2016 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

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Eccesignum said:
Time to admit the day's over. This was a rough one, even though I logically knew no calls would likely be coming. The self-talk in the back of my head still wants to tell me that maybe it means I'm not good enough. I don't know. Tomorrow starts it over.
Click to expand...

So let me share a story:
I applied to graduate school, again after taking some time off to do non traditional engineering work. I applied to a bunch of schools with the thought that I would at least get some consideration. I got rejected from 7 in two days who told me that "I wasn't ready for graduate study yet, and that I didn't have 'it'"

Well on day 3, I got in to a top 3 school with one of the best bioengineering programs in the country. It was such a long shot, but when I asked the program director, he said "we took a chance on you because you showed that you're not afraid to take chances". Well it turns out that i not only got to do some incredible research, but I also met my two best friends in the world and it got me back on track for medicine.

What I'm saying is: it's not over until it's over. And even then, it's not over
 
timsk said:
Where do you live? I may have to come over and force you to snap out of it, likely by dragging you out to a bar and buying us some shots (whiskey? Vodka? Tequila? Rum? **** it, one of each). You've had more success, and been more supportive, than anyone on this thread and likely all of SDN. I know this day must have been rough for you, but as your fellow non-trad SDNer i simply will not let you end your day sulking, forgetting how strong of an applicant you are and all the ****ing IIs you've already received. Now snap out of it and let's get drunk and bitch about what a horrible process this is.

But i probably don't live close enough to you to do that. So i guess i won't do or say any of it...
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I might need you to come snap me out of it... I live within a 20 mile radius of downtown Seattle 😉
 
tetley said:
So let me share a story:
I applied to graduate school, again after taking some time off to do non traditional engineering work. I applied to a bunch of schools with the thought that I would at least get some consideration. I got rejected from 7 in two days who told me that "I wasn't ready for graduate study yet, and that I didn't have 'it'"

Well on day 3, I got in to a top 3 school with one of the best bioengineering programs in the country. It was such a long shot, but when I asked the program director, he said "we took a chance on you because you showed that you're not afraid to take chances". Well it turns out that i not only got to do some incredible research, but I also met my two best friends in the world and it got me back on track for medicine.

What I'm saying is: it's not over until it's over. And even then, it's not over
Click to expand...

You, sir/ma'am, are the awesomest sauce!
 
Update: Recently received my second MD interview at VCU! Absolutely thrilled about the positive feedback I've received from schools so far and am grateful for this opportunity. And congrats to everyone else for their interviews and acceptances so far, us non trads are doing well.
 
Did you get into Case? Their med school seems to take chance on people as well.

tetley said:
So let me share a story:
I applied to graduate school, again after taking some time off to do non traditional engineering work. I applied to a bunch of schools with the thought that I would at least get some consideration. I got rejected from 7 in two days who told me that "I wasn't ready for graduate study yet, and that I didn't have 'it'"

Well on day 3, I got in to a top 3 school with one of the best bioengineering programs in the country. It was such a long shot, but when I asked the program director, he said "we took a chance on you because you showed that you're not afraid to take chances". Well it turns out that i not only got to do some incredible research, but I also met my two best friends in the world and it got me back on track for medicine.

What I'm saying is: it's not over until it's over. And even then, it's not over
Click to expand...
 
BluMist said:
Did you get into Case? Their med school seems to take chance on people as well.
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No, it was east coast. I'm in a little bit of a pickle because the love of my life is going to be a resident in Boston so I need to go to bu or tufts but they are crazy hard to get in to
 
tetley said:
one guy that i used to work with not only submitted amcas mid september, but also took the august MCAT and managed to get a secondary from UPitt 2 days later and an II the day after he submitted that.

what the heck, man
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Either:
1. This was around the low point in the # of applicants/yr graph a few years back, when the MCAT was only offered on paper, twice per year, April and August. August MCAT was fine back then. September app was fine back then. "Back then" is 2006 or so.
2. Or this person is leaving out something large and obviously relevant in the story. Such as a relative in the admissions office. Such as a Cherokee great aunt. Such as the thing(s) he really doesn't want you to know, or he can't be a smug dingus on you.
 
DrMidlife said:
Either:
1. This was around the low point in the # of applicants/yr graph a few years back, when the MCAT was only offered on paper, twice per year, April and August. August MCAT was fine back then. September app was fine back then. "Back then" is 2006 or so.
2. Or this person is leaving out something large and obviously relevant in the story. Such as a relative in the admissions office. Such as a Cherokee great aunt. Such as the thing(s) he really doesn't want you to know, or he can't be a smug dingus on you.
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This was actually this cycle, and we discussed test dates for a while

He's actually one of the nicest people I know. He is an engineer like me, and he also went to grad school. I think he might just be really really bright (and super chill) and got like a dumb high score on the MCAT
 
Eccesignum said:
I just blended ice cream with a white russian and I'm not even sorry.
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I'm about to make a hot chocolate with Baileys and whipped cream 😀 I swear it's a legitimate coping mechanism.

I also made a wreath and my cats like it so the day didn't completely go to waste.
IMG_20151015_184317.jpg
 
Not gonna lie, I am bummed about the deferrement and a rejection (pre interview). I could use a win right now or have SNUGSEAL to cuddle. It has been a long road for me, especially because I am a re-applicant. However, life works in mysterious ways. And I have a few more schools to hear from it and a few more interviews to attend. I am interviewing on one of my top choices tmrw.

VICTORY IS IMMINENT!

Lost a battle but not the war.

NON TRAD COALITION CHANNELING SUPER POWERS.

STOKED for all you guys who got accepted ! :claps:

Life must continue. :zip:

:punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage:


BTW: I am reading the book " The Alchemist", great read
 
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B-wildered said:
Not gonna lie, I am bummed about the deferrement and a rejection (pre interview). I could use a win right now or have SNUGSEAL to cuddle. It has been a long road for me, especially because I am a re-applicant. However, life works in mysterious ways. And I have a few more schools to hear from it and a few more interviews to attend. I am interviewing on one of my top choices tmrw.

VICTORY IS IMMINENT!

Lost a battle but not the war.

NON TRAD COALITION CHANNELING SUPER POWERS.

STOKED for all you guys who got accepted ! :claps:

Life must continue. :zip:

:punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage::punch::rage:


BTW: I am reading the book " The Alchemist", great read
Click to expand...

You'll probably be in the November notification batch at that school with me. We can both chew our nails and freak out, lol.
 
Argh midterm tomorrow

loldidntread.gif


Thankfully it's not terribly difficult material and I think I'll be okay, but now with a possible call tomorrow? Turning the phone off for that hour will be torture.
 
I haven't posted much, but I thought I'd quit creeping and start participating.

Any nontrads having luck with AZCOM? I'm pretty sure I'm going to get wait listed for an interview based on my stats (504 MCAT, 3.66 sGPA, 3.55 cGPA), but I've heard rumors that some schools evaluate nontrads separately from the rest of the crowd.
 
Man, it's 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. That VCU email was an act of sheer cruelty. Especially if I'm really on the December list and nothing actually happens today, lol.
 
I LOVE ALL OF YOOOU

omg seriously you guys, life would have been so different without all the awesome on this board. I hope many of us are here next year to help guide the next non trad generation.

And for everyone hanging in there waiting in this year's cycle, so many hugs to you, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!! Non trad power and glitterlove 2 da max
 
calisurfer19 said:
5 for 5 secondary apps received/completed by end of July

2 IIs completed this week (each was the first interview of the cycle for these schools, so hopefully that's a good thing)

3 schools - silence besides MUSC asking for additional residency verification documents


To all my fellow non-trads:
This has been said so many times before, but focus on what sets you apart from other applicants rather than the negative.

E.g. I had several F's before entering the military, I've taken courses at 8 different colleges, couldn't take a full course load the majority of the time, completed most of the pre-reqs online, I have no formal research experience, and it took me nearly a decade to complete the pre-reqs.

I know it's early in the cycle and I haven't been accepted yet; but it looks like spending years in the medical field, having unique ECs, leadership roles, and a commitment to serving others has outweighed the many many detractors I have as an applicant. I am hopeful it's going to be a great cycle for us all. Even if it's not, f**k it, I've gone too far to quit now and I hope you all feel the same way.
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Wanted to update everyone and hopefully reinforce the resilience of those who haven't received an acceptance YET
I've completed 3 interviews thus far, and am happy to announce that I have 2 acceptances! I do have 1 "Continuing to Evaluate" from the other school I've interviewed at, but the school is known for being fairly slow and deliberate when it comes to acceptances.

Love this thread, and I'd be happy to have any of you guys with me during medical school or down range.
 
calisurfer19 said:
Wanted to update everyone and hopefully reinforce the resilience of those who haven't received an acceptance YET
I've completed 3 interviews thus far, and am happy to announce that I have 2 acceptances! I do have 1 "Continuing to Evaluate" from the other school I've interviewed at, but the school is known for being fairly slow and deliberate when it comes to acceptances.

Love this thread, and I'd be happy to have any of you guys with me during medical school or down range.
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Are you doing HPSP by the way?
 
Not too sure tbh. I'm leaning more towards transferring to the Guard and then using my GI Bill with a possibility of switching back to AD after residency. I know the pay will be different for the two, but I also have my own business, which should more than make up the difference. I know this goes without saying, but ultimately I'm going to do what's best for my family. How about you?
 
Eccesignum said:
You weren't asking me but I might pick your brain about hpsp. A doctor I work with who did navy got me very interested in it, but I'm looking from the outside, never been in the service
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Hey! Super excited to discuss it 🙂.

HPSP is an amazing program if you want to serve in the military at all. First, some benefits of that:
1. Typically you get a lot more clinical exposure to a wider variety of cases early on as a military doctor
2. The opportunities of military service in general, travel, starting pay, etc.

However you don't want to do it if:
1. It's only the money for med school. If you don't want to be in the military, you won't be happy with the obligated service (4 years) and more if you do your residency through the military (another year for every year of training).
2. You don't want to go through the military match system (I don't know as much about this, except that it varies greatly by service and what is available each year based on promotions, retirements, etc.)

On to the program:
1. HPSP pays for 4 years of tuition including books and any fees (no cap, EVERY school full paid for).
2. You also are paid a monthly stipend (living expenses) that right now is at about 2000 dollars a month (probably be a little higher next year).
3. You owe back 4 years to whichever service you do HPSP through (Army, Navy and Air Force all have HPSP).
4. As soon as you graduate medical school you are commissioned as an O-3 (LT in the Navy or Captain in Army or Air Force). http://www.dfas.mil/dam/jcr:b6ef41d4-f071-45f9-b863-70b202be05a6/2015MilitaryPayChart_2.pdf (roughly 4000 dollars a month plus tax exempt housing allowance (anywhere from 1200-2400 depending on location as an O-3, more if married and goes up as you get promoted).
5. You do some summer training/clerkships with military hospitals during medical school, as well as officer training before commissioning.

That was pretty general, but I could talk about it WAY too much for it to be very understandable at first glance. I can go into more detail or help with service choices if you are interested, feel free to PM me, or just reply here as well. Below are a couple of good links with information too!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_Professions_Scholarship_Program
https://www.navycs.com/officer/hpsp.html
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/education/hpsp.html
 
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