May have to re-apply, yet again

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Premedapplicant

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Third times the charm? Hoping I get in had 5 interviews -
But in a worst case scenario

What does anyone think of a Masters in narrative medicine? Its offered at Columbia, looks kind of interesting, deadline is Jan 15 so thats why I'm thinking, maybe best to apply now just in a worst case scenario...

Thoughts? Would that strengthen application? Also vaguely considering the MPH but not sure if that would be as beneficial as the Narrative Medicine ...
 
I haven't applied to DO yet - thats again for next year assuming I don't get in this year - I'm just tying to plan in advance and wondering if a MA in Narrative Medicine would strengthen my application at all
 
Maybe an SMP would be a good option?
 
How bad are your interviewing skills???

If you had 5 interviews, I'm sure you'll get at least one acceptance!!
 
Would this help make an applicant more competitive? it looks like fun but idk if the courses deal with sciences enough to help. I might have to reapply and I would love to do something like that.
 
Premedapplicant said:
Third times the charm? Hoping I get in had 5 interviews -
But in a worst case scenario

What does anyone think of a Masters in narrative medicine? Its offered at Columbia, looks kind of interesting, deadline is Jan 15 so thats why I'm thinking, maybe best to apply now just in a worst case scenario...

Thoughts? Would that strengthen application? Also vaguely considering the MPH but not sure if that would be as beneficial as the Narrative Medicine ...
Click to expand...

It's really hard to know what is hurting your application. A few questions come to mind:

What is your MCAT/GPA? Major?
What is your state of residence? Are you a US citizen?
What were your activities/research/jobs? Anything outstanding? Anything unique?
How were your essays?
How were your interviews?
What does the Masters in Narrative Medicine involve?
What in the mean time are you doing to strengthen your application?
Where did you apply? When did you apply?
What are your career goals?

Feel free to PM me with the info...
 
You should have applied to DO your second time around.
 
It's also worth a shot at the end of the cycle to contact the admissions offices of the schools you didn't get into but got interviews to see what is holding you back. Some reply...some don't. It might be something you completely don't realize. For me it was a subpar rec letter that I didn't know about...
 
I really appreciate the feedback -

My first app cycle I was WAY late

This cycle, early and quick thorough secondaries - I got 5 interviews, so I'm not dead in the water yet - still waiting to hear post interviews from two schools...

My gpa is a 3.2 and my mcat is a 36 evenly distributed - A little weak on EC's (in terms of community service and leadership) but strong research and clinical exposure as well as hospital volunteering...

From start to finish, my interview skills have definitely improved and the last two that were definitely my strongest I won't hear from until the end of January -

All that being said - The deadline for the MA's is Jan 15 so I need to apply if I am to do it and I live in NYC

The content of the course is basically in developing patient physician (or other health professional) relationship, how to get their history and the important parts in terms of diagnosis and how to humanize the whole clinical interaction so it seems that it could definitely be a useful degree

SO without having a crystal ball to know if this cycle will turn into a go for me - I'm considering applying to this program in the hopes that it will strengthen my app - so

What does everyone think? It may help? It won't make a difference?

It's also worth mentioning I got this kick ass research job involving phlebotomy and dna extraction on July 1 - after submitting my primary - so I talked it up in my secondaries but it wasn't in the primary which I think may also be holding me back...

I've been back and forth in my mind this year after so much rejection, but the bottom line is an MD would allow me to practice so many types of medicine (PCP, allergy, psychiatry, family) and a PhD in psych would only allow me to have limited treating options...MD is the only degree for me BUT DO is an option

I don't have any DO experience though and I don't want to apply only to have that against me but thats a separate issue

Thanks!
 
That is my aim but being proactive - I just want to feel I am doing something - I guess an SMP is an option as well...
 
Doing a SMP will definitely prove that you are more capable than what your gpa is showing. I would hold off the plan on the MA if you're only doing it to get into med school, but if you're highly interested then go for it. I doubt the MA will help or hurt you.

What are you doing now? Are you still in school or working? Are you beefing up on your ECs in preparation for next cycle (in the event that you need to)?

All in all though... I think you have a pretty good chance for an acceptance with 5 interviews. 🙂
 
i thought that by the time you receive an interview the school thinks you're good enough on paper, therefore, with 5 interviews, applying earlier, or DO, or with an ma/smp shouldn't help your chances...but learning how to carry on a conversation would. have you ever had a job interview or anything? maybe you come off as cocky, shy, or just weird. try a mock interview with your premed advisor
 
I just recently learned about Narrative Medicine programs, and got the impression they were for people who were already healthcare providers? My advice would be to look at SMPs if you're interested in mitigating your GPA, from one non-trad with low GPA and high MCAT to another.
 
premedapplicant: what are the status of your five interviews that has you so worried at this point? I only ask because if you have a fair deal of post-interview rejections, I would suspect that your interviewing skills need polishing. If you just had 5 interviews and are waiting for 5 responses, I dont really see how you can be so negative at this point. Please let us know so we can help you out better.
 
FIREitUP said:
premedapplicant: what are the status of your five interviews that has you so worried at this point? I only ask because if you have a fair deal of post-interview rejections, I would suspect that your interviewing skills need polishing. If you just had 5 interviews and are waiting for 5 responses, I dont really see how you can be so negative at this point. Please let us know so we can help you out better.
Click to expand...


Here we go:

1 Rejection
1 Decision Deferred (Hold post interview)
1 Wait List

Still waiting to hear from 2 - hence the negativity or realism I dont know -

Interviewing skills DEFINITELY improved along the way with the last two interviews being the best and the ones I'm still waiting to hear back
 
It sounds like you *might* be jumping the gun. Try to relax (difficult, I know) and remember that WLs are not a death sentence. Most of them move. Make sure you keep doing what you're doing and updating schools where you are on hold after interview/WL'd to show that you're still interested. And, you do still have two left to hear back from! Stay positive and good luck. 🙂
 
You sound like you're a good fit for a SMP. Your MCAT is great, and your EC's sound fine (maybe try to get some more volunteering, medical and non-medical). Your GPA is probably holding you down. I think that you would be very successful in a SMP, and many SMP's have fantastic acceptance rates and linkage programs. It's another year, but you will get to where you want to be. I think that would be better than the Columbia program you were considering. Good luck!

p.s. You still shouldn't panic now. You're still waiting for two schools, and wait list/deferral is not always a death sentence.
 
5 interviews...that tells me it is your interviewing skills that's keeping you. save your money, time, and effort - and just focus on the interviewing skills. screw the smp. a guy with a 4.0 and 40 is going to struggle to get in with poor interviewing skills. normally i'd think your gpa was an issue but apparently 5 schools were willing to interview you. i guess some schools interview a lot and still cut out a lot before accepting (check your 5!) but my general understanding is that if you get the interview - at that point it's less about the numbers. if they interview you then they think you're proficient enough but want to get to know you. so i'm strongly against an smp. just talk to the schools and try to get a sense if it was your interviewing skills that kept you. i'll bet ten bux on it.
 
Look - I get that everyone thinks I have bad interveiwing skills but honestly I'm an incredibly personable individual and yes my interviewing skills have significantly improved through out this cycle - Do I think that screwed me up at the first school I interviewed at and subsequently was rejected at - yes - but all the other interviews went incredibly well with incredibly positive feedback and the faculty summarizing what they would present to the ad comm which was basically a slam dunk - so I really believe it's more my gpa than the interviewing skills - so yes I'm going to look at SMP for next year

On another note - should I wait to apply to the SMP until I hear back post interview? Would it negatively impact my application if they saw (or would they even see?) that I was applying to an SMP already at the same school I already interviewed at but haven't heard back from after the interview?

Thats something to consider

common man said:
5 interviews...that tells me it is your interviewing skills that's keeping you. save your money, time, and effort - and just focus on the interviewing skills. screw the smp. a guy with a 4.0 and 40 is going to struggle to get in with poor interviewing skills. normally i'd think your gpa was an issue but apparently 5 schools were willing to interview you. i guess some schools interview a lot and still cut out a lot before accepting (check your 5!) but my general understanding is that if you get the interview - at that point it's less about the numbers. if they interview you then they think you're proficient enough but want to get to know you. so i'm strongly against an smp. just talk to the schools and try to get a sense if it was your interviewing skills that kept you. i'll bet ten bux on it.
Click to expand...
 
Premedapplicant said:
Here we go:

1 Rejection
1 Decision Deferred (Hold post interview)
1 Wait List

Still waiting to hear from 2 - hence the negativity or realism I dont know -

Interviewing skills DEFINITELY improved along the way with the last two interviews being the best and the ones I'm still waiting to hear back
Click to expand...

I think you should come back after you get the responses from the other two schools you interviewed. At this point, you have 2 waitlists out of 3 interviews, which is not the end of the world. Keep your head up.
 
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