Early Acceptance for Non-Trad?

[Emikosma]

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So I just started looking at some of the early acceptance programs offered at a few med schools in New York. I realize that they are extremely competitive, but does anyone have an idea if they even consider non-traditional students?

My husband is in law school right now, and we are trying to juggle my medical school application with his need for employment in two years. An early acceptance would be perfect since I would know where I would be going for sure, and he could apply for jobs there.

I have a 4.0 right now, and my SAT score was pretty high, especially the reading section (which is what I hear they look at the most). Does anyone have any info about whether this would even be a possibility for me? Or are they basically just taking regular college sophomores?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I contacted one asking if I could be considered for their early decision program even though I wasn't really a traditional student and they told me I needed to apply through the regular application process. Schools may be different but I didn't have any luck.

 

[siliso]

The med school here doesn't discriminate on the basis of age in admissions, and I would be surprised if any programs would. I don't think it's exactly legal, or at least ethical. I got in on EDP as a nontrad. As long as you meet the qualifications, prereqs, scores like everyone else, I don't see why you couldn't apply EDP. But there are serious potential downsides if you aren't 100% sure where you want to attend or if you're not a very competitive candidate.

ETA: just realized you may be talking about a different sort of program geared to students who are still a ways away from completing their undergrad work, so maybe the situation would be different in that case.

 

[student1799]

Or are they basically just taking regular college sophomores?

If you're ralking about 6-year BA/MD programs like Sophie Davis, then no--these programs are not going to consider you. Ditto for programs where you apply sophomore year. (I take it you already have your BA, or are about to get it.)

It's not clear from your post if you've finished your med school prereqs or not. If you haven't, you could consider doing a postbacc program at a school like Hunter or Columbia. These programs (like many others around the country) have "linkages" with various med schools, meaning that students pre-approved by the program can apply in Dec of their last year of postbacc instead of the following spring, thus avoiding a "lag" year. But I wouldn't count on this option, because in reality very few students actually gain admission under linkage programs.

If you're all done with everything, your only option is to study hard for the MCAT and get a great score (and I hate to break it to you, but verbal is NOT the section schools look at the most. Wish it was...) Then apply early--early decision if you find a school you're a PERFECT fit for--and just sit tight.

 

[Emikosma]

If you're ralking about 6-year BA/MD programs like Sophie Davis, then no--these programs are not going to consider you. Ditto for programs where you apply sophomore year. (I take it you already have your BA, or are about to get it.)

It's not clear from your post if you've finished your med school prereqs or not. If you haven't, you could consider doing a postbacc program at a school like Hunter or Columbia. These programs (like many others around the country) have "linkages" with various med schools, meaning that students pre-approved by the program can apply in Dec of their last year of postbacc instead of the following spring, thus avoiding a "lag" year. But I wouldn't count on this option, because in reality very few students actually gain admission under linkage programs.

If you're all done with everything, your only option is to study hard for the MCAT and get a great score (and I hate to break it to you, but verbal is NOT the section schools look at the most. Wish it was...) Then apply early--early decision if you find a school you're a PERFECT fit for--and just sit tight.

I'm talking about programs like Mt. Sinai's Medicine/ Humanities Early Acceptance, where you apply as a college sophomore (I just started my undergraduate work). If I was accepted, I'd get guaranteed admission to their program after I graduated with my bachelors. This is not a 6 year accelerated program.

And the part about the verbal- I was talking about the SAT verbal, which Sinai's website specifically states as the score they look the most at. Mine was in the 96 percentile, so I have that going for me.

The thing with this is that if I don't get in, I'm still only a sophomore, so it wouldn't set me back in the application process at all. I could still apply for regular admission the following year to whatever schools I want.

My question was more asking if anyone had successfully been accepted to this specific type of program as a non-trad, perhaps someone like me who is just started undergraduate work late.

 

[Emikosma]

I contacted one asking if I could be considered for their early decision program even though I wasn't really a traditional student and they told me I needed to apply through the regular application process. Schools may be different but I didn't have any luck.

Early decision isn't the same as early acceptance... see my reply to another poster's answer.

 

[student1799]

I'm talking about programs like Mt. Sinai's Medicine/ Humanities Early Acceptance, where you apply as a college sophomore (I just started my undergraduate work).

I hadn't realized that you were just starting college right now, because you didn't spell that out in your first post. In that case, believe it or not, you'd be considered a "traditional" student, because you're applying to med school straight out of college. You just happen to be older than most college students. As med schools define it, a "nontrad" is anyone who applies to med school AFTER getting their BA--sometimes long after. (Occasionally long, long after, as in my case.) Really, this distinction is pretty meaningless anyway, because the schools don't treat nontrads any differently than trads. You're all competing for the same seats in med school.

Since you're in college right now, of course you should go for it--apply to Sinai and see what happens. I would warn you, though, that Sinai's vaunted reputation for liking humanities types is not quite accurate these days. They appointed a new dean of admissions a couple of years ago, and this guy seems to be about NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS, especially high MCAT scores (generally 35+). I'm sure they'd love a humanities person with sky-high numbers, but the humanities part is really just icing. You're in a slightly different boat with HuMed because (if I recall correctly) they don't require an MCAT score to apply, which takes some pressure off you. If you keep up your 4.0 and write strong application essays, you are probably quite competitive for that program. Sinai is a terrific school, and if you manage to get in through HuMed you'd be all set.

I didn't mean to disparage your SAT verbal score: I got 99th percentile myself, on the verbal sections of both the SAT and the MCAT. But the sad truth of med school admissions these days is that a high MCAT verbal by itself is not really going to get you in anywhere--you need to do well in ALL the sections, especially in a super-competitive place like New York. Yes, I know that a lot of schools make remarks to the effect that they really care about verbal, but it's mostly BS. Believe me.

I'm trying to be very frank with you to prepare you for battle. If you get the MSAR and take a look at the stats, you'll see that NY med school admissions are brutally competitive, even at good but not spectacular schools like Einstein. (Their average MCAT is a 33.) At the elite places like Columbia, Sinai and NYU, there are plenty of applicants with not only 4.0 GPA's but 37 MCATs, so you really have to shine in your studies to have a chance there.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything works out for you.

 

[Emikosma]

I hadn't realized that you were just starting college right now, because you didn't spell that out in your first post. In that case, believe it or not, you'd be considered a "traditional" student, because you're applying to med school straight out of college. You just happen to be older than most college students. As med schools define it, a "nontrad" is anyone who applies to med school AFTER getting their BA--sometimes long after. (Occasionally long, long after, as in my case.) Really, this distinction is pretty meaningless anyway, because the schools don't treat nontrads any differently than trads. You're all competing for the same seats in med school.

Since you're in college right now, of course you should go for it--apply to Sinai and see what happens. I would warn you, though, that Sinai's vaunted reputation for liking humanities types is not quite accurate these days. They appointed a new dean of admissions a couple of years ago, and this guy seems to be about NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS, especially high MCAT scores (generally 35+). I'm sure they'd love a humanities person with sky-high numbers, but the humanities part is really just icing. You're in a slightly different boat with HuMed because (if I recall correctly) they don't require an MCAT score to apply, which takes some pressure off you. If you keep up your 4.0 and write strong application essays, you are probably quite competitive for that program. Sinai is a terrific school, and if you manage to get in through HuMed you'd be all set.

I didn't mean to disparage your SAT verbal score: I got 99th percentile myself, on the verbal sections of both the SAT and the MCAT. But the sad truth of med school admissions these days is that a high MCAT verbal by itself is not really going to get you in anywhere--you need to do well in ALL the sections, especially in a super-competitive place like New York. Yes, I know that a lot of schools make remarks to the effect that they really care about verbal, but it's mostly BS. Believe me.

I'm trying to be very frank with you to prepare you for battle. If you get the MSAR and take a look at the stats, you'll see that NY med school admissions are brutally competitive, even at good but not spectacular schools like Einstein. (Their average MCAT is a 33.) At the elite places like Columbia, Sinai and NYU, there are plenty of applicants with not only 4.0 GPA's but 37 MCATs, so you really have to shine in your studies to have a chance there.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope everything works out for you.

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I know I'm more traditional than someone apply years after graduating, but I thought there were still people in the non-trad forums in my situation. Anyway, since there are so many great job opportunities for my husband in NY, I think it is worth a shot! Thanks for your replies everyone!

 

[student1799]

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I know I'm more traditional than someone apply years after graduating, but I thought there were still people in the non-trad forums in my situation

By all means, you're welcome to post here. The nontrads on SDN are very nice people, and don't really care about labels.

But when you're talking to med school admissions offices, premed counselors, etc., it would be wise to avoid the term "nontraditional student," since they might misunderstand your situation and give incorrect advice (as I did at first).

 

[Emikosma]

By all means, you're welcome to post here. The nontrads on SDN are very nice people, and don't really care about labels.

But when you're talking to med school admissions offices, premed counselors, etc., it would be wise to avoid the term "nontraditional student," since they might misunderstand your situation and give incorrect advice (as I did at first).

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

And you are right... post in the pre-allo forum and you are likely to get your head bit off... the non-trads are much more forgiving. 🙂

 

[LaEsponja]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

And you are right... post in the pre-allo forum and you are likely to get your head bit off... the non-trads are much more forgiving. 🙂

Were you able to apply to early acceptance programs? I've found a few I'm interested in as well, but I'm very non-traditional in my schooling even though I will be matriculating into med school right after college.

Story: Moved out at 17, started working tons of hours, took the SAT but didn't do great (1100 or something) and was pregnant shortly thereafter. Managed to somehow scrape through HS with a 3.0. Stayed in college for a bit then quit to work full-time with a 2.4 GPA. Joined the military, Army Reserves, had another kiddo, got back in school and then transferred, only about half my credits came with me. So I'm technically a Junior even though I've got 2-3 years left of school (give or take early acceptance).

GPA is now (at 26 years old) a 3.5, just applied for honors college, represent 17,000 students on a head advisory board for my school of study, am a member of the board for the Student Veterans Assc, have shadowed a few times with the opportunity for much more, am a "peer leader" for chem 1 my professor just got a grant to teach a new way and am getting credit for undergrad research, start ROTC next semester, take Tae Kwon Do, work with an animal recuse group from time to time, and still serve in the reserves.

I know if I can get someone to ignore the beginning years I'm a pretty competitive applicant at this point, but I know I'd be competing against Sophomores/ Juniors with impeccable records. I don't want to blow a bunch of money on applications if there is no point, even if they tell me it's "ok" to apply. Anyone non-trad have experience with this?

Thanks for advice, sorry about the life story!

 

[DocVapor]

I went to undergrad straight out of high school, so my situation isn't exactly like yours. However I didn't do terribly well in undergrad - my priorities were misaligned and I knew my grades weren't indicative of my ability.

I started volunteering as an EMT during undergrad and was doing 60+ hours there each week, was an officer in my fraternity, and was generally overconfident in my abilities and lazy about studying. So second semester sophomore year and junior year my grades were pathetic. However I finished senior year with Dean's list both semesters. My original MCAT was a low-range decent score for MD, good range for DO. I applied a couple places knowing it was a long shot and didn't get in.

So I actually went into auto racing, and worked my way up to manager of a professional race team for a little while. I was having fun, but knew it wasn't for me, so I started getting back into medicine.

I went and got my ALS EMT certification, met my (now) wife, and starting working as transport medic. While I was doing that, I was retaking pre-req courses in a CC setting and Acing them. Then I applied to and got accepted to a 1-year post-bacc program, where I was able to shine. My GPA was great, I was lead author on some research, and I killed my second MCAT.

Now I'm an 27 year old, married MS1, and I couldn't be happier. I think you are in a great position, LaEsponja. Just keep it up and look at all your options, and you'll reach your goal.

 

[LaEsponja]

Thanks a bunch, Neuro. I absolutely love non-trad success stories and have been somewhat bummed lately because I had to drop my entire semester of classes. The veterans office gave me bad info about military withdrawals, but it ended up being a good thing as my kids and I were sick for a week and I just got my tonsils out yesterday (hence my 4am post from getting up to take meds lol) on top of the 2 weeks I was out on duty.

My question was more specifically asking about early admissions where you apply in your sophomore/ junior year of college sans MCAT. Not particularly worried about taking the MCAT, but being able to apply to something like the humanities program would be great as I'm an Anthro major and could graduate/ matriculate a year earlier if I didn't have to take the additional classes for the new MCAT. I'm going to email/ call a couple of programs this week, I just didn't know if anyone had personal experiences with early admissions, NOT early decision. My goal is to do early decision if I can't apply to these specialty programs, but that will depend on MCAT scores.

Thanks again!