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I have a very unique name, I doubt there is someone with my name.
I don't have a facebook page.
No worrisome ECs ... tennis, art, hiking, etc...
Those aren't pre-med ecs....
I have a very unique name, I doubt there is someone with my name.
I don't have a facebook page.
No worrisome ECs ... tennis, art, hiking, etc...
The only thing is, the medical school secondary status page's all showed that they had received my score.Concur, even an avg of 345 is really good. BUT, timing appears to be the issue. if most of the schools saw only the 28, then perhaps that's what led to the multiple pre-interview rejections.
No worrisome ECs ... tennis, art, hiking, etc...
The only thing is, the medical school secondary status page's all showed that they had received my score.
These are in addition to my pre-med ecsThose aren't pre-med ecs....
Nope, non-URM and not disadvantagedI'm guessing you're not a minority?
Well, that is good to know, but we can't really jump on you because nobody asked if you graduated from high school. 😉Don't jump on me...because I wouldn't think that it's a big deal nearly a decade later. But I did drop out of high school, but I mean that was nearly 10 years ago and I graduated summa cum laude from college and I didn't even bring it up other than clicking GED on the AMCAS... I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong, maybe that's an issue
If you check the websites or MSAR you will see it explicitly stated that there is no IS preference for at least 2 of the UC's (the last time I checked). I can tell you that the appearance of preference at any of them (except UCR and UCD) is more likely associated with the abundance of overqualifed CA candidates who would rather stay IS. Also, the number of OOS candidates who apply to CA schools as a Hail Mary appears to rival the Ivies (to my eye, at least!).No, that's definitely not true. CA schools are different from other state schools in that all of them are great and very competitive, but there's still in-state preference for sure. Davis's last incoming class was 99:3 IS:OOS, Irvine was 94:10, UCLA was 154:21, San Diego was 105:20, and UCSF was 135:29 despite having exactly the same number of IS and OOS applications. Maybe that's less in-state bias than in other states, but it's definitely still there.
I really doubt that's it. A GED isn't a red flag.Don't jump on me...because I wouldn't think that it's a big deal nearly a decade later. But I did drop out of high school, but I mean that was nearly 10 years ago and I graduated summa cum laude from college and I didn't even bring it up other than clicking GED on the AMCAS... I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong, maybe that's an issue
If you check the websites or MSAR you will see it explicitly stated that there is no IS preference for at least 2 of the UC's (the last time I checked). I can tell you that any appearance of preference at any of them (except UCR and UCD) is more likely associated with the abundace of overqualifed CA candidates who would rather stay IS. Also, the number of OOS candidates who apply to CA schools as a Hail Mary appears to rival the Ivies (to my eye, at least!).
It'd be difficult to put a positive spin on it. The reason why I left would probably be a red flag, which is why I try not to address it. Luckily, none of my interviewers brought it up.Whether or not you graduated from high school or got a GED has literally zero effect on medical school admission. It can be a positive if you spin it that way, but is certainly not a negative.
I have heard of someone who submitted all parts of application but did not send it the secondary fee and was getting no response from that school until they realized they didn't pay in December. I just threw out whatever else could be hindering interviews from the schools that rejected post secondary.wut? I think you're going too far here.
🤣
BTW, I agree with mimelim. There is obviously something that is a major red flag if 12/15 schools auto-reject you. Call every single school and try to get some info.
To add a couple to his list on the first page:
-Does a google search for your name bring up 16 pages of arrest records for someone who happens to have the same name?
-Is your facebook page full of hate/inappropriate jokes/unprofessional nonsense?
-Did you perhaps list something inappropriate or worrisome in your ECs? Like smoking pot, recreational sword swallowing, stealing candy from babies, or playing too many video games?
Don't jump on me...because I wouldn't think that it's a big deal nearly a decade later. But I did drop out of high school, but I mean that was nearly 10 years ago and I graduated summa cum laude from college and I didn't even bring it up other than clicking GED on the AMCAS... I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong, maybe that's an issue
OP doesn't need to add 5 more top 20 schools. They need some actual range in their school list.
Huh. I haven't found anything like that in the MSAR, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Doesn't everyone always tell out-of-staters not to bother with California schools? At UCSF, it looks like they interviewed ~4% of out-of-state applicants and ~10% of in-state applicants. Isn't that evidence of in-state bias? I'd think that the out-of-state applicant pool would probably be stronger, since most Californians seem to just apply to all of them no matter what, whereas I'd imagine only more qualified out-of-staters would bother trying. But maybe I'm overestimating the wisdom of people's school selections.If you check the websites or MSAR you will see it explicitly stated that there is no IS preference for at least 2 of the UC's (the last time I checked). I can tell you that the appearance of preference at any of them (except UCR and UCD) is more likely associated with the abundance of overqualifed CA candidates who would rather stay IS. Also, the number of OOS candidates who apply to CA schools as a Hail Mary appears to rival the Ivies (to my eye, at least!).
2-3 years post college with research and volunteeringDid you go to college for a decade? take only 1-2 courses/semester?
Definitely not... just a couple parking ticketsBe honest please: no arrests/convictions/IAs?
The essay I wrote in my previous application several years ago (which I never completed secondaries for) discussed a struggle with anorexia in high school, but that was soo long ago and hasn't been an issue for nearly a decade.Any history of mental illness that was mentioned in essays??
This may be an issue, while the hospital I volunteer at has a very large homelss population, I haven't done much outside of the medical realmAnd what were your non-clinical ECs like? I'm not talking about research or hobbies, I'm talking about demonstrations of your altruism, service to others and humanism
I would only send it to a couple people--PM some and see if they'd be willing to look it over! If you post it online, people will mosey in and "borrow" bits and pieces.Do y'all think it would be a bad idea to post my PS? I just want to be as transparent as possible. Without being foolish.
What about hobbies that fly under the radar, like cooking, jogging, reading, etc? How do you respond when asked what you do for fun? I'm just trying to parse out what could have gone awry at the interview stage.This may be an issue, while the hospital I volunteer at has a very large homelss population, I haven't done much outside of the medical realm
I think she mentioned tennis and hikingWhat about hobbies that fly under the radar, like cooking, jogging, reading, etc? How do you respond when asked what you do for fun? I'm just trying to parse out what could have gone awry at the interview stage.
I just checked the UCI website and found this in FAQ's:Huh. I haven't found anything like that in the MSAR, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Doesn't everyone always tell out-of-staters not to bother with California schools? At UCSF, it looks like they interviewed ~4% of out-of-state applicants and ~10% of in-state applicants. Isn't that evidence of in-state bias? I'd think that the out-of-state applicant pool would probably be stronger, since most Californians seem to just apply to all of them no matter what, whereas I'd imagine only more qualified out-of-staters would bother trying. But maybe I'm overestimating the wisdom of people's school selections.
Problem is you're emphasizing stats when she has a completely different background/ profile from you. I'm inclined to think Harvard/Yale was drawn to her background, but their pool is too competitive. Duke's secondary played well to her life story.I'm just speaking from my own experience. I have very similar stats as OP (My stats are slightly worse, actually.) I applied to the same schools she did. I was rejected from the same schools she was.
Huh. I haven't found anything like that in the MSAR, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Doesn't everyone always tell out-of-staters not to bother with California schools? At UCSF, it looks like they interviewed ~4% of out-of-state applicants and ~10% of in-state applicants. Isn't that evidence of in-state bias? I'd think that the out-of-state applicant pool would probably be stronger, since most Californians seem to just apply to all of them no matter what, whereas I'd imagine only more qualified out-of-staters would bother trying. But maybe I'm overestimating the wisdom of people's school selections.
I just checked the UCI website and found this in FAQ's:
Does the School of Medicine give preference to California residents?
No. The Admissions Committee uses the same criteria to evaluate applicants whether they are in-state or out-of-state residents. Preference is given to applicants who are US citizens, Permanent Residents with a Green Card, or approved under DACA with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
And you can never over-estimate the compulsion to apply to "reaches," especially reaches in warm climates.
ive been trying to follow this, correct my if im wrong, but has OP mentioned any clinic experience? I saw @Goro ask multiple times but I didnt see a response to that. I know she has volunteered at hospitals, but that's not necessarily clinical experience depending on what she did as a volunteer.
These are in addition to my pre-med ecs
I also have 500+ hours volunteering at one hospital
300+ hours volunteering at another hospital and ~2 years research
That was OP's answer to the question, which the poster I quoted must have missed, since they said no response was given. Whether or not more details are needed is a separate issue. I was just pulling the given answer back out since I remembered seeing it.^I believe the two posts you quoted illustrate miszfifi820's point: volunteering at a hospital doesn't always mean clinical experience.
If OP spent 800 hours sitting behind an information desk or refilling the coffee in the break room, the fact that it happened to be in a hospital doesn't mean much. That kind of volunteering + non-clinical research = zero hours of patient contact.
No, they're completely different questions. Miszfifi820 specifically said "I know she has volunteered at hospitals," so she obviously saw the post you pulled out. But you can have hospital volunteering experience without having true clinical experience.That was OP's answer to the question, which the poster I quoted must have missed, since they said no response was given. Whether or not more details are needed is a separate issue. I was just pulling the given answer back out since I remembered seeing it.
And yet it seems it must always be through a specific organization (and the majority of those being religiously affiliated), rather than helping out where you can, when you can *sigh*.OK, one more piece to the puzzle. Most successful applicants have at least 100 hrs of non-clinical ECs.
Service need not be "unique". If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients.
Examples include: Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, crisis hotlines, soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless or women’s shelter, after-school tutoring for students or coaching a sport in a poor school district, teaching ESL to adults at a community center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or Meals on Wheels.
One can find plenty of service opportunities starting with your local houses of worship.
I like to point out that stats get you to the door, but ECs get you through the door.
This may be an issue, while the hospital I volunteer at has a very large homelss population, I haven't done much outside of the medical realm
You're right, I did not read thoroughly...I conflated that post with the one below it talking about tennis and skipped the middle line. My bad.No, they're completely different questions. Miszfifi820 specifically said "I know she has volunteered at hospitals," so she obviously saw the post you pulled out. But you can have hospital volunteering experience without having true clinical experience.
And yet it seems it must always be through a specific organization (and the majority of those being religiously affiliated), rather than helping out where you can, when you can *sigh*.
Problem is you're emphasizing stats when she has a completely different background/ profile from you. I'm inclined to think Harvard/Yale was drawn to her background, but their pool is too competitive.
All my volunteering had direct patient contactIf OP spent 800 hours sitting behind an information desk or refilling the coffee in the break room, the fact that it happened to be in a hospital doesn't mean much. That kind of volunteering + non-clinical research = zero hours of patient contact.
What does that mean?Her LizzyM is not really 80. And she doesn't fit the profile of an 80
[/QUOTE]OK, one more piece to the puzzle. Most successful applicants have at least 100 hrs of non-clinical ECs.
Service need not be "unique". If you can alleviate suffering in your community through service to the poor, homeless, illiterate, fatherless, etc, you are meeting an otherwise unmet need and learning more about the lives of the people (or types of people) who will someday be your patients.
Examples include: Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, crisis hotlines, soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless or women’s shelter, after-school tutoring for students or coaching a sport in a poor school district, teaching ESL to adults at a community center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or Meals on Wheels.
One can find plenty of service opportunities starting with your local houses of worship.
I like to point out that stats get you to the door, but ECs get you through the door.
This may be an issue, while the hospital I volunteer at has a very large homelss population, I haven't done much outside of the medical realm
not to be annoying, but what do you consider direct patient contact? I volunteered at an ER but I would never consider that clinical experience because I wasnt trained, qualified, or licensed to administer any services. All I could legally do was talk to the patients and observe. What was your role and duties in the ER?All my volunteering had direct patient contact; e.g. ER volunteer and health care planning
Exactly...the way the EC reporting is set up, you kind of have to do some sort of official, structured activity in order to be able to report it. I understand that there aren't really any good alternatives for it, but it's still a bit frustrating.Those are just a few examples. They're easier to document too.
That's still direct patient contact. You don't need to be a clinician to get clinical experience.not to be annoying, but what do you consider direct patient contact? I volunteered at an ER but I would never consider that clinical experience because I wasnt trained, qualified, or licensed to administer any services. All I could legally do was talk to the patients and observe. What was your role and duties in the ER?
That may be what you think of, but that is an atypical definition of it and not what is expected of applicants by most.thanks @Inventor of Post-Its that was what I was trying to get across. Lets be honest, you dont do much volunteering at a hospital. you cant do much regadless of how long you've been there because of liability issues. You may be able clean out beds, stock supplies, run errands, and maybe interact with patients or guests at a very minimal level. When I think of what is defined as clinical experience, I think of experiences where you have cared or treated an individual. But thats just my mindset.
I go and talk with the patients while they're waitingnot to be annoying, but what do you consider direct patient contact? I volunteered at an ER but I would never consider that clinical experience because I wasnt trained, qualified, or licensed to administer any services. All I could legally do was talk to the patients and observe. What was your role and duties in the ER?
Um, I can smell patients from sitting in front of a sign in sheet in the ER.... but to each its own. And no one said you had to be a doctor but MANY applicants work as EMTs, CNAs, Patient Care Techs, etc. So its very realisticThat's still direct patient contact. You don't need to be a clinician to get clinical experience.
The saying is 'if you can smell the patient, it is clinical experience', not 'if you are already a doctor, you can become a doctor.'
That may be what you think of, but that is an atypical definition of it and not what is expected of applicants by most.
I'm still unclear on the timing of all of this.
OP said they "didn't continue" with their first round of applications. So I'm not sure exactly what stage this occurred at (i.e. just didn't fill out secondaries or what)?
I'm also unclear of the timing of the improved MCAT score - was that score available when they first applied this season, or did they get the score back after application was already submitted?