damn august mcat

[MedAppGurl]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

so after applying to 15 schools, i have 3 rejections, 1 hold and 3 interview invites.
my stats aren't bad
i have a 3.6 science gpa, a 3.7 cum gpa
a 34 mcats
and lots of ECs (including intense research, and good clinical) i also have solid LORs.
the only thing i can attribute this lack of acceptances to is having taken the mcats in august. but i see plenty of other kids getting in.
i am in the process of sending out my fall grades (i rocked a 3.925) and an update.
is there anything else i can do? anyone have any words of wisdom for someone losing hope?

 

[fullefect1]

Well i can't help you out because of my lack of knowledge. But you have inspired me to take MCAt in April most defently when the time comes around. Best of luck for you. It seems that others are still getting invites recently, so still have hope.

 

[allmightylong]

u have a good personality?😉

 

[meanderson]

medappgirl, I don't think it's the august mcat. I took it, have stats similar to yours( higher gpa, 32 mcat), and have gotten interview invites from all the schools I wanted to get them from except one that interviews really late anyways. No decisions yet though.

What state do you reside in and what kind of luck have you had with your state schools?

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by MedAppGurl
so after applying to 15 schools, i have 3 rejections, 1 hold and 3 interview invites.
my stats aren't bad
i have a 3.6 science gpa, a 3.7 cum gpa
a 34 mcats
and lots of ECs (including intense research, and good clinical) i also have solid LORs.
the only thing i can attribute this lack of acceptances to is having taken the mcats in august. but i see plenty of other kids getting in.
i am in the process of sending out my fall grades (i rocked a 3.925) and an update.
is there anything else i can do? anyone have any words of wisdom for someone losing hope?

From a fellow NYUer, be patient MedAppGurl. You have 3 interview invites which could turn into 3 acceptances. I believe on NYU's premed website, 40% of interviews turn into acceptances. So, 3 * .4 = 1.2!

If it makes you feel better, I also got rejected from BU and UChicago. Maybe they don't like NYU students 🙄.

Anyway, you're in a better position then a lot of applicants, including those who took the April MCAT. Send the update and just chill.

 

[MedAppGurl]

thanks kashue, you are right.
i just need to calm down, which is gonna be the hard part. hopefully it'll all work out well.

 

[edik]

MedAppGurl,
Yea, taking August MCAT sucks. I took one myself and now anxiously waiting to hear.
That been said however, last time I applied I took April MCAT, did pretty mediocre on it, got 1 interview, and now reapplying. Although this time I took August MCAT, was well prepared for it, improved by 8 points, already have 6 interviews with 10 more schools to hear from.
The point is that it's better to take August MCAT and do well on it, than April MCAT without being prepared for it.
We just have to be patient. Now many people (April guys) got acceptances before Christmas, and are cancelling interviews left and right. I called to reschedule an interview recently, and I was able to pick any interview date I wanted. They had at least 1 cancellation for every day.
So keep the hopes up. And don't let this process break you.

 

[DrBodacious]

So where did you get rejected from? Some schools take a miracle to get an interview at, and August MCATing doesn't help your case to get one. The fact that you got three interview so far is encouraging. You should have a good chance of acceptance. I (also took the August MCAT, also a 34) only have one interview invite, but only one rejection. I'm expecting more of each.

My one rejection is from U of Chicago, I also expect a rejection from UPenn. I would be extatic to get an interview at NW or Pitt. I really hope I get an interview at Loyola. I hope to get inteviews at Jefferson and Penn St. And I am expecting to get interviews from Finch and Drexel. And my one interview is at Temple.

So don't be upset if top schools are turning you down, even with your good #'s. It is true that applying early with an April MCAT would have helped you out because there is soo much competition at the top schools. If lower tier schools, especially in state schools, or all of your schools which interviewed you are turning you down then you can start to complain. <---lol

 

[MedAppGurl]

i was rejected from uchicago, cornell and boston u. - the first two i guess i sort of expected, but i was really shocked by the bu rejection, i thought i had a decent shock. i can only sum it up to applying late.
my interviews are at SUNY upstate, downstate, and albert einsteing.
so i guess it's moving, but rather slowly. i hope that things really pick up now that the holidays are over.
thanks guys

 

[BigRedPingpong]

Maybe your UG isn't very "prestigious?"

 

[MedAppGurl]

NYU. Double major in Biology and the Classics.
i think it's pretty presitigious. i was told by some adcoms that NYU has one of the best premed programs and it is considered one of the most competetive schools. its not ivy, but i think it's good. i really dont know. is it wrong to think it's because i'm too white/middle class/longisland?

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by MedAppGurl
NYU. Double major in Biology and the Classics.
i think it's pretty presitigious. i was told by some adcoms that NYU has one of the best premed programs and it is considered one of the most competetive schools. its not ivy, but i think it's good. i really dont know. is it wrong to think it's because i'm too white/middle class/longisland?

Oh God, why do I feel an AA action thread coming on. MedAppGurl, don't worry about it. I was told the same about NYU and that we have one of the hardest orgo classes. Anyway, I graduated from NYU and I think I've done pretty well (5 acceptances so far).

So, no, I don't think graduating from NYU has anything to with it.

 

[Ischemia]

Hey,

Doesn't BU receive something like 6-8000 applications a year? That's a large number of apps to go through. So, while your numbers are undoubtedly strong, when receiving that many applications, they aren't going to make you stick out. Judging from the people they've rejected on this board alone, you are in company with very strong applicants.

Cornell is just Cornell. They have the luxury of being one of the most choosey med schools in the country. According to US news, the bible of many on this board, their acceptance rate is roughly 4.5%, the lowest that I remember seeing of any med school.

So, I wouldn't be too upset by the schools you've been rejected from so far.

You have much higher odds at Downstate and Upstate. From the experiences of my friends and I, it does not seem like either of those schools would reject state residents with your numbers very quickly (despite Upstate claiming no state preference). Do well at the interview and you've got a good shot at gaining admission.

I doubt it has anything to do with your white, middle-class, Long Island status. I'm similar and have had no problems. It may have something to do with your taking the August MCAT, depending on whether or not you were complete with secondaries once scores came in. If you waited till late November to send things out, it is not the MCAT that is hurting you, but rather the time you decided to hand in secondaries, etc.

Sit tight for now, and try not to worry, although that's much harder to do than to say. Things are slow during the holiday season as everyone is on vacation, but they will pick up in the next few weeks. With the brief profile you've given of yourself, you sound like a well-rounded (Classics looks good), experienced person; a strong applicant.

Good luck.

 

[Selisa]

Hey Kashue,

when did you graduate?

 

[Kashue]

Originally posted by generation2MD?
Hey Kashue,

when did you graduate?

02'

 

[ad_sharp]

Relax, your stats are fine
😎

 

[subtle1epiphany]

Originally posted by MedAppGurl
Double major in Biology and the Classics.

hell, nothing can stop a classics major!

seriously tho, i'm sure you'll do fine! you have a great mcat and gpa, and your ECs and LOR are great. as long as you do well on your upcoming interviews you should do just fine!

best of luck coming from another classics major.

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by MedAppGurl
so after applying to 15 schools, i have 3 rejections, 1 hold and 3 interview invites.
my stats aren't bad
i have a 3.6 science gpa, a 3.7 cum gpa
a 34 mcats
and lots of ECs (including intense research, and good clinical) i also have solid LORs.
the only thing i can attribute this lack of acceptances to is having taken the mcats in august. but i see plenty of other kids getting in.
i am in the process of sending out my fall grades (i rocked a 3.925) and an update.
is there anything else i can do? anyone have any words of wisdom for someone losing hope?

You are doing about all you can. Send them "continued interest" letters for the schools that waitlisted you (send them to your interviewer with personal comments pertaining to things said in the interview and reasons you like that school!--make it personal).

Do not harass the admissions office with monthly updates unless you want them to incinerate your file.

If you IM me (AIM): Gohoos81, Ill give youy a bunch of resources Ive pulled off of about 15 different prehealth websites from ucla, hopkins etc htat have been pretty helpful for your remaining interviews.

Coops

 

[Moskeeto]

you're fine. I took the august MCAT, had stats extremely similar to yours (minus the "intense" research) and I think I was at about the same place you're at now, only I applied to less schools. I got into my first choice, so I'm sure you'll turn out okay, just not as soon as you'd hope.