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

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Hey guys! I usually only lurk on this thread since I'm pre-dental (and I don't want to disturb the peace). But I just wanted to let someone know that I got into my dream school today!! Columbia!!


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Congratulations!! That's amazing!!

I really didn't think about it, but there must be more URM folks in other pre-professional paths in these forums, there should be more of a presence over here. Don't be afraid to be a pioneer and start it up


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Hey guys! I usually only lurk on this thread since I'm pre-dental (and I don't want to disturb the peace). But I just wanted to let someone know that I got into my dream school today!! Columbia!!


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DISTURB OUR PEACE BOO :biglove::biglove:

So proud, I take my teeth v serious so this is excellent news lol. Go forth and represent.
 
Hey guys, have a question for all. What do you guys think about withdrawing from schools pre-II? Has anyone done it? Is anyone against it?

I have some schools that I wouldn't attend over my state school (which is where I've been accepted so far) so I don't see the point in keeping my application open. However, I also see the value in being able to report the outcome for MDapps and here for future applicants with similar background/stats/what have you to see where I had success and where I didn't.

Thoughts?


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I could understand more if you were post-II but you might as well hang it up and withdraw, you've already gotten into your top so you've already succeeded by your standards. No sense in being greedy and self-serving lol.

Plus once you get into medschool and get out of medschool, nobody cares where else you got in unless there's a cool story behind it haha

Edit: If you applied to a bunch of schools then nevermind because it becomes a hassle to withdraw lmao
 
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So just bombed my interview at my top choice school... 🙁. I actually did not make sense while I was speaking to my faculty interviewer, was so nervous +pity+
 
So just bombed my interview at my top choice school... 🙁. I actually did not make sense while I was speaking to my faculty interviewer, was so nervous +pity+

The interview is just one piece of our whole application file! Plus, these interviewers know how nerve wracking this process is for us. You are far from the first person to stumble, and you most certainly won't be the last. Also, your grades and experiences aren't invalidated simply because of this one day. I'm rooting for you! I think you still have a shot!


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So just bombed my interview at my top choice school... 🙁. I actually did not make sense while I was speaking to my faculty interviewer, was so nervous +pity+

don't sweat it. It probably didn't go as bad as you think. After every interview I started to think of all the gibberish that spilled out my mouth. Everybody is nervous.



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I could understand more if you were post-II but you might as well hang it up and withdraw, you've already gotten into your top so you've already succeeded by your standards. No sense in being greedy and self-serving lol.

Plus once you get into medschool and get out of medschool, nobody cares where else you got in unless there's a cool story behind it haha

Edit: If you applied to a bunch of schools then nevermind because it becomes a hassle to withdraw lmao

I applied to 20 I've heard back from I think 12, and of the remaining 8, 4 of them I wouldn't attend over my current acceptance so I'm considering withdrawing from those 4.

But like you said I feel like it's almost selfish to keep my app under consideration. But I spoke to my advisor and he was saying how my decision is so heavily a financial one because I'm a single mother. And he's right my top choice may end up being where the money is.


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don't sweat it. It probably didn't go as bad as you think. After every interview I started to think of all the gibberish that spilled out my mouth. Everybody is nervous.



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This is so true. I think the one you want the most causes the worst post interview feelings.


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So just bombed my interview at my top choice school... 🙁. I actually did not make sense while I was speaking to my faculty interviewer, was so nervous +pity+

I had one interview in particular where I could hear myself pulling BS out of my ass. My answers were very round-about and not coherent until finally I just stopped talking and there was an awkward but thankfully, quick silence. I ended up getting accepted.

Don't count yourself out. You never know how it went until that final decision is made. Best to shrug it off, learn from it, and keep it pushing.
 
I applied to 20 I've heard back from I think 12, and of the remaining 8, 4 of them I wouldn't attend over my current acceptance so I'm considering withdrawing from those 4.

But like you said I feel like it's almost selfish to keep my app under consideration. But I spoke to my advisor and he was saying how my decision is so heavily a financial one because I'm a single mother. And he's right my top choice may end up being where the money is.


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Oh, well if you're still trying to shop around with schools then by all means keep your name in the pot. The debt we incur is no joke as you well know.
 
I applied to 20 I've heard back from I think 12, and of the remaining 8, 4 of them I wouldn't attend over my current acceptance so I'm considering withdrawing from those 4.

But like you said I feel like it's almost selfish to keep my app under consideration. But I spoke to my advisor and he was saying how my decision is so heavily a financial one because I'm a single mother. And he's right my top choice may end up being where the money is.


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I'm a single mom too now I don't feel so alone 🙂
 
So how important are interviews? I know they are important of course but how much weight is put on them and what are they looking for in an applicant when they interview?
 
So how important are interviews? I know they are important of course but how much weight is put on them and what are they looking for in an applicant when they interview?

It's not everything but just keep in mind that the interview is the first time you're ever seen as an actual person to them. I liked to think that my stats got me the interview and my personality got me the acceptances. Be a person. Listen before you speak. I think good communication skills are key


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So how important are interviews? I know they are important of course but how much weight is put on them and what are they looking for in an applicant when they interview?

It really depends. For some schools, you might be interviewing out of formality; you're profile is golden, they just want to make sure you have appropriate interpersonal skills. For other schools, they might like your profile well enough but you are still borderline in terms of the rest of the interviewees so they want to see if you bring anything else to the table that wasn't necessarily covered on paper. Obviously without overly stressing, I would treat each interview as if it were the latter situation.

Anecdotally, I've had stress interviews where they press you on one particular topic to see how you handle it; they might purposely act disinterested or make you feel rushed to see if you flop under pressure. I've also had interviews where we only discussed my stats for the most part. I've even been interviews were they closed my file and simply asked me about my day and then went on to talk about life in general. You never know what they are looking for out of each applicant.
 
Congrats on all your success you guys, its awesome! I am applying this cycle to and was wondering what you guys think is a solid amount of interviews to have at this point in the cycle. Is 6 II's a good sign of more to come/ a possible acceptance?
 
Congrats on all your success you guys, its awesome! I am applying this cycle to and was wondering what you guys think is a solid amount of interviews to have at this point in the cycle. Is 6 II's a good sign of more to come/ a possible acceptance?
It's depends a lot schools send everyone secondaries some schools have pre screening so it depends on the schools you applied if it really is a good sign or not
 
II's means interview invites

I think 6 II's is a good sign but depends on your school list. Some schools interview until March/April while some schools end interviews in January.


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Congrats on all your success you guys, its awesome! I am applying this cycle to and was wondering what you guys think is a solid amount of interviews to have at this point in the cycle. Is 6 II's a good sign of more to come/ a possible acceptance?

I had four II's out of 16 applications before the new year when I applied. Those were the only four that I got and the only four schools that I got into so I'd say you have a fair shot lol.
 
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Just got my second II of the cycle, but first MD II. I'm so excited that I started crying when I opened the email 😳
I'm still waiting to hear back from the first II and want to prepare a lot. Any tips for MD traditional interview style?
 
Just got my second II of the cycle, but first MD II. I'm so excited that I started crying when I opened the email 😳
I'm still waiting to hear back from the first II and want to prepare a lot. Any tips for MD traditional interview style?

My advice may be pretty generic but you must relax.

Most interviews are really just conversations that allow you to let your personality shine. Smile and sit up straight, and have a general outline for the basic questions you will undoubtedly hear.

It will make it to where you don't sound rehearsed but to where you also don't sound completely unprepared.

And always look enthusiastic about being there. I think this all applies to DO though too. Nothing too different.
 
My advice may be pretty generic but you must relax.

Most interviews are really just conversations that allow you to let your personality shine. Smile and sit up straight, and have a general outline for the basic questions you will undoubtedly hear.

It will make it to where you don't sound rehearsed but to where you also don't sound completely unprepared.

And always look enthusiastic about being there. I think this all applies to DO though too. Nothing too different.
Thanks! I will start preparing with those must know interview questions. 😉
 
II at Indiana today!!! I asked the Lord for some good news this week, but I didn't think it would come so fast lol. Thank you Jesus!!!

ImageUploadedBySDN1481580367.341271.jpg
 
How did y'all prepare for interviews?

I went to the interview feedback section for the schools here on SDN. People post questions that they were asked, so you can practice those, but don't go too crazy trying to memorize, you want to sound natural. Definitely know your app and know information about the school, like their curriculum, any programs you like that they have, in case they ask "Why our school?" For MMI, coursegrinder and Kevin Ahern on youtube have some great practice scenarios. But most of all, be confident, relax and have fun.
 
I went to the interview feedback section for the schools here on SDN. People post questions that they were asked, so you can practice those, but don't go too crazy trying to memorize, you want to sound natural. Definitely know your app and know information about the school, like their curriculum, any programs you like that they have, in case they ask "Why our school?" For MMI, coursegrinder and Kevin Ahern on youtube have some great practice scenarios. But most of all, be confident, relax and have fun.
Thanks man! Congrats on the Indiana II i just got one from them to!
 
I went to the interview feedback section for the schools here on SDN. People post questions that they were asked, so you can practice those, but don't go too crazy trying to memorize, you want to sound natural. Definitely know your app and know information about the school, like their curriculum, any programs you like that they have, in case they ask "Why our school?" For MMI, coursegrinder and Kevin Ahern on youtube have some great practice scenarios. But most of all, be confident, relax and have fun.
could you link the interview feedback section? thx!
 
Thanks man! Congrats on the Indiana II i just got one from them to!

could you link the interview feedback section? thx!

I'm a girl lol. Yay congrats!!! Small world lol. Maybe we will see each other at the interview!!!

Sure no problem. I posted a random one, Harvard lol. Click on the interview feedback tab and scroll down. You'll see the questions people put. Right now we are in the forums tab, so to look at the interview feedback for all schools, click on the interviews feedback tab and all the schools pop up. You can also do a search. Best of luck to you both!!!

https://schools.studentdoctor.net/school/hms/0/harvard-medical-school

https://schools.studentdoctor.net/
 
Just got my second II of the cycle, but first MD II. I'm so excited that I started crying when I opened the email 😳
I'm still waiting to hear back from the first II and want to prepare a lot. Any tips for MD traditional interview style?

@Pablo94

If y'all can, I would suggest doing mock interviews through your institution's career office (if you have one). Second, this might sound weird but if you can't practice with someone else or don't want to, you can record yourself so you know how your delivery sounds; you can also go back and look at how long it took you to answer a question. Being concise is key and it puts some light pressure on you because you still get the sensation that you're "being watched" lol.

-By far, the hardest question is "why do you want to be a physician?". Have a good answer that sums it all up in no longer than 5 minutes or so. Rambling is bad.

-Know a few things about the current state of healthcare; understand how insurance works, how physicians are employed (small private, group practice which often contracts with hospitals, HMOs-ex. employed directly by hospital, etc) and how you see yourself in the mix. Don't have to go into terrible detail but at least be familiar just in case some aspect comes up in conversation so you can have an opinion.

-Know a few things about what's going on in the world outside of medicine (I got asked what I thought was one of the biggest challenges in our society outside of medicine).

-If you did research, know what the hell you did, methodology, and the overarching point of it all lol.

-Be able to speak on ethics

-And most importantly, if you have concerning aspects of your profile - bad grades, substantial time off, etc - own the hell out of it and explain how you've grown and how you're ready to grab medschool by the horns and make an impact in medicine.
 
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Hey guys! I usually only lurk on this thread since I'm pre-dental (and I don't want to disturb the peace). But I just wanted to let someone know that I got into my dream school today!! Columbia!!


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Congrats!!😀

This has to be the happiest and sweetest thread ever. It's lovely!

Congratulations everyone!!!

I'm a URM too and recently got accepted into one of my top choices. Can't believe it's happening!

Way to go Dr. Pugs😎

Accepted to UTSW after I was pretty sure I would be waitlisted. I can't believe it...
Everything is bigger in Texas even the post interview shock😉

II at Indiana today!!! I asked the Lord for some good news this week, but I didn't think it would come so fast lol. Thank you Jesus!!!

Congrats bro, God is good!! You got this and are gonna kill it:punch:

Also shameless plug since I am one of the moderators here is the link to our burgeoning FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852088081687070/

All of you are so awesome and I am inspired by all of you. Keep rocking on!:clap:
 
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