2019-2020 Howard

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TSHJB302 said:
I definitely didn't have a 520 MCAT lol, I actually took the MCAT five times, with the final score being a 513. From a stats perspective, I have a pretty significant upward trend (4.00 for the past ~70 credits I've taken). The reason my cumulative GPA is so low is because I failed every single course back in the 2012-2013 academic year. I had way too much on my plate and stopped going to class (I know, it was stupid).

I think what was even more important than my stats though was how well rounded my application was. I didn't just tick the boxes, I made sure that all my experiences were things I was genuinely interested in and that allowed me to write meaningfully about their impact on my personal growth. I also have a very clear and well documented interest in serving minority and immigrant communities. I think Howard was a great fit for my application overall and that's why I was invited.
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Thank you for sharing your information. Reminder to everyone: Stats are NOT everything. It's what you bring to the table, how you tell your story, and how your vision of medicine aligns with a specific school. Howard asked me some good thought-provoking questions about my experiences. But the moral of the story is that regardless if your stats, each applicant has a story to tell. It's up to that applicant to articulate it well.

On a different note, I believe they have filled up all the seats for the incoming class. However, they continue to interview students because they know students can have other options and attend another school.
 
Hello,
My name is Chandler G. I interviewed at Howard U on 11/26/19. I currently am a senior at Clemson University in SC. I graduate in May 2020. From my interview, I felt very much at home with the medical school!! Howard is phenomenal, hands down. Their research and their commitments to its communities speak volumes and resonate very well with me. However, My application was not able to be reviewed before they closed for winter break. This waiting game is killing me!! After reading these posts, I am so happy for all of you that have gotten accepted but I would be lying if I said that the wait is killing me!!!! All in all, I know I may not be the best applicant, but I just hope that they saw the genuineness and resiliency in me to give me a shot. Just my two cents.
 
You got this! What are your stats?
cogilli said:
Hello,
My name is Chandler G. I interviewed at Howard U on 11/26/19. I currently am a senior at Clemson University in SC. I graduate in May 2020. From my interview, I felt very much at home with the medical school!! Howard is phenomenal, hands down. Their research and their commitments to its communities speak volumes and resonate very well with me. However, My application was not able to be reviewed before they closed for winter break. This waiting game is killing me!! After reading these posts, I am so happy for all of you that have gotten accepted but I would be lying if I said that the wait is killing me!!!! All in all, I know I may not be the best applicant, but I just hope that they saw the genuineness and resiliency in me to give me a shot. Just my two cents.
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I truly feel that everyone journey is different. In my experience, I feel that what helped me were my experiences in the healthcare field and my service to the country. However, I feel what pushed me even forward into getting an interview is networking and attending the various events that Howard offered as well as attending AAMC events where Howard was present. I knew I wanted to attend Howard and I knew I had to do what I had to do because my MCAT score was working against me. With prayer and resiliency I was invited for an interview 11/6 and accepted on 11/25. If you’re a spiritual person, I truly believe when it is your time, God will see fit for you to reap all the fruits of your labor. Good luck to everyone and I wish you guys nothing but success.
 
hippie456 said:
You got this! What are your stats?
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Biological Sciences Major and Spanish Studies Minor
GPA: 3.65 at Clemson University (PWI)
Science GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 1st time: 493 2nd time: 499
Hospital/Shadowing Hours: 130
Clubs/Organizations: 7
Community Service Hours: 60
Gates Millennium Scholar
Part-time on-campus job

I am a very spiritual person. I’ve been praying continuously. Hopefully, something will break through soon!!
 
cogilli said:
Biological Sciences Major and Spanish Studies Minor
GPA: 3.65 at Clemson University (PWI)
Science GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 1st time: 493 2nd time: 499
Hospital/Shadowing Hours: 130
Clubs/Organizations: 7
Community Service Hours: 60
Gates Millennium Scholar
Part-time on-campus job

I am a very spiritual person. I’ve been praying continuously. Hopefully, something will break through soon!!
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Don’t lose hope. Most schools take their high stats applicants first. Seems like Howard’s waitlists moves well though as decent number of students opt to go somewhere else. What’s for you won’t pass you by. Keep your faith. You’ll get inexactly where you’re supposed to be.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cogilli said:
Biological Sciences Major and Spanish Studies Minor
GPA: 3.65 at Clemson University (PWI)
Science GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 1st time: 493 2nd time: 499
Hospital/Shadowing Hours: 130
Clubs/Organizations: 7
Community Service Hours: 60
Gates Millennium Scholar
Part-time on-campus job

I am a very spiritual person. I’ve been praying continuously. Hopefully, something will break through soon!!
Click to expand...


I felt like everyone who interviewed before the winter break will be offered an admissions to the school. They have 120 spots and would have interviewed a little above that. There will be momentum on the WL since they told us that. In fact, I think 80% of students, Howard would be their only acceptance. There is hope. But remember, what is meant for others is for them, and what is meant for you is only yours. Give a bit of time. 🙂
 
Yeah hopefully things progress. The anticipation as a lot of us know has been torture so far, and I'm right in their backyard...

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
 
Is there a social event or anything the night before interviews? Interviewing on Jan 8th.
 
My God will do it said:
Did any international students interview this cycle that anyone knows of?
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Somehow I doubt it. I’m international and haven’t heard a thing despite being well above their mean stats and having an application that overall aligns with their mission. I have a feeling they will only consider our applications later in the cycle
 
Anyone interviewing on the 8th, want to hangout evening of the 7th, grab some food or something?
 
On Friday, I received an email from Certiphi Screening with the AAMC in order to complete a background check. It says that I must have been waitlisted or conditionally accepted at a participating AAMC medical school to receive this email. Has anyone had similar encounters? Could this be Howard with an acceptance email soon?
 
cogilli said:
On Friday, I received an email from Certiphi Screening with the AAMC in order to complete a background check. It says that I must have been waitlisted or conditionally accepted at a participating AAMC medical school to receive this email. Has anyone had similar encounters? Could this be Howard with an acceptance email soon?
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Yes I received it as well. That means some school has accepted you but has not notified your or you've been waitlisted have not been notified.
 
I have a question about MCAT scores and how Howard handles them. So let's say your score on your app when you submitted your secondary is a 493 which is right under their minimum but you are retaking your test in January 2020. Would Howard review your app before your new scores come out or will it just be pending Review till the new scores come out (I believe their minimum is a 494)? One of my friends got into a near-fatal car accident (car totaled, broke a few bones) right before his MCAT so it really affected him on test day 3 weeks later? In retrospect, he should have waited but his entire app was verified with secondaries completed.
From the looks of things, they wait till the end of their cycle to officially reject applicants so I feel as if they don't fully reject applicants till maybe starting in May/June right?

Any thoughts/advice is appreciated.
 
TSHJB302 said:
Just withdrew my acceptance, which was really painful because I loved Howard. BUT it also means that another spot has opened up for one of you guys! Good luck with the rest of your cycle 🙂
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Super interested in how you made this decision? I'm in a similar position. Was there another school that was better/closer to family/more affordable based on scholarships etc? Sorry to be nosy and it's perfectly fine if you do not wish to share.
Thanks!
 
DIDIDOTHATT said:
I have a question about MCAT scores and how Howard handles them. So let's say your score on your app when you submitted your secondary is a 493 which is right under their minimum but you are retaking your test in January 2020. Would Howard review your app before your new scores come out or will it just be pending Review till the new scores come out (I believe their minimum is a 494)? One of my friends got into a near-fatal car accident (car totaled, broke a few bones) right before his MCAT so it really affected him on test day 3 weeks later? In retrospect, he should have waited but his entire app was verified with secondaries completed.
From the looks of things, they wait till the end of their cycle to officially reject applicants so I feel as if they don't fully reject applicants till maybe starting in May/June right?

Any thoughts/advice is appreciated.
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Some schools really have a deadline for the last mcat an applicant can take. Generally some schools only accept until the September date. But I'm not sure if Howard had that strict deadline. I don't think schools accept a January test date already far into the application cycle. Could be a reason to reach out to adcom and see what they tell you.
 
LegsPainted said:
Some schools really have a deadline for the last mcat an applicant can take. Generally some schools only accept until the September date. But I'm not sure if Howard had that strict deadline. I don't think schools accept a January test date already far into the application cycle. Could be a reason to reach out to adcom and see what they tell you.
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Howard is one of the schools that do as well as a few DO schools. He reached out already. I was wondering how the evaluation of his app will be done : before or after his new scores.
 
DIDIDOTHATT said:
Howard is one of the schools that do as well as a few DO schools. He reached out already. I was wondering how the evaluation of his app will be done : before or after his new scores.
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The entire process is subjective. . . there's really not an answer to that. They decide who they want to evaluate and pass through. Wish everyone had spot so it wouldn't make the entire process so cut-throat.
 
LegsPainted said:
The entire process is subjective. . . there's really not an answer to that. They decide who they want to evaluate and pass through. Wish everyone had spot so it wouldn't make the entire process so cut-throat.
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Yeah I agree with that.
 
DIDIDOTHATT said:
Super interested in how you made this decision? I'm in a similar position. Was there another school that was better/closer to family/more affordable based on scholarships etc? Sorry to be nosy and it's perfectly fine if you do not wish to share.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
There were a lot of factors that went into my decision; however, the biggest one was proximity to home. I got into a school in Chicago, which is where I'm from, and being close to family is important to me. I also have a lot of friends going there and know many of the professors very well, so the school itself also feels like home. I wish you luck with making your own decision and congrats on getting multiple acceptances!
 
forrockrock said:
Me! No rejections or IIs from any school. I went to Howard’s First Friday last week and got a “thanks for attending” email. But that’s all I’ve heard since October.


Hang in there ! Did you apply to any DO schools ?

Sent from my iPhone using SDN
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BioPlum said:
Hey there! I'd love to hear from either current students at HUCOM, or people who are familiar with it (friends or family members attend/attended, etc..). How has your experience been? Would you suggest applying or advise against it? I'm currently pre-med, just looking at all of my options. Thanks!
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Merging with current application thread
 
cogilli said:
Hey!
So, after weeks of wondering, I finally received an acceptance from Howard University!! Too excited right now! All this hard work and anticipation is finally paying off!!
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Congrats!! when did you interview?
 
cogilli said:
I interview on November 26.
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Interesting. . . . then we interviewed on the same day. I was notified literally a week from the interview date. But i do recall they still had to go through the previous interview date of applicants before ours.

Anyway, congratulations Doctor!
 
Can any current students speak to the rigor of the curriculum here? Would I be able to feasibly pursue other outside endeavors (i.e. joining a dance team, singing in a group, etc.) while being a student here?
 
medigirl99 said:
Apparently they're interviewing until April. Last II on here said interview was in January, so it looks like we still have a chance. I just don't know when they plan on sending out more II.............
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When I interviewed on 11/26 adcom said they had interviewed about 110 and by the last interview date of 2019 they were looking at about 130 interviewed. Since they are only interviewing 300/350 (don't recall which one) that means they have a list of at least 200 to go to. So no, Jan. date should not be the last one. They stressed that they go through WL extensively; therefore, be on the lookout for II. Just be patient because their selection seems random, at least to me. I received my secondary on 9/3 and submitted on 9/5. I received a II on 10/21 and accepted on 12/3.

I suspect they take sometime giving out II is because they read through our material. Adcom made it clear they are looking for specific type of applicants w/ diverse backgrounds.
 
LegsPainted said:
When I interviewed on 11/26 adcom said they had interviewed about 110 and by the last interview date of 2019 they were looking at about 130 interviewed. Since they are only interviewing 300/350 (don't recall which one) that means they have a list of at least 200 to go to. So no, Jan. date should not be the last one. They stressed that they go through WL extensively; therefore, be on the lookout for II. Just be patient because their selection seems random, at least to me. I received my secondary on 9/3 and submitted on 9/5. I received a II on 10/21 and accepted on 12/3.

I suspect they take sometime giving out II is because they read through our material. Adcom made it clear they are looking for specific type of applicants w/ diverse backgrounds.
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Can confirm their slow pace. Agreed. Also, there's no point in making predictions as to how and when they make their decisions. Pointless and a waste of time. Just try (lol) to remain calm. Schools like this once are JUST getting started...

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
 
DIDIDOTHATT said:
Super interested in how you made this decision? I'm in a similar position. Was there another school that was better/closer to family/more affordable based on scholarships etc? Sorry to be nosy and it's perfectly fine if you do not wish to share.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I know you didn't ask me and you already got an answer, but just wanted to say that I'm about to do the same thing. I loved Howard's atmosphere, and I get the feeling that I would be very comfortable and well-supported there. I also love D.C.

But every other factor is pointing me away...compared to the other schools I've been accepted to, it's a lot more expensive (both tuition and cost-of-living), farther from home/family, has a lower rank, has less research opportunities, and is cold (I've lived in warm weather practically my whole life lol). They were also vague about Step scores and match list. The biggest problem for me, though, is the recent accreditation problems. They did say they're now fully accredited for the next 7 years, but I do worry about reputation and how this may affect residency, etc.

Ultimately, all the things I loved about Howard, I can find at other schools I've been accepted to, without any of the cons. Good luck to you in your decision!
 
foodie96 said:
I know you didn't ask me and you already got an answer, but just wanted to say that I'm about to do the same thing. I loved Howard's atmosphere, and I get the feeling that I would be very comfortable and well-supported there. I also love D.C.

But every other factor is pointing me away...compared to the other schools I've been accepted to, it's a lot more expensive (both tuition and cost-of-living), farther from home/family, has a lower rank, has less research opportunities, and is cold (I've lived in warm weather practically my whole life lol). They were also vague about Step scores and match list. The biggest problem for me, though, is the recent accreditation problems. They did say they're now fully accredited for the next 7 years, but I do worry about reputation and how this may affect residency, etc.

Ultimately, all the things I loved about Howard, I can find at other schools I've been accepted to, without any of the cons. Good luck to you in your decision!
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Oh what was wrong with their accreditation?

Yes the non-transparency of their step scores was off-putting. They are hiding something lol but we will find out!
 
LegsPainted said:
Oh what was wrong with their accreditation?

Yes the non-transparency of their step scores was off-putting. They are hiding something lol but we will find out!
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To my knowledge, a few years ago, they were at risk of losing accreditation due to a new hospital deal that would have reduced patient volume at HUH (not Howard's fault). They also lost accreditation for a few residency programs (I know this has little to do with the medical school itself).

The accreditation issue is resolved now, but Howard seems to have a somewhat negative reputation overall, which sucks because some of it is unwarranted or not their fault. That said, Howard is clearly still a good school, but I have to consider everything when deciding where to go.
 
foodie96 said:
I know you didn't ask me and you already got an answer, but just wanted to say that I'm about to do the same thing. I loved Howard's atmosphere, and I get the feeling that I would be very comfortable and well-supported there. I also love D.C.

But every other factor is pointing me away...compared to the other schools I've been accepted to, it's a lot more expensive (both tuition and cost-of-living), farther from home/family, has a lower rank, has less research opportunities, and is cold (I've lived in warm weather practically my whole life lol). They were also vague about Step scores and match list. The biggest problem for me, though, is the recent accreditation problems. They did say they're now fully accredited for the next 7 years, but I do worry about reputation and how this may affect residency, etc.

Ultimately, all the things I loved about Howard, I can find at other schools I've been accepted to, without any of the cons. Good luck to you in your decision!
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Very insightful. Thank you. Howard’s match list/step success rate is one of the few med schools you won’t find online . I’ve been incredibly bothered by that. You won’t even find pictures of the Match event. I know no school is perfect but this is about the next 4 years of our lives. I want to have fun but I also want my residency choices not to be limited.
 
DIDIDOTHATT said:
Very insightful. Thank you. Howard’s match list/step success rate is one of the few med schools you won’t find online . I’ve been incredibly bothered by that. You won’t even find pictures of the Match event. I know no school is perfect but this is about the next 4 years of our lives. I want to have fun but I also want my residency choices not to be limited.
Click to expand...

To be fair, I think regardless if a school publishes their step average scores/rates the entire process is really down to the student. Each student has the potential to maximize their score at this point. Yes, it's discouraging that they aren't transparent but ultimately, if you aren't a good student and don't have a good study foundation your score isn't going to change regardless of the school you go to.

I think Howard selects students based on on the premise, in part, that the applicant is willing to serve underserved communities. As an applicant, I think we all have a vision of where we see each other (i.e. maybe surgery, urology, nephrology, internal medicine, etc) but the reality is that a majority of us really have no idea what speciality we want if we've had no prior exposure. It's one thing to shadow but another thing to be the provider. This goes to say that going to a US medical school is still a privilege, regardless of the school. All schools are accredited by the same accrediting body. I know a few people who went to the Caribbean and managed to obtain amazing residencies. Ergo, I truly believe that if the student wants a specific trajectory then the student will work for it. Nothing is impossible but it takes some effort.
 
LegsPainted said:
To be fair, I think regardless if a school publishes their step average scores/rates the entire process is really down to the student. Each student has the potential to maximize their score at this point. Yes, it's discouraging that they aren't transparent but ultimately, if you aren't a good student and don't have a good study foundation your score isn't going to change regardless of the school you go to.

I think Howard selects students based on on the premise, in part, that the applicant is willing to serve underserved communities. As an applicant, I think we all have a vision of where we see each other (i.e. maybe surgery, urology, nephrology, internal medicine, etc) but the reality is that a majority of us really have no idea what speciality we want if we've had no prior exposure. It's one thing to shadow but another thing to be the provider. This goes to say that going to a US medical school is still a privilege, regardless of the school. All schools are accredited by the same accrediting body. I know a few people who went to the Caribbean and managed to obtain amazing residencies. Ergo, I truly believe that if the student wants a specific trajectory then the student will work for it. Nothing is impossible but it takes some effort.
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This was well put. Some schools might have more opportunities than others but at the end of the day, you have to create your own roads to your destinations.
Honestly the discussion on this thread makes me proud that there will be some intelligent and well deserving physicians in a few years. You’re all so brilliant and articulate with your views without being vile or condescending.
 
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