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- Dec 23, 2006
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Hi all,
I am wondering if I should address potential weaknesses in my application in my LOIs.
A little background. I have a high 70s LizzyM, research experience in multiple fields and a range of talents and hobbies. I received 9 interviews, half of which were top 20. I am holding onto one acceptance and the rest seem a bit iffy.
Now this may well be the neurosis talking. However, with the lack of transparency of the process, the strength of my application (from my point of view), yet somewhat lackluster results at my top choices, I feel that there may be a few things about my application that might be sending off bells--red flags. This feeling is reinforced by the sense I got at several of my interviews, where I often felt that I was being interviewed to be "felt out" for these particular red flags. I wasn't particularly aware that this was an issue pre-interview, but over the course of several interviews, I began to see a pattern.
In particular, I think there may be some question about my commitment to medicine and my potential to be committed to the course of medical training. And I can understand how adcoms, based on my application and without being able to really get to know me, might feel this way. Although I tried to convey a commitment to medicine in my personal statement, I may have dwelt a little too much on other topics, and my story, on paper, may have been insufficiently compelling to the admissions committees.
Not knowing, personally, how well I did on the interview--and being pretty clear, I think, on what potential issues may be causing a problem--I am wondering if, in a LOI, after expressing interest and offering updates (several pubs fortunately), I might briefly touch on potential issues, deal with them, and reframe them definitely as strengths? Basically take one last opportunity to sell myself? One side of me thinks this is perfectly okay--another says, no, you had time during the interview to do that, and this violates protocol.
Does such a LOI violate protocol? Should I let the sleeping dog lie, or should I be proactive about this issue?
Thank you.
I am wondering if I should address potential weaknesses in my application in my LOIs.
A little background. I have a high 70s LizzyM, research experience in multiple fields and a range of talents and hobbies. I received 9 interviews, half of which were top 20. I am holding onto one acceptance and the rest seem a bit iffy.
Now this may well be the neurosis talking. However, with the lack of transparency of the process, the strength of my application (from my point of view), yet somewhat lackluster results at my top choices, I feel that there may be a few things about my application that might be sending off bells--red flags. This feeling is reinforced by the sense I got at several of my interviews, where I often felt that I was being interviewed to be "felt out" for these particular red flags. I wasn't particularly aware that this was an issue pre-interview, but over the course of several interviews, I began to see a pattern.
In particular, I think there may be some question about my commitment to medicine and my potential to be committed to the course of medical training. And I can understand how adcoms, based on my application and without being able to really get to know me, might feel this way. Although I tried to convey a commitment to medicine in my personal statement, I may have dwelt a little too much on other topics, and my story, on paper, may have been insufficiently compelling to the admissions committees.
Not knowing, personally, how well I did on the interview--and being pretty clear, I think, on what potential issues may be causing a problem--I am wondering if, in a LOI, after expressing interest and offering updates (several pubs fortunately), I might briefly touch on potential issues, deal with them, and reframe them definitely as strengths? Basically take one last opportunity to sell myself? One side of me thinks this is perfectly okay--another says, no, you had time during the interview to do that, and this violates protocol.
Does such a LOI violate protocol? Should I let the sleeping dog lie, or should I be proactive about this issue?
Thank you.