Level of Concern Timeline

[halethsonofhama]

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I submitted secondaries to 8 schools (late july-mid august), but haven't heard back from most of them (I was rejected from UCSF assuming due to my lack of research experience).

I know that invites for interviews can come up until march, but obviously one should be concerned nearing the end. My question is when should I be concerned? nervous? worried? freaking out? (feel free to use you own scale of emotion)

 

[Helen Wheels]

Now, you'll always see stories on SDN where someone says they received an invite in March or April or something, but IMHO if you don't have an invite in hand by January it is probably over for that season. Most (not all, some do interview later) schools only have interview dates through March and April. And most of the time when you schedule an interview it is for a date a couple months later. So for most schools their last batch of interview invites goes out in January or February. So, I would say if you haven't been invited for an interview by January, it is not looking good. Some schools do interview pretty late. I think Rosalind Franklin had interview dates scheduled through May last year. That is unusual, though.

It is only October, though, and still early so don't freak out yet!

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

I'm curious, but was there a reason why you only applied to 8 schools? That's a risky move even if you're a superstar...

I would suggest sending in an update letter/letter of interest to the schools if they tend to accept such things.

 

[halethsonofhama]

I'm curious, but was there a reason why you only applied to 8 schools? That's a risky move even if you're a superstar...

I'm using this year as a gamble; I wish to stay in state (Ca) for the obvious reasons, so I only applied to in state schools. Yes I know that limits me, but I am working on improving my weak spots which will hopefully get me into a Ca school next round and if not, then I'll have applied to OOS schools for fall-back. I just didn't want to be admitted to an OOS school before I knew I had no chance at a Ca school

I would suggest sending in an update letter/letter of interest to the schools if they tend to accept such things.

Is this possible? Is it normal? and what does something like this usually say?

Also, when would be a good time to send something like this out?

 

[whoknows2012]

I'm using this year as a gamble; I wish to stay in state (Ca) for the obvious reasons, so I only applied to in state schools. Yes I know that limits me, but I am working on improving my weak spots which will hopefully get me into a Ca school next round and if not, then I'll have applied to OOS schools for fall-back. I just didn't want to be admitted to an OOS school before I knew I had no chance at a Ca school



Is this possible? Is it normal? and what does something like this usually say?

Also, when would be a good time to send something like this out?

Someone gave you bad advice....If you don't mind me asking what are your stats?

 

[itellitlikeitis]

I'm using this year as a gamble; I wish to stay in state (Ca) for the obvious reasons, so I only applied to in state schools.

I agree with whoknows... you got some horrible guidance/advice/etc. That's a big gamble especially since they're California medical schools. It's only going to get harder as a reapplicant and you will have to explain what substantial activities you did to warrant a reconsideration by the schools. You're already handicapped by not having research experience as well. I knew a few people who applied to California only schools but their applications were rock solid and I would have been shocked if they didn't make it in anywhere in California- and even these people had random results in terms of which schools interviewed them and where some of them ultimately ended up.

Is this possible? Is it normal? and what does something like this usually say?

Also, when would be a good time to send something like this out?

You update the schools when you have something some substantial to tell them about (ie some big award, research publication, etc). Some schools welcome update letters with open arms, some won't take them unless you've been invited to interview, some won't take them period (well they'll take them but it will never be read by anyone on the admissions committee)- it all varies depending on the school.

 

[Musclemass]

Something like half of successful California applicants are successful BECAUSE they apply to and ultimately matriculate at schools in other states. If you're still now strengthening your app, you've lost the opportunity to present your best case to the Cal schools the first time.

I wish you good luck, but remember that the best time to gamble is when you know your odds, your strategy doesn't seem to say that you do.

 

[barcoderider]

July: It would be soooo cool if I got an interview invite! I'd be the first person on SDN with one! 😎

August: Hmmm, no invites yet, but it's still sooooo early. No worries! 🙂

September: Wait, that guy got an invite but I didn't? He was complete a week after me! Well maybe they're not reviewing us in order. Yeah, that's it. 😳

October: I am so sick of hearing about how many invites everyone has! Let me check my gmail one more time...still nothing! WTF?!?!?! 😡

November: OK, seriously, I'm freaking out. What is wrong with my application? I knew I shouldn't have asked that pchem professor for a letter, I didn't even know him that well! What was I thinking? What if I have to reapply?

December: All I want for Christmas is an invite! Just one!

January: I've mentally given up. Time to start polishing up the old resume...June 1st is only 6 months away!

February: I hate studying for the MCAT again, but it must be done.

March: 😱 WTF! Interview?????

April: Waitlisted 👎

May: Accepted! OMFG!!!!!!😀


That's how it was for my friend anyway.

 

[slowbutsteady]

Enlighten us: To which 8 schools did you apply?

If you are one of those high stats people who only applied to 8 top and close to top schools, you may join the very large club who applied poorly and paid the price.

Don't worry, you will be a doctor -- eventually. But if you chose your schools poorly, you may suffer this cycle.

It is a story oft told.

EDIT: You only applied to California schools? So you don't really want to get accepted to medical school, right?

 

[wanderer]

I'm using this year as a gamble; I wish to stay in state (Ca) for the obvious reasons, so I only applied to in state schools. Yes I know that limits me, but I am working on improving my weak spots which will hopefully get me into a Ca school next round and if not, then I'll have applied to OOS schools for fall-back. I just didn't want to be admitted to an OOS school before I knew I had no chance at a Ca school

Wow. You just made every possible bad move there is to be made when it comes to med school apps.
1) You applied to less than 10 schools
2) You only applied to CA schools
3) You applied with the intention of reapplying 🙂confused🙂

Please continue to improve your app as much as possible. You will very likely have to reapply.