Interviews/rejections and updating transcripts

[dbizzy]

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Hey guys. I'm a non-trad wrapping up my 2nd year of full-time informal postbacc. I hope to be applying to DO schools midway through this upcoming cycle, pending my MCAT score in Aug. So let's say all goes well with the MCAT and my primaries are complete mid-September, secondaries maybe a month later, around when should I expect to hear back about possible interviews or rejections?

I ask because I also plan on retaking three crucial courses in the fall semester that would significantly boost my cgpa and sgpa (3.1 and 3.3 --> 3.3 and 3.6/7), but AACOMAS would not receive these updated grades until January. These courses were my only D's and F as an undergrad, eons ago, hence the big gains.

Do you think that many schools will have already made up their minds about interviews or rejections before mid-January, assuming the given time line? Would anybody take into consideration the courses in progress?

Your feedback is much appreciated!

 

[Journey2become]

Hey guys. I'm a non-trad wrapping up my 2nd year of full-time informal postbacc. I hope to be applying to DO schools midway through this upcoming cycle, pending my MCAT score in Aug. So let's say all goes well with the MCAT and my primaries are complete mid-September, secondaries maybe a month later, around when should I expect to hear back about possible interviews or rejections?

I ask because I also plan on retaking three crucial courses in the fall semester that would significantly boost my cgpa and sgpa (3.1 and 3.3 --> 3.3 and 3.6/7), but AACOMAS would not receive these updated grades until January. These courses were my only D's and F as an undergrad, eons ago, hence the big gains.

Do you think that many schools will have already made up their minds about interviews or rejections before mid-January, assuming the given time line? Would anybody take into consideration the courses in progress?

Your feedback is much appreciated!

If you get a negative reply from schools or you have not heard from them before your transcripts get updated then I would get a hold of these schools and let them know that your grades have been updated. Ask them to take a second look or to reconsider your application.
I'm not sure if anyone has experience with this - but you might be able to let them know your mid-term grade - although it probably wouldn't carry much weight since it's unofficial. Keeping in touch and showing interest can't hurt though.

 

[dbizzy]

Thanks for the advice, I definitely do plan on keeping in contact. I'm just praying the schools don't make up their minds too quickly to send a rejection letter before Jan. I hear interviews can go all the way through Spring, but does that depend on when you applied?

 

[Journey2become]

Thanks for the advice, I definitely do plan on keeping in contact. I'm just praying the schools don't make up their minds too quickly to send a rejection letter before Jan. I hear interviews can go all the way through Spring, but does that depend on when you applied?

Keep in mind you can still ask them to reconsider even if they have sent a rejection letter - especially if your application has changed for the better. I have heard that from at least 2 different schools.

You know, secondaries might be a good place to mention that you are retaking the classes and doing better, explain any circumstances that led to the bad grades in the first place and throw in some "lesson learned" examples.

 

[Goro]

With a 3.1 sGPA, you'd be a marginal candidate, so a good MCAT result (high 20s ->30s) is in order. I specifically would like to see how you do in your post-bacs. But, if you have a good interview, all AdCom panels have members willing to gamble on unknowns. I do it all the time.

Thanks for the advice, I definitely do plan on keeping in contact. I'm just praying the schools don't make up their minds too quickly to send a rejection letter before Jan. I hear interviews can go all the way through Spring, but does that depend on when you applied?

 

[dbizzy]

Thanks Journey, I actually didn't know that about certain schools. I had always been under the impression that a no was a no. That's very interesting, can anybody confirm this?

And Goro, thanks for the input. I definitely do not plan on applying unless I hit a 29 at the very least. And the two years of postbacc have been around 3.85, mainly prereqs and other science courses, so I do hope the upward trend can count for something against the dismal undergrad years. Perhaps I should hope to get you as an interviewer.

 

[Journey2become]

Thanks Journey, I actually didn't know that about certain schools. I had always been under the impression that a no was a no. That's very interesting, can anybody confirm this?

I have never done it personally, but the two schools said it was possible but recommended only if there had been an improvement after the rejection (or there about).

I found a few examples on SDN...some are old - but I didn't spend a lot of time looking.


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10695597&postcount=7


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=583635


http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=178009

I would be interested to know about current stories.

 

[dbizzy]

Great, thanks for the links. The second one is actually for a residency position I believe, but still relevant I suppose.