2016 Nontrad Applicants' Progress Thread

Started by doctorold
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given the amount of success you guys had this cycle, I'll wear the shirt underneath to MCAT and interviews for good luck 😛

currently aiming for May test date, so get it ready before then 🙂
B-wildered said:
My life has been pretty, I mean very very very hectic lately. I barely sit down at my cpu. I Just started a new job and I am interviewing for a couple more next week and etc..... plus I am flat broke lol. I think I will have some by the end of March. SNUG SEAL WILL PREVAIL
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so obviously an interesting situation, and can't give any exact details for obvious reasons, but just to refer back to the post rejection question - through a connection or two I was able to have a dean of admissions re-review my app after one of the residency/fellowship docs sent them an advocacy email on my behalf, and they "attempted to have the rejection overturned and the app re-reviewed" but apparently wasn't able to so. They then directed me on what they committee saw to make the rejection (which their reasoning is extremely frusterating)...so I think there are pretty strong safeguards in place that don't allow files to be re-opened. N=1 but thought I would pass that along

I'm up to 5 pre-II holds/small pools, just sent an update letter over the break with dean's list honors, full time school (first term i've been able to swing it with work) while still full time work, 3.8 GPA (keep in mind all my classes are curved to 2.8 average) - a research project/poster/presentation, and more volunteer (pet therapy) work. Finger crossed that will push me over the small pool hump!
 
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Finally got my background check back today, took 12 business days - many more than the 3 - 5 they said! I was worried, but it seems as if you have moved a bunch, they get a check in each county.
 
The background check just verifies your address, identity, and criminal history (or lack thereof), right? I've lived in the same city my entire adult life and haven't received so much as a moving violation and yet the idea of a background check for med school makes me "nervous" (admittedly, anything related to medical school admissions makes me nervous).
 
Took over 10 days for me too, as they had to check multiple states and two foreign countries. Also ended up having to scan and email my passport, and provide a bit of additional info. Glad it's done now!
 
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ImmunoLove said:
The background check just verifies your address, identity, and criminal history (or lack thereof), right? I've lived in the same city my entire adult life and haven't received so much as a moving violation and yet the idea of a background check for med school makes me "nervous" (admittedly, anything related to medical school admissions makes me nervous).
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That's pretty much it. So no need to worry!
 
gyrfalcon said:
For the next time you need to fax: There are free online services that will fax an image/PDF for you. Handy if you have a scanner available but not a fax. I had the same problem with the background check.
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When in doubt, I need to always remember to ask here. There are some very resourceful people here 😀. Thank you. Duly noted for future reference.
 
need an opinion: I have been working in a lab with a very respected PI, but she does not oversee my day-to-day directly

should I get a letter from her (which would carry a lot of weight, but she does not know me as well) or from the research engineer that I have been working with every day (knows me well, but not as well-known)
 
tetley said:
need an opinion: I have been working in a lab with a very respected PI, but she does not oversee my day-to-day directly

should I get a letter from her (which would carry a lot of weight, but she does not know me as well) or from the research engineer that I have been working with every day (knows me well, but not as well-known)
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If you plan on applying to schools with a heavy research focus, then your PI. If not, then I would say the engineer since they can speak more to your character, work ethic, etc.
 
tetley said:
need an opinion: I have been working in a lab with a very respected PI, but she does not oversee my day-to-day directly

should I get a letter from her (which would carry a lot of weight, but she does not know me as well) or from the research engineer that I have been working with every day (knows me well, but not as well-known)
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I'd use the research engineer (assuming they are an MS, PhD, long term employee) over a generic PI recommendation. "Well known" PIs have their spheres, but a genuinely knowledgable/favorable letter would seem better as a character reference. If the PI does know you and your work, ethics, interest etc then they would probably work too. I guess people get hung up on postdoc/nontenure letters, so I suppose there's a difference, but I'd use your gut on who would provide the best insight into you as an employee/researcher.
 
tetley said:
need an opinion: I have been working in a lab with a very respected PI, but she does not oversee my day-to-day directly

should I get a letter from her (which would carry a lot of weight, but she does not know me as well) or from the research engineer that I have been working with every day (knows me well, but not as well-known)
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Speaking from experience, the post-doc or researcher that you work with will write the letter and the PI will change what they want and then sign it. It should come from the PI.
 
Thanks for the input, everyone!

I think I am going to sit down with the both of them and ask for the letter to come from my PI's letterhead with the research engineer contributing his thoughts/maybe co-signing the letter with her
 
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tetley said:
Thanks for the input, everyone!

I think I am going to sit down with the both of them and ask for the letter to come from my PI's letterhead with the research engineer contributing his thoughts/maybe co-signing the letter with her
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Good idea. Just one thing to think about is to make sure it doesn't sound to your PI like "I want the engineer to write it because it would be a better letter." They have fragile egos. The engineer will absolutely understand your wanting the letter on PI letterhead, but if it were me, I would frame it to my PI as an option to help make their job easier given their busy schedule and/or a way to offer an added perspective, not to discount the PI's perspective on you.
 
I'll do that and throw in a joke afterwards

It's how I ease tense situations

p0gono said:
Good idea. Just one thing to think about is to make sure it doesn't sound to your PI like "I want the engineer to write it because it would be a better letter." They have fragile egos. The engineer will absolutely understand your wanting the letter on PI letterhead, but if it were me, I would frame it to my PI as an option to help make their job easier given their busy schedule and/or a way to offer an added perspective, not to discount the PI's perspective on you.
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ok so I don't know what this means, but I'm on the interview wait list for Drexel and Stritch has me as reviewed for 2 weeks, but hasn't rejected me

I don't have any new grades to submit, so do I just put in my 2 new LOR?
 
tetley said:
ok so I don't know what this means, but I'm on the interview wait list for Drexel and Stritch has me as reviewed for 2 weeks, but hasn't rejected me

I don't have any new grades to submit, so do I just put in my 2 new LOR?
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Are extra letters something these schools allow, or did they have strict letter limits from the get-go?
 
So just to put it in context:
I'm in an SMP, and I submitted an update a few weeks ago with my grades from last semester. The two new LOR would be from my PI and from one of the faculty members I worked close with.

To answer your question: I don't see anything that says that I can't submit more letters as an update item. I just don't know if these would be enough to put me over the top

Eccesignum said:
Are extra letters something these schools allow, or did they have strict letter limits from the get-go?
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tetley said:
So just to put it in context:
I'm in an SMP, and I submitted an update a few weeks ago with my grades from last semester. The two new LOR would be from my PI and from one of the faculty members I worked close with.

To answer your question: I don't see anything that says that I can't submit more letters as an update item. I just don't know if these would be enough to put me over the top
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Honestly not sure if it'll help, but I doubt it would hurt.
 
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Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
Anybody else lost all motivation to continue with their current activities? I'm just ready to get this med school show on the road
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Yes!!! I can't do anything! Pretty sure my subconscious wants me to lay down and drink until I teleport to med school.
It's really dividing to stop "working towards med school mode" and then try to figure out what the hell you used to do. I always have goals I'm after...but now it's just waiting.
 
Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
Anybody else lost all motivation to continue with their current activities? I'm just ready to get this med school show on the road
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Totally. I'm stuck across the country being an analyst for a study, away from my family and all alone. Every night I have to repeat my mantra of this is only temporary and brings in decent $$.
 
I'm scribing and dying to move. My daughter asks every morning how much longer we have "until we move to where it snows" and my wife's best friend (who also has a kid under one) lives in Reno so she's chomping at the bit as well.
 
Last W-2 finally showed up. Sheesh.

On a note, guys, call your schools and check personally which ones you need parental info for (for school-specific aid) and which you don't. I decided to call around today and several that had been all like PARENTAL INFO REQUIRED FOR NEED-BASED AID at the interview were like "Oh, you're in your thirties. Nah, don't worry about it, just write us an email" when I actually spoke to someone in the FA office.
 
Cawolf said:
No kids, but planning on it. They do work, but can transfer easily as needed.

I am planning on asking with more specific questions once I narrow down my choices a bit more. This was more of a random thought that seems to be all I think about!
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I would save the 200 k in a heart beat l. Especially if there is not a lot "stress"involved .

2oo k no interest = house down payment or a pretty epic vacation with your family . Many opportunities there . That's just me .
 
In Portland , last nite. MMI Were a different beast, dunno how I really did. The one -to-one, was epic . The interviewer was so psyched for me to start medical school . The kid outside said he could here the interviewer and me vibing. Oregonians are ok on in my book. I guess the fact that I had a few acceptances gave me the confidence to be myself and "flare" as usually I do . It's difficult for me to keep "poses" and try to be something that I am not. "can't run away from yourself" . I think I am done interviewing this cycle. Holy cow, I just ate two whole pizzas by myself and drank a lot of wine . Back home home tmrw 5am.

SNUG SEAL POWER
 
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