and NIH funding in the specialty I'm interested in. Also I considered how comfortable I'd feel and whether imposter syndrome would hold me back. I want to go somewhere that I can thrive.

Using WedgeDawgs Applicant Rating System, I fall into Level C whether I use 504 or 510 as my MCAT score. My focus is definitely on my state schools but I'll add some more low/mid tier OOS just in case. My list isn't top heavy anyway. As for MedMar, I'll see if any of the schools I'm interested in send something my way but I won't put too much emphasis on that. Thanks again!
 
L
Meowgical said:
Thanks for the feedback! I compiled my list based on stats, mission, # of black students, %OOS accepted, location, and NIH funding in the specialty I'm interested in. Also I considered how comfortable I'd feel and whether imposter syndrome would hold me back. I want to go somewhere that I can thrive.

Using WedgeDawgs Applicant Rating System, I fall into Level C whether I use 504 or 510 as my MCAT score. My focus is definitely on my state schools but I'll add some more low/mid tier OOS just in case. My list isn't top heavy anyway. As for MedMar, I'll see if any of the schools I'm interested in send something my way but I won't put too much emphasis on that. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Lol, I looked at most of the schools i applied to (except a few state schools), and there were anywhere from 2-11 black students. I made the mistake of telling my mum and she started worrying that i wouldnt find a husband from a similar cultural background. Meanwhile, I'm just trying to be a doctor. Priorities....
 
Meowgical said:
Thanks for the feedback! I compiled my list based on stats, mission, # of black students, %OOS accepted, location, and NIH funding in the specialty I'm interested in. Also I considered how comfortable I'd feel and whether imposter syndrome would hold me back. I want to go somewhere that I can thrive.

Using WedgeDawgs Applicant Rating System, I fall into Level C whether I use 504 or 510 as my MCAT score. My focus is definitely on my state schools but I'll add some more low/mid tier OOS just in case. My list isn't top heavy anyway. As for MedMar, I'll see if any of the schools I'm interested in send something my way but I won't put too much emphasis on that. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Not trying to be kumbayaish or anything but while those rating systems are a nice reference point, it's definitely not the end all be all. "Lower tier" schools sometimes practice yield protection and receive 10K+ applications because of said perception of being "lower tier" (I totally despise the phrase).

Looking at OOS% acceptance, NIH funding, mission statements, curriculum, and hospital system will narrow your list down beautifully. Don't apply to "lower tier" schools you can't see yourself going to, for sure. God forbid it's one of the few acceptances that you get, you don't want to be stuck.

Be practical, relatively selective and only slightly dreamy. Best of luck, love. I'm sure you'll end up at the school made for you.
 
Meowgical said:
How are you all handling Med-Mar recruiting emails/letters? I got some from really random schools (in the midwest). Not sure if I should apply to those or if it's a waste of money...

Also, if anyone that received IIs or anyone that is already a med student has tips for making a school list I would be very appreciative. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I stand as far as competitiveness goes. Might be over thinking it though.
Click to expand...


I ended up adding a school to my verified primary app after receiving a MED-Mar e-mail. OOS and received an interview offer today!
 
Just want to say how impressed I am with everyone here. This URM thread is killling it. I received 4 II's over the past week and a half so I'm ecstatic. For those of you still waiting, I'm sure good news will come your way soon! Patience is key. Good luck to everyone!
 
glibbert17 said:
Just want to say how impressed I am with everyone here. This URM thread is killling it. I received 4 II's over the past week and a half so I'm ecstatic. For those of you still waiting, I'm sure good news will come your way soon! Patience is key. Good luck to everyone!
Click to expand...

Congratulations to you as well. 4 IIs in 1.5 weeks is definitely an excellent start! Hopefully this is the beginning of more to come for you.
 
Still living the YONO(You Only Need One) lifestyle... But proud that all my brothers and sisters are doing so well. Reading through this thread it's easy to forget that there are so little of us actually applying/matriculating. I hope that we can serve as inspiration to future students applying and get more of us into medical schools.
 
Per unspoken/self imposed Sunday ritual..

Here's to hoping for a new week filled with *positive* emails from Admissions Committees and cry-laughing @ how expensive plane tickets are. Firsts for those of you who haven't heard, and more for the superstars with many. 😍:luck:
 
Glad this thread is still alive! Congratulations on those who have IIs 🙂.
For those, who are still waiting your time will come 😉

I was just name Top 30 Under 30 award (ranked in the top ten). I am not going to say which Top 30 Under 30 lol

I will check in when I have some free time. Good Luck on those interviews!
 
Congrats on the II's everyone!

I completed my secondaries last week and was wondering how long it took for you all to receive II's?
 
okayherewego said:
Congrats on the II's everyone!

I completed my secondaries last week and was wondering how long it took for you all to receive II's?
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Took me a couple of weeks but realize a later application may be processed slower. Additionally, you won't be able to gauge your feedback timing. People receive IIs two days after submitting and others months.
 
SydSing said:
Took me a couple of weeks but realize a later application may be processed slower. Additionally, you won't be able to gauge your feedback timing. People receive IIs two days after submitting and others months.
Click to expand...

True, I guess I'll just have to be patient and go back to checking my e-mail 2x/day...instead of 9-10x...
 
SydSing said:
I just set my emails to show up as alerts on my phone. My email address is for school related stuff only so I have eliminated the need to constantly check my inbox.
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Very smart, wish I thought of it!
 
Has anyone else noticed a trend in their II days? Six of mine have come on Mondays. Two on one Tuesday then one on a Thursday.

Random but I am curious.
 
SydSing said:
Has anyone else noticed a trend in their II days? Six of mine have come on Mondays. Two on one Tuesday then one on a Thursday.

Random but I am curious.
Click to expand...

Any particular times during the day?
 
ready2go2 said:
Any particular times during the day?
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2pm, 6:30pm, 1pm, 2:26pm, 10:49am, 2:30pm, 9:00 am, 1:38pm. Then one the portal updated overnight. Never got an email.

The bold isn't Monday IIs, just times that fall near one another.
 
SydSing said:
2pm, 6:30pm, 1pm, 2:26pm, 10:49am, 2:30pm, 9:00 am, 1:38pm. Then one the portal updated overnight. Never got an email.

The bold isn't Monday IIs, just times that fall near one another.
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So lots of "after lunch" times. Haha I can stop frantically refreshing my email in the morning now.
 
1.Hey guys those of u who used a committee letter can I get some help ? How did u add a committee letter ? My school says it will send it out, but if they are sending it why does AMCAS have a option to add it??
2.Also when I try and request the letter on AMCAS they are asking me to include the primary contact/Author name and information who should this person be? The head of the committee ?
3.Also Some schools ask for the Names and titles of individuals who are sending letters of evaluation. What do I put if I am using a committee letter??? The name of the individual writers that make up the committee letter ? Or the name of the people who sent the letters to the committee to make a final letter in the first place.

Any answers will be much appreciated
 
Chelsea FC said:
1.Hey guys those of u who used a committee letter can I get some help ? How did u add a committee letter ? My school says it will send it out, but if they are sending it why does AMCAS have a option to add it??
2.Also when I try and request the letter on AMCAS they are asking me to include the primary contact/Author name and information who should this person be? The head of the committee ?
3.Also Some schools ask for the Names and titles of individuals who are sending letters of evaluation. What do I put if I am using a committee letter??? The name of the individual writers that make up the committee letter ? Or the name of the people who sent the letters to the committee to make a final letter in the first place.

Any answers will be much appreciated
Click to expand...
1. I believe AMCAS asks you whether you want to add a regular letter or a Committee packet.
2.Head of the committee's name.
3.head of the committee's name.
 
Hey guys, this is my first post but I've been a lurker for some time now. I was going to become active when it was my time to apply (2017-2018 cycle) but I felt compelled to post now. I just want to say that I am thankful for this section of SDN and everyone who remains active in it. I love how everyone encourages and supports one another as we all take the plunge of applying to medical school. I wish everybody the best of luck in their cycle, I know you guys will all do great!
 
Anime said:
Hey guys, this is my first post but I've been a lurker for some time now. I was going to become active when it was my time to apply (2017-2018 cycle) but I felt compelled to post now. I just want to say that I am thankful for this section of SDN and everyone who remains active in it. I love how everyone encourages and supports one another as we all take the plunge of applying to medical school. I wish everybody the best of luck in their cycle, I know you guys will all do great!
Click to expand...
And you will succeed in your cycle as well! Just remember to always be a positive influence online; you never know who you're a blessing to.
 
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