Hey y’all!
I just finished a meeting with the director, Dr. Núñez, and I have some updates. I can very much tell y’all that everything is very much in flux as y’all can imagine and decisions on how to move forward are still being made. I’m going to put the bullet points on the updates I was given first and then answer some FAQs I have had in the DMs following the update.
Though first, thank y’all so much for your continued patience! I know it’s nerve-wracking and anxiety inducing waiting for something important like this. Just a little more, and everything will start moving forward!
Update direct from the Director:
- DPMS will happen! As it has every year, it will start officially on the first day of July with a mandatory meeting the day before on June 30th.
- If things continue they way they are, we will do the summer portion all online instead of having an in-person experience. We prefer to have it in-person, but we will do what is best for everyone’s safety and health.
- As for DPMS admission, it will rev up when med school interviews wind down which has been delayed a little to end on April 9. The final decision on when interview invites are sent out and when interviews will occur comes directly from the admissions office. For reference, last year was interview invitations were sent out in early April, and interviews started in mid-April. (I personally think this will be delayed a little only. So everyone please be as patient as possible. We truly thank your patience!)
- As for the MCAT: this is currently under discussion and needs to go to the legal department to see what can be done. At the earliest, this important part will be decided in a week or 2. Please do not be surprised if this is delayed a little. (I personally say wait 3 weeks before asking again) This is a very important and vital part that needs to be handled with extreme care to ensure that the whole application process is as fair and equitable for every applicant as possible. At the same time, the admissions office will also determine if the MCAT is necessary to submit a completed application.
- All interviews will be conducted virtually. The logistics and details about the interviews are currently being discussed.
- The application deadline will stay where it is for now. This is to ensure that accepted individuals will have enough time to arrange their personal and work matters as needed. However, like everything else, this is fluid also and may be changed depending on the situation around us.
FAQ:
Q:
Should I even apply since I don’t have an MCAT?
A: YES!! Apply, apply, apply with everything you have control over and polish everything that you need to know. Even the director herself says to apply!!
My one big advice I can give is that it doesn’t hurt to ever apply. The only sure thing is that you will not even be considered if you don’t apply at all.
If you decide not to apply, that’s a completely understandable thing with no shame in it. If you decide on this path though, please do everything in your power to improve your application to be the best it can be. Please be safe and take care of yourself always first, and do activities that will give you a great experience that you can you learn a lot from and is beneficial to your future profession of being a physician. Also, if you are an anxious person or have testing taking issues or have any type of learning disability, use the time to get a diagnosis and start a treatment so that if you need testing accommodations, you can get them immediately. This is because the DPMS year is mentally difficult and anxiety inducing at times. Also having an accommodation to help you perform at the same level as others without the same things will only help you in the end, which is not shameful or greedy. (These were my own thoughts about accommodations before I got them myself)
If you decide to apply and don’t get in this year, PLEASE APPLY AGAIN NEXT YEAR. The admissions committee will LOVE this! Persistence is a HUGE attractive trait when it comes to admissions committees. It shows that you aren’t afraid to be told no, and that you have the mental fortitude and resilience to push to make your dream come true, which is super honorable and impressive. So in this way, it is definitely not ever a “waste” of an application. Also, you will have updated letters of recommendation and an updated personal statement showing your amazing growth!
Q:
Do you know when you submitted your DPMS app and when you got an interview? What was your application timeline like?
A: So I submitted my application on 4/27/18, got my application complete confirmation on 4/30/18, received my DPMS interview invitation on 5/10/18, had my interview on 5/16/18 (I know super fast turn around), and received my acceptance on 6/18/18. Overall everything happened in A 1.5 months timeframe, which was on the fast end. Some of my classmates sent in theIr application in January, interviewed in late April, and received their acceptance in late May. Everyone’s application process is different so please be patient.
Q:
Would you do DPMS again?
A: Without hesitation, I would do it all over again. I learned so much about myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. I also learned academically how to study and adapt to the rigor and intensity that med school will have. Without it, I would have failed my first year. I am doing well academically and can handle anything the school throws my way.
Q:
Can you read my [DPMS/Personal Statement] essay, CV, etc?
A: I’m so honored and happy that you thought of me to ask, but I cannot do that. I will gladly give out pointers to make sure you all shine if y’all ask for it.
I hope this helps out! Again, please feel free to message me with questions and for advice. I will answer all incoming messages ASAP, and I always respond.
Good luck y’all
