improving my application...

[luckyducky87]

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I applied last year (during last year of college; graduated '09): applied to ~20 schools, interviewed at 9, waitlisted at 5, and ultimately got off of none.

I think my problems may have been (in no particular order):

- not enough clinicals

- mediocre MCAT score (I had a 31P: 11-9-11)... GPA I think is fine, and not much I can do to change this anyway (3.69 science; 3.82 overall)

- possibly mediocre letter of recommendation from my pre-health advisor and my non-science letter-writer (a mistake... I should have asked someone else!)

- not-so-superb interview skills

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I AM planning on retaking the MCAT next March. I will also ask a couple of other people for rec letters (I'll also have a new pre-health advisor writing me a letter; though this advisor will have access to the previous health advisor's letter 👎) in addition to 2 years of biochemistry research experience. Do you think this, in addition to maybe weekly 3-4hr volunteer shifts at a nearby hospital could be seen as enough of an "improvement" for a reapplicant??

PS - I am considering applying to MD/PhD (rather than just MD as before) because I really do enjoy research...

 

[dingyibvs]

Your biggest problem, by FAR, is your lack of interview skills. Do mock interviews, there are some online options(google them) if you can't find any locally. 9 interviews and no acceptances means that there are some fundamental flaws with the way you present yourself. It doesn't necessarily mean you have some fundamental personality flaws, but it does indicate that you're clueless when it comes to interviewing.

I didn't read your other EC stuff, and I really don't need to. You got 9 interviews, that means they were good enough before, and whatever you're doing now is probably just icing on top. Your biggest priority is to improve your interviewing skills. If all else fails, just have a friend mock interview you and record it, then watch how horridly you botched it so you can improve!

I mean, are you wearing formal clothing to them? I assume you're a girl, so you should be wearing business attire(suit on top with either longish skirt or just be safe and wear pants), sit with your legs closed, no excessive jewelry/make up, no low-cut blouse, no high heels, preferably with stockings. Also, make sure the clothes are new and fit you well. When sitting, keep your hands either in your lap or cupped-ish on the table, sit up straight with a slight forward lean, etc. etc. Practice until it become second nature.

 

[ezsanche]

i noticed that i have been moving my hands a lot when I interviewed usually on the table. i hope that doesn't prevent me from getting an acceptance