average joe's

[Chrisobean]

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this is to my fellow "average joe's"
if you have received interviews/acceptances (congrats btw)

what was it about your app that made them look past those yucky #s?
did you do a post-bac? phenomenal EC's? a glowing LOR or a really kick-ass personal statement?

just wondering...

 

[Ischemia]

From what I have observed...

I think the key to being a successful applicant with less-than-stellar numbers is timeliness. In other words, have everything in super early.

I've heard people say that this puts you at a disadvantage, since you are competing with the other super-early people who may be more likely to be on the ball with everything, including numbers. However, I don't really believe this. Several of my friends who do not have mind-boggling numbers received interviews early on in the game, while close friends of mine with a 35+ MCATs and strong GPAs have received only one or two interviews. I can only attribute the disparity to the timeliness of the applications (as both had similar ECs, etc.). In my opinion, being complete early on may show a particular determination, saying to the schools that you've wanted this so badly and now that the time is here, you are going to make sure everything is as prompt as it can be. Though there are MANY understandable reasons for being a late applicant (i.e., not having money to pay fees, working two jobs such that time does not permit filling out apps, etc.; [hopefully ADCOMs are able to see these reasons in a personal statement or something]), it is my belief that being a late applicant can be indicative of laziness. Personally, if there are no extenuating circumstances, I never understood why people would struggle through 3+ years of pre-med stuff just to hurt themselves by applying late.

When did you become complete at most schools and where are you applying?

 

[mimi1]

I have a 27MCAT and 3.35 science GPA. I have been accepted to 2 schools so far (VCU and Drexel) since October. I received 7 interviews by the beginning of November. I have really good EC's, probably great LOR's, and worked hard on my personal statement. I really do think that getting my applications in early made all of the difference! I knew that I was entering this "game" with not so great stats, and so I had to do everything in my power to give myself the best possible chance of getting in. I think that a lot of people don't get accepted because they applied late. To me, applying late is like shooting yourself in the foot. Why put yourself at a disadvantage?

 

[dantheman]

Getting your stuff inn early is a definite help. Many of my friends who are average Joes got multiple interviews and acceptances and they applied early. Others who have better #s are still waiting, because they applied later.
Best of Luck
DTM

 

[Brickhouse]

Originally posted by mimi1
I have a 27MCAT and 3.35 science GPA. I have been accepted to 2 schools so far (VCU and Drexel) since October. I received 7 interviews by the beginning of November. I have really good EC's, probably great LOR's, and worked hard on my personal statement. I really do think that getting my applications in early made all of the difference! I knew that I was entering this "game" with not so great stats, and so I had to do everything in my power to give myself the best possible chance of getting in. I think that a lot of people don't get accepted because they applied late. To me, applying late is like shooting yourself in the foot. Why put yourself at a disadvantage?

Congrats mimi!! I think that's really great.

 

[mimi1]

Thanks Brickhouse! I really appreciate it! I can hardly believe that I've been accepted.

 

[Brickhouse]

Originally posted by mimi1
Thanks Brickhouse! I really appreciate it! I can hardly believe that I've been accepted.

Hey have you seen the musical "RENT"? I start singing everytime I see your name.

 

[Chrisobean]

yes, unfortunately i was a big late-ass this year. i took the august mcat so i spent all summer busting my ass for that while working full time, and with that big east coast black out, my mcat was pushed back till september. it sucked big time. so once that was over i busted my ass on my application. then of course i run into transcript problems which delayed my processing, then of course i run into LOR problems that delayed my complete application. my stats suck, basically. but there is such a marked improvement in my grades the last 3 years of college that i think it should count for something. so i was just looking for advice when i re-apply next year. and who knows, i still have yet to hear from just about every school, so you never know. i am totally expecting the worst tho.

thanks for the advice. maybe next year will be the one for this average joe!

 

[Ischemia]

Chris, and those reading who are applying next year...

Even if you take the August MCAT, make sure to have your transcript sent to AMCAS at the earliest date possible. I think it was early June last year. You do not have to wait until your MCAT scores come in.

Also, make sure your letters of rec are taken care of well in advance to your application year, if you can. At the very least, make sure they are in your premed office safely in advice of the application cycle.

Good luck.

 

[Alexander99]

I have to offer an opposing view and say I believe applying early is good (definately doesn't hurt--could be a slight help) but when you apply won't make or break your application process. Think about it. Will a school that would have otherwise rejected you if you applied regular/late somehow interview you instead just because you had your application in early? Most likely not. I also think the whole "if you apply late you're lazy" theory is a little out there--I'm sure few if any adcoms believe that.

And if you happen to be a standout applicant in some way (not necessarily test scores or grades but perhaps with your life experiences), it might actually be an advantage to apply in the middle or later in the cycle. By this time, many adcoms have sifted through hundreds to thousands of applications and if you can make them think, "Wow. This is a special applicant," you're golden. If you were one of the first to apply, they may not realize just how unique you are.

If you are only able to take the August MCAT (like I was) and still want to apply during that year's cycle, do so with confidence. The only thing is you should turn in all the secondaries (since many schools have automatic ones) and letters of rec before the MCAT score comes out so you'll be complete as soon as the score comes out. This makes a big difference as I actually caught up to some of the people I knew who took the April test and applied in June/July but were still filling out secondaries in September.

Finally, to prove the "apply early or you won't get in" theory has gotten out of hand, I remember this one person was strongly trying to convince me not to apply until next year just because I was taking the test in August. They said there was a good chance I wouldn't get in (without knowing how I'd do on the MCAT, my experiences, etc.) I got the distinct feeling they were just afraid of more competition. 😎

Alexander

 

[skidmark]

I disagree with Alex's thoughts on applying early . I think applying early is a huge advantage. This is b/c most medschools use "rolling" admissions. Every dean of admissions that has spoken at our school (I live in LA and we have 3 medschools) has said that applying early is a huge advantage, not a slight one. Also, all the major books on "How to get into medschool books" state that applying early is a major factor.

Alex,
I'm having trouble understanding your 2nd paragraph. Why wouldn't adcoms realize unique applicants early? Most adcoms have bee doing there job for years and have seen tens of thousands of applications. How would only a couple more favor later applicants?

I agree with Alex when he says that you do have a chance of getting in if you apply late. I hope nobody considers not applying just because they are late on their application.

 

[mimi1]

I definitely think that many applicants still have a good chance at getting into schools even if they apply late. However, I think that people with lower stats (such as mine) are certainly at an advantage applying early. Just think, my application was one of the first ones to be reviewed by the adcom at a point in the application cycle when they weren't bogged down and burned out with thousands of applications already. The adcom was fresh from the summer, and ready to FULLY review applications, therefore they were more likely to see my EC's and to read my personal statement closely. I think to be in the first interview cycle is also a huge plus. You are then interviewing at a time when no acceptances have been handed out yet, and have a chance of being accepted "early". Finding out that I was accepted back in October has made the past few months so stress-free. I understand that some circumstances do not allow applicants to apply early, but definitely have your transcripts in, LOR's on file, and applications ready to go if you are waiting for MCAT scores.

The other key to getting in with average scores is applying to a WIDE range of schools. I applied to a good mix of lower tier, middle, and some reaches. VCU was a school that I added to my list at the last minute, and it turned out being a great decision.

So my advice is PLAN AHEAD! Do everything you possibly can to put yourself at an advantage. This is not a process you want to repeat, if possible. Also, planning ahead saves a lot of headaches. Request your LOR's months (or even years) in advance! Send transcripts to AMCAS asap. And start working on your personal statement EARLY!

Okay, I'm getting a bit carried away and am starting to sound like a pre-med advisor. I just think it's a shame when applicants unnecessarily create headaches for themselves.

Good Luck!

 

[Alexander99]

Originally posted by skidmark
I disagree with Alex's thoughts on applying early . I think applying early is a huge advantage. This is b/c most medschools use "rolling" admissions. Every dean of admissions that has spoken at our school (I live in LA and we have 3 medschools) has said that applying early is a huge advantage, not a slight one. Also, all the major books on "How to get into medschool books" state that applying early is a major factor.

Alex,
I'm having trouble understanding your 2nd paragraph. Why wouldn't adcoms realize unique applicants early? Most adcoms have bee doing there job for years and have seen tens of thousands of applications. How would only a couple more favor later applicants?

I agree with Alex when he says that you do have a chance of getting in if you apply late. I hope nobody considers not applying just because they are late on their application.

I take what Adcoms say to large groups with a grain of salt though. Many of them say they "look at the whole applicant" when in reality 90% of it is number-driven. The point is, they say things to appeal to the public when the truth may be somewhat different. My theory (I realize that it's unfounded) is that they don't want applicants to get the impression that your chances are similar whether you apply early or late. If that happens, everyone will apply late (via procrastination) and they'd be flooded with applications right at the deadline. With that said, your opinion is respected, especially since you have a reason for your belief.

Yes, many Adcoms have been doing their job for years but I think it still makes a difference as far as relative comparison is concerned. For example, if you're auditioning for a part in a play/musical, it always helps if you go last and you do much better than your competition. You could argue the people making the decisions have been doing it for years and have seen talent before but they're still comparing between the people trying out that day.

Alex

 

[Alexander99]

I agree with Mimi about reducing stress by finding out you got in earlier though. An early acceptance (before the end of December) would have been nice. At the same time, as long as I get into the schools I'm interested in, the wait will be worth it.

 

[Ischemia]

You absolutely still have a chance of getting in if you apply late in the game. It is, however, not as strong as if you applied earlier.

Every admissions officer I have ever spoken with has said to apply early. Some even say to do so in their literature, noting that applicants who apply later than October 15 will not achieve "optimal results."

Applying early is absolutely advantage.

And, I didn't say that people will always look at late applicants as always being lazy. But, most people who are applying later certainly do not have things keeping them from applying. As I said, why waste time and apply late after working so hard for so long?

 

[mimi1]

But, most people who are applying later certainly do not have things keeping them from applying. As I said, why waste time and apply late after working so hard for so long? [/B]

Exactly!