Advise on why I wasn’t more successful...

[Dov]

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I applied this year and only received three interviews. Presently I am sitting on two waitlists and one unknown until March 1st. I believe I was a very string candidate; I don’t know what went wrong.

BCPM - 3.9
Overall – 3.77
MCAT – 13 PS, 11 VR, 11 BS, R WS

Moreover, I received top recommendations (as evaluated by the premed committee), have two years experience in a biochemistry lab, co-published a paper in a respectable psychiatric medical journal, have a summer of clinical research experience, and tutored chemistry.

I did apply late only because I applied EDP and still haven’t been offered an interview at the school.

I want to know if it was because I applied late (sometimes secondaries ad late as mid November) or perhaps there is a fundamental problem with my profile (why wasn’t I at least given an interview at the school that I applied EDP for that favors state residents).

Any advise for next year would be fantastic. I don’t believe this will be my year.

 

[DrHuang]

needs more clinical experience and activities not relating to school or medicine.

 

[slb830]

Sorry, sounds like you had some bad luck. To give you some sound advice however, I think you need to divulge a little more.

Which schools did you apply to?

What was your state school, how early did you get that application in?

Did someone edit your PS and Amcas application for you?

Do you think all your letters were strong.

etc, etc.

 

[NoSoupforYou13]

Your numbers seem great. It is a bit puzzling. The real problem seems to be the late application and possibly your personal statement. Were you complete in November, or send in secondaries in November. If the later, it would be a major problem. Also, did you apply to a solid range of schools? How many?

Moreover, I think that it says something that you applied early, and did not even receive an interview. Something else seems to be going on.

 

[DrHuang]

its not just about the numbers...imo he clearly lacks clinical experience and seems like a bookworm with his lack of non school and medical ECs

 

[Dr_Frank_II]

I think SLB and Dr. Huang are right. First, you need to evaluate where you applied, and take a look at your app (i.e. PS and secondary essays). I will say that numbers are not everything. All 17,000 accepted MD students and however many DO students all have solid GPAs and MCAT scores. Most have some form of research and or EC that we are committed to the thing that seems to be missing most is your interaction with people. Get some more clinical stuff (NOT RESEARCH, unless you are a non-traditional) and reevaluate where you applied.

 

[slb830]

its not just about the numbers...imo he clearly lacks clinical experience and seems like a bookworm with his lack of non school and medical ECs

I don't think it is fair to say the above...I doubt that he posted his whole application in this thread.

 

[DrKitty]

How do you know your LORs were strong - did you actually read them? An unenthusiastic/bland LOR could sink your file. The problem may also lie in your personal statement - maybe you did not sound sincere or did not show them why you want to go into medicine. Clinical/volunteer experience where you work directly with patients could help too.

 

[NoSoupforYou13]

I think SLB and Dr. Huang are right. First, you need to evaluate where you applied, and take a look at your app (i.e. PS and secondary essays). I will say that numbers are not everything. All 17,000 accepted MD students and however many DO students all have solid GPAs and MCAT scores. Most have some form of research and or EC that we are committed to the thing that seems to be missing most is your interaction with people. Get some more clinical stuff (NOT RESEARCH, unless you are a non-traditional) and reevaluate where you applied.

Agreed that numbers are not everything, but "all 17,000 accepted MD students" did not have a 35R. His numbers are far above average. Clinical and/or community service seems to be a common denominator among successful applicants, so you might want to focus on this aspect of medicine next year.

Also, if your personal statement was about research, you might, as other posters commented, have come across as too research heavy.

 

[snobored18]

If I were you I would call the school you applied EDP to as soon as they make a decision and ask to talk to the dean. Those of us on here aren't holding your AMCAS so we really shouldn't be able to speculate on your applications deficiencies. The dean at XYZ medical school that you applied EDP certainly can. If you want my honest bet...you were too cocky and only applied to schools in the upper echelon. This is a doomsday scenerio because everyone of us who has strong stats and good ecs and recs is a toss-up at each of the schools in the top 30. All it takes is one thing that a adcomm reviewer takes negatively to get your app flagged and dumped in the "hold" or "reject" pile at these schools since everyone is very qualified. Of course I don't know if this is the case...but I do know that lots of the mid to low tier schools take more chances on applicants with great stats like you. Hang in there clearly its not over yet...but just in case always be prepared for the worst...every year extremely qualified applicants are left out to dry, its the nature of the beast.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

1) How late are we talking here?
2) How many schools did you apply to?
3) Which schools did you apply to?

 

[BMW M3]

1) do you have a criminal record?
2) have you been accused of cheating?
3) are you an URM?

 

[Dr. Giggles]

I would second the advice to speak to a dean if you get rejected anywhere. I have a pretty similar profile to you, and was told by one dean I definitely needed more clinical experience and additional hobbies/activities. No school is a slam dunk on academics alone.

 

[DrHuang]

I have a pretty similar profile to you, and was told by one dean I definitely needed more clinical experience and additional hobbies/activities. No school is a slam dunk on academics alone.

am i right or am i right??

 

[slb830]

am i right or am i right??

I just meant that it wasnt fair to call him a bookworm based on his blurb.

 

[DrHuang]

I just meant that it wasnt fair to call him a bookworm based on his blurb.

point taken but thats what it was...an assumption based on what he wrote

 

[slb830]

point taken but thats what it was...an assumption based on what he wrote

ok.
🙂

 

[Will Ferrell]

I applied this year and only received three interviews. Presently I am sitting on two waitlists and one unknown until March 1st. I believe I was a very string candidate; I don’t know what went wrong.

BCPM - 3.9
Overall – 3.77
MCAT – 13 PS, 11 VR, 11 BS, R WS

Moreover, I received top recommendations (as evaluated by the premed committee), have two years experience in a biochemistry lab, co-published a paper in a respectable psychiatric medical journal, have a summer of clinical research experience, and tutored chemistry.

I did apply late only because I applied EDP and still haven’t been offered an interview at the school.

I want to know if it was because I applied late (sometimes secondaries ad late as mid November) or perhaps there is a fundamental problem with my profile (why wasn’t I at least given an interview at the school that I applied EDP for that favors state residents).

Any advise for next year would be fantastic. I don’t believe this will be my year.

EDP at Yale? Ouch. Did you apply to UConn, if your location = state of residence? You definitely need some clinical experience and safety schools. Just try to get some hospital volunteering job ASAP, and send update letters or a letter of intent notifying them of your current activities. Worst case scenario, you'll just re-apply and have no holes on your application. Good luck!

 

[NonTradMed]

My experience with friends who were strong applicants, who got interviews but received no acceptances is that they only applied to top programs.

People with strong stats shouldn't always assume that they are guaranteed admission to specific medical schools, especially if the chosen few are top med schools. A couple of friends were like that, applied to ivy med schools and/or other top schools (as nonURM). They both got interviews but mostly waitlists and rejections. My friends who were strong applicants failed to realize that while they were competitive for med school, they was only borderline for hard to get into schools. One of my friend was smart enough to apply to a safety and got into that. My other friend reapplied. The second year, she made sure to spread out her schools, allowing for mid and lower tiered schools, and got in at the earliest acceptance date.

You don't sound like you would have problems getting into the local state school (unless you are from CA), did you apply there? Also, make sure to apply to lower tiered schools. Barring a felony or other glaring issues in your CV, *someone* will accept you.

 

[NonTradMed]

My experience with friends who were strong applicants, who got interviews but received no acceptances is that they only applied to top programs.

People with strong stats shouldn't always assume that they are guaranteed admission to specific medical schools, especially if the chosen few are top med schools. A couple of friends were like that, applied to ivy med schools and/or other top schools (as nonURM). They both got interviews but mostly waitlists and rejections. My friends who were strong applicants failed to realize that while they were competitive for med school, they was only borderline for hard to get into schools. One of my friend was smart enough to apply to a safety and got into that. My other friend reapplied. The second year, she made sure to spread out her schools, allowing for mid and lower tiered schools, and got in at the earliest acceptance date.

You don't sound like you would have problems getting into the local state school (unless you are from CA), did you apply there? Also, make sure to apply to lower tiered schools. Barring a felony or other glaring issues in your CV, *someone* will accept you.

 

[rg2000]

I would have to strongly agree with snobored18. It seems to me that with your stats, your lack of interviews/acceptances is probably, in large part, due to a disproportionate amount of reach schools. I would have have been confident as well if I had your stats, but with the insane competition these days for med school you should apply to 2 or 3 lower-tier schools for every reach school. It's just too hard to know what each school is looking for in an applicant so it's essential to give yourself the best odds. If things don't work out this year (although i'm sure they will), apply early and broadly next year and you will definately get in. Also, a year off could give you a chance to strengthen your application and make you more competitive for your top schools. Don't worry, your a very qualified applicant, it's just a matter of time. Good luck.

 

[Saluki]

I would have to strongly agree with snobored18. It seems to me that with your stats, your lack of interviews/acceptances is probably, in large part, due to a disproportionate amount of reach schools. I would have have been confident as well if I had your stats, but with the insane competition these days for med school you should apply to 2 or 3 lower-tier schools for every reach school. It's just too hard to know what each school is looking for in an applicant so it's essential to give yourself the best odds. If things don't work out this year (although i'm sure they will), apply early and broadly next year and you will definately get in. Also, a year off could give you a chance to strengthen your application and make you more competitive for your top schools. Don't worry, your a very qualified applicant, it's just a matter of time. Good luck.

Where does it say what schools he applied to?

 

[noonday]

I applied this year and only received three interviews. Presently I am sitting on two waitlists and one unknown until March 1st. I believe I was a very string candidate; I don’t know what went wrong.

BCPM - 3.9
Overall – 3.77
MCAT – 13 PS, 11 VR, 11 BS, R WS

Moreover, I received top recommendations (as evaluated by the premed committee), have two years experience in a biochemistry lab, co-published a paper in a respectable psychiatric medical journal, have a summer of clinical research experience, and tutored chemistry.

I did apply late only because I applied EDP and still haven’t been offered an interview at the school.

I want to know if it was because I applied late (sometimes secondaries ad late as mid November) or perhaps there is a fundamental problem with my profile (why wasn’t I at least given an interview at the school that I applied EDP for that favors state residents).

Any advise for next year would be fantastic. I don’t believe this will be my year.

well. i just talked with a friend of mine who's on the committee of a to remain unnamed med school, and he took a look at my application (complete one) for this year to tell me how to improve if i have to reapply, which seems likely. now, my problem was that my undergrad grades were low (barely a 3.0), and the classes are all 10-12 years old and thus outdated, so despite a great MCAT (35S) and a stellar career as a scientist i have to re-take classes and then i'll be golden.

that said, he told me that bad numbers close the door, but good numbers don't guarantee anything at all. and neither do good numbers +research +LOR's + etc. etc. there's no formula, really, except one thing, according to him. if your numbers don't close the door, the most important thing then is your PS. it needs to be grounded in experience, deeply passionate, and really, really compelling. and he said the best ones come from gestalt like experiences while doing clinical volunteer work -- the kind of statements that really show how much and how deeply you KNOW, with all your being, that you must be a doctor.

he said that applicants with great grades, etc., are a dime a dozen. you need to have it all. including singular passion that's hard to fake. he told me, the way they see it, no one "deserves" to go to medical school. it's not something you can just earn like you earn a grade. some schools see this as more than a profession, more like a calling, and you have to prove that you are called. a lot like a priest has to.

and, from your post, which, i admit, isn't everything on your application, i don't personally get a feeling of being called. i get one of "doctor...good job, interesting, i'd be good at it, they should let me in" from your post. not "this is the only thing in the world that can fufill me to the depths of my being, and i'm competent, confident, and mature enough to be responsible for other people's lives." i'm not saying you're not necessarily any/all of those things, it just isn't coming across in your post.

that's my input.

 

[TracksuitsRock]

Any advise for next year would be fantastic. I don’t believe this will be my year.

Is English your first language? I ask because though obviously you seem to know the language very well, your post was worded awkwardly at times with several spelling errors. Not that I think you submitted a PS full of spelling mistakes 🙂 but did you have people read it over? If English is not your first language, it's possible that people were thrown off by an awkward sounding PS. I imagine that when reading through many applications, you get a "feel" for somebody through their PS, and it might be harder to connect with somebody if their writing doesn't flow as well.

Obviously this would just be one piece of the puzzle, and I think late applications are a huge disadvantage, but might be something to consider. Good luck!

 

[candbgirl]

I know I shouldn't even reply but I'm glad that someone said something about spelling and using the correct word and the correct contractions, etc. Everything should be perfect when you submit an application to any school. I would think this is especially true for medical school. I may be wrong but the English minor in me says it is all important.

 

[MDMAMA]

Please do not think that this is over yet. Many, many students are admitted from the wait list and go on to excellent medical careers. You are a strong candidate and may be high on the list for admission. I would encourage sending a letter of intent to the school you would most like to attend. Explain the reasons why you will come if offered admission. It isn't over until it is over. If you do have to reapply, start early and apply to a variety of programs. Good luck!

 

[Dov]

Thanks for the advice everyone...

I did apply only to more competitive schools (all were in top 35)... that may have been the problem. I figured I worked really hard and could get into at least one of these. THat is until i met my competition at the few interviews I received. It became apparent that applicants like me may be a "dime a dozen".

It is also obvious now that I am lacking community service. I thought my lab research kinda counted because I wasn’t being paid. My fallback plans for next year are all community service based or clinical.

To answer some of your questions… I don’t not have a clinical record of any sort (I was written up once for drinking but I was told that it is not a problem), english is my first language (these posts are informal so i dont check for spelling, I am a horrible speller, or grammar errors). And no i am not a bookwork (well, maybe I am) but the main reason i dont have more “meaningful” activities is because I wanted some sort of a social live in college.

Yes, my EDP was to Yale and I now know they hardly ever accept people directly from it.

Again thanks for all the advice. I really mean it. I will keep checking if anyone has anymore.

 

[NapeSpikes]

I think it's pretty much been answered. Don't disregard the remainder of this cycle completely, but I'd suggest you start getting clinical experience ASAP. From the above post, maybe you're not sure what community service/clinical means? You need to work with sick people, you have to help them, etc. You have what, six months until the next amcas. Do that, and you're almost a definite. I wish I had your numbers...

 

[mtDNA]

Dov, I think if you do need to reapply next year you should also apply to some schools that might be a bit easier to get into. Top notch schools are going to fill their classes with top notch applicants (and URMs), so even though you are an outstanding candidate, there is no gaurantee you will get in at these top tier schools. My numbers are almost as good as yours (4.0, 33Q), and I still havent been accepted to any MD schools either, even though I applied to middle of the road schools across the board (13 MD, 3 DO, most prestigious school I applied to was by far University of MIchigan). I even got everything in early and still have gotten no love. Its tough, I think it pays to apply to a broad range of schools. Good Luck.

 

[chintu]

As a current Medical student and from what I know about the process the above posts are pretty accurate. First and foremost, you need some strong clinicals like some said...you just need enough clinical experience such that the lack of them won't make you stand out. Your numbers and research experience will certainly put in the top of the competitive pool for most schools provided you have just average ec's and for you average clinical experience. You just need to prove adcoms that you are multidimensional and know what you are getting yourself into and that you realize that medicine is not all academics and science... All the other things (personal statement, other ec's, lor) don't seem to matter as much, however you should try to have the full package strong. My opinion would be, get involved in some good clinicals (shadow is great, volunteer somewhere is also fine) or something more interesting like health camps, etc. Apply EARLY (like june/july), can't emphasize this enough...this is the easiest way to an acceptance. Also, apply to 15 or so schools including some lower tier schools and some reach schools. I can't think of anything that would keep you out if you have this. good luck

 

[gary5]

November is WAY late to submit a secondary. I took the August MCAT and submitted my secondaries in September, maybe October. Reapply next year, to around 15 schools, do everything early, and get a bunch of clinical experience.

 

[drchekhov]

well. i just talked with a friend of mine who's on the committee of a to remain unnamed med school, and he took a look at my application (complete one) for this year to tell me how to improve if i have to reapply, which seems likely. now, my problem was that my undergrad grades were low (barely a 3.0), and the classes are all 10-12 years old and thus outdated, so despite a great MCAT (35S) and a stellar career as a scientist i have to re-take classes and then i'll be golden.

that said, he told me that bad numbers close the door, but good numbers don't guarantee anything at all. and neither do good numbers +research +LOR's + etc. etc. there's no formula, really, except one thing, according to him. if your numbers don't close the door, the most important thing then is your PS. it needs to be grounded in experience, deeply passionate, and really, really compelling. and he said the best ones come from gestalt like experiences while doing clinical volunteer work -- the kind of statements that really show how much and how deeply you KNOW, with all your being, that you must be a doctor.

he said that applicants with great grades, etc., are a dime a dozen. you need to have it all. including singular passion that's hard to fake. he told me, the way they see it, no one "deserves" to go to medical school. it's not something you can just earn like you earn a grade. some schools see this as more than a profession, more like a calling, and you have to prove that you are called. a lot like a priest has to.

and, from your post, which, i admit, isn't everything on your application, i don't personally get a feeling of being called. i get one of "doctor...good job, interesting, i'd be good at it, they should let me in" from your post. not "this is the only thing in the world that can fufill me to the depths of my being, and i'm competent, confident, and mature enough to be responsible for other people's lives." i'm not saying you're not necessarily any/all of those things, it just isn't coming across in your post.

that's my input.

👍 👍 Two thumbs up for the nice post, noonday.

Best of luck with reapplying to both you and the OP (should s/he need it; hopefully the magical workings of a waitlist will nullify the need).