I'm not getting interviews

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CharlyCharles2

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This is my second year to apply for medical school in Texas and I'm simply not getting interviews. Its turning out to be a repeat of my previous application cycle. Last year I got three interviews, one at El Paso, one at UTSW, and one at San Antonio. At the end of the cycle I was waitlisted at UTSW but was not picked up off the waitlist.
This cycle I've interviewed at only San Antonio and Galveston, but here it is late November and I'm not hearing anything from any other schools and I'm frankly confused. I've combed through my application, had friends and family go through it, current medical students and all of my advisors and professors and we can't seem to figure out a reason for what it is killing my chances outright.
I recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a 3.89 GPA with a BS in Biology and a BA in Psychology. I spent six years in college, two at community college and then four at UNT. I took the MCAT twice, first making a 28R and then a 31R. I have two and a half years of Organic Chemistry volunteer tutoring, a year of volunteering at a hospital ER, 70 hrs of shadowing a cardiologist and a pediatrician, 5 semesters of research in a microbiology lab and a semester of research in the psychology department of my school. The LORs my professors turned in were honestly stellar. I also had a part time job all through out college in retail and currently I'm a microbiologist at a lab. I did try to find a job doing research but there were no openings currently and so I'm having to wait till one opens up some where around me.
I'm simply stumped at this point and desperate for feedback. I would really like to get in this cycle, but my hopes have been shattered and my optimism has been reduced to nothing. I'm already starting to plan for next year and any feedback as to what I might be doing would be greatly appreciated. I've worked in and studied others fields and this is the only career I see myself being happy doing. I'm never going to give up, but I need to find out what I can do to get there, so that I'm not trying hopelessly. Please, someone help me.

On a side note, at every interview I go to there seems to be confusion. This year while interviewing for a md/phd program, one of my interviewers said that they were confused as to whether I had a 31 or a 35 on the MCAT. I truthfully told them a 31, but I was stumped because I don't submit the MCAT, that's AAMC. Also the previous year at El Paso, I had an interviewer tell me that I had a LOR that said I had no volunteering in which the professor highlighted it. Which is simply untrue because it all gets faxed in black and white (verified with my adviser) and that none of my letters were negative in the slightest (addressed with my adviser to make sure. I was positive it was what killed my chances if it was true, but verified it wasn't). I've also had just a terrible time at interviews. Last year in El Paso, my first interviewer was 25 min late, leaving me with a 5 min interview with her. The school was not willing to schedule another interview that day. And in San Antonio last year for the md/phd, one of my interviewers showed up 35 min late, no apologies, no second interview granted. lol, and this year mid conversation in San Antonio, Dr. Jones walked off mid-conversation to go talk to a student he knew without saying anything. At least it lets me know how the schools regard us applicants. :laugh:
 
I think one of the reasons you haven't been as successful as you'd like to be is that you are applying to MD/PhD programs. Those programs, regardless of where they are, are some of the most competitive programs to get into. Having a 3.89/31 is nothing special in that regard and thus you might be getting passed up. If you don't get in this cycle, consider either adding a TON of research (including perhaps a publication or two) or just apply straight MD.

Another question: When did you submit your TMDSAS?
 
I think one of the reasons you haven't been as successful as you'd like to be is that you are applying to MD/PhD programs. Those programs, regardless of where they are, are some of the most competitive programs to get into. Having a 3.89/31 is nothing special in that regard and thus you might be getting passed up. If you don't get in this cycle, consider either adding a TON of research (including perhaps a publication or two) or just apply straight MD.

Another question: When did you submit your TMDSAS?
Usually if you get rejected at MD/Ph.D you still get considered independently for MD-Only, so there's no negative effect in applying to MD/Ph.D
 
Usually if you get rejected at MD/Ph.D you still get considered independently for MD-Only, so there's no negative effect in applying to MD/Ph.D

In Texas that's usually not the case. You have to apply to both MD-only and MD/PhD separately to be considered for both. This is probably because the Texas medical schools (with the exception of Baylor) use the TMDSAS for MD-only but AMCAS for MD/PhD (except San Antonio, I believe, and they're planning on switching to AMCAS in the near future).

Are you applying to both MD/PhD and MD-only? From the looks of it, you'd be a much more competitive applicant for MD-only. Don't forget that you can always reapply to the MD/PhD program as a medical student. Just get in the door.
 
I applied in late June for both the M.D. programs and the M.D./ Ph.D. I would honestly be perfectly content with either.
 
I applied in late June for both the M.D. programs and the M.D./ Ph.D. I would honestly be perfectly content with either.

Maybe there is a red flag in your application with respect to your LORs or Personal statement? I really can't think of any other reason why you would be shot down 2 cycles in a row. At times you think that the LORs are going to be stellar but some professors really do state some harsh opinions that's just the way it is. I know for a fact that professors and the heath committee advisor at my school write down negative things without even telling you. Professors and committees have the right to state their opinions about you and most of them definitely exercise that right. Also at times people state stories or characteristics about themselves in their personal statement that really concern the screener/committee. Again students are not aware of these red flags at times and quite frankly you realize way too late down the road when you're getting rejected left and right even though everything seems to be "stellar".
 
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Maybe there is a red flag in your application with respect to your LORs or Personal statement? I really can't think of any other reason why you would be shot down 2 cycles in a row. At times you think that the LORs are going to be stellar but some professors really do state some harsh opinions that's just the way it is. I know for a fact that professors and the heath committee advisor at my school write down negative things without even telling you. Professors and committees have the right to state their opinions about you and most of them definitely exercise that right. Also at times people state stories or characteristics about themselves in their personal statement that really concern the screener/committee. Again students are not aware of these red flags at times and quite frankly you realize way too late down the road when you're getting rejected left and right even though everything seems to be "stellar".

That was what my initial concern was after last cycle. And so naturally I approached my adviser about it to just ask what she felt it could be, if I should select different professors, etc... I did not ask to see the letters or even the general evaluation written in them, but she assured me that she had looked through them each several times, found nothing to be of concern and even whipped them out for me to look at (I refused of course, I hear it invalidates the letters if medical schools find out that you have seen the letters, and even if they would never find out, I would feel guilty about that). I've also had the different medical schools I've interviewed at (with the exception of that one interviewer in El Paso) tell me that they were some of the best recommendations they have seen. So I'm honestly kind of at ease about the LORs.

As for my personal statements, I'm starting to view them with suspicion. However, as I've mentioned, I've had many different people read them and help me revise them including members of my schools professional advisory committee. None have seen any potential red flags, inaccuracies, grammer/spelling mistakes, etc... I would post them here or message them to someone here, but naturally I don't want to put myself out there and be identified by my writing, or worse yet, the potential for someone to lift my writing.

Even though it seems like I'm trying to mitigate the potential truth in what you're saying, I do appreciate all the feedback I've received thus far and will be sure to double check every aspect mentioned so far.
 
Any other ideas? Also, since I'll be applying a third time most likely, do I even have a chance any more? Am I going to be blacklisted?
 
Any other ideas? Also, since I'll be applying a third time most likely, do I even have a chance any more? Am I going to be blacklisted?
Have you posed this question to any of the schools you've applied to? At least one should be willing to offer some advice once the application season is over. What they say may be cryptic, but it would be better than just guessing. FWIW - I was in a similar boat first time around and got some terrific feedback from some admissions directors that steered me in a new/better direction.
 
Any other ideas?
Some Texas applicants who called for feedback on how to improve their application after they were rejected have told us they were dissed for not having off-campus nonmedical community service. Do you have something for that category? Did you call any schools for feedback? If you're being confused with another applicant, that would be one way to sort it out. Or maybe your advisor could call and make an inquiry on your behalf.
 
Some Texas applicants who called for feedback on how to improve their application after they were rejected have told us they were dissed for not having off-campus nonmedical community service. Do you have something for that category? Did you call any schools for feedback? If you're being confused with another applicant, that would be one way to sort it out. Or maybe your advisor could call and make an inquiry on your behalf.

That could be one. I currently have no off campus nonmedical community service. I do have a friend that does habitat for humanity every now and then, it would probably be nice to go do that with him from time to time.

And no, I have not asked any schools yet. I will wait till January after the match date to ask.

I was also thinking about sending a letter of interest to the head of admissions at UTSW, saying what a great time I had interviewing there last year, how I really liked the facilities and the different "schools". Mention that I was saddened to not hear from them this time around, but that I look forward to improving my application and applying again next year and then ask if it would be acceptable to contact the school after the match date for feedback. Does anyone recommend that? Or is it a bad idea?
 
That could be one. I currently have no off campus nonmedical community service. I do have a friend that does habitat for humanity every now and then, it would probably be nice to go do that with him from time to time.

And no, I have not asked any schools yet. I will wait till January after the match date to ask.

I was also thinking about sending a letter of interest to the head of admissions at UTSW, saying what a great time I had interviewing there last year, how I really liked the facilities and the different "schools". Mention that I was saddened to not hear from them this time around, but that I look forward to improving my application and applying again next year and then ask if it would be acceptable to contact the school after the match date for feedback. Does anyone recommend that? Or is it a bad idea?
You are unlikely to get a personal response from such a letter (though I can't swear that absolutely no school would do so). Don't ask if you can call. Just do it. The rest of the letter is fine, but should include improvements you've made since applying and any new grades earned since, as well. Try to give a specific reason why the school suits you.

As far as H for H goes, that is a great community service that helps the poor. You might go further with such an activity and take on the chairperson position for a committee when a new house goes into planning so you have some recent leadership as well. And try to help out 2-4+ hours each weekend or twice monthly, not just "now and then."
 
You are unlikely to get a personal response from such a letter (though I can't swear that absolutely no school would do so). Don't ask if you can call. Just do it.

But would it be inappropriate to do that since interviews still continue till the end of December?
 
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