Err??? What's going on???

[53948]

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It's January now, and I've only heard (rejections, interviews, holds, etc.) from 11 out of the 35 schools I applied to. My applications weren't late or anything. What's going on???

 

[gujuDoc]

It's January now, and I've only heard (rejections, interviews, holds, etc.) from 11 out of the 35 schools I applied to. My applications weren't late or anything. What's going on???

Hey if that's your MDapps profile, I wouldn't worry about it since you have at least one acceptance. I know you'd like a choice, but look at the big picture.......if nothing else all it takes is one acceptance letter to become a doc.

If you are worried about the other schools then I'd send update letters with anything new you've done like new clinical activities, etc.

 

[53948]

Thanks for the advice guju. Yea I know it only takes one acceptance and trust me I am very thankful for it. I'm not complaining, just wondering =).

Again thanks for the advice. I'm gonna do that for sure.

 

[taddpole]

35 schools?! Holy cow. Why did you apply to soooo many?

Good luck.

 

[happydays]

OSU is a great school. Congrats!

 

[hpm4]

Just as a heads up, I would try calling Wake Forest and checking your status...if you are going to get interviewed they will arrange it right then. I dont know anyone who didnt call them and got an interview. It's worth a shot!

Congrats on your acceptance!

 

[xonkdt]

wow you have a 34 mcat and a 4.0 and you still got rejected from Dartmouth, Georgetown, Chicago?

do you know why...this worries me

 

[pagemmapants]

If I were to hazard a guess to the prev. poster, I'd say it was the skew of the MCAT. 8 is still a good verbal score (above avg.) though, so I might be talking out of my rear orifice. Can't find any other holes though. . .

 

[53948]

Thanks for all the congrats everyone =). I applied to 35 schools because of that verbal score of 8. Seemed like it may have been overkill in the beginning, but at this point, boy am I glad I did it (I probably wouldn't have applied to OSU otherwise).

Xonkdt, yup rejections from those schools. The reason? To sum it all in one word --> CRAPSHOOT. That's just how med school apps work - sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. It probably also has alot to do with my verbal score as seilienne said. I don't think 8 is above average though... I think it IS the average. In addition, the average of matriculants is 10, so even higher.

I feel like when they review my application, they're saying "Oh cool strong application. Maybe we'll put him in the interview pile... ... umm wait a sec, let's put him in the second pool pile cause of his verbal score." Aaaahhh!!! =(

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks for all the congrats everyone =). I applied to 35 schools because of that verbal score of 8. Seemed like it may have been overkill in the beginning, but at this point, boy am I glad I did it (I probably wouldn't have applied to OSU otherwise).

Xonkdt, yup rejections from those schools. The reason? To sum it all in one word --> CRAPSHOOT. That's just how med school apps work - sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. It probably also has alot to do with my verbal score as seilienne said. I don't think 8 is above average though... I think it IS the average. In addition, the average of matriculants is 10, so even higher.

I feel like when they review my application, they're saying "Oh cool strong application. Maybe we'll put him in the interview pile... ... umm wait a sec, let's put him in the second pool pile cause of his verbal score." Aaaahhh!!! =(

Congrats on the acceptance. However I'm not sure the 8 in verbal could account for the number of apps you felt you needed to send out, or the schools you have been rejected from thus far. Could be, but wouldn't be my first guess. Perhaps there's something else you are not portraying accurately on MDApplicants (maybe a bad LOR, a weak PS, etc.)? Folks with your credentials usually apply to 10-20 schools. Folks with weaker credentials apply to 20-30. You have exceeded this, and there must be a stronger reason you felt you needed to.
There are subjective factors in the process, but it isn't usually such a crapshoot that schools won't at least interview someone with solidly above average numerical stats, unless there's something on the app that makes them disinterested. The average matriculant at Gtown doesn't have the stats you portrayed. Troubling.

 

[statmd]

i dont know if there was something esp. wrong with the op's app...i was just rejected from gtown as well 😡 and i am from a top-tier school with good gpa and mcat significantly above gtown mean. good ps, ec's. obvi i dont know what my LOR's say bc they're confidential, but im pretty sure there's nothing negative in there. i also have interviews at vandy and pitt and took august mcat. either its a crapshoot or they're looking for something specific that we didnt have, or we're too late.

btw long time reader, first time poster

Dr stat

 

[flyingillini]

It's January now, and I've only heard (rejections, interviews, holds, etc.) from 11 out of the 35 schools I applied to. My applications weren't late or anything. What's going on???

Yes your profile is disturbing, I'm glad you got into one school but that is really quite strange, do you think one of your LORs has a negative comment or something?

 

[WayChanger]

To the original poster:

1) Call Einstein and ask what's up...apparently you can "request" an interview. The main lady in charge of the admissions office told me to email her espressing interest. I did so yesterday, and got an invite this morning.

2) NYU is done already...their last interviews were in December.

3) Goodness, man, you had 2 UC interviews! Don't trip, you're still doing really well. =P

 

[jbone]

It's January now, and I've only heard (rejections, interviews, holds, etc.) from 11 out of the 35 schools I applied to. My applications weren't late or anything. What's going on???

I applied to like 40 schools and still haven't heard back from 12 of them. (all post-secondary) So your guess is as good as mine. Thinking of writing them all a letter asking for an explaination/interview/rejection? Don't really know. Keep you head up, they'll contact you....maybe. 😡

 

[tigress]

Congrats on the acceptance. However I'm not sure the 8 in verbal could account for the number of apps you felt you needed to send out, or the schools you have been rejected from thus far. Could be, but wouldn't be my first guess. Perhaps there's something else you are not portraying accurately on MDApplicants (maybe a bad LOR, a weak PS, etc.)? Folks with your credentials usually apply to 10-20 schools. Folks with weaker credentials apply to 20-30. You have exceeded this, and there must be a stronger reason you felt you needed to.
There are subjective factors in the process, but it isn't usually such a crapshoot that schools won't at least interview someone with solidly above average numerical stats, unless there's something on the app that makes them disinterested. The average matriculant at Gtown doesn't have the stats you portrayed. Troubling.

I disagree. I think he was being very realistic by applying to so many schools, and I think an 8 in VR could be a great reason to do so. I would have applied to more schools (not this many, but maybe 20) if I didn't have geographical limitations. And as far as the subjective factors, sometimes there's just no telling. There are some people on sdn with crazy stats who never got in on their first try. Look at my profile, too. Temple never interviewed me, and my stats are above their averages. Sometimes it really does depend on factors that we can't understand.

 

[otemd]

I agree that this whole process doesn't make sense. I was very upset, for instance, when I had a 36 (all scores above 10) and a 3.9 with recs that had gotten me interviews at 4 top 20's (and accepted to one), and I got pre-interview rejected from Georgetown. I was even told to apply to them as a back-up. I appealed a month ago, and have to date heard nothing. It really makes no sense to me whatsoever.

 

[tigress]

I agree that this whole process doesn't make sense. I was very upset, for instance, when I had a 36 (all scores above 10) and a 3.9 with recs that had gotten me interviews at 4 top 20's (and accepted to one), and I got pre-interview rejected from Georgetown. I was even told to apply to them as a back-up. I appealed a month ago, and have to date heard nothing. It really makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I really don't mean any offense, but if you have an acceptance to a top 20 (which seems to be an important factor to you) and you applied to Georgetown as a backup, why in the world would you appeal your rejection? Maybe they could tell you were using them as a backup. In any case, unless you have some amazing love for the school or something, why bug them to consider you when you're not considering them?

 

[otemd]

I really don't mean any offense, but if you have an acceptance to a top 20 (which seems to be an important factor to you) and you applied to Georgetown as a backup, why in the world would you appeal your rejection? Maybe they could tell you were using them as a backup. In any case, unless you have some amazing love for the school or something, why bug them to consider you when you're not considering them?

Good question. I got my rejection at G'town before being accepted at the other school, and so at that point, it seemed logical. I do not really care now, but was merely adding to the other posts that were talking about illogical G'town rejections. Just trying to comment on how the process can be frustrating and a crapshoot sometimes.

 

[tigress]

Good question. I got my rejection at G'town before being accepted at the other school, and so at that point, it seemed logical. I do not really care now, but was merely adding to the other posts that were talking about illogical G'town rejections. Just trying to comment on how the process can be frustrating and a crapshoot sometimes.

okay 👍 sorry I even asked then

 

[Law2Doc]

Just trying to comment on how the process can be frustrating and a crapshoot sometimes.

I still think it's less that it's a "crapshoot" (i.e. random) and more that folks on the applicant side don't get to see what adcoms see, or know what adcoms are looking for or perturbed by. It's not that they randomly decide to skip this or that high applicant and decide to take a hard look at this or that lower stat applicant. Something clearly makes them disinterested by one group and more interested by another.
And since it's clearly not the numerical stats, it's got to be ECs, LORs and PS that are the big turn ons/turn offs for the schools. Bottom line - applicants cannot be one dimensional -- and need to be solid in every category, and perhaps even unusually intersting in several.

 

[happydays]

I still think it's less that it's a "crapshoot" (i.e. random) and more that folks on the applicant side don't get to see what adcoms see, or know what adcoms are looking for or perturbed by. It's not that they randomly decide to skip this or that high applicant and decide to take a hard look at this or that lower stat applicant. Something clearly makes them disinterested by one group and more interested by another.
And since it's clearly not the numerical stats, it's got to be ECs, LORs and PS that are the big turn ons/turn offs for the schools. Bottom line - applicants cannot be one dimensional -- and need to be solid in every category, and perhaps even unusually intersting in several.

Again, I have to confirm that it's not all "crap-shoot."

Out of all my interviews, the only place that didn't accept me right away was because I was too confident during the interview and didn't answer the questions thoroughly enough.

 

[bubbleyum]

To the original poster:

1) Call Einstein and ask what's up...apparently you can "request" an interview. The main lady in charge of the admissions office told me to email her espressing interest. I did so yesterday, and got an invite this morning.

2) NYU is done already...their last interviews were in December.

3) Goodness, man, you had 2 UC interviews! Don't trip, you're still doing really well. =P

WAAAAT?? u can do that at einstein? since when???
i am calling them right now. or am i gonna get laughed at.

 

[bubbleyum]

WAAAAT?? u can do that at einstein? since when???
i am calling them right now. or am i gonna get laughed at.

all right, i am so gullible. called them up and implying that i'm still waiting for an interview invite did not work, hmph.

 

[SailCrazy]

...Perhaps there's something else you are not portraying accurately on MDApplicants (maybe a bad LOR, a weak PS, etc.)? ....

That was my initial thought - specifically the personal statement.

 

[tigress]

I still think it's less that it's a "crapshoot" (i.e. random) and more that folks on the applicant side don't get to see what adcoms see, or know what adcoms are looking for or perturbed by. It's not that they randomly decide to skip this or that high applicant and decide to take a hard look at this or that lower stat applicant. Something clearly makes them disinterested by one group and more interested by another.
And since it's clearly not the numerical stats, it's got to be ECs, LORs and PS that are the big turn ons/turn offs for the schools. Bottom line - applicants cannot be one dimensional -- and need to be solid in every category, and perhaps even unusually intersting in several.

See, that's what I thought too. But I still can't explain Temple in my case. I know I have great LORs, because multiple interviewers commented on that. I think my ECs are adequate to good. The only blemish on my application is that I dropped out of grad school, but apparently a lot of schools didn't care about that (although I bet Pitt, Penn, and Emory did). And my GPA isn't excellent, but it's not bad, either.

I'm also not sure why Penn State waitlisted me, after my first interviewer actually told me that I would definitely get in (I know, that doesn't mean anything), and my second interview was the best interview I had the whole season. I'm really not bitter or anything, nor do I think I "deserve" to get in anywhere. I just left my interview day with more confidence, so I was a bit surprised to get the waitlist.

Over all I'm lucky because I have acceptances. The OP is, as well. I just hope all of us can get at least one acceptance this year -- that's all that matters in the long run!!

 

[LizzyM]

I suspect that some schools just issue one big batch of rejection post-secondary letters at the end of the season. Until then, they still have the option of asking you for an interview - if things changed and suddenly all of the invited applicants pulled out or something.

I don't condone the failure to send a reject letter but some of these schools may be behaving like employers who do not send any letters to anyone who does not get a job offer. Of course, in that case, you have not paid for the privledge of submitting an application as you have with medical school.

Generating thousands of letters denying admission takes time even with the most automated equipment and medical school admissions offices are not the most automated places on the planet and they don't tend to hire more people than they need. The staff are busy at this time of year with interviews so they may postpone sending reject letters until after the interview season is over, just because that is when staff are available to do it. Sure, they could hire temps, even run the office on temps (no benefits) hired to work 6 mos./year but they hire year-round workers (with generous university benefits) and spread the workload out over the year. Not easy for those sitting by the mailbox but better for the clerical workers who have year-round employment with benefits.

 

[Hoberto]

Rejection emails would be cheap and fast and appreciated by many. Well, maybe not appreciated....but better than no word at all.

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

Why don't they just send rejection emails instead. Much fasters/cheaper/less work!

 

[53948]

Ok been busy so I haven't been able to check out responses lately. Thanks for any input.

Law2Doc, I apologize if I'm interpreting your response incorrectly, but it seems like you're saying that I purposely left out a negative part of my application. I appreciate your insight. However, it would be a waste of my time and that of others if I were to post my question while hiding the obvious answer. Maybe I was over-stressed by so many secondaries so they weren't as good as they could have been? Could be. People with my credentials apply to 10-20? Good for them. People with weaker credentials apply to 20-30? Good for them. I decided to apply to 35 because of my lower verbal score and because I didn't want to waste more time, money, and energy doing this all over again.

The truth is: it is a crapshoot. I agree with what Dr. Stat said (it's a crapshoot and they're looking for specific things). Med schools have their visions of what kind of doctors they would like to produce and probably quotas of certain profiles of the type of medical students they would like accept (not sure about the second part but pretty sure about the first). Obviously these visions/profiles are based on career goals, views on medicine, etc. and not race, family income, etc. If you don't fit what they're looking for, then they're not interested. For example, many schools look for applicants who they think will contribute a great deal to their school. I realized that I didn't show much contribution to UCLA, but more to the youth group that I grew up in and to my family (which had some struggles during my early college years). If this is the case, it's OK because I'd rather be genuine and end up at a place that shares my same goals instead of attend a school I was accepted to because I molded myself into what they wanted and end up being something I didn't enjoy. So Law2Doc, what I mean by a crapshoot is that not only do you gotta be spectacular, but spectacular in the way they're looking for. I didn't mean they overlook high applicants for the heck of it. I also believe it's a crapshoot, because you just have to get someone who's personality complements yours (or better yet, doesn't clash with yours), someone who's not having a bad day, and someone who's plain passionate about the whole admissions process. I believe it was the dean who interviewed me at OSU. You could tell he was so passionate about all this stuff, so he must put alot of effort into all his reports, good or bad. He really liked me, so I probably got a really good report. I can't say that about all my other interviewers - some interviewed like it was part of their job description and I was taking up their valuable research time. I agree with you, Law2Doc, applicants cannot be one dimensional. I don't think my application is one dimensional. Hence, the crapshoot business. And OF COURSE, it's not ALL crapshoot.

Flyingillini, I'm pretty sure my LOR's don't have any negative comments. I read 3 of the 5 that I use as my main ones and they were actually more than I expected. I've been working with those letter writers for a long time - one for more than a year, one for 2.5 years, and one for 10+ years - so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't write anything bad about me.

Many people, including professionals not just friends, told me my personal statement was great, so hopefully that wasn't it. If you want a peak, I'll send it to you if you're interested.

Ending comments: Thanks for all the support everyone 🙂 . Again, I'm just curious about my odd situation, not complaining. Sorry for sounding so boring and for making it so long. There's alot of people asking me questions so I just wanted to get it out and I just wanted to elaborate on my ideas about the whole crapshoot business. Law2Doc, I'm not attacking you or anything... just addressing your opinions 🙂 . Good luck to you and everyone else with everything. And seems like G-town is wwweeeiiirrrddd...

 

[Law2Doc]

Ok been busy so I haven't been able to check out responses lately. Thanks for any input.

Law2Doc, I apologize if I'm interpreting your response incorrectly, but it seems like you're saying that I purposely left out a negative part of my application. I appreciate your insight. However, it would be a waste of my time and that of others if I were to post my question while hiding the obvious answer. Maybe I was over-stressed by so many secondaries so they weren't as good as they could have been? Could be. People with my credentials apply to 10-20? Good for them. People with weaker credentials apply to 20-30? Good for them. I decided to apply to 35 because of my lower verbal score and because I didn't want to waste more time, money, and energy doing this all over again.

The truth is: it is a crapshoot. I agree with what Dr. Stat said (it's a crapshoot and they're looking for specific things). Med schools have their visions of what kind of doctors they would like to produce and probably quotas of certain profiles of the type of medical students they would like accept (not sure about the second part but pretty sure about the first). Obviously these visions/profiles are based on career goals, views on medicine, etc. and not race, family income, etc. If you don't fit what they're looking for, then they're not interested. For example, many schools look for applicants who they think will contribute a great deal to their school. I realized that I didn't show much contribution to UCLA, but more to the youth group that I grew up in and to my family (which had some struggles during my early college years). If this is the case, it's OK because I'd rather be genuine and end up at a place that shares my same goals instead of attend a school I was accepted to because I molded myself into what they wanted and end up being something I didn't enjoy. So Law2Doc, what I mean by a crapshoot is that not only do you gotta be spectacular, but spectacular in the way they're looking for. I didn't mean they overlook high applicants for the heck of it. I also believe it's a crapshoot, because you just have to get someone who's personality complements yours (or better yet, doesn't clash with yours), someone who's not having a bad day, and someone who's plain passionate about the whole admissions process. I believe it was the dean who interviewed me at OSU. You could tell he was so passionate about all this stuff, so he must put alot of effort into all his reports, good or bad. He really liked me, so I probably got a really good report. I can't say that about all my other interviewers - some interviewed like it was part of their job description and I was taking up their valuable research time. I agree with you, Law2Doc, applicants cannot be one dimensional. I don't think my application is one dimensional. Hence, the crapshoot business. And OF COURSE, it's not ALL crapshoot.

Flyingillini, I'm pretty sure my LOR's don't have any negative comments. I read 3 of the 5 that I use as my main ones and they were actually more than I expected. I've been working with those letter writers for a long time - one for more than a year, one for 2.5 years, and one for 10+ years - so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't write anything bad about me.

Many people, including professionals not just friends, told me my personal statement was great, so hopefully that wasn't it. If you want a peak, I'll send it to you if you're interested.

Ending comments: Thanks for all the support everyone 🙂 . Again, I'm just curious about my odd situation, not complaining. Sorry for sounding so boring and for making it so long. There's alot of people asking me questions so I just wanted to get it out and I just wanted to elaborate on my ideas about the whole crapshoot business. Law2Doc, I'm not attacking you or anything... just addressing your opinions 🙂 . Good luck to you and everyone else with everything. And seems like G-town is wwweeeiiirrrddd...

Sorry if I misread between the lines on your post. (And I think we have different definitions of what constitutes a "crapshoot".) Good luck.