Mid-level SOM screening

[bobeflay]

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Howdy SDN,

I've got a few questions for students who applied to mid-tier schools with relatively high stats. I am planning to apply next cycle, and have one mid-tier school that I would definitely go to if I were fortunate enough to be accepted. Here are my questions:

1. Is it true that some mid-tier schools will not interview high stat applicants because they have a low chance of matriculating?
2. If so, is there anything that can be done to let the ADCOM know that I am very interested in attending their school?
3. Would I be reducing quality of potential residencies that I could match into, or limiting options for specialties I could pursue by attending a mid-level SOM.

Thanks for your input!

 

[gyngyn]

1. All schools have a range within which applicants are more likely to be interviewed. You will need something special if you fall above or below this range.
2. We're used to hearing every possible reason, but the secondary is the place to try.
3. Compared to what?

 

[Shirafune]

See gyngyn's post above.

As a side comment, you can try contacting the school's admissions office or make an appointment with a Dean, if the school is open to it. As pertinent to #3, depends on the school. From what I've read, you won't have problems matching into competitive specialties. The quality of residencies depends on what you're looking for in a program (i.e. what your career goals are). Instead, you should ask about certain resources the school can provide with regards to specialties you're interested in exploring, but you haven't even applied yet, let alone received an interview/acceptance.

 

[bobeflay]

1. All schools have a range within which applicants are more likely to be interviewed. You will need something special if you fall above or below this range.
2. We're used to hearing every possible reason, but the secondary is the place to try.
3. Compared to what?

Thanks for your response, just a few follow up questions:

How far above a school's 90th percentile for GPA or MCAT would typically exclude somebody from being considered?

What types of reasons would you find particularly convincing in a secondary?

I guess I'm wondering if I'd be limiting my residency/specialty options by attending a mid level school compared to a top 10 school in the US News rankings for example.

 

[Shirafune]

Thanks for your response, just a few follow up questions:

How far above a school's 90th percentile for GPA or MCAT would typically exclude somebody from being considered?

What types of reasons would you find particularly convincing in a secondary?

I guess I'm wondering if I'd be limiting my residency/specialty options by attending a mid level school compared to a top 10 school in the US News rankings for example.

As far as metrics screening goes, depends on the school.

There are multiple convincing reasons you can list in a secondary. Mission, location (family or spouse/SO nearby), curriculum/learning style, and clinical exposure (what patient populations surround the school) are a few I can think of. I think the so-called caliber/competitiveness of residencies depends more on the student than an arbitrary school ranking. At the very least, you won't be limited by specialty options simply because of a ranking.

 

[gyngyn]

How far above a school's 90th percentile for GPA or MCAT would typically exclude somebody from being considered?

What types of reasons would you find particularly convincing in a secondary?

I guess I'm wondering if I'd be limiting my residency/specialty options by attending a mid level school compared to a top 10 school in the US News rankings for example.

All applicants are considered. The likelihood of an invitation goes down at the extreme ends for most schools.
I haven't seen many persuasive reasons. There are undergrad institutions that tend to give us good candidates, though.

 

[Goro]

Your application already tells them that. If you want to get their attention, include a six figure donation check.


2. If so, is there anything that can be done to let the ADCOM know that I am very interested in attending their school?

 

[Lawpy]

Your application already tells them that. If you want to get their attention, include a six figure donation check.


2. If so, is there anything that can be done to let the ADCOM know that I am very interested in attending their school?

seven figures

is this adjusted for inflation

 

[CyrilFiggis]

I guess I'm wondering if I'd be limiting my residency/specialty options by attending a mid level school compared to a top 10 school in the US News rankings for example.

Not doing well in med school limits your residency/specialty options, not the program itself.

 

[bobeflay]

Your application already tells them that. If you want to get their attention, include a six figure donation check.


2. If so, is there anything that can be done to let the ADCOM know that I am very interested in attending their school?

seven figures

Looks like I'll be taking out some more loans!

 

[Gurkhali]

and I know a guy who can arrange that for ya!

you might say he's the loan arranger

Haha I get it. I think you're (t)onto something there.