Fact or myth? Do people with high stats really get rejected?

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most secondaries are not screened....only a few schools screen them. You always have a chance to show the school you are genuinely interested in them
 
cactusinmyhead said:
I'm a re-applicant with 3.9+/35. I know the MCAT isn't super high, but still....
I basically applied to top 20 schools with few "safeties", didn't have enough clinical experience, suck at interviewing....
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By "not enough clinical experience," what do you mean? Only 50 hours of volunteering and shadowing?
 
The Real SVB said:
By "not enough clinical experience," what do you mean? Only 50 hours of volunteering and shadowing?
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~30 hours shadowing in one specialty, and ~50 hours combined clinical volunteering through 2 different activities
 
Mwoods18 said:
I was accepted to 9 schools, waitlisted at 3 more, rejected at one post-interview (top school, out of state public). I was only turned down for one secondary, that was at Vandy. Almost every other school either gives them automatically or has lower end screening criteria so they didn't apply to me or OP.

Also of note, some of the mid-tier private schools were schools I was very excited about and some I didn't learn as much about until later in the cycle and then applied. Nobody wants to be the girl who gets asked to the dance the day before, so if adcoms can see when you were verified (I don't know if they can) they may not like not being applied to until a few months later.
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This is actually something I never considered before. Thanks for sharing!
 
Mwoods18 said:
I was accepted to 9 schools, waitlisted at 3 more, rejected at one post-interview (top school, out of state public). I was only turned down for one secondary, that was at Vandy. Almost every other school either gives them automatically or has lower end screening criteria so they didn't apply to me or OP.

Also of note, some of the mid-tier private schools were schools I was very excited about and some I didn't learn as much about until later in the cycle and then applied. Nobody wants to be the girl who gets asked to the dance the day before, so if adcoms can see when you were verified (I don't know if they can) they may not like not being applied to until a few months later.
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Did you happen to get any interviews from the mid-tiers you were genuinely excited about? For example, I'm really interested in VCU, SLU, Jefferson and the low-level TX schools but am worried they will reject me right away.
 
More often than you may think.

Stats get you to the door, but ECs get you through the door. High stat rejectees typically lack clinical exposure. Either that, or they completely bomb their interviews. High performing automatons are a dime-a-dozen. OR, they have a poor application strategy and target low-tiled schools. As the wise gyngyn has pointed out, schools do not want to invest resources in candidates who are unlikely to come there. Moral of that story: a strategically targeted list is better than carpet bombing.


700003 said:
I've read several times on this forum that applicants with 3.8/37 stats have a hard time getting into med school. And recently, I just read that such an applicant took 3 cycles to get accepted! Is this all true or is it another of SDN's neuroticism/myth? I'm planning to take a gap year to boost my application, but now I'm afraid that getting a high MCAT or being well-rounded will hurt me by getting me rejected from low/mid-tier schools and also, from high-tier schools that think I need more! What if the gap year turns out to be for nothing? This is very demoralizing to think of 🙁
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My favorite story is of the gal who had a 4.0 and high 30s MCAT who we rejected because in our group interview format, she wanted to answer other people's questions. Did you ever have people in your classes who would jump out of their seat crying out "ooh ooh, pick me, pick me!" when a prof asked a question? She was one of those. My student interviewer had enough of her and ask her "list your top three characteristics using three words only"

Dead silence.

And then of course there is the interview. I'd imagine more than a few have sunk themselves while being interviewed

Nothing guarantees an acceptance except perhaps a large donation check. Someone like you describe may also have a red flag (like a felony or a dishonesty IA) which could definitely preclude any accepts.

I see…but let's say an applicant had high stats, good EC's, research, professionally edited essays, good LORs and practiced interview skills. Let's say this applicant also did something unique (Fulbright, organized a recital for the poor, fundraisers, worked in a mobile clinic, etc.) Provided this applicant applied early to like 40 schools, what could possibly be a cause for rejection? I would assume that this applicant would be pretty much guaranteed an acceptance somewhere right?
 
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cactusinmyhead said:
~30 hours shadowing in one specialty, and ~50 hours combined clinical volunteering through 2 different activities
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This looks like me but with shadowing spread out across 4 specialties :scared::scared:. I do have around 400 hours non-clinical volunteering, so hopefully it will work out...
 
jih said:
This looks like me but with shadowing spread out across 4 specialties :scared::scared:. I do have around 400 hours non-clinical volunteering, so hopefully it will work out...
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How do you know medicine is for you then? That's a questionable amount of exposure to the field.
 
The Real SVB said:
How do you know medicine is for you then? That's a questionable amount of exposure to the field.
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I realize it's still on the low end, but would 50 hours be any sort of improvement over 30? Everything else on my app will be set, but I know clinical exposure will be my weak point. I am getting volunteering set up for this summer so will have more clinical things to talk about in maybe secondaries and for sure interviews, but didn't included that in my app so it didn't seem like I was cramming things last minute as a last ditch effort to improve my app.
 
jih said:
This looks like me but with shadowing spread out across 4 specialties :scared::scared:. I do have around 400 hours non-clinical volunteering, so hopefully it will work out...
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I don't know I think clinical volunteering and/or work experience is pretty important and 30 hours might be on the low end of shadowing. Not that I'm an expert.

That's a lot of non-clinical volunteering though. I didn't have anywhere near that.
 
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.

It is important to note that most of them were fine, so I suppose it was a lack of strategy that lead to their unfortunate outcome.
 
gyngyn said:
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.
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😵 I would never have guessed! That's kind of hilarious… Guess people just deal with stress in different ways
 
gyngyn said:
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.

It is important to note that most of them were fine, so I suppose it was a lack of strategy that lead to their unfortunate outcome.
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This all really makes me want to get involved with admissions.
 
gyngyn said:
Both of them actually got in somewhere recently!
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Oh, well I'm happy for them! 🙂 Perhaps they learned from their mistakes for other interviews. This gives me some hope!
 
gyngyn said:
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.

It is important to note that most of them were fine, so I suppose it was a lack of strategy that lead to their unfortunate outcome.
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This actually happens?
 
gyngyn said:
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.

It is important to note that most of them were fine, so I suppose it was a lack of strategy that lead to their unfortunate outcome.
Click to expand...

This had me on the floor
 
northernlights15 said:
This thread is quite depressing. I like the "accepted with low stats" type threads more.
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I think people underestimate the importance of knowing how to present yourself in the best light and like someone that would fit at the school during interview day.

EDIT:
Goro said:
Stats get you to the door, but ECs get you through the door. High stat rejectees typically lack clinical exposure. Either that, or they completely bomb their interviews.
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I couldn't agree more with this. Some people really lack a personality.
 
ciruji said:
This actually happens?
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Do interviews during medical school and you will see all kinds of crazy stuff. I interviewed 40-50 and have a handful of bizarre stories. Working on the committee and reading interview reports/hearing about some members' interactions with applicants just added to the story collection.
 
NickNaylor said:
Do interviews during medical school and you will see all kinds of crazy stuff. I interviewed 40-50 and have a handful of bizarre stories. Working on the committee and reading interview reports/hearing about some members' interactions with applicants just added to the story collection.
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We had somebody show up in ruby slippers.
 
gyngyn said:
We had somebody show up in ruby slippers.
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It's the applicants that receive comments like, "I would feel uncomfortable with this person as my physician" from faculty that make me wonder just what they could've done in the interview to give off such a bad impression.
 
NickNaylor said:
It's the applicants that receive comments like, "I would feel uncomfortable with this person as my physician" from faculty that make me wonder just what they could've done in the interview to give off such a bad impression.
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It's often demeanor: stretching out with hands linked behind the head, staring, mumbling into their chest...
 
Catalystik said:
Your ruby-red slippers beats out my bright red dress with over-size fuzzy white sweater.
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We had a strapless bustier with 4" knee boots!
Good times...

She got in to a good midwest school too.
 
Just don't be f**king awkward on interview day (if you get that far). Being a normal, chill person counts. A lot.
 
Goro said:
My favorite story is of the gal who had a 4.0 and high 30s MCAT who we rejected because in our group interview format, she wanted to answer other people's questions. Did you ever have people in your classes who would jump out of their seat crying out "ooh ooh, pick me, pick me!" when a prof asked a question? She was one of those. My student interviewer had enough of her and ask her "list your top three characteristics using three words only"

Dead silence.
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How did the other applicants react when she tried to answer their questions? I assume that if those applicants knew what they were doing they wouldn't be openly rude to her because they would know that would come off poorly, but just letting her do that would seem to give you a huge disadvantage because then you wouldn't get to answer many questions and give the interviewer a good impression of who you are.
 
I don't know, I cut her off and said "You'll get your turn".

nwts said:
How did the other applicants react when she tried to answer their questions? I assume that if those applicants knew what they were doing they wouldn't be openly rude to her because they would know that would come off poorly, but just letting her do that would seem to give you a huge disadvantage because then you wouldn't get to answer many questions and give the interviewer a good impression of who you are.
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Goro said:
I don't know, I cut her off and said "You'll get your turn".
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You're so kind! If that happened to me and the interviewer didn't cut her off, I'd have a hard time finding a way to get my turn to answer without saying something like: "Could I please answer?" which would probably come off as kind of rude to the girl who had started answering.
 
Once again my learned colleague brings up stuff that no Hollywood script could possibly ever come up with!

Pantomine? And you didn't physically thrown him/her out the window?

Note to Nick N: one candidate we had was asked a no-brainer of a question. So imagine this:

Dr BG: So, [question]?
Candidate [Imagine counting to ten in your head] I don't know.


gyngyn said:
As I review the notes on high stats interviewees holding no acceptances at this time they read something like this: read notes during interview in response to questions, no evident social skills, bit off a smokeless chew, really awkward, uncontrolled maniacal laughter, broke into song unexpectedly, pantomimed answers, no jacket, no tie, parents and siblings asked to leave...
I could go on, but many developmental milestones can still be missing from otherwise excellent candidates.

It is important to note that most of them were fine, so I suppose it was a lack of strategy that lead to their unfortunate outcome.
Click to expand...


No. the avg interviewee will have > 100 hrs. We need proof that you really do want to be around sick people for the next 40 years. My students would eat you alive at interviews.
I realize it's still on the low end, but would 50 hours be any sort of improvement over 30? Everything else on my app will be set, but I know clinical exposure will be my weak point. I am getting volunteering set up for this summer so will have more clinical things to talk about in maybe secondaries and for sure interviews, but didn't included that in my app so it didn't seem like I was cramming things last minute as a last ditch effort to improve my app.
 
Fact. These people are more the exception than the rule, but what ends up sinking them is very predictable:

1.) lack of meaningful extracurriculars
2.) falling into the trap of their own pride (only applying to top 20 schools)
3.) poor interviews/recommendations

If people with high stats avoid these pitfalls, they're generally just fine.
 
The Real SVB said:
Just remember that high stat applicants can sometimes be like hot guys/gals – the looks are all they have; the rest of the package leaves more to be desired.
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I can assure you that my.... Oh wait this is a professional forum.
 
Goro said:
No. the avg interviewee will have > 100 hrs. We need proof that you really do want to be around sick people for the next 40 years. My students would eat you alive at interviews.
I realize it's still on the low end, but would 50 hours be any sort of improvement over 30? Everything else on my app will be set, but I know clinical exposure will be my weak point. I am getting volunteering set up for this summer so will have more clinical things to talk about in maybe secondaries and for sure interviews, but didn't included that in my app so it didn't seem like I was cramming things last minute as a last ditch effort to improve my app.
Click to expand...

If admissions want to see clinical volunteering for evidence that someone wants to be around sick people for the next 40 years, why doesn't high school hospital volunteering count for anything? Just curious. I'm in a similar boat as far as college clinical experience, but my high school volunteering also shaped my decision and is part of the reason I did less volunteering in college so I could engage in other activities
 
The prism one yes let's go has as a child is different from that of an adult.

While you're in college we expect you to walk and chew gum at the same time. meaning, you need to do your classes And volunteer.

Lancer said:
If admissions want to see clinical volunteering for evidence that someone wants to be around sick people for the next 40 years, why doesn't high school hospital volunteering count for anything? Just curious. I'm in a similar boat as far as college clinical experience, but my high school volunteering also shaped my decision and is part of the reason I did less volunteering in college so I could engage in other activities
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northernlights15 said:
Some people are honestly just so awkward. I never realized how bad it could be until I met some smart but socially inept people myself.
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I'm sorry, but I can see the awkwardness creeping through on these boards sometimes. Jesus Christ...

Most of The premeds I know in real life are pretty cool, though
 
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