Is there something wrong with my med school app?

[lol_new_user]

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Dear all,

I'm pretty new here so I don't know if this is the way to ask. But I've been applying this cycle, and I've been looking at SDN this year (friends told me to stay away, but I've actually found some helpful stuff).

I would like to know if there's something drastically wrong with my application. i was complete at most schools between end of July and mid-August. I have so far received an interview from one top 15 (which was a while ago like September 2nd, interview completed by mid September), and then I have an interview from my state school(s) and a local private medical school near my home down (ranked within top 100).

Here's my profile:
sGPA according to AMCAS: 3.77, overallGPA according to AMCAS 3.73, and other GPA according to AMCAS 3.67. Graduated from top ten school. I also did a master's as well from an institution. I don't think those grades are important, but my overall for masters was a 3.5 (a techy subject). I got another masters abroad, and I passed that one (they only do pass/fail, they don't do anything else).

MCAT: 33 first time (10 V, 11 PS, 12 BS) back in 2014, 519 second time (2016), pretty even (131 BS, 131 PS, 127 CARS, 130 PSYCH).

A summary of my ECs:
1) I founded an organization on campus that does music at hospitals, and did some really cool work, like recording albums and donating it to places. Got a rec letter from the clinical professor in neurology that worked with me on this, and have sent that to all schools almost. I wanna say easily 300 hours.
2) Did some academic and volunteer work with arts and science education in the local community. Did some thesis work on it, and have a rec letter describing my thesis/scholarly work on this. The work would be easily like 200-300 hours of work.
3) Research. Have two papers in Cell and Nature Comm (middle authorship). Have two-three letters (to send to those colleges that ask for everything). easily like 500-600 hours if not more.
4) Shadowing: 150-200 hours done throughout different periods (mainly summers)
5) Clinical Volunteering: got a rec letter about this one as well, easily 150 hours.
6) random health activities, like being a residential peer health educator, etc.
7) was a teaching assistant for two classes (rec letter from one of the professors whose class I also took, it was a science class).

The four I focus on throughout my apps (when asked specific questions in secondaries) the organization I founded, the clinical volunteering, the science education stuff, and my research.

For any of the "other" questions that ask more about life stories or something, I talk about my parents functioning as caretakers for my grandparents who have very severe chronic illnesses, and how watching my mom function as a physician both in the house and at clinic has made me more passionate about medicine. I also had an experience with emotional abuse in college, which I choose to talk about when discussing resilience.

I have one of four international study abroad scholarships (Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Gates-Cambridge). I've put this in my Honors/Awards section on work/activities, in the primary but sometimes I get a chance to talk about it in secondaries too, when schools ask for "what did you do in your gap years".

I have sent on average 6-8 rec letters to each school, since I have had two gap years. My school doesn't do the committee letter thingy (don't ask me, I don't know why...). I was told that if they didn't want to read all my letters, they wouldn't, and that they would just read the ones they want. I'm extremely confident that these rec letters are great, because I know my these people wouldn't write letters if they didn't think well of me. They're all people I've had incredibly great rapports with.

My personal statement is about how I find medicine interesting to me because it oftentimes functions at the intersection of my two passions, arts and science (which is reflected in the EC activities I focused on) and at the intersection of science and society. It isn't the typical like "I like science and helping people" story (although I get to that), but I don't think it's a personal statement that will keep me from interviews, since I do have one top 15 med school interview. I've shown that personal statement to about 20 people now, a range of people already in med school, and friends.

I was wondering if someone (maybe an adcom person) could point me to what could be missing in my application? Or maybe something that doesn't look right? Maybe I've looked at it way too much and am thinking to myself "oh there's nothing wrong", but maybe other people can look and tell me something that I don't see. To me it just seems weird that only one "not-my-home-state-or-home-town" school has given me an interview (that too way back beginning of Sept), and then I've heard silence. I've definitely come across people at my top 15 interview that said they already had some interviews from other schools, so I'm not sure what to think. They were complete before and after me, so I know there isn't any chronological order.

Thanks for the help

Sincerely,

First time user, and a little lost tbh haha

 

[Exli]

Nothing is wrong with your application and you've received multiple II's?

 

[MareNostrummm]

If you had a major red flag you wouldn't even have your 3 IIs so far.

 

[•Syzygy•]

i know you are new and all but JESUS F******* CHRIST take a chill pill. tons of people dont have any interviews right now, much less from a freakin top 15. count your blessings. its also only october? if something was glaringly wrong with your app, you wouldnt be sitting on multiple interviews....

you needed to hear that

 

[MareNostrummm]

i know you are new and all but JESUS F******* CHRIST take a chill pill. tons of people dont have any interviews right now, much less from a freakin top 15. count your blessings. its also only october? if something was glaringly wrong with your app, you wouldnt be sitting on multiple interviews....

you needed to hear that

Lulz in b4 SDN eats OP alive.

Real talk: OP deserves 10+ interviews.

 

[lol_new_user]

*curls up into ball, retreats to shadow, and never makes another post for 5 years*

In all seriousness though, I appreciate the immediate responses. I guess I needed to hear all of this.

 

[•Syzygy•]

*curls up into ball, retreats to shadow, and never makes another post for 5 years*

In all seriousness though, I appreciate the immediate responses. I guess I needed to hear all of this.

trust me, this isnt an uncommon topic around here (its a website for neurotic people, no wonder...) and they receive the same treatment lol. you are doing very well so don't worry about it. us borderline applicants are hoping for just a morsel of love

 

[bae2017]

Idk I sympathize, I'm very very surprised you only have one Top 20 interview so far with a 519 MCAT, two pubs, and one of those four scholarships you mentioned, which are all incredibly competitive... Something's fishy. Weak or bad LORs are unlikely if you are using overlapping writers from your scholarship application. Or the tone of your writing comes across as arrogant? (I don't sense that from your post though). Interested to see what others think.

I'm sure you'll grab a few more IIs this cycle, they just might come later. It is still early. Chin up! You have a very impressive app.

Edit: Also, @lol_new_user, what is your school list? Maybe the problem lies there.

 

[lol_new_user]

So I definitely have applied top heavy. This is true. I applied to a total of 26 schools. Most of the top 30 schools. My state schools and a local private school in my city (3 schools total and interviews from all of them, but one doesn't have a program that starts in fall, hence two interviews I will attend). Three "mid-tier" (rank greater than 30?? i mean seriously wtf is a mid tier, like really, I don't know if any med school is mid tier at all) according to USNews (Darmouth, Tufts, BU). U-Wisconsin and BU have already rejected me, so lol, there's that. I mean, I figured that I have my own states schools and local private school to fall back on (if I can do well at those interviews #fingerscrossed). I really don't think my rec letters are bad in any way. They might say "your program", instead of "medical school X, Y, Z", if that's what you mean by generic, but I told them specifically that this was for medical school. I'm really confident that they're pretty good letters. Again, I find no reason for a top 15 to interview me with any of those things on my application as a glaring red flag. I've showed all my secondaries to at least one person, and my personal statement to many (3rd year med students included). I'm sure someone would have raised red flags if my tone was too arrogant. I've heard my tone can be a bit conversational at times, but I honestly don't think this was the problem. I can PM you my personal statement if you'd like to take a look. Thanks for the input guys!

 

[•Syzygy•]

Idk I sympathize, I'm very very surprised you only have one Top 20 interview so far with a 519 MCAT, two pubs, and one of those four scholarships you mentioned, which are all incredibly competitive... Something's fishy. Weak or bad LORs are unlikely if you are using overlapping writers from your scholarship. Or the tone of your writing comes across as arrogant? (I don't sense that from your post though) Interested to see what others think.

I'm sure you'll grab a few more IIs this cycle, they just might come later. It is still early. Chin up! You have a very impressive app.

i mean, and im sure people will agree, the top 20 schools are the ultimate crapshoot no matter how good you are on paper. i just read a story of a guy with a 3.9 plus and 42+ mcat that didnt get any interviews at all. again, OP should feel lucky they have a shot at a top 15. there is some degree of luck in this process but even more so for a non URM and at the top schools


i think going top heavy out of necessity kind of causes a bit of a predicament in itself sometimes. like lower tier schools will think you will go somewhere else and will reject, and the highest tier is random... so its like...


but the fact that you have 3 interviews and one is a top school, that there cannot be any red flags. so i think youre fine

 

[lol_new_user]

I hate having that mindset (to think that a school will reject me because they think I won't go there). Every single school I have applied to, I would be happy going to. And it sucks that a school would reject me thinking I wouldn't go there. :/

 

[kitkat13]

Rule 1: Take a Breath

Yes, there is an issue with your application and that are your expectations. 70% of matriculants have 5 interviews or less. 50% have 3 or less invites. It never ceases to amazes me that extremely high achieving students are seemingly shocked at level of competition at Top 20 schools. Perhaps it is because they have been the top or near the top their entire academic lives and cannot fathom they are now in an Olympic competition, where fractions of second separate competitors from advancing or going home. At any individual school, you have several thousand applicants being reduced to several hundred II reduced to a few hundred acceptances and WL, to finally a 100 or so matriculants. So here are some facts for overall applicants and can only be harder for the top schools

40% of applicants with 3.8 or higher, get rejected
60% of applicants with 3.6-3.8, get rejected
20% of applicants with 517 or higher MCAT get rejected
in any individual school, at least 80% of applicants must be rejected prior to II
Nearly 50% of matriculants get a single offer of acceptance
About 25% of matriculants get 2 or more interview invites but get a single acceptance.

In short, there are so many outstanding applicants at top schools that if a candidate writes that he can walk on water, an adcom may comment "applicant can't swim"

there is nothing wrong with your application just your expectations far exceed the reality. So I suggest that you Chill Out and Take a Breath

Honestly I felt pretty good about my application til I read this

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Three "mid-tier" (rank greater than 30?? i mean seriously wtf is a mid tier, like really, I don't know if any med school is mid tier at all) according to USNews (Darmouth, Tufts, BU).

As someone at Tufts, I'll tell you this - we are one of the most heavily applied to programs in the country with 10K+ applications. We only interview around 900 applicants so you're talking about a <10% chance of getting a II. I know it sounds like a dating line, but honestly it's not you, it's us.

 

[Piglet2020]

What % of Medical Schools have you heard back from?

Most people have only heard back from 0-25% of schools for this cycle. You got 3 II’s already, that’s good.

 

[Danny L]

It never ceases to amazes me that extremely high achieving students are seemingly shocked at level of competition at Top 20 schools. Perhaps it is because they have been the top or near the top their entire academic lives and cannot fathom they are now in an Olympic competition, where fractions of second separate competitors from advancing or going home.

It's because medical schools are so clandestine about the whole process so they can get that sweet sweet secondary cash and low yield percentage

Sports are different because you know what's happening to everyone around you. In the draft, you know what team is picking, what the draft position is, what qualities in particular they're probably looking for, and even how previous draftees were evaluated. In the olympics, you know where you rank in relation to others based on time, etc and can probably estimate your performance before the race even starts

 

[CyrilFiggis]

It's because medical schools are so clandestine about the whole process so they can get that sweet sweet secondary cash and low yield percentage

Or maybe the low yield is that there are more applicants. What are schools supposed to do about the process?

Also, if you think that secondary income is any sort of cash cow for schools you really have no idea about the economics of medical schools.

 

[Danny L]

Or maybe the low yield is that there are more applicants. What are schools supposed to do about the process?

Also, if you think that secondary income is any sort of cash cow for schools you really have no idea about the economics of medical schools.

You really think if applicants are aware of how they stand in relation to other applicants they would apply to that many schools? The uncertainty is the reason why applying to 10-20+ schools is the norm, not something only neurotic pre meds do.

Did I say secondary app cash was a cash cow? If that's how you interpreted my statement you really have no reading comprehension. Or maybe you just wanted to sneak in a jab at me for insulting the un-criticizable medical school admissions process.

 

[Goro]

Unfortunately, too many SDNers have an attitude of "I sent my apps in...where are all my IIs" as if they're God's gift to Medicine.

Rule 1: Take a Breath

Yes, there is an issue with your application and that are your expectations. About 70% of matriculants have 5 interviews or less. About 50% have 3 or less invites. It never ceases to amazes me that extremely high achieving students are seemingly shocked at level of competition at Top 20 schools. Perhaps it is because they have been the top or near the top their entire academic lives and cannot fathom they are now in an Olympic competition, where fractions of second separate competitors from advancing or going home. At any individual school, you have several thousand applicants being reduced to several hundred II reduced to a few hundred acceptances and WL, to finally a 100 or so matriculants. So here are some facts for overall applicants and can only be harder for the top schools

40% of applicants with 3.8 or higher, get rejected
60% of applicants with 3.6-3.8, get rejected
20% of applicants with 517 or higher MCAT get rejected
in any individual school, at least 80% of applicants must be rejected prior to II
Nearly 50% of matriculants get a single offer of acceptance
About 25% of matriculants get 2 or more interview invites but get a single acceptance.

In short, there are so many outstanding applicants at top schools that if a candidate writes that he can walk on water, an adcom may comment "applicant can't swim"

there is nothing wrong with your application just your expectations far exceed the reality. So I suggest that you Chill Out and Take a Breath

It's because medical schools are so clandestine about the whole process so they can get that sweet sweet secondary cash and low yield percentage

Well, yeah, you did. I do agree that secondaries are often a tax on the hopelessly naive, if not pathologically optimistic.

Did I say secondary app cash was a cash cow? If that's how you interpreted my statement you really have no reading comprehension. Or maybe you just wanted to sneak in a jab at me for insulting the un-criticizable medical school admissions process.

 

[lol_new_user]

So, even if you knew where you "stood" with other applicants, I don't think that would discourage people. Because, anything can happen. Remember in the 2016 Olympics, two female runners were automatically given a spot in the finals because they showed good sportsmanship? I applaud their sportsmanship and definitely think that they deserved that finals spot because of it, but i don't think they would have made it if it was just solely based on their skill level. So even if the Olympics (which is supposed to be the most transparent application/selection process ever) has its' loopholes, med school probably has tons more. And in it, is included other things that are not based solely on accomplishments. So the problem is that you have no way of saying one applicant is "inferior" to another (unless they literally have nothing....). if you're "inferior" in the line, there is hope that some adcoms person will see the "special light" in even a supposedly inferior application.

 

[Danny L]

Unfortunately, too many SDNers have an attitude of "I sent my apps in...where are all my IIs" as if they're God's gift to Medicine.





Well, yeah, you did. I do agree that secondaries are often a tax on the hopelessly naive, if not pathologically optimistic.

I didn't say cash cow. A(n unneeded) bonus/side income is what I was referring to. It's a play on something from Reddit when people go out of their way to get extra karma

 

[gyngyn]

I didn't say cash cow. A(n unneeded) bonus/side income is what I was referring to

Those fees don't even go to us!
Fees are the only thing that keep applicants from applying everywhere.
I'd happily drop all fees for secondaries if the number of applications were limited.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

So, even if you knew where you "stood" with other applicants, I don't think that would discourage people. Because, anything can happen. Remember in the 2016 Olympics, two female runners were automatically given a spot in the finals because they showed good sportsmanship? I applaud their sportsmanship and definitely think that they deserved that finals spot because of it, but i don't think they would have made it if it was just solely based on their skill level. So even if the Olympics (which is supposed to be the most transparent application/selection process ever) has its' loopholes, med school probably has tons more. And in it, is included other things that are not based solely on accomplishments. So the problem is that you have no way of saying one applicant is "inferior" to another (unless they literally have nothing....). if you're "inferior" in the line, there is hope that some adcoms person will see the "special light" in even a supposedly inferior application.

to make a pedantic point, they weren't allowed into the finals because of "sportsmanship" but because they could prove that the collision on the track interfered with their ability to successfully complete the race.

Editing to add another point: The olympic selection process is totally not the most transparent ever! In fact, there are tons of loopholes and weird rules that allow for interesting instances of people getting through with slower times/not getting in with faster times based on how many people their country is already sending, whether they are the host country, etc. So there probably is a whole detailed med school analogy there if you want to dive into it all, but not exactly how you originally described.

 

[863168]

@Danny L Propose a better system.

 

[lol_new_user]

Oh really? I think one of them tripped on their own, and the second one was a collision on the first. So if it was just collision, only the second one should have gotten a spot, but I could be wrong lol besides the point. 🙂

 

[imxpandanese]

Chiming in to your original thread question. I don't blame you for being a little upset so far at your cycle outcome, especially given that you have publications in 2 high impact journals, a competitive international study abroad scholarship, and pretty good stats. Your research is definitely stronger than mine.

That said, maybe the "flaw" (not really a flaw) in your app is the 3.5 gpa for your masters? Probably seen as a downward trend. Also did you get your PS looked at by a neutral, third party (not a friend..like a career counselor)?

As to your criticism on the transparency of the admissions process, I agree that it can be frustrating but it's not a straightforward process and would be difficult for admissions to explain to all applicants how they rank against another. For example, at my UCSF interview, the dean of admissions discussed how admissions "look for applicants who can make an impact in every area of medicine that physicians can have an impact in".

Given that broad criteria, who can say that an applicant with a lot of experience restructuring and improving international healthcare systems stands against an applicant with multiple publications and grants? At the end of the day, they're building a well-rounded class. I would just stick it out. Fingers crossed for you the rest of this cycle though 🙂

 

[lol_new_user]

That said, maybe the "flaw" (not really a flaw) in your app is the 3.5 gpa for your masters?

I was worried about that. undergrad gpa shows upper trend (3.68 freshman year to 3.81 senior year with my BCPM GPA always being 3.8 ish (except sophomore year 3.67)). I also completed undergrad and masters in four years, so I basically took these classes side by side. The masters is a techy masters. my BCPM gpa of my masters is 3.79. however yes my "other" GPA (a lot of tough CS classes) is low, which brings down my overall to 3.53. However, no grade below a B, and no retakes on anything ever. But I really don't think that ONE thing would keep me out, since they do focus on undergrad trend and gpa, right?

Also did you get your PS looked at by a neutral, third party (not a friend..like a career counselor)?

I don't remember. I don't remember sending it to like a medical admissions counselor or anyone. I had a general third party look at the general "ideas" I had at the very beginning but not after that. I showed it to many medical school students whom I wouldn't say are my "friends", it ranges from people who know OF me to people who know me really really well. But I'm inclined to say that if I have interviews, then that probably wasn't an issue? Also with schools like UCSF and Mayo that screen for secondaries...do they read PS then? I have another interview from a top 20 just today, but that was because I have a strong rec from people close to ad-com, and I know people personally on ad-com. So I really don't know what to think about my own app anymore.

Fingers crossed that all works out well for all of us. I'm just hoping that many haven't seen my app yet, or they have yet to make a decision.

Also down to PM my personal statement to anyone, would welcome feedback for next year's app cycle (hope it doesn't have to go there :/ )

 

[CyrilFiggis]

You really think if applicants are aware of how they stand in relation to other applicants they would apply to that many schools? The uncertainty is the reason why applying to 10-20+ schools is the norm, not something only neurotic pre meds do.

Did I say secondary app cash was a cash cow? If that's how you interpreted my statement you really have no reading comprehension. Or maybe you just wanted to sneak in a jab at me for insulting the un-criticizable medical school admissions process.

I think it's supply and demand. Currently twice as many students want to be doctors as there are available medical schools positions. The average applications for last year's class was 13.1 applications/applicant. That's not super high all things considered. I'm not sure what more transparency you'd want from schools beyond the statistics they report every year and the mission statements and info available on every schools website, but I'd be glad to hear it.

Did I say secondary app cash was a cash cow? If that's how you interpreted my statement you really have no reading comprehension. Or maybe you just wanted to sneak in a jab at me for insulting the un-criticizable medical school admissions process.

It's a play on something from Reddit when people go out of their way to get extra karma

Those of us over the age of 20 really aren't too up to date on the Reddit lingo, so that, on top it being a common thread on here, is why I interpreted your comment as secondary fees = med schools padding the bottom dollar. So no, wasn't a jab.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

The uncertainty is the reason why applying to 10-20+ schools is the norm, not something only neurotic pre meds do.

The reason that happens is because that's what it takes with such stiff competition. Sometimes I also blame the applicants for not doing their research into schools, as most are actually pretty upfront with what they are looking for if an applicant takes the time to look at their website. Applicants need to do a better job, an example is that the tenth percentile MCAT of WashU is like a 513 or something, yet the average MCAT of applicants to WashU is like a 506 or something. That's just ignorance.

 

[lpp06]

What do schools owe the applicant to feel compelled to achieve an unnessacary level of transparency?

Think about this logistically. Imagine a school offers complete transparency to applicants and keeps the constantly informed of their day to day status. One, someone needs to handle that communication and even the most automated applicant systems require manual control. There’s extra labor there, extra labor means extra cost. Then you have to think about the shear volume of queries that will eminate from transparency. Hundreds of phone calls and emails every day from neurotic students, parents, alumni, bosses, etc. More labor. I’d rather have admissions offices focused on reviewing my application than clerical work.

Not to mention, life after college is utterly opaque. I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs I’m still waiting to hear back from.

My biggest advice for any applicant, present or future:

Make no assumptions and have zero expectations

 

[863168]

NCES reports that 1.9 million people are graduating with a bachelor's degree this May. Last year? 1.9 million. Next year? 2.0 million. Universities are too busy selling children this notion that they should be well rounded by forcing low level humanities courses into the palate of students as if it is the equivalent of gaining human experience. Meanwhile students are oblivious that their adjunct professors could be making less income per hour than a McDonald's employee in New York City. For students interested in being successful right out of the u.grad system the system should be telling them, "Differentiate or die." If you can't find a way to sell yourself or figure out the process, then you aren't going to be given a hand out by someone to walk you through every nuance that is now contemporary practice. As the school system gets more expensive the education system becomes more dystopian as students waste time in a class in which their investment is seeing a diminishing return with more graduates thrown into the job market. Where do a lot of these students go when the job market doesn't pan out and they want a professional education that pays?

 

[1203xx]

-

 

[lol_new_user]

What the fck type of post is this? You have 3 IIs already (1 at a top 15) and you're complaining about your app having a red flag? Now I really hope your app actually does have a red flag. Jesus Christ...people like you...

I don't mean to arouse hatred in any way. I'm more worried about the silence after the beginning of September (all my interviews were then). I don't know if others have been experiencing the same with similar stats/ECs or if there's something surely wrong with my app.

 

[Goro]

What do schools owe the applicant to feel compelled to achieve an unnessacary level of transparency?

Think about this logistically. Imagine a school offers complete transparency to applicants and keeps the constantly informed of their day to day status. One, someone needs to handle that communication and even the most automated applicant systems require manual control. There’s extra labor there, extra labor means extra cost. Then you have to think about the shear volume of queries that will eminate from transparency. Hundreds of phone calls and emails every day from neurotic students, parents, alumni, bosses, etc. More labor. I’d rather have admissions offices focused on reviewing my application than clerical work.

Not to mention, life after college is utterly opaque. I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs I’m still waiting to hear back from.

My biggest advice for any applicant, present or future:

Make no assumptions and have zero expectations

Can we sticky this?
Just an an FYI, the same lack of transparency occurs when you apply for a job. The Ford dealership isn't going to keep you up to date of where you are among all the other mechanics or sales people applying for a position there. And this holds true for faculty jobs as well. In 1999 I applied to CSU-Long Beach for a tenure track Assistant Prof position, I interviewed, and I still have yet to hear from them!!!

 

[•Syzygy•]

Can we sticky this?
Just an an FYI, the same lack of transparency occurs when you apply for a job. The Ford dealership isn't going to keep you up to date of where you are among all the other mechanics or sales people applying for a position there. And this holds true for faculty jobs as well. In 1999 I applied to CSU-Long Beach for a tenure track Assistant Prof position, I interviewed, and I still have yet to hear from them!!!

CSU-Long Beach does silent rejections but I'd recommend sending a letter of intent

 

[Davemed]

Dear lol_new_user - With your stats, you are bound to get more IIs. From personal experience, I can say that this whole process is very unpredictable. Two of my friends (all ORM) and I have all applied to pretty much the same med schools and we all have comparable LizzyM scores and ECs. I have received an II to an OOS school where my friends were rejected and I was put on hold for my state school whereas both my friends received their IIs. I would be a billionaire if I could predict what the Adcoms of each of the med schools look for exactly. So, have faith, and you will be accepted. Best wishes.

 

[calivianya]

The reason that happens is because that's what it takes with such stiff competition. Sometimes I also blame the applicants for not doing their research into schools, as most are actually pretty upfront with what they are looking for if an applicant takes the time to look at their website. Applicants need to do a better job, an example is that the tenth percentile MCAT of WashU is like a 513 or something, yet the average MCAT of applicants to WashU is like a 506 or something. That's just ignorance.

It's a lot murkier if you have a decent MCAT score.

Mine was a 515, so I'm above the tenth percentile just about everywhere. My postbacc GPA is also above the tenth percentile most places, but my cumulative GPA was not. So... what are they going to look at? My lower cumulative GPA? My more competitive post bacc GPA? Both?

I also have no research - couldn't find time for unpaid things - and most schools with average similar stats to mine are research heavy. However, at the same time, few schools even of the top 20 have 100% of first year matriculants with research. Is it still worth applying if I'm in their GPA and MCAT range, but 96% of matriculants did research? How about schools where 90% of matriculants did research?

The only school I could definitively rule out is Virginia Tech. They had 100% of matriculants with research experience. Everywhere else is a dice roll.

 

[lol_new_user]

bumping this.

I have a question for adcom about fit. I'm super non-traditional. Is it possible from my app, that adcoms might be thinking that my application doesn't fit anywhere, because it's super non-traditional focus on arts in medicine, but also someone who has done a lot of research and science work?

In other words, does anyone believe it's possible that adcoms simply struggle to place me in the class, and therefore they kinda don't know what to do with my app.

 

[Med Ed]

bumping this.

I have a question for adcom about fit. I'm super non-traditional. Is it possible from my app, that adcoms might be thinking that my application doesn't fit anywhere, because it's super non-traditional focus on arts in medicine, but also someone who has done a lot of research and science work?

In other words, does anyone believe it's possible that adcoms simply struggle to place me in the class, and therefore they kinda don't know what to do with my app.

PM me your personal statement.