Getting emails from schools I got no shot at?

[Lafakads]

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Is it worth it to apply? I'm a 3.7/30 student that majored in engineering and is half Cuban. I got emails from schools like Columbia and vandy encouraging me to apply. Is it even worth it or they just pulling my leg for app money?

Guessing I got the email since in half Cuban??

 

[SilentSoldier]

I would call them/email them and talk it over with them if I were you. I got a similar thing from some schools last cycle and the one school I actually started to contact and ask questions to (Mizzou) ended up giving me an interview despite being OOS. You never know.

 

[Nymphicus]

I would call them/email them and talk it over with them if I were you. I got a similar thing from some schools last cycle and the one school I actually started to contact and ask questions to (Mizzou) ended up giving me an interview despite being OOS. You never know.

Good advice.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Doesn't hurt to ask or apply (if you can spare the money). For the record though, I got a few e-mails encouraging me to apply to some MD/PhD programs even though I've never done even the slightest bit of research.

 

[DolFAN]

Is it worth it to apply? I'm a 3.7/30 student that majored in engineering and is half Cuban. I got emails from schools like Columbia and vandy encouraging me to apply. Is it even worth it or they just pulling my leg for app money?

Guessing I got the email since in half Cuban??

I'm not the strongest applicant either but I got several emails from schools. I had a snail mail note from North Western. I emailed the contact at North Western and she seemed pretty adamant about me applying. So we'll see what happens.

Do it papo. And yes it's most likely because we are Latin/URM

 

[kpcrew]

Apply if you're interested in the schools. Many people get those emails, don't think too much about it.

 

[Lafakads]

Gotcha. Guess I'll apply since that wod be my dream school lol. I'll apply to the two schools I got those emails from despite me feeling like I got no shot

 

[Praefectus]

You need a good mix of reach schools (i.e. Columbia and Vandy), mid-tier schools (a weaker private or your state school), and shoe-in schools. That can give you the best shot for an acceptance somewhere.

 

[soundnin]

Doesn't hurt to ask or apply (if you can spare the money)

doesn't hurt schools to send out automated emails and potentially snag $100 a head from the secondary . i wouldn't pay too much attention to these emails.

 

[Lafakads]

You need a good mix of reach schools (i.e. Columbia and Vandy), mid-tier schools (a weaker private or your state school), and shoe-in schools. That can give you the best shot for an acceptance somewhere.

Would you consider a reach school a school where my MCAT is the 10th percentile? I just feel like that is too low. However my GPA is sometimes at the 50th percentile.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Would you consider a reach school a school where my MCAT is the 10th percentile? I just feel like that is too low. However my GPA is sometimes at the 50th percentile.

Yeah it usually is if your GPA is good because the GPA ranges are usually pretty tight. I wouldn't apply to more than one or two schools where your MCAT is at the 10th percentile. You won't get MCAT screened because they've accepted people with that MCAT before obviously but I wouldn't get my hopes up...but maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[rawkfist]

Yeah it usually is if your GPA is good because the GPA ranges are usually pretty tight. I wouldn't apply to more than one or two schools where your MCAT is at the 10th percentile. You won't get MCAT screened because they've accepted people with that MCAT before obviously but I wouldn't get my hopes up...but maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Wait Calvn, wouldnt it be better for him to apply to more schools that have his mcat in the top 10 percentile?

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Wait Calvn, wouldnt it be better for him to apply to more schools that have his mcat in the top 10 percentile?

lol I think you're confusing 10th and 90th percentile...

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I guess I'm missing out on the party, as I'm not getting any of these emails... sad face

 

[tarheel1408]

I guess I'm missing out on the party, as I'm not getting any of these emails... sad face

I got one of these emails!..... Telling me I should try osteopathic medicine... hah

 

[MrBrightside167]

Don't sell yourself short. You have solid stats and being URM doesn't hurt either. Do some research on these schools and if its a good fit then go ahead and apply. You never know what can happen.

 

[chillaxbro]

I got a e-mail from LECOM DO school. You guys jealous?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I got a e-mail from LECOM DO school. You guys jealous?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

You have solid stats, especially for a URM, and if you have great ECs and/or a unique story, you could potentially be an attractive applicant for top schools. I would absolutely apply to a few of the ones that have specifically contacted you.

 

[jhuskp]

I got one from Kent Podiatry.

 

[pkwraith]

I'm not the strongest applicant either but I got several emails from schools. I had a snail mail note from North Western. I emailed the contact at North Western and she seemed pretty adamant about me applying. So we'll see what happens.

Do it papo. And yes it's most likely because we are Latin/URM

Good luck, but you should probably spell the school's name correctly in any future communications and applications.

 

[Lafakads]

Not sure if Cuban is considering a URM, was talking to an attending physician today at a school and said its mainly african americans that get the URM boost. I mean ill try for a couple of reach schools. I'm working and making decent money so not much harm in trying for a few dream schools to see how it plays out. But I'm applying to 7 state schools and about 7ish OOS that should be relatively easy for me to get in, plus 8 or 9 around my stats or a bit higher, plus a few more higher than lastly god tier 🙂

 

[Haislip]

I would go for it. How many schools are do you planning on applying to?

 

[Lafakads]

I would go for it. How many schools are do you planning on applying to?

29 I think.

7 Instate, (2 are a bit above me)
6ish safeties OOS
7ish OOS schools around my stats
5ish OOS a bit above my stats.
3 OOS dream schools lol.

And yes im aware it doesnt add up to 29.

 

[mmmcdowe]

I personally would argue that these emails shouldn't change your mind. I personally think if Vandy/Columbia is your dream, then by all means apply, but if they are just a fancy name with no real meaning to you then don't spend the extra dough. These types of emails are computer generated from lists of MCAT scores and ethnicities basically. It just means that you meet the minimum reqs and definitely doesn't mean that they will give you an interview.

 

[Lafakads]

I personally would argue that these emails shouldn't change your mind. I personally think if Vandy/Columbia is your dream, then by all means apply, but if they are just a fancy name with no real meaning to you then don't spend the extra dough. These types of emails are computer generated from lists of MCAT scores and ethnicities basically. It just means that you meet the minimum reqs and definitely doesn't mean that they will give you an interview.

i wasent planning on applying to dream schools.

but then I got this email.

so YOLO.

 

[mmmcdowe]

i wasent planning on applying to dream schools.

but then I got this email.

so YOLO.

👍

 

[moneytree]

i wasent planning on applying to dream schools.

but then I got this email.

so YOLO.

This email?

Dear Student,

Congratulations on your academic achievements and your decision to pursue a career in medicine. We are well aware of the hard work that has gone into your preparation for medical school. The years ahead will be both challenging and exciting. Your medical school decision is important. On behalf of the Office Diversity, I would like to extend to you an invitation to apply to Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons...

It's not targeted. A lot of people get it.

 

[lesil]

I'm wondering the same thing, but my email says, "Based on your recent MCAT score, our admissions team believes that you have the potential to be one of our next medical students." It's from Case Western Reserve University. They must send it to people who get over a certain MCAT score. What's surprising to me is that my MCAT score was a 505, the equivalent of a 28.5. Their median MCAT score is 36... My guess is that they will accept people with lower MCAT scores if they are exceptional in other areas (volunteering, shadowing, medical work, research, extra curriculars, GPA, etc.)

 

[Summerlax2016]

If I haven't gotten any emails I clearly shouldnt bother applying right (513/3.85)?

But in all seriousness, as said by the 2nd poster, best bet would be to call them and ask to gauge their actual level of interest.