Anyone in my boat???

[Buck Wild]

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So here's the deal...

I'm applying for the second time and the stress level is beginning to overwhelm me. I've finished all my secondaries, but have yet to receive an interview, much like the first time around. I took 2 yrs off from the last app. to do clinical/research work at the local university hospital. My mcat scores increased dramatically, but am worried that because I haven't heard yet, they aren't helping much. What to do, what to do.

A backup plan has yet to be formulated. I am also getting up there in age. Please, someone vent with me!

 

[Ypo.]

Did you take the August MCAT?

Also, how did you score on the MCAT (around 30?) and how is the rest of your app? ECs GPA?

Then I can give you some feedback. I feel your pain-this is my second time around, too.

 

[Khenon]

I haven't heard anything yet either, AND I'm still waiting on 6 secondaries. It's not looking good. But you have remember that so many people interview and are accepted in the spring. Looking at the pre-allo site you'd think you're the only one who hasn't been interviewed or accepted somewhere, but there are thousands of people just like us. Everyone I ever knew who applied, didn't get their first interview until spring, and all but one got into med school (and that one only applied to 2 top teir schools). So keep you head up. You are most certainly NOT the only person who is waiting to hear something from adcoms. 🙂 Take care and good luck.

 

[Buck Wild]

Thanks for the replies.

I retook the mcat in aug 03 and jumped from a 27 to a 32. However, my verbal score was low at a 7. My EC's are solid and I thought my overall app. was good. I did recieve comments that my gpa is low at 3.4 with a Northwestern biomedical engineering degree, but others disagreed. By the time I enter school, I will have worked in a hospital for 2 yrs.

I've gotten a few rejections already and no interview invites. I'm struggling to find a reason....

 

[sstache1]

I basically in the same boat. Numbers are very similar and work experience too. Right now I'm doing clinicalleep research in the hospital setting and will have been doing it for 2 years come time to start school. Last year I was placed on 1 waitlist and I was told I had a realisticchance of getting a spot. That didn't happen though, so I'm stuck re-applying this year. My main focus is the school where I was wait listed, but so far I haven't heard much from the 6 schools I applied to. No rejects, but no interviews yet. Just kinda hanging in stress limbo. I'm just gonna keep the faith and wait, but I'm also going to start emailing deans and admissions committees. Hopefully I will get some answers.

Go luck to the rest of you similar situations.

 

[cammy1313]

Thanks for the replies.

I retook the mcat in aug 03 and jumped from a 27 to a 32. However, my verbal score was low at a 7. My EC's are solid and I thought my overall app. was good. I did recieve comments that my gpa is low at 3.4 with a Northwestern biomedical engineering degree, but others disagreed. By the time I enter school, I will have worked in a hospital for 2 yrs.

I've gotten a few rejections already and no interview invites. I'm struggling to find a reason....

This is very strange. When did you say you submitted your AMCAS? I have mediocre numbers all around (28, 3.4) and am also a reapplicant. I got diddly squat last year when I submitted AMCAS in August. This year I submitted end of June and have had 7 interviews to date...

 

[Buck Wild]

This is what i don't understand...

AMCAS was submitted in mid-June and most secondaries were complete by late Aug/early sept.

I just need to keep praying, I guess.

 

[cammy1313]

This is what i don't understand...

AMCAS was submitted in mid-June and most secondaries were complete by late Aug/early sept.

I just need to keep praying, I guess.

What schools did you apply to???

 

[mdplease05]

i feel your pain, i am in the same boat as you

i am also a reapplicant, with about the same stats as yourself, and i also haven't heard any good news...2 rejections so far....

i feel as if this whole application/waiting process is consuming my life and the stress is unbearable

but its nice to be able to vent with all of you

 

[nycmed8]

I am in the same boat as you guys also.... and seeing as it has been a month since anyone has posted, have any of your statuses changed? I hope everyone has gotten some good news! As for me, so far I am waitlisted at 2 schools, and still have another interview to go, with several schools that I still haven't heard from. I feel everybody's pain with the waiting and the frustration. Lets hope the new year brings us all some good news!

 

[dr.z]

This is what i don't understand...

AMCAS was submitted in mid-June and most secondaries were complete by late Aug/early sept.

I just need to keep praying, I guess.

I feel your pain. I haven't heard anything from schools other than rejections. My files were complete around the same time. You are not the only one.

 

[ntmed]

I'm applying for the second time and the stress level is beginning to overwhelm me. I've finished all my secondaries, but have yet to receive an interview, much like the first time around.

Your numbers are competitive, but borderline. Assuming the rest of your application is good, the 3 things that will help you the most are 1) apply as early as possible, 2) get a quick masters degree, 3) raise your VR score on the MCAT. Specific comments are below.

I took 2 yrs off from the last app. to do clinical/research work at the local university hospital.

I did recieve comments that my gpa is low at 3.4 with a Northwestern biomedical engineering degree....

Your GPA is definitely low, especially given the problems with your MCAT scores. I'm assuming your overal and science GPA were both around 3.4. Because of this, taking 2 years to do research and clinical work was probably the wrong choice. What would have helped more was to get a masters degree in biology with a strong GPA (at least 3.75). This is what you should do right now. Don't wait for the current application cycle to end. Start next semester, in the Spring of 2005.

I retook the mcat in aug 03 and jumped from a 27 to a 32. However, my verbal score was low at a 7.

This was a great improvement. The 7 VR may hurt you at some schools, since research has shown that the VR score is the best indicator of how well you will do on the USMLE. You should consider taking 6 to 12 months to improve your VR skills, and then retake the MCAT.

AMCAS was submitted in mid-June and most secondaries were complete by late Aug/early sept.

You really need to apply the very first day you can, which is June 1st. Waiting until mid-June probably cost you some interviews. By early september, most schools have select the majority of the applicants they will interview, and leave only a few spots open for stellar applicants. You should also return secondaries as soon as possible, preferably within a day or two. Also, you should apply to at least 24 schools where you think you have a chance.