4 interviews, 3 rejections, 0 acceptances. Frustrated

[2345]

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[yellowperil]

try applying early on June 1st and apply broadly. You have great stats and mcat.
The average applicant apply to about 12-14 schools.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

There is obviously something wrong with your interviewing. What are you saying when they ask, "why DO?" Did you apply MD? 7 interviews tells me that there isn't anything inherently wrong with your application. But rejections out of four of them...... did you do any mock interviews? If you aren't successful this cycle, go to your schools committee or someone and do a mock interview. Maybe you are coming across as arrogant, socially awkward, or maybe just saying the wrong things.

If you can elaborate on some questions and answers that would be awesome. Help us help you.

 

[ParacrineAgent]

There is obviously something wrong with your interviewing. What are you saying when they ask, "why DO?" Did you apply MD? 7 interviews tells me that there isn't anything inherently wrong with your application. But rejections out of four of them...... did you do any mock interviews? If you aren't successful this cycle, go to your schools committee or someone and do a mock interview. Maybe you are coming across as arrogant, socially awkward, or maybe just saying the wrong things.

If you can elaborate on some questions and answers that would be awesome. Help us help you.

I agree with this. Are you covering the basics too? i.e. Dressing appropriately, showing up on time, being polite and respectful to EVERYONE not just the interviewers? (I assume you have these down, but it's best to cover all your bases.)

 

[angldrps]

you can perhaps get better feedback if you tell us how you are responding to the common questions asked in the interviews. Maybe those who have had success in this process can critique your answers to help you prepare for the remaining interviews.

 

[ManBroDude]

You're interviewing wrongly. You need to convey the most awesome version of yourself you can muster in 30 minutes. I have a feeling you haven't had had the "sacrifice" component that a lot of DO applicants, myself included, have. You need to sit down with trusted family or friends and make a mock panel interview. They might not be PhDs but they can smell BS from a mile away, and if you can't convince them of your passion to go into medicine, you're not gonna convince any of your interviewers, who have been doing this for a long time. Ya feel me?

 

[hmainn]

I would ask all of the admissions committees about their decision. You may have to wait until the cycle wraps up, but that would give you a couple more opinions.

I would definitely work on interview tactics since that seems to be where the school loses interest. It could be the DO interest. but I'm not sure how big a part this plays.

Are you generally good with interviews? If not, definitely practice as the guy who posted before suggested. Read up on body language and such, and smile a lot. Even the PhDs and doctors on the interview panel are people. Give them a reason to love you and trust you.

Lastly, keep your chin up man. It's hard to swing back, but you have to have a good attitude. Make sure you believe that you have a chance (because you actually do) so you can avoid the self fulfilling prophecy ish.

 

[Slowpoke]

I would ask all of the admissions committees about their decision. You may have to wait until the cycle wraps up, but that would give you a couple more opinions.

Lastly, keep your chin up man. It's hard to swing back, but you have to have a good attitude. Make sure you believe that you have a chance (because you actually do).

This is really great advice. If the cycle ends up not going in your favor, do make sure to gather as much constructive criticism as you can from all the institutions that you interviewed at. If any of the schools are near you, try to politely ask to make an appointment with the dean - I know that at my undergrad institution's medical school the deans are very receptive to helping in this way.

Keep fighting!

 

[BenZq]

I have to agree that your interviewing must be the issue here. Maybe your not coming off as sincere in your answers?? Perhaps arrogant? Here's a tip that you can try, give an example of how you had to overcome some difficulties to get where you are, this should make you more relatable and help your interviewers connect with who you are as a person. Just a thought.. Go with what you feel is right. Best of Luck.

 

[scarshapedstar]

It sounds like you're coming across as entitled. You clearly work hard but that admissions guy is telling you that you think you're practically overqualified, and even if that were true you'd still need a convincing reason to become a DO.

Do a bit of soul searching and start from scratch on the Big 'Why' Question. Or even give us a quick abridged version right here.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

There is obviously something wrong with your interviewing. What are you saying when they ask, "why DO?" Did you apply MD? 7 interviews tells me that there isn't anything inherently wrong with your application. But rejections out of four of them...... did you do any mock interviews? If you aren't successful this cycle, go to your schools committee or someone and do a mock interview. Maybe you are coming across as arrogant, socially awkward, or maybe just saying the wrong things.

If you can elaborate on some questions and answers that would be awesome. Help us help you.

^This. Like many have said: why IS osteopathic medicine for you?

 

[DocGodfather]

Like Manbro and Frky and the rest mentioned, it's probably coming down to your interviewing, as you application looks good enough with all those interviews. If you know any med students or people that have gone through the interview process, you should consider doing mock interviews to see if they can catch any flaws you have.

 

[DocGodfather]

This is really great advice. If the cycle ends up not going in your favor, do make sure to gather as much constructive criticism as you can from all the institutions that you interviewed at. If any of the schools are near you, try to politely ask to make an appointment with the dean - I know that at my undergrad institution's medical school the deans are very receptive to helping in this way.

Keep fighting!

Dude, that avatar is pretty awesome. Congrats on the acceptance. 👍

 

[scarshapedstar]

Dude, that avatar is pretty awesome.

I can hear the two splashes. 😱

 

[DrWily]

+1 you probably don't come off as excited or thrilled for D.O. school. Someone in your position with a 30+ MCAT and a 3.6+ GPA has to prove much more to the interviewers that you want to go D.O. since you have good enough stats for M.D. school. Maybe you just didn't convey it HARD ENOUGH. Go to your remaining interviews. It would be foolish to skip those. All it takes is ONE.

 

[Jlaw]

How do YOU feel about the interviews? Did you walk out feeling great? Was there chemistry with the interviewers? Were there any awkward pauses? Did you ramble? Did you feel like the interviewers had an axe to grind?

Usually its pretty easy to asess if an interview was positive or not. If you can't honestly say they were positive then you need to practice interviewing and being yourself.

 

[2345]

.

 

[dbizzy]

At one interview, I was never even asked why medicine or why DO, and then rejected for that reason.

At another, I was sort of asked why medicine (but in VERY brief passing) and said that I preferred it over research because of the ability to directly see the results of your work.

At the other interview that turned to a rejection, I spoke about the satisfaction that the doctors I have observed (through family members, shadowing, or volunteering) gain from treating their patients. For why DO, I said that I liked the incorporation of less invasive therapies such as OMM and preventive care, and how it is more inherently patient centered/humanistic (i.e. how DO's I have seen tend to spend more time with patients, have a greater level of comfort for touching patients, try to encourage them to manage their healthcare, etc).

And the GPA is WITH grade replacement. Without, it is < 3.2 and not competitive for MD.

That's a tough break, brah. What everyone said is likely to be correct. If you get an II, you're good enough "on paper," meaning that the seat is yours to lose. *Something* about your interviewing is off, but it's really really hard to determine over the internet what it is specifically. I recommend that you set up some mock interviews with your pre-med advisor or professors, or even friends who have gone through the process. Do this BEFORE your last interviews.

 

[scarshapedstar]

At another, I was sort of asked why medicine (but in VERY brief passing) and said that I preferred it over research because of the ability to directly see the results of your work.

I don't want to read too much into this because it's just a brief snippet and I have no idea what the context was, but this isn't always what interviewers want to hear. Not that there's anything wrong with "every doctor a scientist", I feel the same way, but you need to put it in the most touchy-feely way possible. Especially for DO. For reference, the least touchy-feely way possible would be "I hope to one day experiment with human subjects"

At the other interview that turned to a rejection, I spoke about the satisfaction that the doctors I have observed (through family members, shadowing, or volunteering) gain from treating their patients.

What about you, though? Everyone has doctors they admire but you really need to talk about your own satisfaction. I'm an introvert with a tendency to give external examples to illustrate my own feelings (makes it easier to put them into words), and that's what this sounds like. Unfortunately it doesn't always come across well. Tell them something you did in a clinic that you're proud of, that made you feel like you're on the right path. Screw meekness, this is the time to talk about yourself.

For why DO, I said that I liked the incorporation of less invasive therapies such as OMM and preventive care, and how it is more inherently patient centered/humanistic (i.e. how DO's I have seen tend to spend more time with patients, have a greater level of comfort for touching patients, try to encourage them to manage their healthcare, etc).

This is pretty good, maybe frame it differently at times - like instead of "less invasive" say "more holistic". They want to make sure you are the kind of person who will spend more time with the patient and hold their hand. You gotta really sell them on that because you don't want to be perceived as someone who's just saying the right things to get in because MD would be an uphill battle.

You probably came off chilly this time around but that's all you need to fix and there's many ways to approach the problem. Changing your interview persona isn't fun but mock interviews and taping yourself are good ways to start. Maybe some new activity could help you get a little more psyched about medicine but that's all up to you.

 

[BenZq]

For why DO, I said that I liked the incorporation of less invasive therapies such as OMM and preventive care, and how it is more inherently patient centered/humanistic

I like this answer. maybe incorporate how you shadowed an MD? and saw how the DO was more hands on with patients.

And the GPA is WITH grade replacement. Without, it is < 3.2 and not competitive for MD.

Heres an idea: since you aren't competitive for an MD school because they don't factor in grade replacements, tell your interviewers that you appreciate how DO schools are giving you a second chance at attaining your dream. You could even go further and say how this relates to the holistic philosophy of osteopathic medicine.

 

[help2]

Tell them something you did in a clinic that you're proud of, that made you feel like you're on the right path. Screw meekness, this is the time to talk about yourself.

👍 SO true.

Additionally, I think they want to hear about the fact that you care about patients. They want to gauge your ability to relate and empathize. They don't want applicants who want to be doctors because it's better than other medical field alternatives. They want to see that you are sensitive and enjoy working with people.

 

[Goro]

I've read your comments very carefully, and it sure seems like you're saying the right things, but what concerns me isnot how you're interviewing but that there might be some "red flag" in your file...a bad LOR, for example. It might be something as simple as your pre-med committee letter (assuming you have one) saying you're "recommended" where ths is only the middle of the pack (as opposed to "recommend with with honors; highly recommended" etc).

I agree that attitude is important, and how you're coming across might be at issue.

At one interview, I was never even asked why medicine or why DO, and then rejected for that reason.

At another, I was sort of asked why medicine (but in VERY brief passing) and said that I preferred it over research because of the ability to directly see the results of your work.

At the other interview that turned to a rejection, I spoke about the satisfaction that the doctors I have observed (through family members, shadowing, or volunteering) gain from treating their patients. For why DO, I said that I liked the incorporation of less invasive therapies such as OMM and preventive care, and how it is more inherently patient centered/humanistic (i.e. how DO's I have seen tend to spend more time with patients, have a greater level of comfort for touching patients, try to encourage them to manage their healthcare, etc).

And the GPA is WITH grade replacement. Without, it is < 3.2 and not competitive for MD.

 

[thedoc89]

I think the issue is that the answers you are giving are what most students will say at the interview. I know it is hard but you have to somehow have to answers the questions why DO and why medicine in a way specific to you. So far I have interviewed at two schools and got wait-listed at both. At this point just work on your interview skills, there is no point in worrying about LOR or gpa and mcat you can't change those at this point.

 

[poopyhead]

I have a feeling you haven't had had the "sacrifice" component that a lot of DO applicants, myself included, have.

😕😕😕😕

At another, I was sort of asked why medicine (but in VERY brief passing) and said that I preferred it over research because of the ability to directly see the results of your work.

Research is what advances medicine. I hope you weren't as dismissive of research during your interview as you seem here.

 

[scarshapedstar]

Research is what advances medicine. I hope you weren't as dismissive of research during your interview as you seem here.

I think what he meant was simply that he'd rather do research as an MD than a PhD. People as opposed to Petri dishes.

 

[ManBroDude]

A good story of why medicine that includes personally overcoming obstacles and making sacrifices certainly looks better than someone who only applied because their MD parents made them.

 

[CopToEM]

As everyone has said it's hard to read into your responses and file without having them in front of us but I think one thing worth saying is that perhaps you should be a little less serious about the process. I don't mean go in and completely let back and kick your feet up on the desk... I mean you have to be incredibly personable.

Clearly, by your file, you're an exceptional applicant and they want to see you to learn more about who YOU are. They already know what's in your file, they know your stats and they know you're qualified to complete medical school... there's something up with what you're telling them about you.

Do you feel like the interview is more of a conversation and less a Q&A session? If not, that's exactly what it should be. Any successful interview is a conversation with your interviewers about your experiences, their experiences, and how those experiences will help mold you into a successful physician. If you're being asked questions and bouncing answers back that's not a good thing.

The one comment that you made about not being asked why you wanted to be a doctor.... they probably expected you to volunteer that information. After all, that's why you're there. Further, in every answer, you should convey some part of who you are and not just simply answer the question in 3 sentences or less. By the end of the interview, whether they asked you or not, they should have been left with a brief picture of you as a person and your motivations for pursuing medicine.

Hang in there. It's not an easy process. I think, if anything, perhaps take any remaining interviews a little less seriously and go in as if you're talking to a colleague. They're not there to grill you - not at all.

 

[misssciencenerd]

Be careful about saying you want to be a DO because they spend more time with their patients, care more about their overall well-being, etc than MDs. You don't want to generalize MDs into that category because that is not true of all MDs. There will be good and bad doctors, whether MD or DO.

For example, I had a friend (yes, a friend, not me) that brought up MDs in the "why DO" question during his interview at a DO school. He said he shadowed both a MD and DO and he found the DO to be much more caring and personable with his patients. He mentioned that the MD did not have the same nature as the DO and didn't seem to care about his patients well-being....his interviewer was a MD. He was rejected.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

Be careful about saying you want to be a DO because they spend more time with their patients, care more about their overall well-being, etc than MDs. You don't want to generalize MDs into that category because that is not true of all MDs. There will be good and bad doctors, whether MD or DO.

For example, I had a friend (yes, a friend, not me) that brought up MDs in the "why DO" question during his interview at a DO school. He said he shadowed both a MD and DO and he found the DO to be much more caring and personable with his patients. He mentioned that the MD did not have the same nature as the DO and didn't seem to care about his patients well-being....his interviewer was a MD. He was rejected.

+1. Family Practice DOs still have the same demands on their time in the office, especially in solo practices. Develop a deeper understanding of the DO route and their approach toward patients than "oh well, they're just more friendly and spend more time with their patients". Look at the methods in which they approach their patients, their training, etc and this will give a better answer imho.

 

[CopToEM]

One last piece of advice if you end up reapplying (I hope that you do not!) is to read The DOs by Gevitz. Answering the Why DO question will be cake after that.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

One last piece of advice if you end up reapplying (I hope that you do not!) is to read The DOs by Gevitz. Answering the Why DO question will be cake after that.

I highly recommend this book as well. It not only covers the history of osteopathic medicine in the United States, but also addresses issues that DOs stand to face in the future.Great read!👍

 

[GimpGenius]

I highly recommend this book as well. It not only covers the history of osteopathic medicine in the United States, but also addresses issues that DOs stand to face in the future.Great read!👍

I agree; it's a fantastic (and relatively quick) read, and it covers most of the bases up through the early 2000's.