Confidence shot

[vanhefe]

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This morning I got a rejection email from Loyola University Internal Medicine residency. I am disappointed as I am from Chicago and would like to stay here. I also applied to Rush and UIC and haven't heard back from them yet.

My application is notable for a Step 1 score of 208, however improvement with a Step 2 CK of 239. No other red flags. Mostly HPs (including Med), H in my Med AI. Some research experiences (no pubs though), and a bunch of ECs. LORs are strong, including 2 from Loyola faculty in IM subspecialties.

What I'm feeling now is confusion and discomfort about my application, even with the programs I have interviews with. I know I shouldn't, but I'm doubting myself now. For instance, I have an interview at CWRU - University Hospitals. How did I manage an interview there and not Loyola? Should I not expect CWRU to rank me very well? Am I a safety applicant at CWRU? I also have interviews from other nice programs like Iowa, Utah, MCW, but am doubting my strength there as well.

Can someone help me with this doubt. I felt really confident getting those interviews, but the Loyola rejection has given me a lot of doubt. I know the 208 is bad, but is it going to haunt me?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read.

 

[jdh71]

This morning I got a rejection email from Loyola University Internal Medicine residency. I am disappointed as I am from Chicago and would like to stay here. I also applied to Rush and UIC and haven't heard back from them yet.

My application is notable for a Step 1 score of 208, however improvement with a Step 2 CK of 239. No other red flags. Mostly HPs (including Med), H in my Med AI. Some research experiences (no pubs though), and a bunch of ECs. LORs are strong, including 2 from Loyola faculty in IM subspecialties.

What I'm feeling now is confusion and discomfort about my application, even with the programs I have interviews with. I know I shouldn't, but I'm doubting myself now. For instance, I have an interview at CWRU - University Hospitals. How did I manage an interview there and not Loyola? Should I not expect CWRU to rank me very well? Am I a safety applicant at CWRU? I also have interviews from other nice programs like Iowa, Utah, MCW, but am doubting my strength there as well.

Can someone help me with this doubt. I felt really confident getting those interviews, but the Loyola rejection has given me a lot of doubt. I know the 208 is bad, but is it going to haunt me?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read.

This should probably be posted in the what are my chances thread, but whatevs, I'll bite.

My guess? You're looking at this from the WRONG perspective. I bet, Loyola thinks you're too strong a candidate to give them serious consideration. Middle tier programs will often reject candidates they think won't give them serious enough consideration.

I think in your case it wouldn't be inappropriate to email the program co-ordinator and simply state that you are from the Chicago area, liked the program, would give them very serious consideration, and request very simply (DO NOT BEG) if they would please simply re-review your application. DO NOT BOTHER THEM AGAIN. See what happens.

 

[surge55]

This should probably be posted in the what are my chances thread, but whatevs, I'll bite.

My guess? You're looking at this from the WRONG perspective. I bet, Loyola thinks you're too strong a candidate to give them serious consideration. Middle tier programs will often reject candidates they think won't give them serious enough consideration.

I think in your case it wouldn't be inappropriate to email the program co-ordinator and simply state that you are from the Chicago area, liked the program, would give them very serious consideration, and request very simply (DO NOT BEG) if they would please simply re-review your application. DO NOT BOTHER THEM AGAIN. See what happens.

my guess is it is due the low step 1 score not meeting the cutoff.

 

[jdh71]

I somehow doubt Loyola is competitive enough to be dealing with cutoffs.

 

[Decisions]

JDH,

why are you stressing an email to the coordinator and not the program director? Is it generally not okay to email PDs?

 

[vanhefe]

Thanks so much for your replies, JDH71 and Surge55.

I ended up emailing the Program Coordinator with a short email. She replied within an hour confirming my rejection. She didn't get into specifics, but I imagine it's the low Step 1 score. Loyola's website says they get over 3000 applicants. Maybe they do have a cut-off given Loyola's close proximity to Chicago and there only being 4 other university programs in the third largest US city (2 being top notch programs).

It certainly blows, but I guess it's time to move on and not allow this to distract me from performing well on the interviews I do have. Hopefully in three years I'll have the opportunity to crack back into Chicago.

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[jdh71]

JDH,

why are you stressing an email to the coordinator and not the program director? Is it generally not okay to email PDs?

Uh. Yeah. Don't bother a PD.

 

[Decisions]

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