How do you keep all the application stuff straight?

[Geekchick921]

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Whenever I read an MDApps page with the entire timeline of their application process, it looks very easy to screw something up. I am terrified that I am going to somehow miss a vital part of my application in the summer. Does the website help you keep it all together... what you need, what's been verified, etc.?

Also, I've been wondering, if you send a deposit for a school then withdraw your acceptance, do you get the deposit money back?

 

[lstone13]

Whenever I read an MDApps page with the entire timeline of their application process, it looks very easy to screw something up. I am terrified that I am going to somehow miss a vital part of my application in the summer. Does the website help you keep it all together... what you need, what's been verified, etc.?

Also, I've been wondering, if you send a deposit for a school then withdraw your acceptance, do you get the deposit money back?

In addition to MDApps, I would keep a checklist/spreadsheet for each school you're applying to. You can research deadline dates and required application materials, etc., for each school and insert them into your spreadsheet so that you can keep up with it all. I must say though, MDApps has been a huge resource for me to keep my application process very organized.

 

[flip26]

Organization is the key.

I set up a file folder for every school applied to. I printed copies of everything received from the school - emails, snail mail, etc. Everything about the school in one place.

As a school dropped out of the running (or they punted me), I threw out the file and everything in it, plus I deleted all emails from them. It is an enjoyable little ceremony, cleaning out the clutter, especially after they reject you...

Here is my best suggestion - I set up a special email account on yahoo just for med school apps and nothing else. I picked yahoo because they have a "file folder" system, much like the paper file system I used. I set up a file for each school and accumulated all emails there. I also had one for MCAT, one for AMCAS, etc. Applying to med schools generates a ton of emails...this system worked extremely well for me.

 

[Jolt21]

In addition to MDApps, I would keep a checklist/spreadsheet for each school you're applying to. You can research deadline dates and required application materials, etc., for each school and insert them into your spreadsheet so that you can keep up with it all. I must say though, MDApps has been a huge resource for me to keep my application process very organized.

yea, here was mine (redrower gets the original credit that i now of). i stopped using it a while after my secondaries were done, but it DEFINITELY helps while doing secondaries.

i know spelled Houston wrong. whatever.

 

[BlueElmo]

Yes, I used both MDapps and a personal Excel spreadsheet to keep everything in order. MDapps for general stuff and the spreadsheet for more specific things like dates, etc.

 

[dw2158]

yea, here was mine (redrower gets the original credit that i now of). i stopped using it a while after my secondaries were done, but it DEFINITELY helps while doing secondaries.

i know spelled Houston wrong. whatever.

yes, well, redrower copied mine. credit where credit is due 😀

 

[Geekchick921]

Thanks, folks. This is great advice. I definitely need to do everything on the computer. If my kid sees a folder she has to dump everything out of it and play with her findings.

 

[dw2158]

Also, I've been wondering, if you send a deposit for a school then withdraw your acceptance, do you get the deposit money back?

to answer this question-- deposits are refundable until may 15th by AAMC rules.

 

[Practitioner]

dw2158 and Jolt, nice excel sheets you have. Mine was much less elaborate (school name, secondary deadline, comment section with status), but next cycle I apply will probably copy a little bit what you have. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jolt21]

yes, well, redrower copied mine. credit where credit is due 😀

touche. props to dw

dw2158 and Jolt, nice excel sheets you have. Mine was much less elaborate (school name, secondary deadline, comment section with status), but next cycle I apply will probably copy a little bit what you have. Thanks for sharing.

no prob. hope it helps.

 

[w8ting2exhale]

yes, well, redrower copied mine. credit where credit is due 😀

wow! impressive. My table (hand drawn with a ruler and pen in a notebook 😳) seems so crude in comparison. I used it mainly for secondaries and interviews up to a certain point. Creating a separate folder for every school in Gmail has been highly useful as well. 👍

 

[BBender716]

Using two rulers and a level, I was able to keep them straight in all 3 dimensions.

 

[ElegantWeapon]

all good tips from the above posters...but OP, if you are like most of us, you will be so self obsessed with how the process is going for you that you WILL NOT forget a thing 😉

good luck in the cycle!

 

[dw2158]

wow! impressive. My table (hand drawn with a ruler and pen in a notebook 😳) seems so crude in comparison. I used it mainly for secondaries and interviews up to a certain point. Creating a separate folder for every school in Gmail has been highly useful as well. 👍

this is what i used for secondaries:

 

[ducki303]

I echo the excel thought! Additionally after an invite, I made folders for the schools that I got interviews from. In it I kept the primary, secondary, travel arrangments, information about the school, interview schedule, and any other information about the school or interview. I take the folder with me when I travel to the school. It helps me keep the travel arrangements straight and kept review material at hand to prepare for the interview.

 

[Morsetlis]

I prefer a big giant whiteboard. I hate electronic bookkeeping! (Now I'm gonna dread doing e-charts.)

 

[Sammich117]

Dw, love the purple!

I had a really basic excel sheet that I printed out and checked off as I completed/received things. I never got into MDApps

 

[dw2158]

Dw, love the purple!

purple's my fave, so i made sure that was the "accepted" color 😀