30+ MCAT and rejected from every school

[Steiner]

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Just wondering if anyone else has the same story. Don't say how you got in somewhere unwanted or got waitlisted. Only people with all rejections. Im just wondering if Im the only one.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Just wondering if anyone else has the same story. Don't say how you got in somewhere unwanted or got waitlisted. Only people with all rejections. Im just wondering if Im the only one.

first of all, if that's true, then my sincere condolences.

next, this is sort of useless without other pertinent information like what were your other criteria and what schools did you apply to? One can have a 45 MCAT and 2.0 GPA and nothing else and applied to only Harvard, Yale, Wash U, Stanford and Hopkins. In that case, all rejections would not surprise me in the least.

 

[Erasmus]

*raises hand* 😳 Hi, my name is Erasmus, and I've been sober, I mean rejected from all my schools.

And since PD raised a good point:

33+ MCAT
3.8+ GPA
Range of schools from top to bottom (although perhaps not enough)
some quality volunteer experiences; not too much research

 

[bigbassinbob]

I didn't get in last year with a 30/3.85. I'm in this year though.

 

[PTPoeny]

Last year 37/3.5 and no acceptances. Have two so far this year. So don't give up hope.

 

[j04177117]

Last year 37/3.5 and no acceptances. Have two so far this year. So don't give up hope.

bigbassinbob and mdpdgirl, what did you guys do to improve your application, if any? did you change your applying methods? different schools, turn them in earlier? i'm in waitlist hell right now (4 schools), pm if you want, thanks!!

 

[Psycho Doctor]

*raises hand* 😳 Hi, my name is Erasmus, and I've been sober, I mean rejected from all my schools.

And since PD raised a good point:

33+ MCAT
3.8+ GPA
Range of schools from top to bottom (although perhaps not enough)
some quality volunteer experiences; not too much research

that does not make sense...what is the bottom school? no red flags on your app?

 

[delchrys]

i'd love to know the race of each 30+ rejected applicant...

 

[PTPoeny]

Anyone who wants more info can PM me to ask specific questions. But i figure more than one person will want the info. Sit down with a pre-med advisor or someone who has a decent idea of the process and figure out what the weak points of your app are. For me I had lots of research, lots of volunteering (but not medically related) and no clinical experience.

For me another big difference was applying earlier and to more schools. Last year I applied to 5 and didn't submit my AMCAS until late august. This year I applied to 15 and had my AMCAS submitted the second day it was open. The questions will be the same, start working on your personal statement right now.

First, I started shadowing once a week as soon as I figured out I wasn't going to get accepted anywhere last year. I stopped once I graduated and started working full-time, but that seemed to be good enough together with my volunteering.

Second, I also started volunteering with the Nebraska AIDS Project because all of my volunteer work was completely non-medically related. I became a licensed testing counselor and this was fodder for many of my interview discussions about patient interactions and confidentiality issues and ethical issues. Overall this was the best thing I did to help my application.

Third, I got a job in the state health department. I made some money and could say something about understanding more about all aspects of modern healthcare, wasn't really as useful in the application process as I expected it to be. (Except the money, that funded me to be able to apply to more schools)

If you have a 30+ MCAT you don't need to retake it. If you have decent grades theres no point in taking classes unless you are missing specific pre-reqs. You really can't improve your GPA before you submit your amcas other than the classes you are taking this semester and last semester. If you sit down and look at your application and the grades are your biggest problem you might want to look into a post-bacc or masters program. I was considering both of these b/c I thought my gpa was only so-so. I ended up deciding against it because to really work I think I would have had to find a two year masters program and not apply again until after the first year so that I had some new grades to put down on my app. I would have considered this more strongly if I hadn't have had as much undergrad research.

Okay, this has gotten kinda rambling, but I remember the panic of last spring and I am trying to help explain my thought process. My sympathies to everyone in the same position.

 

[HumptyDumpty]

You weren't rambling in the least, mdpdgirl. Thanks for sharing! I found your advice really helpful.

 

[frostybrandx]

I didnt get in 2 years ago with a 30 and a 3.7.

2 years at the NIH later, as well as EMT-B, as well as a significantly higher mCAT(bad luck the first time) I did much better.

 

[Steiner]

Im White
I have lots of research experience, possible publications, but it takes forever to get them.
I have a Masters Degree in Ex. Phys. with a 3.5
My undergrad GPA is not good (for Med School) 3.15, but I did very well in all the hard science classes.
I have some volunteer and shadowing experience, but not tons. (I'm building on this)
38 MCAT

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Im White
I have lots of research experience, possible publications, but it takes forever to get them.
I have a Masters Degree in Ex. Phys. with a 3.5
My undergrad GPA is not good (for Med School) 3.15, but I did very well in all the hard science classes.
I have some volunteer and shadowing experience, but not tons. (I'm building on this)
38 MCAT

wow, surprising...and what schools did you apply to?

 

[melimi]

wait, were all of the rejections post-secondary, or post-interview?

 

[PTPoeny]

I'm white and female, and all my rejections last year were pre-interview.

 

[Steiner]

wait, were all of the rejections post-secondary, or post-interview?

They were post-secondary except for one was post interview, but all the schools I applied to don't screen before secondaries, and the one interview I got was at my state school.

 

[LoveDoc]

i'd love to know the race of each 30+ rejected applicant...

troll

 

[Vitruvian Man]

i have a 33 mcat, 3.0 undergrad gpa from Hopkins, and a 3.4 gpa from the Georgetown special master's program. I have extensive research experience with publications and a good amount of clinical exposures. I have applied for 3 years, got one interview the first year, none the second, and I have one this year. if my one interview this year doesn't come through, i'm headed to st. george's in grenada, where i've been accepted already. i'm asian, but i think my gpa has more to do with it than my race.

 

[Steiner]

5+ waitlists, 1+ rejection. 34+mcat, 3.75+gpa, publ, lots a research, lots of volunteering (clinical) and outreach, etc. i thought i just interviewed like ****, but i rocked 3 interviews (told as much by interviewers) and still got waitlisted. ???

Waitlists aren't rejections

 

[Erasmus]

that does not make sense...what is the bottom school? no red flags on your app?

It doesn't make any sense. I can only imagine that it was because I was later than I had hoped, but even with that, I would have expected to get some interview invites. There were no red flags. I had a pretty standard PS (not going to hurt or help me), pretty good volunteer activities, scholarships, all that fun stuff.

I don't really want to out and out call any school a "bottom" school since 1. they rejected my tookass and 2. plenty of fine folks go there, but let's just say that they are ones most people consider "safeties".

Who knows? I guess I should try some volunteer project/aid work or like a masters program, although I'm not sure how much that would help my application.

 

[draoes]

Waitlists aren't rejections

Sorry, I'll re-post!

 

[Queenshawtii]

That seriously worries me.

 

[Kazema]

Who knows? I guess I should try some volunteer project/aid work or like a masters program, although I'm not sure how much that would help my application.

I don't think there's any reason for you to do a masters program - a traditional one would be a two year commitment (delaying your re-application) and a 1-year SMP is for people who need to raise either their GPA, MCAT, or both; your GPA and MCAT are perfectly fine.

I'd suggest doing research for a year, doing something like AmeriCorps, getting a job, etc.

 

[Erasmus]

I don't think there's any reason for you to do a masters program - a traditional one would be a two year commitment (delaying your re-application) and a 1-year SMP is for people who need to raise either their GPA, MCAT, or both; your GPA and MCAT are perfectly fine.

I'd suggest doing research for a year, doing something like AmeriCorps, getting a job, etc.

Research is the only thing I completely lack on my app, but I have had no success in finding a research program or obtaining a job that even remotely incorporates research.

[stomps feet and bangs on university entrance] Let me back in school! Let me back IN!!!!!!! 😎 😳

 

[Psycho Doctor]

It doesn't make any sense. I can only imagine that it was because I was later than I had hoped, but even with that, I would have expected to get some interview invites. There were no red flags. I had a pretty standard PS (not going to hurt or help me), pretty good volunteer activities, scholarships, all that fun stuff.

I don't really want to out and out call any school a "bottom" school since 1. they rejected my tookass and 2. plenty of fine folks go there, but let's just say that they are ones most people consider "safeties".

Who knows? I guess I should try some volunteer project/aid work or like a masters program, although I'm not sure how much that would help my application.

I think people under-estimate the importance of volunteer work and clinical involvement...and i don't mean just having a laundry list to put on a resume. I'm referring to really getting involved and showing dedication and passion for wha tyou are doing; taking the initiative to really learn, get to know the people/patients and to want to learn all that you can. I fared far better in this admission process than I anticipated or should have. I am just an ordinary guy with no special talents, no spectacular stats, no hooks and no connections with adcoms. What probably put me over the edge was my involvement in activities that I really cared about, and where I showed commitment and dedication. I was able to express this throughout my application and on interviews and my LORs validated the same thing probably better than I did. Sometime sit's the little things that really become the important things in an application.

 

[medic170]

I think people under-estimate the importance of volunteer work and clinical involvement...and i don't mean just having a laundry list to put on a resume. I'm referring to really getting involved and showing dedication and passion for wha tyou are doing; taking the initiative to really learn, get to know the people/patients and to want to learn all that you can. I fared far better in this admission process than I anticipated or should have. I am just an ordinary guy with no special talents, no spectacular stats, no hooks and no connections with adcoms. What probably put me over the edge was my involvement in activities that I really cared about, and where I showed commitment and dedication. I was able to express this throughout my application and on interviews and my LORs validated the same thing probably better than I did. Sometime sit's the little things that really become the important things in an application.

Same here. My stats were very average, but I had a lot of unique clinical, volunteer, life, interning, and research experience that , I think, made me an interesting candidate that stood out. having good stats and the usual ec's, is sometimes not enough. You have to stand out to those people on the ADCOM in order for them to vote yes for you. the interviewers input only goes so far, so you can rock an interview and still get rejected or waitlisted.

 

[tinkerbelle]

I am just an ordinary guy with no special talents, no spectacular stats, no hooks and no connections with adcoms. What probably put me over the edge was my involvement in activities that I really cared about, and where I showed commitment and dedication.

*ahem* your stats are definitely spectacular. And from what I know about you, there are definitely some special things about you that make you stand out. Although I'll agree with you that your dedication to certain activities probably did give you an edge.

I think LORs are also incredibly important (and not stressed as much as they should be). My application is so-so, but so many interviewers told me I had awesome recs... and I think that really helped... becuase it's so easy to pretend to be the perfect pre-med in an interview. And this is one of the few ways AdComs can see what you're really like.

 

[Kazema]

I gotta agree with tinkerbelle, PD. Your modesty is a little excessive .

But I also agree that ECs and clinical experiences are vital, absolutely. My lack of any type of involvement in ECs during the vast majority of my undergraduate career probably hurt me as much or more than my undergrad GPA. And I think my LORs and current clinical experiences did me just as much good as my MCAT score.

 

[kwc1979]

I'm coming to think that at a lot of schools, the interview hardly matters. What are you guys' opinions on this?

 

[Kazema]

I'm coming to think that at a lot of schools, the interview hardly matters. What are you guys' opinions on this?

I was rejected at what I thought was my worst interview performance and accepted at the school I thought I did the best at. And waitlisted at all the others.

But I still kind of agree with you; unless you perform at one extreme or another the rest of your app probably gets most of the emphasis.

EDIT: Actually I think my first interview was my best one. And I thought out of all my secondary essays, the ones I wrote for that school were the best I wrote all year. So I dunno.

 

[happygirl]

I've posted this is in the re-applicant forum, but I think it fits in here.

I applied this cycle (entering 2005) and have had 2 interviews. My first was early on in the process and I still have yet to hear from them so it's not looking promising. I'm not too sure about the second one, but I'm almost positive I'll end up having to reapply in June. I applied to a wide range of places, from UCSF to other schools not ranked as high, like Temple, but still by all means great schools. I have a 30+MCAT, a 3.7GPA, research, clinical exposure (shadowed docs, physical therapy assistant, ER volunteer), and other volunteer activities.

I would like to reapply in June (meaning, as early as possible) but I dont feel like I can improve my application that much in just three short months. Does anyone else feel this way? Like, I feel that maybe my LORs were not good enough, and would like to get betters ones but I'm done with school (just finished) and cant go back to profs to get a new one. And I dont know how to go back to previous employers/supervisors and ask them to rewrite letters?? Also, I would like to start doing more ECs or get a job (since I'll now have an year off) but feel that I cant committ myself to these things yet because I am not absolutely sure that I didnt get into a school. So, in other words, I wouldnt feel right getting a job and then quitting in 4 months.

Don't really know what to do. Stressed.

 

[diosa428]

Call a temp agency, or contact places yourself, and see if anyone needs a temporary employee. Things happen, people go on extended vacations, take maternity leave, etc, so you never know. Also, if you're willing to do an unpaid "internship" that might open some doors as well. Maybe working in a doctor's office or a clinic a couple of days a week? It would demonstrate your continued interest in medicine, if nothing else. And you could probably work things out so that you had time to get a part-time job on the side, and maybe even get a new LOR by this summer. I know it sounds kind of impossible, but one of my friends actually called a business up once and asked if they would let her "intern" there for a week (a week!) and they were really happy to bring her in. Anyway, I don't really know your situation, but it's a thought.

 

[NeverGettingIn]

Don't really know what to do. Stressed.[/QUOTE]


I am literally in the same exact situation that you are and I am equally stressed. I have been told that finding a clinical research position at a medical school is a great job to pursue in the year I might have to spend reapplying. But between now and august I think the best thing that we can do is pray and keep our fingers crossed. If you need to vent your frustrations to an empathetic ear, feel free to PM me.
If you can think of anything better to do while in purgatory, please let me know.

 

[Biscuit799]

troll

It's not being a troll if there's a correlation. 😱

 

[delchrys]

It's not being a troll if there's a correlation. 😱

a) yes.
b) wasn't sure if the poster was making a joke "my race = troll" or calling ME a troll, and didn't care enough to respond if it was meant to be a flame, so i left it alone. 🙂

 

[nicholonious]

a) yes.
b) wasn't sure if the poster was making a joke "my race = troll" or calling ME a troll, and didn't care enough to respond if it was meant to be a flame, so i left it alone. 🙂

hmmm...Troll would be another species, probably not part of our race. I doubt affirmative action applies to you. 🙂

 

[Biscuit799]

a) yes.
b) wasn't sure if the poster was making a joke "my race = troll" or calling ME a troll, and didn't care enough to respond if it was meant to be a flame, so i left it alone. 🙂

Granted I was half-joking, I suppose I should have left it alone as well. I'm sure it won't do any good...just start more of the same ol' debating...

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I gotta agree with tinkerbelle, PD. Your modesty is a little excessive .

But I also agree that ECs and clinical experiences are vital, absolutely. My lack of any type of involvement in ECs during the vast majority of my undergraduate career probably hurt me as much or more than my undergrad GPA. And I think my LORs and current clinical experiences did me just as much good as my MCAT score.

seriously there are thousands of people with similar stats to mine and many more with far better. In addition my actual ECs are not anything particularly outstanding or unique. The difference is that my ECs exhibit what I'm all about and the person i have always been even before i had any interest in a medical career. They portray my dedication to helping others and my compassion for those in need. My work ethics in volunteer services as well as in school shows someone who takes responsibility, deals with problems and remains dedicated to it right through to the end. I know most of you here think I'm a total jerk but in real life people see me as a hard-worker who truly cares for others and who performs every responsibility with passion and integrity. These are the kind of things i have to believe helped me in this process because i sure didn't deserve to get in more than most of you.

 

[tinkerbelle]

In addition my actual ECs are not anything particularly outstanding or unique. The difference is that my ECs exhibit what I'm all about and the person i have always been even before i had any interest in a medical career. .... These are the kind of things i have to believe helped me in this process because i sure didn't deserve to get in more than most of you.

I think this part of your post is really important... too many people try to pad their resume instead of doing activities that show what they are passionate about. And they don't realize that they're really hurting themselves b/c they can't support all the fluff they say in interviews with what they do in real life. I'm sure it helped you, Psycho, cause i know it really helped me in this process 🙂

i just realized i have no idea what this thread is about. i hope i'm not too off topic 😀

 

[PTPoeny]

Even if you have graduated, schools usually still want LOR's from at least some profs. About this time last year I sat down with all the profs that wrote me recommendation letters last year and talked about how important they were. All the professors really wanted me to get in so we sat down with my resume, and really talked about what aspects of my character they would bring out in their letter. I helped two remember specific incidents from class or research that brought this out. Two asked me to help them word a section on my weaknesses. Others preferred to talk with me about my strengths and not let me help on the weaknesses section. About half asked me to proofread the letter and the other half I have never seen. But you can sit down with a professor that truly cares about you and your admission and improve a letter. I know that all my PI letter writers wanted some guidance because they had never written letters for medical school as my research was in atomic physics, but even the biology profs were willing to sit with me and discuss my LOR. Also making sure that all the letters were written before the AMCAS even came out ensured that later they would all be sent out in a timely manner which wasn't the case the first time I applied.

 

[arashd]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

 

[beep]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

why not?

 

[evajaclynn]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

Why would you turn down your acceptance? An average of 28 means that they have plenty of applicants with a score of above a 28. Plus, the MCAT is just a one time test - people can do way better or way worse than they did on their practice tests. Do you think that your other classmates, with a lower MCAT score, would have inferior intelligence or are beneath you in same way? I'm just curious as to your reasoning behind all of this.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

too below you??? wow, that sounds a bit arrogant

 

[DoctorV09]

this process is so frustrating. i have a 30Q and a 3.6, clinical experience for the past 3 years and research for the past 2 years (and have 1 published paper), plus other stuff like leadership in on-campus clubs and such...I applied to 35 schools, ranging from UCSF to Drexel, EVMS, NYMC, etc....I have had 5 interviews so far, got waitlisted at 1 and haven't heard back from any of the others. Plus, I still haven't heard from 5 schools about interviews, though I'm assuming it's too late for that. And I know I should be happy with 5 interviews, but it's so frustrating to get rejected from the other 25 schools, some of which I am above their stats. So, I think I did well on all my interviews--I usually don't get nervous and I'm pretty sociable, but it's still so nervewrecking to sit here and wait...I have a feeling I have a lot of wait-lists in store for me, since it's so late in the process. I really believe that I would have done better if I didn't take the August MCAT...uhh, i need sympathy

 

[Ross434]

Face it, getting in is about twice as hard if not harder, if you take the august mcat. 90% of the people i hear about that didnt get in even with decent stats -- guess what - they applied late. I know whatever circumstances you were in might have made an earlier app impossible. But, dont despair. Apply the first second that the app becomes available next time, I'd bet money you'll have a LOT better luck.

 

[Kazema]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

Wow. Why did you apply to schools that were "so far below you" if you can't "bring yourself down to their level" and attend?

There are no guarantees in life my friend. What is your plan for next year, applying only for top 20 schools?

Best of luck to you when you reapply for the second time for the '07 entering class.

 

[evajaclynn]

Face it, getting in is about twice as hard if not harder, if you take the august mcat. 90% of the people i hear about that didnt get in even with decent stats -- guess what - they applied late. I know whatever circumstances you were in might have made an earlier app impossible. But, dont despair. Apply the first second that the app becomes available next time, I'd bet money you'll have a LOT better luck.

I took the August MCAT, but I turned in my AMCAS in late June/early July. Finished secondaries at the schools I was interested in by August and it ended up working out for me. I know my situation is a little different because I was primarily interested in going to my state school, but it can be done. My recommendation is to go ahead and fill out everything ahead of time, send it in, and then pray that you'll do well on the MCAT. Heck, I didn't even do that well on the MCAT and things still somehow managed to work out. 👍

I wish you all the best!

 

[medic170]

If your MCAT came in August then that might be why. I have one acceptance, but I am seriously considering reapplying this year nice and early! I have a good file and a 33 MCAT, i dont want to go to a school that has an average of 28.

Troll

 

[scrappysurfer]

I know most of you here think I'm a total jerk but in real life people see me as a hard-worker who truly cares for others and who performs every responsibility with passion and integrity. These are the kind of things i have to believe helped me in this process because i sure didn't deserve to get in more than most of you.

Psycho,
Just for the record, I don't see why you get so much harrassment. You are occasionally opinioned (as am I, hence the nickname Scrappy), but on the whole seem fairly quite level-headed. Isn't this forum about exchange of ideas. Thumbs up on the serenity quote as well. That has always been one of my favorites.

To Psycho and Tinkerbelle,

I think you are both dead on. Choosing extracurriculars that you are passionate about is vital. Picking typical activities and just going through the motions to add them to your app will not help very much. Medicine is a grueling career choice and a successful career will require passion and integrity. Admisions committees will look for evidence of this. Choosing activities that inspire you will result in inpired

Choose letter writers who know you, not letter writers who gave you an A in their class. I choose writers whom I knew socially or writers I had worked under even if I'd recieved a solid B in their class. They were able to write genuine letters about my energy and passion and those letters had weight.