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[Clancy15!]

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[shambho]

First of all, take a deep breath and hold your head high for putting together a great application. I’m no expert, but as far as I can tell, your stats and ECs are strong.

I think you applied to too few schools. If you had done 25, you may have had one or two interviews (speaking from my friends’ experiences), and you may still get an interview this cycle.

If you do have to apply again, I think you have a good chance, but apply broadly. If you can afford it, try 35 schools, especially if they’re within state range and there’s a mission fit.

My friends and I are all around a 10 - 15% MD interview rate, but even with that I’ve received merit based scholarships and multiple acceptances etc. I promise I’m not saying this to rub salt into your wounds. Just saying this to calibrate your expectations. I’ve had two cycles with 0 interviews; I’ve been there.

I’ll let others with more expertise advise you on other matters. But: don’t dread a gap year, it can be a great (and necessary) experience. Best of luck; this stuff is not easy and you’ve put in hard work to get this far. I believe you’ll be successful next year if not this one.

Last few words if you care: imagine your ideal life 15 years from now. Imagine your day-to-day, struggles, worries, joys, triumphs. Are you fretting about spending an extra year getting to medical school? Visualize the highest force of good you can conceptualize and then work backwards to figure out what you need to do now to embody that. Then do that. Best of luck.

 

[LunaOri]

There are plenty of schools still giving out interviews. Your stats are good, but your hours are low for clinical and volunteering with the underserved (not low enough to get you screened out, but low enough that you wouldn’t get an early interview). Keep up those activities in case you have to take a gap year, and try to get a few hours of primary care shadowing.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, you're lacking significant community service for the schools on your list. Keep building your experience with the non-profit. Rush and Loyola like candidates with hundreds to thousands of hours of service orientation, most of whom took gap years. 200 should clear the hurdle for getting screened out, but you might not have reached the threshold for some schools to give you an (early) interview.

You are not a failure by not getting into medical school before graduating. Gap year candidates are MUCH more common. Despite setting up a premed advising service, it sounds like you haven't attended recruitment events or campus visits to meet students who affirm this. That may be your problem (with your mindset).

 

[AJS59]

1. cGPA: 3.95, sGPA 3.9
2. MCAT: 514 (b/b128, cars128, c/p129, p/s129)
3. Illinois
4. White Male
5. Attended UW-Madison, graduating early this December
6. 200 hours clinical experience as a medical assistant in multiple clinical settings. Anticipated 500 hours (working 4 days a week all of second semester)
7. 750 hours research in a neurosurgery lab. 1 middle-author publication, 1 poster presentation, leadership (ran my own projects)
8. 40 hours shadowing in three very different specialties (NeurSurg, Maternal-Fetal care, Pain)
9. 200 hours volunteering with nonprofit that provides resources for inner-city underserved Chicago residents
10. ECs: Organic Chemistry tutor for student athletes, started my own pre-med advising program for younger pre-meds at my school (giving class enrollment advice, advice on research, free tutoring), American Cancer society student org board member, Doctors Without Borders club member, Club lacrosse, local musician.
11. LOR: One is 3 pages of raving from a high-ranking director of a residency program at UW (also my PI). Another was a first-draft written by a shady TA who I don’t think loved me, but was edited and signed by professor, guessing it’s positive, but not glowing. Other was from an English teacher, should be very positive.

Hello all, first post, but falling victim to negative thinking due to not having received an interview yet; I am just stressed and freaked because I already know some people with As. I understand the thanksgiving rule, so I’m still trying to stay hopeful for another month or so, but I was hoping for at least some sort of positive message by now. I applied to 18 total schools, but my best chances seem to be at my in-state institutions (Loyola, UIC, RUSH, Rosalind Franklin). Rejected from 7 OOS schools already as well as U Chicago and Northwestern, which were all expected.

I just wanted some input on my remaining chances this deep into the cycle, specifically at IL schools if anyone has information about those. Wrote a letter of interest/update letter to UIC about how I believe I am a great mission fit. I also was fortunate to attend a Jesuit highschool and hit that very hard on my Loyola secondary essays. Really stressed research, MA job, and volunteering with disadvantaged folks in Chicago on secondaries.

When applying and looking at my chances for my stat range with LizzyM (78% are accepted supposedly) as well as what I thought were semi-impressive ECs (published researcher, paid clinical experience, impressive volunteering with the community I would be serving at these IL institutions), I thought that I would have a pretty good shot of at least scoring 1 interview this cycle. I don’t want that to come off as cocky or feeling that this is some sort of mistake, but I just didn’t think I had any glaring reason that would not only put me in the 22% of students that don’t get in (not to mention not even getting an interview).

I’m wondering if anyone experienced could fill me in on my chances at this point, or especially any info on the IL schools admissions process so far (how many interviewed, how many spots left, general timeline of IL cycle…). Really would dread a gap year, but I would continue to work as an MA all of this Fall as well as volunteer more. If I could get my clinical experience numbers up to 600-700, would it be worth re-applying next cycle? What else could I do to improve my app? I feel like I have checked most boxes in terms of ECs and experience, is it a lack of hours in these that may be the problem? What else could maybe have led to these results? I just feel disappointed to have given up so much of college for studying for the MCAT and really grinding so that I could have a fully fleshed application so that I could apply directly out of school. If I had known how this cycle is going so far, I would have spread out my efforts to not have been so draining on my well-being. Thank you for your help everyone, really appreciate it.

First of all, I'd wait it out. My first and only didn't come until after the new year. And remember per LizzyM the rule of Thanksgiving - don't sweat not having an interview until we get to that point.

I'm not super familiar with the Illinois schools, but overall if you do reapply next cycle I'd raise your clinical hours and especially your non-clinical hours.

Keep up hope!

 

[sciencerules135]

1. cGPA: 3.95, sGPA 3.9
2. MCAT: 514 (b/b128, cars128, c/p129, p/s129)
3. Illinois
4. White Male
5. Attended UW-Madison, graduating early this December
6. 200 hours clinical experience as a medical assistant in multiple clinical settings. Anticipated 500 hours (working 4 days a week all of second semester)
7. 750 hours research in a neurosurgery lab. 1 middle-author publication, 1 poster presentation, leadership (ran my own projects)
8. 40 hours shadowing in three very different specialties (NeurSurg, Maternal-Fetal care, Pain)
9. 200 hours volunteering with nonprofit that provides resources for inner-city underserved Chicago residents
10. ECs: Organic Chemistry tutor for student athletes, started my own pre-med advising program for younger pre-meds at my school (giving class enrollment advice, advice on research, free tutoring), American Cancer society student org board member, Doctors Without Borders club member, Club lacrosse, local musician.
11. LOR: One is 3 pages of raving from a high-ranking director of a residency program at UW (also my PI). Another was a first-draft written by a shady TA who I don’t think loved me, but was edited and signed by professor, guessing it’s positive, but not glowing. Other was from an English teacher, should be very positive.

Hello all, first post, but falling victim to negative thinking due to not having received an interview yet; I am just stressed and freaked because I already know some people with As. I understand the thanksgiving rule, so I’m still trying to stay hopeful for another month or so, but I was hoping for at least some sort of positive message by now. I applied to 18 total schools, but my best chances seem to be at my in-state institutions (Loyola, UIC, RUSH, Rosalind Franklin). Rejected from 7 OOS schools already as well as U Chicago and Northwestern, which were all expected.

I just wanted some input on my remaining chances this deep into the cycle, specifically at IL schools if anyone has information about those. Wrote a letter of interest/update letter to UIC about how I believe I am a great mission fit. I also was fortunate to attend a Jesuit highschool and hit that very hard on my Loyola secondary essays. Really stressed research, MA job, and volunteering with disadvantaged folks in Chicago on secondaries.

When applying and looking at my chances for my stat range with LizzyM (78% are accepted supposedly) as well as what I thought were semi-impressive ECs (published researcher, paid clinical experience, impressive volunteering with the community I would be serving at these IL institutions), I thought that I would have a pretty good shot of at least scoring 1 interview this cycle. I don’t want that to come off as cocky or feeling that this is some sort of mistake, but I just didn’t think I had any glaring reason that would not only put me in the 22% of students that don’t get in (not to mention not even getting an interview).

I’m wondering if anyone experienced could fill me in on my chances at this point, or especially any info on the IL schools admissions process so far (how many interviewed, how many spots left, general timeline of IL cycle…). Really would dread a gap year, but I would continue to work as an MA all of this Fall as well as volunteer more. If I could get my clinical experience numbers up to 600-700, would it be worth re-applying next cycle? What else could I do to improve my app? I feel like I have checked most boxes in terms of ECs and experience, is it a lack of hours in these that may be the problem? What else could maybe have led to these results? I just feel disappointed to have given up so much of college for studying for the MCAT and really grinding so that I could have a fully fleshed application so that I could apply directly out of school. If I had known how this cycle is going so far, I would have spread out my efforts to not have been so draining on my well-being. Thank you for your help everyone, really appreciate it.

Hi! Good morning! Another applicant who was dead set on going straight out of college, dreaded a gap year, and ended up now having to reapply. I hate to say it and add to the cliche but it’s been the best thing for me. I think the one thing that held me back besides MCAT(for me, yours is amazing) was hours. After last cycle and around this time frame I was freaking out. I didn’t realize how many hours most applicants had and how “anticipated” hours mean actually nothing. Because like you, I had around 250 hours when I applied last year but by this time had another 500 that weren’t listed on my application. After having a failed cycle and attending multiple re-applicant sessions, you know what they said, you got put in the no pile because low clinical hours and low community service. They probably just skimmed me because of those two factors. Which sucked to hear. Schools really do value clinical hours, more specifically, clinical hours in primary care. They want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. If you don’t, you will get screened out. This is def what happened to me last time. Keep getting more hours and update schools if you haven’t already. If you end up having to reapply more is good! 🙂

Now, with that being said. You seem like a great applicant. Keep your head up and I do think you will get an interview. However, if you don’t a gap year is a great way to show continued interest and boost your application. I was INCREDIBLY against it but have grown so much. I’ve had time to work and save money, travel, and spend more time with family and friends. Most importantly, in my re-app cycle I have been so much more successful. I believe in you and best of luck!

 

[Faha]

Loyola and Rush are looking for applicants with far more clinical and non clinical hours than you have.

 

[exileinandersonville]

Hey there, fellow IL applicant!

First off, congrats on your impressive stats and extracurriculars! It’s clear you’ve put in a lot of effort, and you should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far. We’ve still got a couple of weeks until Thanksgiving, so I wanted to share a few thoughts that might be helpful. Of course, take these with a grain of salt, since I’m also a first-time applicant.

1. Number of Schools (and Possibly School List)
   Applying to 18 schools is on the lower side, especially since UIC doesn’t have a strong in-state preference (~50% of their class is out-of-state). For IL residents, applying to more schools can be beneficial since our “state school” isn’t necessarily a safe bet. I know someone from IL who didn’t get in on their first try with a 3.9 GPA and 516 MCAT because they applied too top-heavy. This doesn’t seem to be the case for you, but it’s something to keep in mind.
2. Clinical Hours
   I’m not sure what specialty your MA position focuses on, but some primary care experience can be important, and I didn’t see that reflected in your shadowing. Also, admissions committees often disregard projected hours, which is why gap year applicants tend to have an advantage with more verified experience.
3. Service with Underserved Populations
   200 hours of non-clinical volunteering isn’t low, but for schools like Rush and Loyola, it’s on the lower end, especially combined with fewer clinical hours. If your volunteer work was more logistics-based, I’d recommend trying to add some face-to-face service experiences. Admissions committees seem to value direct interaction with underserved communities, which is easier to write compelling W/A entries about. For example, it's often probably more impactful to share a story of connecting with someone at a food pantry versus describing the logistics of packing boxes. Just something to consider!

At this point, there’s not much to do but wait and see how the cycle unfolds, and it’s great that you’re strengthening your app in the mean time. Interview season is far from over, so fingers crossed for some good news your way! Feel free to PM if you want to chat more.

Wishing you all the best!

 

[Goro]

Hello all, first post, but falling victim to negative thinking due to not having received an interview yet; I am just stressed and freaked because I already know some people with As. I understand the thanksgiving rule, so I’m still trying to stay hopeful for another month or so, but I was hoping for at least some sort of positive message by now. I applied to 18 total schools, but my best chances seem to be at my in-state institutions (Loyola, UIC, RUSH, Rosalind Franklin). Rejected from 7 OOS schools already as well as U Chicago and Northwestern, which were all expected.

I just wanted some input on my remaining chances this deep into the cycle, specifically at IL schools if anyone has information about those. Wrote a letter of interest/update letter to UIC about how I believe I am a great mission fit. I also was fortunate to attend a Jesuit highschool and hit that very hard on my Loyola secondary essays. Really stressed research, MA job, and volunteering with disadvantaged folks in Chicago on secondaries.

First of all, take a deep breath and hold your head high for putting together a great application. I’m no expert, but as far as I can tell, your stats and ECs are strong.

I think you applied to too few schools. If you had done 25, you may have had one or two interviews (speaking from my friends’ experiences), and you may still get an interview this cycle.

If you do have to apply again, I think you have a good chance, but apply broadly. If you can afford it, try 35 schools, especially if they’re within state range and there’s a mission fit.

My friends and I are all around a 10 - 15% MD interview rate, but even with that I’ve received merit based scholarships and multiple acceptances etc. I promise I’m not saying this to rub salt into your wounds. Just saying this to calibrate your expectations. I’ve had two cycles with 0 interviews; I’ve been there.

I’ll let others with more expertise advise you on other matters. But: don’t dread a gap year, it can be a great (and necessary) experience. Best of luck; this stuff is not easy and you’ve put in hard work to get this far. I believe you’ll be successful next year if not this one.

Last few words if you care: imagine your ideal life 15 years from now. Imagine your day-to-day, struggles, worries, joys, triumphs. Are you fretting about spending an extra year getting to medical school? Visualize the highest force of good you can conceptualize and then work backwards to figure out what you need to do now to embody that. Then do that. Best of luck.

You might get an II tomorrow, or in March.

However, as one is rejected until you actually get an Acceptance email in your Inbox, you should be working on Plan B.

FYI, It's not too late to apply to DO schools, especially since this is your second go-around. You'd be a lock for CCOM, MUCOM and DMU, for starters.

What was your school list? It should have included 25-35 schools.

 

[AJS59]

I would rather take the gap and re-apply next cycle in order to attend an MD school close to home than settle on DO (not that DO is worse by any metric, but I just aimed to get MD grades to gain admission to an MD med school, I also feel like I fit that style of medicine better). Also, this is my first cycle ever, I could not have applied any earlier.

My school list included 18 schools. I applied to 7 schools in IL and 11 out of state, targeting high OOS% schools within my stat range that I would want to attend. I don’t have 5k to throw at one application cycle to 35 schools (most of which in places I would not want to spend the next 4 years) and with 7 in state schools, at least 5 or so having averages below all of my stats, I thought that if I didn’t at least get into one of those, my chances OOS wouldn’t be much better. So far, that has proven true. About 7 of my OOS schools have already denied me and IS I have only been rejected from U Chicago and NW, where I essentially had no shot. I don’t think I applied too top heavy, but I also was very intentionally not throwing in too many “safety schools” in terrible locations for me. I would rather take the gap and get in to a school in Chicago than jump the gun and be forced to move to some school in the middle of nowhere with 0 contacts or connections there for 4 years.

My plan B is being worked out. Do you think that getting my clinical hours from 200 to 700 hours or so, and volunteering from 200 to 300 hours, plus another volunteer service (maybe soup kitchen or something along those lines in the Spring, I will have much more free time), would be enough to have me get over this “activities are great but hours are too low” hump? I cant imagine my current application with the changes of 700 clinical hours and 300 volunteer hours could possibly not be enough.

It would help certainly but prob still not enough in the non-clinical realm for the Loyola/Rush schools.

It might also be worth taking a look at your writing or LORs again.