Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
The guy with a 77 isn't a superstar?
How many II invites do you have so far?
Started by Gladiolus23
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
Uh. Second guy. Come on, 520, use those comprehension skills
Meh. Not really. Stats aren't everything but I think stats get you looked at quicker. The 77 dude is no slouch, buddy. That's nearly perfect as well. And with the good MCAT score, of course he'll get looked at before your other friend. At the end though, I think your other friend will close the gap as he gets second, third, fourth pick etc. interviews
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
What are you talking about? I said that the poster made a distinction between a person with a 77 LizzyM, and someone else he considers a superstar. Which is strange because a 77 LizzyM is definitely a superstar.
Haha it's because at my school a 76-80 is pretty damn common, while the second guy has a 74
A 74 is still really high... Unless the guy with the 4.0 has less then a 508, he (you?) shouldn't worry.
Are these self reported LizzyM values? I have a sneaking suspicion that they be exaggerated like self reported male genitalia sizes on surveys
4 IIs, 72-75 (deps if schools avg MCAT or not), mostly mid-tier. Also I'm a reapp that had only 1 II last cycle
Sweet improvement. What did you change in the past year that helped you land more?
I applied 3 weeks earlier, started a new job, took on 2 new clinical activities, boosted my MCAT (studying for the new one sucked), did a DIY postbac b/c my GPA was not so bad as to warrant an SMP. I also called the schools that didnt accept me and personally met with the dean (if the school was close by and allowed it) to really glean for clues on what went wrong. My diagnosis for doing poorly last round: average stats, lowish clinical hours (~150 including shadowing), mediocre LoRs (mostly from profs with 200+ people lectures), and having nothing that stands out.
DO, 18 secondaries submitted, 1 II so far, no rejections yet (knock on wood), 9 inch genitalia.
Pick one.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Top decile of interviews offered. Are you texan ? Also when did you receive all the II's?
Re-app LM 70-71 - had 1 MD interview last year, have 5 II so far this year. Was expecting 2 II tops for this entire year so feeling shocked and like it's a mistake (not humblebrag, legitimately felt like ****ty garbage after last cycle so shocked is an understatement)
@libertyyne
I'm a NY resident, almost all the schools I applied to are in the Northeast. I received 5 of 7 IIs from July 28th through August 9th. I got another at the end of an August and the most recent one last week.
I'm a NY resident, almost all the schools I applied to are in the Northeast. I received 5 of 7 IIs from July 28th through August 9th. I got another at the end of an August and the most recent one last week.
Steller App so far. You have a seat waiting for you on the other side.
What did you do differently?
Applied earlier (aka not October) and with a more broad list which is huge but also got WAY more clinical experience. Made an enormous difference. Also got a publication since last year but got asked about the new clinical stuff so far in interviews (it's with underserved, uninsured populations so def a hot topic at interviews). But it seems like getting a lot of clinical exposure at work was a big plus too and I've seen that help a lot of the other nontrads on here.
I also think my secondaries were better written, more reflective.
But hopefully none of the people on this thread will need this advice and everyone will get in their first time WOOT
I have 4 II (2 from my state schools, 2 private schools), two rejections (one from a private school, one for an OOS school) and I'm waiting on 20 schools. What's strange is I got all of my IIs in august and have heard NOTHING throughout the entire month of September. I was complete at almost all my schools (sans a few that I added a couple weeks ago) in early to mid july. I have a 3.5 c/s GPA and 520 MCAT.
*Got another II (OOS public school) and another rejection today (Mid/top tier private school). Dramatic day haha.
*Got another II (OOS public school) and another rejection today (Mid/top tier private school). Dramatic day haha.
Last edited:
I wish I was you. We have the same stats, but I was complete from late August to early September. No II's yet.
Just wanted to pop in and say a few things:
1. For those of you with 4+ interviews this early in the year, I hope you realize how extraordinary that is. Regardless of what happens, you should be very proud of that.
2. For those of you who have only one interview, huge congratulations. The difference between one interview and zero interviews is enormous. If you one interview, you have passed muster at one school, which definitively means that there is nothing "wrong" with your application (something that I worried about immensely before I got my first interview).
3. If you don't have any interviews, worry not. You are still two months away from when the SDN dogma says you are supposed to "start worrying" and it is still September. Lots and lots and lots of things can happen in the next few months. Realistically, it's probably just that your numbers are a little more on the average side and the schools are prioritizing the applicants who have obscene scores, life experiences, or whatever that particular admissions committee cares about. It will happen.
I wish you all the very best of luck!
1. For those of you with 4+ interviews this early in the year, I hope you realize how extraordinary that is. Regardless of what happens, you should be very proud of that.
2. For those of you who have only one interview, huge congratulations. The difference between one interview and zero interviews is enormous. If you one interview, you have passed muster at one school, which definitively means that there is nothing "wrong" with your application (something that I worried about immensely before I got my first interview).
3. If you don't have any interviews, worry not. You are still two months away from when the SDN dogma says you are supposed to "start worrying" and it is still September. Lots and lots and lots of things can happen in the next few months. Realistically, it's probably just that your numbers are a little more on the average side and the schools are prioritizing the applicants who have obscene scores, life experiences, or whatever that particular admissions committee cares about. It will happen.
I wish you all the very best of luck!
Same- I got 3 of my 5 interviews within one week in August, but September has been crickets. Maybe we'll both have more interviews in future waves, but you're not alone!
I appreciate this - very good post!
I have 3 IIs (two from my state schools, one from OOS). LizzyM 73, was complete for most schools around mid-late July. Heard from my undergrad school SUPER early around first week of August and got in on the first interview day, then had about a three week wait til my second around 8/30, just recently got my third on 9/23!
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
They're prioritizing obscene life experiences? Guess I should get some more of those
69
I'm feeling a lot worse about my personal odds after seeing this
Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Haha! Me too . Sounds like an impressive application. Maybe applied only to state schools and a few others. So little to no overlap in your apps
Try not to compare to others (I know its hard) . Every medical school weighs applications differently. For example, I have no research and little volunteer experience and thus (most likely) will be rejected from many schools simply for that reason. I'm sure in some aspects and to some medical schools you are a more competitive applicant than I am. Apply broadly, sell yourself in your secondaries and interviews.. remember we just need 1, stay strong
.
Last edited:
I'll share my story!
Third time applicant, first 2 cycles applied with a >3.7 GPA and a 29 MCAT, got 1 II first time, 2 IIs second time (the one place that interviewed me both of those cycles (Downstate) was just due to nepotism, my parent has been on faculty at the school for over 30 years, I did not apply there again this cycle.)
This time: applied to ~20 MD schools, already have 4 IIs, been to 2 interviews so far with the other 2 scheduled mid October. 1 pre-II Rejection, 1 pre II-Hold. Expecting to actually have a choice between 2 or 3 schools! What changed? I finally got around to retaking the MCAT and got a 516. It is now very very clear to me just how much that one test matters. Going from a school's bottom 10th percentile to top 90th percentile of applicants obviously puts you in a much different position. If you are someone reading this who has a borderline MCAT and knows they can do better, take the time to retake! It makes a world of difference.
Third time applicant, first 2 cycles applied with a >3.7 GPA and a 29 MCAT, got 1 II first time, 2 IIs second time (the one place that interviewed me both of those cycles (Downstate) was just due to nepotism, my parent has been on faculty at the school for over 30 years, I did not apply there again this cycle.)
This time: applied to ~20 MD schools, already have 4 IIs, been to 2 interviews so far with the other 2 scheduled mid October. 1 pre-II Rejection, 1 pre II-Hold. Expecting to actually have a choice between 2 or 3 schools! What changed? I finally got around to retaking the MCAT and got a 516. It is now very very clear to me just how much that one test matters. Going from a school's bottom 10th percentile to top 90th percentile of applicants obviously puts you in a much different position. If you are someone reading this who has a borderline MCAT and knows they can do better, take the time to retake! It makes a world of difference.
I've come to the conclusion that the MCAT is literally the most important test of any pre-meds life...
It really makes a huge difference in terms of the overall app.
Congratulations on your 516 and congratulations on all your interviews, I'm sure you'll be hearing good news soon. 😉
Every time I look at this thread I get anxiety.
I think I'm gonna start limiting my SDN check-ins to once a day....
I think I'm gonna start limiting my SDN check-ins to once a day....
Congrats! Stats, school, complete date, favorite tv show, eye color, and date of birth?
I would also like to add name of street he/she grew up on, mother's maiden name and preference of over vs under toilet-paper roll placement.
Come on guys, you also need SSN, AMCAS ID, and password to bank account. What are we amateurs?
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Same here. I got couple in August but none in September. Makes me feel better knowing that September has been silent for other ppl too. * sigh
