Bryn Mawr Hopefuls

[Heinz57]

I spoke with Leslie and the Committee is meeting this week, so we should know soon. My fingers are crossed for us all ! (My app was put on hold until this month.)

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[caloh]

I spoke with Leslie and the Committee is meeting this week, so we should know soon. My fingers are crossed for us all ! (My app was put on hold until this month.)

Yea, I'm waiting too. Had my interview last week. They said we'll hear back within one to two weeks.

 

[longhornl]

I'm actually interviewing next week (BM and Goucher). I'll try to actually post an update instead of just being a lurker all the time!

-Lui

 

[Heinz57]

Got the dreaded small envelope today. I am a little worried that I didn't get into any of schools where I applied (BM, Goucher, UVA). I'll call next week and ask where my application was weak so that when I apply to med school, I can work on that weakness.

I know I am mad/sad right now, but I feel really fired-up to prove these schools wrong. . .I will be a first-rate doctor one day. I'm just going to have to work harder for it, and that's just how it goes. I have to remember that there are plenty of great doctors out there who didn't go to a fancy post-bac.

My fingers are still crossed for those who haven't heard. . .

 

[blackadder]

Got the dreaded small envelope today. I am a little worried that I didn't get into any of schools where I applied (BM, Goucher, UVA). I'll call next week and ask where my application was weak so that when I apply to med school, I can work on that weakness.

I know I am mad/sad right now, but I feel really fired-up to prove these schools wrong. . .I will be a first-rate doctor one day. I'm just going to have to work harder for it, and that's just how it goes. I have to remember that there are plenty of great doctors out there who didn't go to a fancy post-bac.

My fingers are still crossed for those who haven't heard. . .

Sorry to hear you didn't get in to BM. But I'm glad to hear it's not deterring you from pursuing your goals...it shouldn't.

The last part of your post is pretty cool--you've got a great attitude and that will get you far in life. I wish you all the best on the road to med school.

 

[Heinz57]

Thanks, Blackadder - good luck at Bryn Mawr. Hopefully I can get into UPenn and get to Phillie, yet.

Sorry to hear you didn't get in to BM. But I'm glad to hear it's not deterring you from pursuing your goals...it shouldn't.

The last part of your post is pretty cool--you've got a great attitude and that will get you far in life. I wish you all the best on the road to med school.

 

[caloh]

Thanks, Blackadder - good luck at Bryn Mawr. Hopefully I can get into UPenn and get to Phillie, yet.

Heard back today, and got accepted. maybe we'll see each other in phillie

 

[Heinz57]

Hi! Congrats! I am just waiting for a letter of rec and a couple of transcripts and after that I will send off my app. I hope it isn't too late. . .I want to start this summer. Do you mind if I ask your stats?

Heard back today, and got accepted. maybe we'll see each other in phillie

 

[blackadder]

Heinz- I hope things work out with Penn. It's a great program.

caloh- Congrats dude...see you this summer.

 

[caloh]

thanks blackadder. lookin forward to a fun summer with chemistry.

as for my stats, i had a 3.5 gpa. major was in the humanities. graduated from any ivy caliber school, and my SATs were around the 1400s.

given that, i've been rejected by goucher. didn't even get an interview. i got an interview with scripps though, and awaiting their reply.

Heinz- I hope things work out with Penn. It's a great program.

caloh- Congrats dude...see you this summer.

 

[longhornl]

Hello All!

Just finished my interview a few hours ago and really enjoyed my time with everyone on campus. Jodi was very motivational and the current postbaccs seem to be genuinely happy to be in the program. The five of us that interviewed are supposed to hear back by the end of March (I guess they're not going to meet until after Spring Break).

Now all I have to worry about is my Goucher interview!

 

[Heinz57]

Good job, longhornl! Hang in there and stay cool - the wait can be excruciating. Just try to not think about it. . .

Hello All!

Just finished my interview a few hours ago and really enjoyed my time with everyone on campus. Jodi was very motivational and the current postbaccs seem to be genuinely happy to be in the program. The five of us that interviewed are supposed to hear back by the end of March (I guess they're not going to meet until after Spring Break).

Now all I have to worry about is my Goucher interview!

 

[ewinston]

hey everyone,

i just wanted to throw in one remark-- i noticed that ppl often worry first and foremost about their gpa's and test scores. i really think with small programs like bryn mawr's, though, what is most important is that you have had a long dedication to whatever it is that you are working towards-- social justice (which is why they love volunteering and experience abroad), medicine and health, working with children, etc.

anyway, i just thought i would add that, since i find ppl really over estimate what a high gpa and high test scores can do for you. if you dont have really interesting things going on other than academics, i think larger programs might be more interested...

all the best. dont fret the numbers.

 

[drizzt3117]

anyway, i just thought i would add that, since i find ppl really over estimate what a high gpa and high test scores can do for you. if you dont have really interesting things going on other than academics, i think larger programs might be more interested...

This is actually a very good point. I know for a fact that many postbac programs consider qualitative observations at least as important as quantitative. Of course there has to be some sort of baseline level of achievment, but above that, it's not as cut/dried as you would think.

 

[sfnix]

gotta agree on this point. I'm starting at BM in the summer and assumed i really didn't have a chance b/c i went to a b-tier state school. i performed well there, but i would definitely think my current gpa is something comparable to a 3.2-3.4 from a top tier school. I do though have a rather large amount of volunteering experience abroad and here in the states. during the interview at BM, the questions were mainly focused on these experiences. in fact, i think i only had 1 question about my academics, which was something like, "do you think you're prepared for the academic load here at BM?"

my 2 cents.

 

[Heinz57]

I was told by Jodi, the Director, that I didn't make the cut because they had no proof that I could handle the academic load. She said that was the only reason. She didn't even bring up my sad GRE scores. Jodi said my volunteer experience and life experience was in-line with their program (most recent - 9-months each at Hospice and the GW ER, previously 6 months at the NYM ER and a ton of other volunteering since I was in high school). She said that even though I have a 3.7 from two top-tier schools, my science courses are from community colleges, which is true. In those classes I have a 4.0 while volunteering and working a 50-hour week. I think the real reason is that I am a) the typical hard-working, good grade getting student with no real shining star event to set me apart and, b) I'm too old (34) for their group, but she couldn't say *that* . I don't know why everyone can't just be honest...clearly I can handle the academics. I would actually rather hear that I am just too old for them!! That's an easier pill to swallow, because I know that I am a better student because I am older. I'm good with starting down this path at 34. Jodi actually gave me some good advice about other programs I'm considering.

Anyhow - hope this post doesn't sound bitter, because I'm not at all. If they don't think I'd fit in, then chances are, I wouldn't. I think that there are no hard and fast standards, quantitative or qualitative. You just put the best possible app together, you take a chance and apply, and maybe all the stars and moons and asteroid dust will line up and work in your favor when they've got your app under the microscope... The important thing is that if you think you can do it, go for it. But be prepared to do it another way if they disagree. I should have applied to many more programs earlier on. Live and learn, eh?

 

[ewinston]

i know... actually i think in your case, you might be right. admissions is often really age-ist which is so unfair. you sound like you are qualified in everyway which is frustrating!!

anyway, i actually didnt mean that remark toward you personally at all, but just as a trend (that makes my heart pitter patter each time i read it) on the forum in general... i really admire your attitude through this... bryn mawr admission, shame shame shame.

you will get in elsewhere and do amazing things... i agree with the person who posted above. you sound very stoic and admirable. very cool.

good luck.

 

[drizzt3117]

I was told by Jodi, the Director, that I didn't make the cut because they had no proof that I could handle the academic load. She said that was the only reason. She didn't even bring up my sad GRE scores. Jodi said my volunteer experience and life experience was in-line with their program (most recent - 9-months each at Hospice and the GW ER, previously 6 months at the NYM ER and a ton of other volunteering since I was in high school). She said that even though I have a 3.7 from two top-tier schools, my science courses are from community colleges, which is true. In those classes I have a 4.0 while volunteering and working a 50-hour week. I think the real reason is that I am a) the typical hard-working, good grade getting student with no real shining star event to set me apart and, b) I'm too old (34) for their group, but she couldn't say *that* . I don't know why everyone can't just be honest...clearly I can handle the academics. I would actually rather hear that I am just too old for them!! That's an easier pill to swallow, because I know that I am a better student because I am older. I'm good with starting down this path at 34. Jodi actually gave me some good advice about other programs I'm considering.

Anyhow - hope this post doesn't sound bitter, because I'm not at all. If they don't think I'd fit in, then chances are, I wouldn't. I think that there are no hard and fast standards, quantitative or qualitative. You just put the best possible app together, you take a chance and apply, and maybe all the stars and moons and asteroid dust will line up and work in your favor when they've got your app under the microscope... The important thing is that if you think you can do it, go for it. But be prepared to do it another way if they disagree. I should have applied to many more programs earlier on. Live and learn, eh?

In the end, it's sorta difficult for admissions people. I've been helping a bit with Scripps admissions by escorting a lot of candidates and talking with them and everyone that applies is typically so good and well rounded that it's very difficult to choose candidates. Sometimes very small factors, or gut instincts, are what is necessary to determine who to choose. I don't envy adcoms either for postbac programs or med schools one bit.

 

[Heinz57]

i know... actually i think in your case, you might be right. admissions is often really age-ist which is so unfair. you sound like you are qualified in everyway which is frustrating!!

anyway, i actually didnt mean that remark toward you personally at all, but just as a trend (that makes my heart pitter patter each time i read it) on the forum in general... i really admire your attitude through this... bryn mawr admission, shame shame shame.

you will get in elsewhere and do amazing things... i agree with the person who posted above. you sound very stoic and admirable. very cool.

good luck.

Thanks, e - good luck to you too! You'll do great. Sorry we won't get to meet in person!

(I didn't take your post personally, btw, I think I just wanted to put my info out there and and sort of "wrap-up" my start to the thread!)