Married couple applying to med school

[jnhh812]

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My husband and I are both applying for the 2018-2019 cycle. Our #1 choice is ARCOM and I think we both have a really good chance at being accepted there. We live in Fort Smith, graduated from UAFortSmith and want to practice in Arkansas. We haven't taken the MCAT yet, so I still feel like everything is up in the air. We are applying to 10 schools (8 D.O, 2 M.D).

Has any had any experience getting into the same school as their spouse? Should we state beforehand that we are married and are a packaged deal or try to get in strictly individually? Should I mention my husband in my personal statement? Any suggestions would be great, because long distance marriage would suck.

 

[austintr]

Interesting situation, that's for sure...and I'm no expert in admissions. So there's your preface.

If you're both average or above average candidates, you probably stand a good chance of at least both interviewing at ARCOM. But even an interview isn't necessarily guaranteed (i.e, sometimes schools don't extend II's to even very qualified candidates). With solid MCAT scores and good GPAs, I would focus on selling these three points: living in Fort Smith, graduating from Fort Smith, and desiring to practice in Arkansas. When I applied, ARCOM didn't have a secondary yet so (at least then) the personal statement was probably pretty high impact. And I imagine it would be seen as very positive to have such strong ties to the state.

As for mentioning your husband in your personal statement, that's really a personal decision; you can take it either direction. You don't have to disclose your marital status, but if you feel it would be beneficial to show stability by having a family and all that, then go for it. I had no qualms about talking about my wife and son in my interview, but I don't think I put anything about them in my personal statement. But I would caution against telling them you're a package deal. That seems extremely risky to me. I think you would each look better to try and gain admission on your individual merits...you don't want the school to think you're giving them an ultimatum, especially because it's obviously your #1. I can easily see admissions personnel arguing that it's extremely unfair to have one candidate get in on another's performance. Not saying that's the case, but it could easily be perceived as so. I'm sure there are plenty of couples that have gotten in during the same cycle, so hopefully someone else can weigh in. I'm also a firm believer in calling the school directly regarding unique situations like this. I probably made 5 or so phone calls during the admissions process due to having unusual LORs and the like. My personal experience was that all the schools I called were very friendly and worked with me to make sure my questions were answered. I would think this applies even moreso to a newer, smaller school like ARCOM.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to pre-allo.

 

[Goro]

My husband and I are both applying for the 2018-2019 cycle. Our #1 choice is ARCOM and I think we both have a really good chance at being accepted there. We live in Fort Smith, graduated from UAFortSmith and want to practice in Arkansas. We haven't taken the MCAT yet, so I still feel like everything is up in the air. We are applying to 10 schools (8 D.O, 2 M.D).

Has any had any experience getting into the same school as their spouse? Should we state beforehand that we are married and are a packaged deal or try to get in strictly individually? Should I mention my husband in my personal statement? Any suggestions would be great, because long distance marriage would suck.

While my school has had sibling pairs matriculate at the same time, I don't think that we've ever had a married couple. My advice is prepare for the worst that one of you doesn't get in, or that you have to go to two different schools.

 

[Robin-jay]

My first thought when I see "married" on SDN is "divorce".

 

[DrDwayneJohnson]

Honestly, I would just try to put the worries on the back burner for now (really hard task, I know) and focus on doing very well on the MCAT. If you both have competitive scores then that will exponentially help your chances.

Also, I'm not sure what your two MD schools are. I'm hoping UofA and then a private school nearby? I wouldn't pick Mizzou or Mississippi because they have a big IS bias. Can't really attest to any Texas schools, LSU, Tennessee, or Oklahoma.

 

[Robin-jay]

Honestly, I would just try to put the worries on the back burner for now (really hard task, I know) and focus on doing very well on the MCAT. If you both have competitive scores then that will exponentially help your chances.

Also, I'm not sure what your two MD schools are. I'm hoping UofA and then a private school nearby? I wouldn't pick Mizzou or Mississippi because they have a big IS bias. Can't really attest to any Texas schools, LSU, Tennessee, or Oklahoma.

Everything you just listed has huge in-state bias. You almost couldn't come up with a better list.

 

[deleted480308]

You both need to apply to more schools, you also need to have a talk....now, not later......about what happens if only one of you gets in, or you both get in at different places.....

 

[mellie0]

My husband and I are both applying for the 2018-2019 cycle. Our #1 choice is ARCOM and I think we both have a really good chance at being accepted there. We live in Fort Smith, graduated from UAFortSmith and want to practice in Arkansas. We haven't taken the MCAT yet, so I still feel like everything is up in the air. We are applying to 10 schools (8 D.O, 2 M.D).

Has any had any experience getting into the same school as their spouse? Should we state beforehand that we are married and are a packaged deal or try to get in strictly individually? Should I mention my husband in my personal statement? Any suggestions would be great, because long distance marriage would suck.

At an interview I remember asking one of the students why they had chosen that school. She said it’s the only school where both her and fiance got in. I didn’t ask too many questions afterwards, but it seems like they applied to many schools and obviously had identical lists, and just chose the one that said yes to both of them.

You both need to apply to more schools, you also need to have a talk....now, not later......about what happens if only one of you gets in, or you both get in at different places.....

I disagree with this approach. They should cross that bridge when they get to it. Why have such a depressing conversation when they could both get in? My SO and I are only having the discussion after I hear back from all the schools. If we did it now, there would be no point to it, since it’s just a bunch of “what if’s.” It’s best to work with complete information when and if the time comes.

 

[deleted480308]

I disagree with this approach. They should cross that bridge when they get to it. Why have such a depressing conversation when they could both get in? My SO and I are only having the discussion after I hear back from all the schools. If we did it now, there would be no point to it, since it’s just a bunch of “what if’s.” It’s best to work with complete information when and if the time comes.

I think a significant other has a little more freedom to wait and discuss than a spouse.....but you do you

 

[mellie0]

I think a significant other has a little more freedom to wait and discuss than a spouse.....but you do you

Not sure why you’re assuming I’m not married Anyways, I just politely disagreed and offered my point of view to OP. There was no need for you to belittle my relationship when you know nothing about it or about me.

 

[deleted480308]

Not sure why you’re assuming I’m not married Anyways, I just politely disagreed and offered my point of view to OP. There was no need for you to belittle my relationship when you know nothing about it or about me.

Are you married?

 

[mellie0]

Are you married?

Been happily married since 2015. But that’s besides the point. You had no right to think my relationship was less important than op’s due to an assumption you made. Like I said, I only politely disagreed with you.

 

[deleted480308]

Been happily married since 2015. But that’s besides the point. You had no right to think my relationship was less important than op’s due to an assumption you made. Like I said, I only politely disagreed with you.

“Significant other” implies (or at a minimum at least includes) those who aren’t spouses. And I think relationships other than marriage are frankly easier to dissolve and generally less committed than marriages

You are welcome to disagree

 

[Osminog]

My husband and I are both applying for the 2018-2019 cycle. Our #1 choice is ARCOM and I think we both have a really good chance at being accepted there. We live in Fort Smith, graduated from UAFortSmith and want to practice in Arkansas. We haven't taken the MCAT yet, so I still feel like everything is up in the air. We are applying to 10 schools (8 D.O, 2 M.D).

Has any had any experience getting into the same school as their spouse? Should we state beforehand that we are married and are a packaged deal or try to get in strictly individually? Should I mention my husband in my personal statement? Any suggestions would be great, because long distance marriage would suck.

Your sGPA (3.1) is on the low side, but your husband's stats (4.0/3.7) are excellent. Aim high on the MCAT (505+).

Wishing you and your husband the best!

 

[libertyyne]

Get back after MCAT scores.
Can't tell if
Both of you will get in the same school
Both of you will get in at separate schools
One of you will get in
Or
None of you will get in.
Vastly different advice for any of the above possibilities.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I disagree with this approach. They should cross that bridge when they get to it. Why have such a depressing conversation when they could both get in? My SO and I are only having the discussion after I hear back from all the schools. If we did it now, there would be no point to it, since it’s just a bunch of “what if’s.” It’s best to work with complete information when and if the time comes.

I agree with you, and also agree that just because a couple isn't married doesn't make their relationship less significant.

My SO and I (not married, since apparently it matters) were applying to grad school at the same time. To be fair, he wasn't applying to med school, but still. We sat down and talked about the places we wanted to go (schools and location), constructed a list of schools in the same geographic locations, and applied. There was no point in having a serious "oh, what if we don't get into schools in the same area" conversation because we didn't know what was going to happen.

We got into multiple schools in the same locations and are picking the location/schools that have the most pros for both of us.

You may want to say "if I get into school X and you get into school Y and they're far apart, I'm going to/not going to go" but I don't think it needs to be a more detailed conversation than that.

Good luck! I hope you guys get to stay together 🙂