this is not a biggie (the offense in and of itself), the only issue is that you got cited for it twice. it's only on your record once, right? definitely not worth dwelling on. if they ask you about it, give the line about learning your lesson and the interview should move on.Pancho Villa said:
1. you can certainly update your app with the grades if they're strong, but it's not mandatory. you can also make it personal correspondance (like when people talk about LOIs) directly to the school. doesn't have to be an official amcas update.tennisguy896 said:
agh, yeah, in retrospect, auditing would have been the way to go. it's definitely the best course to get a C in out of the ones you listed. if you are getting As in the other classes I think that will be OK for a non-trad friendly school. is it just one semester worth of grades? if there is another semester recently that you did well, I'd let your blood pressure drop a bit. that alone won't hurt you too much.JimmyG said:
we actually had a bit of this discussion with someone who was an activist with a less controversial field but kind of aggressive tactics. there are a couple issues at play here. they all kind of center around the fact that they are picking people a) they want to be students and will be good students at the school (academically and socially) and b) they want as collegues, that would make good doctors (which is also about more than academics). having a strong committment to women's health issues is a positive thing, and I have seen involvement with contraversial advocacy groups be included in an argument FOR a candidate.trustwomen said:Wow, adcomm, you're so patient....
Here's my contribution to the draining of your valuable time:
A volunteer group that I founded got some pretty neat press coverage (cover of the Village Voice, and lead article in the "ACLU Heroes of Freedom" special series in Salon.com). I brought copies of both to my interview (one-on-one interview with each of two adcomm members). I waited until they seemed supportive/complimentary (it's a controversial field - abortion rights activism) and then offered them the copies in case they wanted further information, as they had asked me about this activity which was in my PS (of course). They both accepted the articles. Is this as good a sign as I think it is? Both articles were complimentary to me personally (Village Voice was actually a bit over-the-top).
It's been three weeks since the interviews and I'm starting to freak out and convince myself they hated me.
Do adcomms REALLY get impressed by that stuff or would I be considered too "radical"?
four of five sessions is fine. two or three with the same person is fine as well. since you're early in the game, look for a volunteer position in some clinical area where you aren't following someone around all the time. nobody is going to have you shadow them for a month- after a certain point it will get very boring for you and tedious for them. you don't need to learn medicine on these visits, just get a feel for what the day is like. seeing how several people's days are is preferable to seeing one person's month.tikiman said:
adcomm said:
(I'm so pathetic)
these are all things that have way too much to do with the individual person for me to answertrustwomen said:One interviewer did ask me how I felt about pro-life people applying to medical school, and I said that doing good is doing good, and there are certainly some pro-life people who do good. I also said that being passionate about something is a good quality for a doctor, and that I don't judge others because of their views. I did say that pro-choice might be somewhat more related to medicine, as it is about preserving access to a medical procedure rather than denying access to a medical procedure. The interviewer then made a comment about a controversy in his FP practice with some docs refusing to refer for abortion or emergency contraception, and he seemed to "shake his head" and be disappointed with these docs. (Yes, I have been picking apart every little detail). He also asked me about the other main thing in my PS, my current job (in a shelter for homeless young women) and we talked a while about universal healthcare (it was a Canadian school). So it wasn't "all about the baby-killing".
So THAT's why he asked me what qualities I had that enabled me to start the group... I answered that one awkwardly I think (motivating others, thinking unconventionally, etc.). But more info on these "qualities" are definitely in the articles... Do you think they'll read them, adcomm? Do you? DO YOU?
I also told both interviewers that I was really determined to get into med school, that I would keep trying until it happened, and that whatever school let me in would be glad they did because I will shine. For the first guy it was in response to the "what will you do if you're not accepted anywhere" question, and for the second guy (the one mentioned above) it was when he asked if I wanted to say anything else, so I said, well, the first interviewer asked me about what I would do if rejected, and I wanted you to know too.... I don't usually come across as arrogant to people, and it was the end of otherwise good interviews, do you think this might have been a turnoff? (I like to think it was "confident").
hang in there. go to the gym or bake cookies or something. it's sunday.faluri said:
it's just an adminstrative duty that gets tacked onto a regular academic MD position. most are MDs or PhDs at my school (which is an MD school). there is no "training" beyond knowing the school and the atmosphere and the expectations of the dean. they get asked to be on the committee because the dean of admissions trusts their judgment. they all practice as regular physicians or researchers unless they happen to be in a full-time administrative position (ie, dean of student affairs). they conduct around 0-4 interviews a week and the meeting itself is 2-3 hours once a week.Gerrymandering said:
adcomm said:
I would think you have a shot at an interview if you do well on the MCAT and apply to a bunch of schools. So the question do you have "any" chance, the answer is yes. It is especially yes if any of these experiences/volunteering/work are unique or interesting or otherwise would make you an asset to a diverse group of people (at schools that value diversity).CoNfUsEdPrEmEd said:
adcomm said:
I'd stick with getting the letter to your admissions office with a short LOI, ccing your interviewer. Something like apolgize that I didn't have this sooner but if you could include this in my application file I would greatly appreciate it thanks. really impressed with the school and hope to be part of the class in the fall. *something LIKE that, not that*MySillyum said:Hi adcomm: BIG thanks for your help. It's much appreciated.
I interviewed at my first choice SOM last week. My two bosses (I work 1/2 time and volunteer on an underfunded research project 1/2 time) have written letters of support that are tailored to that particular school. Because of spring break and travel delays, I wasn't able to send both letters to the ad. comm. prior to my interview as I had hoped. I DID physically turn one of them the day prior to my interview though
Question: Would it be ok to send the second letter with a note from me that says:
a) this is what I do now (as in update: i volunteer now), and please see the enclosed LOR from my supervisor
b) I had hoped to send the LORs to you earlier, but Spring break/ travel delays slowed down my letter writers
c) I currently hold acceptances to 2 other schools, but love you and will immediately withdraw this and all other pending apps if you accept me...
Let me know what you think. I'm hoping that since I interviewed only 3 days ago, that if I rush the second LOR + my LOI to them by Mon, they'll be ok with it.
Thanks in advance for your help!
tikiman said:
LOL sorry couldn't help restraining myself, yet i know this is the internet.Gerrymandering said:If you can't pass calculus, then how are you going to pass medical school? In this circumstance, take statistics!!! it's a fun and interesting class that you'll enjoy. Don't bother adcomm with these questions because i'm sure he's had enough as it is, right adcomm???
tikiman said:
Gerrymandering said:If you can't pass calculus, then how are you going to pass medical school? In this circumstance, take statistics!!! it's a fun and interesting class that you'll enjoy. Don't bother adcomm with these questions because i'm sure he's had enough as it is, right adcomm???
Gerrymandering said:
. You just need to keep in mind that the many applicants will have completed calculus, and adcoms may wonder why you dropped it twice and didn't try to overcome the challenge. Just my 2 cents before adcomm gives you the final word. Sorry again .
tikiman said:
who's adcomm?tennisguy896 said:Sorry for butting in. Many med schools specifically require at least one semester of college calclulus, and many will not allow you to substitute calc with stats b/c stats is much easier than advanced calculus. Statistics is a completely different field than calculus (it's not techinically mathematics). Ask any statisticians and they get all huffy that people think stats is math
sry, i don't mean to be rude but i really think its time to get the truth from someone who i know will be the most informed like the adcomm. but anyway, thx for the input. Now i am even more confused 
tennisguy896 said:
what he said. maybe you don't use the math per se, but it's part of proving that you can handle difficult academic material... anyone can get a 3.9 taking all psych classes.tennisguy896 said:Sorry for butting in. Many med schools specifically require at least one semester of college calclulus, and many will not allow you to substitute calc with stats b/c stats is much easier than advanced calculus. Statistics is a completely different field than calculus (it's not techinically mathematics). Ask any statisticians and they get all huffy that people think stats is math
tikiman, honestly, I think you need to lay off the SDN and concentrate on the studying. I don't know where you should do calculus and honestly I'm more concerned with you inability to spell "what" when you're talking to someone who I'd imagine you'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt. concentrate on passing your basic science and math courses (defined as those which will allow you to apply broadly to medical schools, so calculus is included since it is a requirement at many schools). I'll be happy to answer your questions if I'm around in a year. but at this point in the game I think you should worry less about med school admissions.tikiman said:
