getting depressed

[medschoolmyname]

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Applied to 27 schools, stats 30 MCAT and 3.9 GPA, my ECs and personal statement are strong (at least I believe so, yeah Im biased on this one but I had some friends and colleagues review that stuff and they told me its good and even critiqued my stuff to help me make it better). Here is what I have so far.

1. Albany hold
2. cooper rejection
3. george washington hold
4. keck rejection
5. oakland hold
6. penn state hold
7. UCSF rejection
8. UCLA rejection
9. Georgetown rejection
10. rosalind franklin (gave up on it)

Its been bad news thus far. I just can't seem to stop thinking about this....I want to move on and for some schools I was not too surprised for the rejections, other than cooper perhaps, but the holds are what are really killing me. Its just that waiting for weeks with dead silence and then that silence is broken by a rejection or hold is kind of like a stake through my heart, especially the holds. To me a hold is just a slap in the face because it says to me that your good enough to consider but we want to see if we can get someone better or we just want to keep you in arms reach in case some of our acceptances are declined.
Ughhh...Ill guess I have to be patient but any words of advice or things I could do to relieve this anxiety? I played tackle football all day today and got a lot of internal stress released, but I still can't get this feeling to dissipate. Id appreciate your help.

 

[medception]

Edit.

 

[darklabel]

It sounds like what may be holding you back, is your MCAT score. Sometimes schools may wonder about the disconnect between your high GPA and alittle below-average MCAT score for MD schools. This is just my 2 cents. But, the cycle is far, far from over, and I wouldn't give up hope just yet 🙂

Idk, he is above the "low tier" school's average so I doubt that. For instance, you were upset Cooper rejected you, but do you have any ties or fit their mission statement really well? High stats don't simply get people in as there are a multitude of factors they consider. Low stat schools usually fit don't look into stats since they can easily have classes that have high GPA/MCAT but decide that it isn't a priority to do so. Also I would look into schools that put you on hold and actually do review later on. For some schools, like Drexel, hold = rejection.

Also you haven't heard from the other schools so definitely still in the game. Plenty of people get interviews and acceptances in January - March.

 

[487806]

It sounds like what may be holding you back, is your MCAT score. Sometimes schools may wonder about the disconnect between your high GPA and alittle below-average MCAT score for MD schools. This is just my 2 cents. But, the cycle is far, far from over, and I wouldn't give up hope just yet 🙂

The MCAT isn't a serious problem in general, but I suspect it is aggravated in OP's case since he's from CA. OP when were you complete?

 

[GopherMD]

When did you send in your applications? If it was after August-early September, that may be your problem.

 

[Member954786]

I know at least for Oakland the "hold" status is a good sign as they try to be as transparent as possible and reject those that don't stand a chance of getting an interview. Plus they have about 20% of their interviews left to offer.

 

[Member954786]

Idk, he is above the "low tier" school's average so I doubt that. For instance, you were upset Cooper rejected you, but do you have any ties or fit their mission statement really well? High stats don't simply get people in as there are a multitude of factors they consider. Low stat schools usually fit don't look into stats since they can easily have classes that have high GPA/MCAT but decide that it isn't a priority to do so. Also I would look into schools that put you on hold and actually do review later on. For some schools, like Drexel, hold = rejection.

Also you haven't heard from the other schools so definitely still in the game. Plenty of people get interviews and acceptances in January - March.

I agree I don't think it's the MCAT. I know for Oakland a hold is a good thing, b/c they inform applicants of pre-interview rejections as soon as they know they are not going to invite them. It basically means they are still considering you, and they offer REAL seats to ppl who interview late.

 

[Member954786]

.

 

[medschoolmyname]

I submitted my secondaries for most of these schools late July early august. Thx for the encouragement guys. As for the mcat I can see where there might be some disconnect, but standardized tests are not my strongpoint.

 

[pietachok]

What do you mean by "gave up on it" after Rosalind Franklin?

I feel like the anxiety about interview invitations being exhausted (or the fallacy that they are always for mere waitlist spots if they come later) is moving earlier and earlier each year on SDN. Granted I applied a few years ago, but I got interview invitations into March -- yeah, I knew I wasn't the school's first choice at that point, but how can you think it's a "slap in the face" when you know you have a weakness in your application (for me it was GPA)? A friend of mine got her one and only interview invitation from her top choice school in February -- she was admitted a few weeks post interview with no languishing on the waitlist. I know it's disheartening when SDNers make you feel like you're application cycle is somehow doomed, but don't forget that this is only a somewhat skewed slice of the applicant pool. You only *need* one admission and it's too early to tell if that you are/aren't going to get it.

 

[justAstudent]

What do you mean by "gave up on it" after Rosalind Franklin?

I feel like the anxiety about interview invitations being exhausted (or the fallacy that they are always for mere waitlist spots if they come later) is moving earlier and earlier each year on SDN. Granted I applied a few years ago, but I got interview invitations into March -- yeah, I knew I wasn't the school's first choice at that point, but how can you think it's a "slap in the face" when you know you have a weakness in your application (for me it was GPA)? A friend of mine got her one and only interview invitation from her top choice school in February -- she was admitted a few weeks post interview with no languishing on the waitlist. I know it's disheartening when SDNers make you feel like you're application cycle is somehow doomed, but don't forget that this is only a somewhat skewed slice of the applicant pool. You only *need* one admission and it's to early to tell if that you are/aren't going to get it.

I agree. The wait and anxiety gets to me on some days too, but we just have to hope for the best. Hang in there and good luck!

 

[solitarius]

Do you have a balanced 30 (10/10/10)?

I think the 30 is only low for UCSF, UCLA, and Keck. Beyond, it should be fine for the other schools assuming it's not an 7/13/10 or something like that. Cooper is new, so nobody knows what they're looking for really.

Cycle is grinding through, and you're in the middle of it.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Mcat score was 11/9/10. For rosaland I decided not to apply for a secondary, I just felt like I didn't fit their school. I know my mcat is my main weakness but I didn't think it would have this much weight, also thought my Gpa would make up for it.

 

[Goro]

Strongly concur. Your problem is to you've aimed too high. Even if you're a CA resident, the MCAT is below average. If you aimed low tier schools, then you should be in a good position. Just be patient.

You have to keep in mind this is a marathon, not a sprint. This is LONG process.

And please, get out of the "why aren't they falling all over themselves to give me IIs?" mentality.

It sounds like what may be holding you back, is your MCAT score. Sometimes schools may wonder about the disconnect between your high GPA and alittle below-average MCAT score for MD schools. This is just my 2 cents. But, the cycle is far, far from over, and I wouldn't give up hope just yet 🙂

 

[Espadaleader]

OP. You're hiding something. A 3.9 and 30 MCAT with no acceptances? Come on?

Shadowing, research, committee letter, ECs, letters of rec, personal statement, secondaries, undergrad (community college), applied late, committee letter sent late, institutional action, arrest record, something.

You applied to both low and top tiers. You should at least have an interview. I'm just not buying it.

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

OP. You're hiding something. A 3.9 and 30 MCAT with no acceptances? Come on?

Shadowing, research, committee letter, ECs, letters of rec, personal statement, secondaries, undergrad (community college), applied late, committee letter sent late, institutional action, arrest record, something.

You applied to both low and top tiers. You should at least have an interview. I'm just not buying it.

I think your a good candidate and the fact that they are considering you means your gpa and mcat are fine. It might be something with your application Maybe? Then again i am just beginning to look into the process myself.

 

[Espadaleader]

Yeah that's what I'm a saying. OP has a solid balanced MCAT and great GPA. OP also was complete in August. Something is missing here.

 

[histidine]

OP. You're hiding something. A 3.9 and 30 MCAT with no acceptances? Come on?

Shadowing, research, committee letter, ECs, letters of rec, personal statement, secondaries, undergrad (community college), applied late, committee letter sent late, institutional action, arrest record, something.

You applied to both low and top tiers. You should at least have an interview. I'm just not buying it.

Uhh, if OP is ORM with average ECs it makes perfect sense. There is a huge component of chance to this process and OP could just be getting unlucky. The competition is intense and not everyone is URM with incredibly inspiring life stories.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Uhh, if OP is ORM with average ECs it makes perfect sense. There is a huge component of chance to this process and OP could just be getting unlucky. The competition is intense and not everyone is URM with incredibly inspiring life stories.

I'm middle eastern so I'm considered white so ORM is correct. My schools range from low to high tier. I'm not hiding anything. I have a clean record, I've been involved in many ECs, volunteered at a hospital, shadowed a doctor, done research. I wasn't expecting schools to fight over me, but I didn't think it would take this long for an interview. I am a CA resident.

 

[histidine]

I'm middle eastern so I'm considered white so ORM is correct. My schools range from low to high tier. I'm not hiding anything. I have a clean record, I've been involved in many ECs, volunteered at a hospital, shadowed a doctor, done research. I wasn't expecting schools to fight over me, but I didn't think it would take this long for an interview. I am a CA resident.

If it doesn't work out this cycle, try again next year and apply to 30 low tiers all over the country. Some schools, like SLU, NY med, SUNYs, Hofstra, etc, like to take CA residents.

 

[SunsFun]

OP. You're hiding something. A 3.9 and 30 MCAT with no acceptances? Come on?

Shadowing, research, committee letter, ECs, letters of rec, personal statement, secondaries, undergrad (community college), applied late, committee letter sent late, institutional action, arrest record, something.

You applied to both low and top tiers. You should at least have an interview. I'm just not buying it.

It could be just bad luck. Even with his decent numbers there is a significant chunk of people not getting accepted to any medical school at all. I doubt all of them had some problem holding them back.

 

[medschoolmyname]

I did apply to NY med and many of schools I applied to take a high % of OOS or are private. I'm also sure my letters of rec were good, as I made a point to talk to my professors and had high grades in all their classes.

 

[Wonton Soup]

I did apply to NY med and many of schools I applied to take a high % of OOS or are private. I'm also sure my letters of rec were good, as I made a point to talk to my professors and had high grades in all their classes.

The MCAT will be difficult for Cali schools but you should honestly be OK for OOS privates. I'm in a similar position and luckily just got accepted by the first school I interviewed but I know how stressful it is not hearing back, there's still plenty of time and I know if you applied to Rush or MCW, they're very slow in giving out interviews.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Ok ill remain hopeful, and I did apply to those 2.

The MCAT will be difficult for Cali schools but you should honestly be OK for OOS privates. I'm in a similar position and luckily just got accepted by the first school I interviewed but I know how stressful it is not hearing back, there's still plenty of time and I know if you applied to Rush or MCW, they're very slow in giving out interviews.

 

[medschoolmyname]

I actually applied to 27 schools, just listing the schools that rejected/put me on hold. All other schools dead silence

 

[Espadaleader]

Yo, OP you're going to medical school.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Yo, OP you're going to medical school.

Thx man for your vote of confidence. Ive been able to handle the anxiety for the most part, just been feeling down lately.

 

[medguy13]

I'm in the same boat as you man (also a CA resident). 32 MCAT/3.8 GPA, and only 2 IIs, no acceptances. I applied to about 25 schools and submitted my secondaries in July and August. The whole process is just so demoralizing.

 

[Dral]

Damn, just 8 years or so ago, I applied to about 15 or 16 schools and got 8 interviews. This is getting insane for you folks. I expect residency matching to ramp up too.

If you have the stats to make it in med school (which you do), just be patient...you'll get it eventually.


I made it into a competitive specialty and just landed a dream fellowship spot (no more of the med school/residency/fellowship application and interview stuff for me! ). However, I hit some rough spots along the way (at the time, worse than what you're going through currently, imo). So I can tell you that when you do get it, it will make it that much sweeter. I speak from experience.

 

[mdtobe249]

You can try getting additional letters of recommendation, letter of intent (for a school you're willing to commit to), updated transcripts and then sending to admissions office. You could also try calling admissions offices to check on your status (no more than once a week), just so that you stand out more from other applicants, or even visiting admissions offices to hand in such documents in person. Every little thing counts! Don't give up!

 

[487806]

Damn, just 8 years or so ago, I applied to about 15 or 16 schools and got 8 interviews. This is getting insane for you folks. I expect residency matching to ramp up too.

If you have the stats to make it in med school (which you do), just be patient...you'll get it eventually.


I made it into a competitive specialty and just landed a dream fellowship spot (no more of the med school/residency/fellowship application and interview stuff for me! ). However, I hit some rough spots along the way (at the time, worse than what you're going through currently, imo). So I can tell you that when you do get it, it will make it that much sweeter. I speak from experience.

Congrats on your success! Things are getting more competitive just because of economic concerns and the stupid, sluggish behavior of Congress. Quite sad, but oh well.

 

[Lya]

Very similar stats. Also completed mid July ~ early September. Applied to 35+ mid- and low-tier schools, 5+ interviews, and 1 acceptance. I have no idea and am surprised why you still did not get any interview. As a re-applicant, I would say you should hope for the best, yet prepare for the worst--sending letters for updates, new transcripts if needed, improve your ECs, retake MCAT if your practice scores are consistently higher, and think about what to do during gap year(s) just in case.

 

[Wonton Soup]

Very similar stats. Also completed mid July ~ early September. Applied to 35+ mid- and low-tier schools, 5+ interviews, and 1 acceptance. I have no idea and am surprised why you still did not get any interview. As a re-applicant, I would say you should hope for the best, yet prepare for the worst--sending letters for updates, new transcripts if needed, improve your ECs, retake MCAT if your practice scores are consistently higher, and think about what to do during gap year(s) just in case.

+1 on giving updates, it's good for your app and also just feels nice to get a confirmation e-mail back to let you know you're still being considered!

 

[pietachok]

I'm also sure my letters of rec were good, as I made a point to talk to my professors and had high grades in all their classes.

I think more than likely this is just statistical bad luck and a bit of anxiety bred by SDN making you feel like the interview season is shorter than it is -- I think you'll probably be fine in the end.

However, due to some bad experiences, I am wary of being confident LORs are good if you seem to have surprisingly poor response to what feels like a good application. You are trusting a single person with your LOR -- some professors are more diligent than others, and some copy/paste and use a very formulaic letter that is not very compelling or that even predisposes to errors (sending out a letter that has one applicant's name but is about another applicant, gender disagreements that raise question as to whether the writer really knew the applicant well enough, etc.). I doubt this is common, but I was impacted by it myself in an erroneous committee letter, and I know others who have been as well (one applicant I once met had a school send out a committee letter for a different applicant with her name). It's just something to consider *later* if you don't get in. I see no reason to be confident that will be the case though. This cycle is still underway.

Also, PS's. Too many people who think they have a good PS have a terrible one. Friends aren't always honest. Family and friends may have a conflict of interests. Professors can have little idea of appropriate content, and science profs can be a really poor judge of writing quality.

 

[Member954786]

You seriously might get an invite like now or this month, schools that have had my file for over 2 1/2 months are just getting back to me now ! No news is not terrible news!

 

[Shjanzey]

shadowed a doctor
shadowed a doctor
shadowed a doctor

Shadowing one whole doctor sticks out to me. Last year I didn't get an acceptance. When I called to ask about the rejections, I was told I didn't have enough shadowing experience. I had 7 years of medical interpreting...and I had shadowed a doctor.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Quick question like what qualifies as an update? I don't have anything like a publication, but my friends in my computer programming class developed a program that records the time it takes for a car for each lap.

Also on another note does calling a medical school regarding your app status show interest? Or can it help in any way?

 

[Wonton Soup]

Quick question like what qualifies as an update? I don't have anything like a publication, but my friends in my computer programming class developed a program that records the time it takes for a car for each lap.

Also on another note does calling a medical school regarding your app status show interest? Or can it help in any way?

Updates include classroom grade updates, new work experiences, new volunteering/shadowing, etc. that you've picked up on since you submitted your AMCAS, and can also be a letter of intent you send to the school re-expressing your interest in their program.

Calling medical schools about your application is OK, but really the best, and perhaps most non-intrusive, way of letting them know you are still part of the running is to submit updates as mentioned above. Good luck!

 

[medschoolmyname]

hey sorry to reviving this thread but I do have one more question. I have an online portfolio that details some of my accomplishements etc. Now I did talk about some of those accomplishements extensively in my app, but there are other things on there I have recently done and things that I couldn't really talk to in much depth at the time. Do you think sharing access to that eportfolio to schools who are open to it a good idea?

 

[BlackBox]

hey sorry to reviving this thread but I do have one more question. I have an online portfolio that details some of my accomplishements etc. Now I did talk about some of those accomplishements extensively in my app, but there are other things on there I have recently done and things that I couldn't really talk to in much depth at the time. Do you think sharing access to that eportfolio to schools who are open to it a good idea?

I would only share things that are significant and new. These things can be crafted in a well-worded letter. I would keep things brief and to the point- no rambling. With thousands of applicants, you will not have the attention-span required for a long letter/eportfolio-link hunting.

Relax. Seriously. I know it's tough, but try. I really like your stats and think you have a fair shot at this.

GL

 

[Corvid]

I'm middle eastern so I'm considered white so ORM is correct. My schools range from low to high tier. I'm not hiding anything. I have a clean record, I've been involved in many ECs, volunteered at a hospital, shadowed a doctor, done research. I wasn't expecting schools to fight over me, but I didn't think it would take this long for an interview. I am a CA resident.

Dude, I am in the exact same boat as you (still). Applied to ~25 schools (though probably 5-9 of those were reaches). Both of us are CA applicants with very similar stats (3.97, 31). The way I see it, we probably would have been rejected from more places if there was a red-flag in our application. We both applied early with (likely) a bunch of top tier applicants. I've heard that a lot of schools put people like us in another "pile" to be reviewed later. I hope this is true.

 

[medschoolmyname]

Dude, I am in the exact same boat as you (still). Applied to ~25 schools (though probably 5-9 of those were reaches). Both of us are CA applicants with very similar stats (3.97, 31). The way I see it, we probably would have been rejected from more places if there was a red-flag in our application. We both applied early with (likely) a bunch of top tier applicants. I've heard that a lot of schools put people like us in another "pile" to be reviewed later. I hope this is true.

yeah u and i are (i mean we don't know each others apps but like u said if there was a major read flag id think theyd just reject us) are pretty much identical. Maybe the good news is meant to come in during the holidays, hopefully ugghh lol. all we can do is sit tight and check our emails everyday for the hopes of some good news. ill pm u if anything changes. good luck!

 

[Corvid]

ill pm u if anything changes. good luck!

Likewise

 

[darklabel]

I believe its mostly about what state you're from. CA residents really have it rough over there. If you've lived in any other of the 49 states, I'm sure you probably would've had more luck.

Good luck and know that I'll be rooting for you!

 

[Jennyfishy]

I have a lower MCAT/GPA than you, and have only had luck receiving interviews with schools where I fit one of their mission criteria (both schools are pretty highly ranked for their primary care, and that's what my secondaries + PS talked about). Otherwise, silence from all the CA UCs, rejections from MCAT heavy schools like Keck/UCSF, and pre-interview holds at a few others.

At this point, you already submitted your secondaries, so we can't really tell you what might be lacking, or if there might be any unknown red flags in your app though 🙁.

Double sucks because we're both from California . Hopefully you hear back from a few schools soon! In the mean time, do something you've always wanted to try, or something you like. Or be a hermit like me and play nonstop video games... 😛

 

[medschoolmyname]

I have a lower MCAT/GPA than you, and have only had luck receiving interviews with schools where I fit one of their mission criteria (both schools are pretty highly ranked for their primary care, and that's what my secondaries + PS talked about). Otherwise, silence from all the CA UCs, rejections from MCAT heavy schools like Keck/UCSF, and pre-interview holds at a few others.

At this point, you already submitted your secondaries, so we can't really tell you what might be lacking, or if there might be any unknown red flags in your app though 🙁.

Double sucks because we're both from California . Hopefully you hear back from a few schools soon! In the mean time, do something you've always wanted to try, or something you like. Or be a hermit like me and play nonstop video games... 😛

thanks, i did do something I had always been wanting to do a few weeks ago and that is whale watching! It was so cool, we must have seen over 60 a bunch of humpbacks and even a pod of killer whales breached for us near our boat! It was a really good experience.

If u dont mind me asking were u finished early? and are u accepted anywhere? Thanks!

Edit: never mind just looked at ur MDapps congrats!

 

[AestheticGod]

3.9 GPA and 30mcat and no acceptance?

Well, i got bad news for myself.

 

[Chillywilly]

My friend had similar stats as you..... She had a 30S (11-9-10) & Her GPA was 3.93. She was having NO luck for the past 2 application cycles. But she did receive ii from Stony Brook, Buffalo, and the Army school (and got accepted to the Army school). You could try that.

 

[Jennyfishy]

thanks, i did do something I had always been wanting to do a few weeks ago and that is whale watching! It was so cool, we must have seen over 60 a bunch of humpbacks and even a pod of killer whales breached for us near our boat! It was a really good experience.

If u dont mind me asking were u finished early? and are u accepted anywhere? Thanks!



Edit: never mind just looked at ur MDapps congrats!

That actually sounds pretty fun. I tried to go once, but all we found was a baby seal 😛

Now keep finding cool things to do and you'll be able to minimize the neurotic feelings of anxiety 😀. Granted, being on SDN doesn't help

+thanks! Keeping my fingers crossed for you and hoping I get to say the same to you soon 😀

 

[Narmerguy]

Shadowing one whole doctor sticks out to me. Last year I didn't get an acceptance. When I called to ask about the rejections, I was told I didn't have enough shadowing experience. I had 7 years of medical interpreting...and I had shadowed a doctor.

If that's the case, I doubt they rejected you because of a lack of shadowing. It takes other weaknesses as well.