I can't help but think what if...

[osprey099]

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First and foremost, I'm not at all displeased or discouraged about my current position. And I hope people don't perceive this post in a negative light even though it may come off as one. I am not trying to offend anyone; I just want some honest feedback. Thank you!

Lately, I have been constantly wondering if I should have applied to more "top" schools back in June. Going into the cycle, I basically made my school list off of MSAR stats and geographic region. My stats (3.6/34) are average/maybe a little above average. Due to my low GPA based on SDN standards and how many people I see on SDN having 3.8+'s who don't get interviews at top 20/30 schools, I didn't think I would have a chance at these top 20/30 schools so I mostly applied to schools that were outside the top 30 and loaded up on low/mid tier schools that I saw my GPA would fit in better. Granted, I didn't even think I would get interviews from these "low/mid" tier schools cause my 3.6 GPA was still below the average accepted GPAs at a lot of these schools. However, I'm currently sitting on 19 interview invites and I can't help but think that if I had applied to more top schools instead of a lot of the random schools out of nowhere that I picked solely b/c of MSAR stats, that I maybe would have received a couple of interview invites at these top schools. Although I did apply to 3 schools inside the top 30 (Emory, Pitt, Case) and already got rejected by two of the 3 pre-interview, I still can't help but think if I had applied to more of these schools (like Northwestern, NYU, cornell, sinai, vandy, etc), I may have been able to garner 1 or 2 invites to these top schools.

I know this is a useless thought now but do you guys think I made a mistake and should have applied to more top schools instead of random schools that I found in MSAR that fit my GPA?

 

[Frazier]

First and foremost, I'm not at all displeased or discouraged about my current position. And I hope people don't perceive this post in a negative light even though it may come off as one. I am not trying to offend anyone; I just want some honest feedback. Thank you!

Lately, I have been constantly wondering if I should have applied to more "top" schools back in June. Going into the cycle, I basically made my school list off of MSAR stats and geographic region. My stats (3.6/34) are average/maybe a little above average. Due to my low GPA based on SDN standards and how many people I see on SDN having 3.8+'s who don't get interviews at top 20/30 schools, I didn't think I would have a chance at these top 20/30 schools so I mostly applied to schools that were outside the top 30 and loaded up on low/mid tier schools that I saw my GPA would fit in better. Granted, I didn't even think I would get interviews from these "low/mid" tier schools cause my 3.6 GPA was still below the average accepted GPAs at a lot of these schools. However, I'm currently sitting on 19 interview invites and I can't help but think that if I had applied to more top schools instead of a lot of the random schools out of nowhere that I picked solely b/c of MSAR stats, that I maybe would have received a couple of interview invites at these top schools. Although I did apply to 3 schools inside the top 30 (Emory, Pitt, Case) and already got rejected by two of the 3 pre-interview, I still can't help but think if I had applied to more of these schools (like Northwestern, NYU, cornell, sinai, vandy, etc), I may have been able to garner 1 or 2 invites to these top schools.

I know this is a useless thought now but do you guys think I made a mistake and should have applied to more top schools instead of random schools that I found in MSAR that fit my GPA?

GPA is only one piece of the puzzle.

While your MCAT is good, there is something else going in your favor than just that score.

Low ranked schools love X-factors. High ranked schools love X-factors. Perhaps you have some that you didn't weigh into your decisions.

Like you said, no use crying over spilled milk.

 

[Anathema]

Unless one of your top choices or dream schools was in the top 20 and you didn't apply you're fine. SDN and stats here said applying to GW wasn't worth it b/c of the large volume of applicants, but things turned out well for me. It's best for everyone to take a leap every now and then.

 

[Pacna]

If you don't love love LOVE any of the 19 schools you have an II to, then you applied to the wrong schools.

 

[SN12357]

If you don't love love LOVE any of the 19 schools you have an II to, then you applied to the wrong schools.

If he can't choose one of 19 schools and be happy there, he wouldn't have been happy anywhere.

 

[La Presse]

If he can't choose one of 19 schools and be happy there, he wouldn't have been happy anywhere.

If he can't see himself attending one of those 19 schools, then he's a poor fit.

Why didn't you apply to more reaches? You have very good numbers.

 

[yehhhboiii]

that's what happens when you settle

 

[osprey099]

If he can't choose one of 19 schools and be happy there, he wouldn't have been happy anywhere.

I would be happy at a lot of the schools where I've interviewed at so far or have to interview in the future. It's just that I thought I may have had a shot at prestigious schools (top20) if I wasn't so conservative when I applied.

 

[histidine]

I would be happy at a lot of the schools where I've interviewed at so far or have to interview in the future. It's just that I thought I may have had a shot at prestigious schools (top20) if I wasn't so conservative when I applied.

In your mdapps and other posts, you've made it clear that the cheapest med school is where you're going. If you get into UMD that's where you're going. So...you just want to get into a top school so you can say you got in?

 

[osprey099]

In your mdapps and other posts, you've made it clear that the cheapest med school is where you're going. If you get into UMD that's where you're going. So...you just want to get into a top school so you can say you got in?

Other than UMD, every school costs almost the same. So Id much rather go to a more prestigious school than a mid/low tier school if they both costs about the same. If I get a scholarship to the mid/low tier school, then Id obviously choose that school over the prestigious school. But the chances of a scholarship are slim at best.

 

[histidine]

Other than UMD, every school costs almost the same. So Id much rather go to a more prestigious school than a mid/low tier school if they both costs about the same. If I get a scholarship to the mid/low tier school, then Id obviously choose that school over the prestigious school. But the chances of a scholarship are slim at best.

I interviewed at BU, Rochester, and Einstein. Comparing those with the many top 20 schools that I interviewed at, trust me, you aren't missing out on much.

 

[ace12345]

I would be happy at a lot of the schools where I've interviewed at so far or have to interview in the future. It's just that I thought I may have had a shot at prestigious schools (top20) if I wasn't so conservative when I applied.

I do not think you would have had the success at these "top tier" schools you're worries about, so hopefully that puts you at ease. Look at the GPA 10th percentiles on MSAR, you're a little too far below that in my opinion. Seriously, don't second guess yourself. You've had a lot of success.

 

[yehhhboiii]

if it makes you feel better, a 3.6 is probably the 10th percentile at most of those schools
a 34 is great but still around the 50th percentile for the people they accept

 

[NickNaylor]

At the end of the day you're still going to be a physician. Your opportunities aren't limited.

 

[Omppu27]

I interviewed at BU, Rochester, and Einstein. Comparing those with the many top 20 schools that I interviewed at, trust me, you aren't missing out on much.

I haven't even applied yet so take this with a grain of salt, but I agree with histidine. Rankings are due to factor which might not be very important to you ie. Research $$. That said, some of the 19 schools you have IIs for I'm sure you'd like more than some top 20s.

 

[A7X]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but you went to Hopkins right? A 3.6 from Hopkins is still pretty good. You probably could've garnered a few II's from top 20 schools but it's a bit late to worry about that now.

 

[occams_razor]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but you went to Hopkins right? A 3.6 from Hopkins is still pretty good. You probably could've garnered a few II's from top 20 schools but it's a bit late to worry about that now.

Agreed. Some of the top tier schools have their 10th percentile GPA around 3.5-3.6. Since OP is sitting on 19 IIs, I'm assuming his or her overall application is outstanding in terms of ECs and LORs. With amazing ECs and LORs, a solid MCAT and 3.6 GPA one can get love from the top tiers. But nothing can be done about it now so if I were the OP I would just focus on those 19 IIs!

 

[osprey099]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but you went to Hopkins right? A 3.6 from Hopkins is still pretty good. You probably could've garnered a few II's from top 20 schools but it's a bit late to worry about that now.

Yea like someone else mentioned, no use fussing over it now.

 

[solitarius]

However, I'm currently sitting on 19 interview invites and I can't help but think that if I had applied to more top schools instead of a lot of the random schools out of nowhere that I picked solely b/c of MSAR stats, that I maybe would have received a couple of interview invites at these top schools. Although I did apply to 3 schools inside the top 30 (Emory, Pitt, Case) and already got rejected by two of the 3 pre-interview, I still can't help but think if I had applied to more of these schools (like Northwestern, NYU, cornell, sinai, vandy, etc), I may have been able to garner 1 or 2 invites to these top schools.

I know this is a useless thought now but do you guys think I made a mistake and should have applied to more top schools instead of random schools that I found in MSAR that fit my GPA?

I can see how someone could feel this way if they're sitting on 19 interview invites. However...

Even the schools you mentioned are really tough. Not extreme on the level of Harvard or Stanford, but they're still considering those same applicants that will get accepted to those schools. Stronger applicants, lower interview rates, lower acceptance rates, and maybe longer wait times.

I wouldn't really sweat it if the only reason you feel you're missing out is that they're a better-known school. If they offered a particular program, track, or opportunity, that's a different story.

I also think far too many medical schools engage in yield protection, which means they interview and accept those candidates they think will probably end up going. Thus, I also feel it becomes a self-selecting process where even though we're encouraged to apply to all to types of schools, those way above or way below our competitiveness pass on our application. Unless you badly screw up your interviews, it does seem like you found your sweet spot. And hence, first world problems.

 

[darkmb101]

First and foremost, I'm not at all displeased or discouraged about my current position. And I hope people don't perceive this post in a negative light even though it may come off as one. I am not trying to offend anyone; I just want some honest feedback. Thank you!

I know this is a useless thought now but do you guys think I made a mistake and should have applied to more top schools instead of random schools that I found in MSAR that fit my GPA?

Honestly. Yes, this is a useless thought. You saved LOTS of time and money by being selective in your apps. As long as you applied to some of your dream schools. Then you did good. Rest easy.

My stats are lower than yours and I applied to Tufts and Georgetown just for funsies. I got rejected from Georgetown, but I'm still hopeful for Tufts + all the other schools.

 

[Omppu27]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but you went to Hopkins right? A 3.6 from Hopkins is still pretty good. You probably could've garnered a few II's from top 20 schools but it's a bit late to worry about that now.

I don't think schools will forgive any flaws in grades just because the applicant went to a prestigious university. At least they shouldn't...