How crazy is it to apply just one school? & Late too!

[Luv Nietzsche]

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Just want to get you guys' opinion. How crazy is it? Applying June, taking MCAT August, Cum GPA 3.69 (450+ quarter units), 7 years clinical experience, great PS - political activist (nearly jailed, nearly killed), age 10 years+ than average student, applying to UCI only. Any thought?

 

[med student]

Do not waste your time or money.

 

[California]

I do not think it is a good idea. In fact, I would not even advise a person who had a 4.0 GPA and an MCAT score above a 35 to apply to just one school. The process is simply too random, especially in regard to UC schools. I know many, many people who were accepted to very EXCELLENT schools, such as Columbia, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and Penn; but, were rejected from ALL of the schools in California.

 

[GATC]

Huh this does not make any sense to me. You state that you are applying in June, but that is pretty early in the cycle (not late). So why wouldn't you have a chance. On the other hand if you are applying late, meaning that you are looking for a spot in the 2002 class- Are you crazy?

Maybe explain it a little more.

 

[oldman]

why are you only applying to UCI? is it because you have a family and don't want to move? if so, then you might as well apply as an early decision applicant.

 

[California]

"GATC," I think you overlooked the fact that "Luv Nietzche" is taking the August MCAT, which implicity means his/her application will be delayed (at most institutions) until his/her scores are available.

By the way, "oldman," UC institutions do not have an "Early Decision" (ED) Program. Also, "Luv Nietzche" is taking the August MCAT so that makes it impossible for him/her to apply for the ED Program. His/her scores will not be available by the deadline!

 

[watto]

I think you can put on your application that you were killed. They never follow up on extracurrics.

 

[GATC]

Thanx for the clarification. I just don't think that getting August scores makes your file late. I took the August MCAT and received interviews from all of my schools.

 

[racergirl]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by watto:
•I think you can put on your application that you were killed. They never follow up on extracurrics.•••••LOL!!!! Biggest laugh I've had in days!

 

[HanSolo]

I think taking August MCAT is not so much an issue, but applying to 1 school, and it's a UC school, is Very Unwise. You never know what you are gonna get with the UCs. At least apply to ALL the UCs.

 

[Jalby]

I think you it would be pretty stupid to apply to just one school, esp being just UCI. I think you have a decent chance (35%) of getting in there from what little I know. I would apply to a lot more schools. Esp without knowing your MCAT score. I would recommend at least 15.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Luv Nietzsche:
•Just want to get you guys' opinion. How crazy is it? Applying June, taking MCAT August, Cum GPA 3.69 (450+ quarter units), 7 years clinical experience, great PS - political activist (nearly jailed, nearly killed), age 10 years+ than average student, applying to UCI only. Any thought?•••••It depends how much you want to be a doctor. If you don't care that much about it, go ahead and apply, since you have nothing to lose except a little money. If you don't get in and have plans to pursue another career or stay in the career you have now, then go for it. On the other hand, if your main goal is becoming a physician, you will have to apply to many more schools.

Good luck!

 

[inanna]

How crazy? Loco, loco, loco!

I am/was a very competetive candidate, also a 'non-traditional' student (33) with ec's and clinical experience to fill pages, but didn't even get an interview at ANY of the UC's, even the one in my backyard (I live in Tustin). Bah.

Don't underestimate the competetive (and more frustrating) the arbitrary nature of this process. Be wise and hedge your bets by applying far and wide as possible.

 

[oldman]

No EDP for UCs? i didn't know they did that. i never applied to those schools.

anyway, applying to 1 school late is just a bad idea. don't do it man! just say no!

•••quote:•••Originally posted by california:
•"GATC," I think you overlooked the fact that "Luv Nietzche" is taking the August MCAT, which implicity means his/her application will be delayed (at most institutions) until his/her scores are available.

By the way, "oldman," UC institutions do not have an "Early Decision" (ED) Program. Also, "Luv Nietzche" is taking the August MCAT so that makes it impossible for him/her to apply for the ED Program. His/her scores will not be available by the deadline!•••••

 

[Nuclearrabbit]

if you are going to spend all that time getting writing your essays, filling in the extracurriculars, asking for letters of recommendation, etc... consider this an investment of your time and energy. what is your rationale for only applying to one school? are you trying to save money? if so, the money you spend on your applications is trivial compared to an average persons loans.
also, consider the statistics.
most medical schools have an acceptance rate of about 3 to 10%
Chances are that you won't get in if you only apply to one school.

And as one person mentioned, even if you seem highly qualified, you may still get screwed in the process. I didn't get a single interview from a UC and i will be attending one of those "top schools" mentioned. Conversely, i heard of a person who was accepted to uci with a 26 mcat. The process is f*cking random.

Saturate the market, and good luck.

 

[oneironaut]

I think they may question how much you want to be a doctor if you only apply to one school. I've met people who only applied to a few schools, and heard they had been challenged about their motivation in interviews.

 

[jmejia1]

To answer the OP, it all depends on your motivation. If you think you are a shoe-in at UCI and thus only want to apply to that school--Well, I would NOT count my chicks before they hatch. Applying to med school can be a slap in the face and a reality check. You may think you are unique and a shoe-in, but there's always people out there that will humble you. If you want to be a doctor, then at least apply to all the California schools.

 

[Sammmeyeam]

Lets look at this from a statistical point of view, although everyone knows that this process is very random... but hey, we'll give you the benefit of the doubt:

UCI interviews 450 out of ~ 3000 applicants..., so probability of you getting an interview = 450/3000=~15%

Out of the 450-500 that get an interview, about 50% of them getting accepted... therefore, your chances of getting an interview AND getting accepted at this ONE school is = .15 X .50 = .075, but we'll round up to give you the benefit of the doubt... 🙂 = 8% chance of getting accepted to this one school...

heh... but you never know...

 

[Luv Nietzsche]

Hey, thanks for all your advice. I get the picture, I'll apply to all Cali school. Somebody asks me if my family is unwilling to move, that's exactly it!! I have many other commitments, I cannnot be selfish.

 

[sorrento]

Just wanted to add that although the UCs do not offer early decision, you should also apply to USC and Loma Linda - one of them may offer EDP, which might enable you to stay in Southern California if UCLA/UCSD/UCI don't work out. good luck.

 

[SMW]

It would be VERY crazy! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[souljah1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Luv Nietzsche:
•Hey, thanks for all your advice. I get the picture, I'll apply to all Cali school.•••••Applying to all the Cali schools still does not give you an automatic or 'shoe-in' acceptance. Every UC is very difficult to get into. There are many applicants competing for all of the spots. If you think your number/mcat/EC/LOR are the best, just remember there are hundreds, maybe thousands, more who equal you numerically. That is why most Cali residents apply to atleast 20 schools!! But if you have familial obligations, you have to do what you have to do. I know so many people with numbers that are so much higher than what the avg UC'er has who haven't gotten interviews from any of the UC's. You never can tell how it will happen.

Crazy? No, I don't think it is crazy. I think it is a waste of time.

 

[eagle26]

Don't restrict yourself even to Cali schools. I know search is disabled, but if you look around here you'll find the majority of Cali residents not getting accepted to Cali schools but rather relocating to another state for medical school. If you are serious about medicine, go all out and apply to 10+ schools, both private and public, in a multitude of states. I fear that if you just restrict yourself to Cali schools that you will be burned.

 

[Hero]

well considering all the time it took to get ur transcripts, fill out the AMCAS (should be listed as an EC)

and also

it's like $150 for 1 school and like $30 more for additional schools. And if you don't get in, you'll have to wait another year to apply if you don't get in...

Your chances to get in is not like the lottery but it's not making a bball shot 2 feet away either. Too much money and time at stake