No acceptances...

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doinmybest5840

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Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

well honestly, I think 40 schools is a bit too much... especially with your numbers. Also, unless you titled your personal statement "why I hate minorities" you should be guaranteed an early interview at Wayne State with the 31. (assuming you're a michigan resident)
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

That's a lot of money right there.

Depending on the DO's you applied to, I think you seem competitive enough, especially with that MCAT score.

Other people might not have interviewed well or something along those lines.
 
well honestly, I think 40 schools is a bit too much... especially with your numbers. Also, unless you titled your personal statement "why I hate minorities" you should be guaranteed an early interview at Wayne State with the 31. (assuming you're a michigan resident)

Why is 40 too many based on my numbers? I thought I should apply to more so I have a better chance of getting in somewhere. And I am a MI resident, so that makes me feel better about Wayne, thanks.
 
40 is a lot...especially because the AACOMAS is really expensive. Remember that you will have to send in secondaries (with fees) for all those schools as well. I think you're overdoing it a little bit. I think most of the people who had good numbers and no acceptances had other problems, like a late application. Apply early and broadly, but 40 is overkill. I'd narrow it down to 20-30 schools with a good mix of reach and safety. Good luck!
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

1. The DO aspect i'd worry much less about your chance of making it there are very good.

2. MD - You do have a chance, but its just that, a chance, many people have been accepted with your stats to medical schools, and many people with your stats have been denied with your stats. Your list of schools is really good for your stats, your applying early is also another plus. Its my belief, that eventually, with your stats, you will get in somewhere eventually (waitlist etc). But you have every right to worry, please dont end your efforts, keep doing things to improve your application as you apply find a way to maybe raise your GPA a little, show an upward trend and be active in activities still incase you end up on a waitlist they see you are doing a lot still.

3. Md schools are all competitive, and its not all a numbers game of course, but a large part is, and if you have either a GPA or MCAT below a schools certain median or average, its tough. Its ok to be nervous, everyone is nervous, from what i saw in your applicatoin have done everything you could, and thats all you can do. However its good that you arent cocky or arrogant, a sense of being humble will help get you through this process, because even at CLOWN COLLEGE USA with MCAT average 25 and gpa average 2.0, you never know what they are truly looking for, you never know if the interviewer has it in foryou, and you never know if they think you wont attend there in the fall so they just dont accept you.
 
OP,

I noticed that you have a lot of public schools on your list. Most public schools highly favor instate students and unless you have stellar stats or something crazy unique, they are less likely to give you the chance that you are looking for. I'd say definitely apply to all of your state schools and then some private schools running from safeties to reaches. Also objectively look at the areas the schools are in. If you wouldn't go even if that school was your only acceptance, don't apply.

I personally think that for a lot of people with high stats that don't get accepted, they either didn't research the schools enough, applied late, or need to work on their interviewing. For someone to get a lot of interviews they are doing well on paper, but may have applied late or just not gotten over the hump with their interviewing skills.

Good luck.
T
 
1. The DO aspect i'd worry much less about your chance of making it there are very good.

2. MD - You do have a chance, but its just that, a chance, many people have been accepted with your stats to medical schools, and many people with your stats have been denied with your stats. Your list of schools is really good for your stats, your applying early is also another plus. Its my belief, that eventually, with your stats, you will get in somewhere eventually (waitlist etc). But you have every right to worry, please dont end your efforts, keep doing things to improve your application as you apply find a way to maybe raise your GPA a little, show an upward trend and be active in activities still incase you end up on a waitlist they see you are doing a lot still.

3. Md schools are all competitive, and its not all a numbers game of course, but a large part is, and if you have either a GPA or MCAT below a schools certain median or average, its tough. Its ok to be nervous, everyone is nervous, you from what i saw in your applicatoin have done everything you could, and thats all you can do. However its good that you arent cocky or arrogant, a sense of being humble will help get you through this process, because even at CLOWN COLLEGE USA with MCAT average 25 and gpa average 2.0, you never know what they are truly looking for, you never know if the interviewer has it in foryou, and you never know if they think you wont attend there in the fall so they just dont accept you.

Thanks for the optimistic feedback, I appreciate it. I'm taking spring classes now, and I know I'll have at least A-'s (more likely A's), so hopefully that helps even though they're not BCPM courses. I'm also taking fall classes that should help my GPA, and hopefully continuing volunteering, even if I end up switching hospitals (I'm commuting this fall instead of living on campus). I'm also looking to find a medically-related job for the couple months I have before fall, and the 8 months after, since I graduate this December. So all in all, I am going to continue my efforts, but the plan has not been worked out yet.
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

I've got stats that are almost identical to yours, and I'm aiming for around 30 schools. It seems like a reasonable number. You seem to have a good attitude about the whole thing (past experience has taught me that being arrogant in this process is like knocking your MCAT score down 5 points). I think you should maybe whittle the school list down a bit and then just try your best. You never know what may happen...
 
I've got stats that are almost identical to yours, and I'm aiming for around 30 schools. It seems like a reasonable number. You seem to have a good attitude about the whole thing (past experience has taught me that being arrogant in this process is like knocking your MCAT score down 5 points). I think you should maybe whittle the school list down a bit and then just try your best. You never know what may happen...

Can you explain why you think I should cut down my list? People have suggested this several times, but I always feel like I'd be cutting the school that very well may have accepted me. How can it hurt? Maybe I am missing something...
 
Can you explain why you think I should cut down my list? People have suggested this several times, but I always feel like I'd be cutting the school that very well may have accepted me. How can it hurt? Maybe I am missing something...


If you have unlimited time and money it can't hurt. Just remember that secondaries are time consuming and expensive (plan on at least $50 per application plus AMCAS fees). Most premeds are not in a position to spend this kind of money, or fill out 40 different secondary applications. If you are, wanna trade bank accounts? 🙂
 
If you have unlimited time and money it can't hurt. Just remember that secondaries are time consuming and expensive (plan on at least $50 per application plus AMCAS fees). Most premeds are not in a position to spend this kind of money, or fill out 40 different secondary applications. If you are, wanna trade bank accounts? 🙂

I've already calculated the absolute minimum and maximum cost for MD schools, but not the DO schools yet. It will be costly, but that is why I plan to get a job once my classes are over in 2 weeks.
 
keep in mind...secondary essays are not at all fun and very time consuming--i put almost as much effort into these essays as i did into my personal statement. at least consider trimming your list so as to be able to concentrate more on the remaining schools' secondaries.
 
I've already calculated the absolute minimum and maximum cost for MD schools, but not the DO schools yet. It will be costly, but that is why I plan to get a job once my classes are over in 2 weeks.

Are you a nontraditional student? Most recent college grads that I know have had a pretty hard time finding short term employment with a high enough salary to pay those kind of fees and then fly all over the country for interviews. If you can, more power to ya.

Don't ignore the time factor. I applied to 12 schools last year and wrote about 25 essays for secondary applications. Yes you can reuse some of them, but a lot of schools have specific questions (ie. Why to you want to attend Hogwards SOM?). These essays have to be perfect, so they require multiple drafts. If you're up for it, I say go for it, but the reason people are advising otherwise is that it seems somewhat unnecessary.
 
keep in mind...secondary essays are not at all fun and very time consuming--i put almost as much effort into these essays as i did into my personal statement. at least consider trimming your list so as to be able to concentrate more on the remaining schools' secondaries.


This is a good point. I can almost guarantee that by the end of 40 secondaries, you will start slacking on essays. I made multiple mistakes on the last secondary I filled out, and am still kicking myself. If they’re not going to be good, it’s not worth wasting your time or money.
 
Can you explain why you think I should cut down my list? People have suggested this several times, but I always feel like I'd be cutting the school that very well may have accepted me. How can it hurt? Maybe I am missing something...

I guess I was trying to get at whether or not you have your heart set on being an MD or if you just want to be a doctor. If you really want that MD, then don't spend all that time/money appyling DO. Otherwise, go ahead and apply to as many schools as you can reasonably afford. My philosophy is that I want to do this once, and if that means applying to 126 schools, so be it.
 
Are you a nontraditional student? Most recent college grads that I know have had a pretty hard time finding short term employment with a high enough salary to pay those kind of fees and then fly all over the country for interviews. If you can, more power to ya.

Don't ignore the time factor. I applied to 12 schools last year and wrote about 25 essays for secondary applications. Yes you can reuse some of them, but a lot of schools have specific questions (ie. Why to you want to attend Hogwards SOM?). These essays have to be perfect, so they require multiple drafts. If you're up for it, I say go for it, but the reason people are advising otherwise is that it seems somewhat unnecessary.

I'm not a nontrad, but my parents have so nicely offered to pay for the majority of the application process since I'm paying for med school myself.

I kind of figured that since I'll have two months with very little to do (outside of working part-time), that I would have plenty of time to fill out secondaries. But perhaps I am wrong. I don't know. Part of me wants to cut the list down so I don't have so many secondaries to do, but then a big part of me is terrified that I'll cut out a school that would have accepted me.
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

Total overkill, IMO.... since you have 3 public MD schools and a DO school in your state, I would apply to your 3 MD schools, your 3 favorite DO schools and then 10 OOS MD programs that are realistic and OOS friendly.... you'll save a lot of money that
 
sounds like a good call. i, for one, procrastinated some, and let some secondaries drag into the school year, where it then really became an issue. if you can sit down and do them in a timely fashion while putting good thought into each one, revising them, and having others read them, then go for it. although the "others" reading them will probably get tired as well, as i know my proofreader/editor did.
 
This is a good point. I can almost guarantee that by the end of 40 secondaries, you will start slacking on essays. I made multiple mistakes on the last secondary I filled out, and am still kicking myself. If they’re not going to be good, it’s not worth wasting your time or money.

Does every secondary have essays? And don't some have the same/similar questions where I could use the same essay multiple times with some tweaking? I've looked over my list of schools again, and I am still going to apply to all 39 schools (I decided on 9 DO schools). However, as I receive secondaries I'll fill them out in the order of importance/realistic chances I have/etc. That way, if I don't have time to fill out a reach school, I at least finished the secondaries for schools where I felt I had the best chance.
 
I would apply to 37 MD schools wherever I see fit + 3 DO schools, one each in Michigan, Chicago (or Iowa) and Philadelphia. I believe that the one in Phila costs a successful applicant only $250 to hold his or her seat, 8 times cheaper than the nonrefundable deposit at other DO schools.
 
not every one has essays on the secondaries...seek these ones out. check out my post on your mdapps profile.
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

I think you should easily get into a DO school, and it is really good that you are taking the time to apply...as for MD, I would say you are a bit of a longshot. I had a balanced 31R MCAT and a 3.85 GPA, lots of research, and volunteer work, and I had a real rough go of it last year. Ultimately I got 10 interviews, went to 9, and got 8 waitlists and only one acceptance. I was accepted off of one of those waitlists also, but both of the schools I got into were mid-low tier schools. Don't get me wrong, all med schools are great, and very hard to get into, but I thought with my GPA and a solid MCAT, I would fare better in the process (and that I would not be kept hanging down to the wire). You have a pretty low GPA as far as MD apps are concerned, so if you don't want to go DO, you should do some post grad work if you really want a good shot.
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

I applied to ~25 MD schools (no DO schools), had a 3.4 undergrad, 3.7 grad, 30P MCAT (10V 9P 11B), two master's degrees (public health and business), two years of hospital volunteering, and six publications, one of which was in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Right now, I am the unpround owner of ZERO U.S. MD acceptances. I did get accepted to SGU so I'm going to go there instead of reapplying.

However, your mileage may vary. Lots of people get in with stats both higher and lower than ours so the best I can tell you is good luck! 👍
 
I think you should easily get into a DO school, and it is really good that you are taking the time to apply...as for MD, I would say you are a bit of a longshot. I had a balanced 31R MCAT and a 3.85 GPA, lots of research, and volunteer work, and I had a real rough go of it last year. Ultimately I got 10 interviews, went to 9, and got 8 waitlists and only one acceptance. I was accepted off of one of those waitlists also, but both of the schools I got into were mid-low tier schools. Don't get me wrong, all med schools are great, and very hard to get into, but I thought with my GPA and a solid MCAT, I would fare better in the process (and that I would not be kept hanging down to the wire). You have a pretty low GPA as far as MD apps are concerned, so if you don't want to go DO, you should do some post grad work if you really want a good shot.

Well...did you go to one of these mid to low tier schools, or are you a re-applicant? Define "mid-low" tier while you are at it...enlighten me, please.
 
Does every secondary have essays?
I applied to 37 schools (I did not know my MCAT when I applied) and all but about 8 or 10 had secondaries. Some were long, others were pretty perfunctory.
And don't some have the same/similar questions where I could use the same essay multiple times with some tweaking?
Yes, but don't underestimate how long it takes to personalize an answer. They all have a very specific wording to their essay questions, and if you try to force feed it, it ends up looking bad.

DO NOT rush your secondaries. Better to apply to 25 schools with thoughtful, well-written secondaries than 40 schools which are hurried.
I've looked over my list of schools again, and I am still going to apply to all 39 schools (I decided on 9 DO schools). However, as I receive secondaries I'll fill them out in the order of importance/realistic chances I have/etc.
No. You don't have that option. You will be filling them out in the order you receive them. You'll get several on some days and none for a week, then two more, etc. What is key when you apply to this many schools is to fill them out as you get them. Don't put them off or you'll get snowed.

And again, don't estimate how long it takes to fill them out. Each one takes anywhere from 2-3 hours (if the question(s) are very similar to one you've already done and it lends itself to adapting a previous answer) to 8-10 hours for the hard ones.
 
Well...did you go to one of these mid to low tier schools, or are you a re-applicant? Define "mid-low" tier while you are at it...enlighten me, please.

I hate hearing people talk about mid-tier or low-tier medical schools. There is not a medical school in the entire US that is in any way substandard. All are accredited and all will get you where you want to go if you're willing to work hard enough.
 
not every one has essays on the secondaries...seek these ones out. check out my post on your mdapps profile.
Bad strategy. If you're tailoring which schools you are goign to apply to by the ones with the easiest apps, you're not approaching the process very strategically.

Don't get me wrong. It's always a delight to find out that a school you want to apply to has a perfunctory secondary. But don't rule out a school you want to go to because the secondary is hard or apply to one you don't because it doesn't have one.
 
I hate hearing people talk about mid-tier or low-tier medical schools. There is not a medical school in the entire US that is in any way substandard.
You can talk about the "best" and "worst" players on an all-star team. Doesn't mean the "worst" players are bad players, given the competition.

As long as folks talk about top tier med schools, there will always be a low tier medical school. Doesn't mean the lowest ranked medical school is not a fine education. Don't take it personally...
 
You can talk about the "best" and "worst" players on an all-star team. Doesn't mean the "worst" players are bad players, given the competition.

As long as folks talk about top tier med schools, there will always be a low tier medical school. Doesn't mean the lowest ranked medical school is not a fine education. Don't take it personally...

I don't take it personally since I don't have a personal stake in the reputation of any medical school.
 
People are saying that 40 is too many because, well, it's just too many. I would first try to figure out if you will get secondaries from schools based on your MCAT/GPA. If you just hope that you will, then getting accepted will really be a stretch, so strike these schools off the list. So, choose a bunch that you really feel confident will send you secondaries and put a lot of time into these. Doing a great job on 20 is better than rushing 40 (though, as you mentioned, some answers will be re-usable). Next, I would argue that if you can't find a group of 20 med schools that would be at least somewhat likely to let you in, increasing to 30, 40, or 100 isn't going to help you much - you're probably out of the running, plain and simple - better to spend the money doing something to boost your chances (or GPA). You will get into a DO school, no question about it. If you're just as happy at DO as MD, then apply to 5-10 DO and 10+ MD schools and call it a day. However, I think that you're probably better off than the average person with your 'stats'. You seem to be very determined and will likely put together a good application and come across well in your interview. Anyway, those are my 2 cents...good luck.
 
If you can afford it, go ahead and apply to 30. You HAVE to dedicate time and prioritize those secondaries though. Just remember the old SDN adage, If that's the only school I get into, will I actually go there?

(I have almost the exact same stats as you and I'm 0 for 20. But I'm also an Aug MCATer from CA.)
 
If you can afford it, go ahead and apply to 30. You HAVE to dedicate time and prioritize those secondaries though. Just remember the old SDN adage, If that's the only school I get into, will I actually go there?

(I have almost the exact same stats as you and I'm 0 for 20. But I'm also an Aug MCATer from CA.)

I will go anywhere I get in. I don't care if the location sucks, because I'm going to learn, not to socialize. Yes, I'd love to go to a school in NYC (hence NYU and Mount Sinai being the biggest reach schools on my MDapps), but even if I do, I know that I won't have much time to enjoy the city. It's just a bit of a dream, and I'm having trouble completely giving it up.
 
Okay, for a while I was feeling confident that I had a chance with my stats (3.34 overall, 31R), good ECs, and a good personal statement, but now I'm getting really nervous hearing about all these people who have similar or higher scores and no acceptances. What are people doing wrong that they aren't getting accepted anywhere? Are they not applying to enough schools? Or to the wrong schools? I'm starting to feel like maybe I don't really have a chance, and I'm worried. Any thoughts? I'm applying to 30 MD schools and 8-10 DO schools. 🙁

Agree that 40 is going to be overkill, and take far more time than you are estimating. Most people with your stats would likely apply to about 20ish. Just make sure they represent a range rather than the top ranked ones. If you want to apply to DO as well (although your stats ought to be adequate to get looked at by allo schools), a couple of those should do.
 
Also, unless you titled your personal statement "why I hate minorities" you should be guaranteed an early interview at Wayne State with the 31. (assuming you're a michigan resident)

Damn.....
*wads up personal statement and goes back to drawing board* :meanie:
 
Most people with your stats would likely apply to about 20ish.

I beg to differ, I know a lot of CA applicants with better stats (33+ MCAT, 3.7+ GPA) appling to 30+ schools with only a few interviews and not much love from state schools or so called backups. Apply to a broad range of schools, as many as you can afford, there seems to be no logic in adcom's selection or decision. Don't overlook the mid-lower tier privates, any school that you can get into is a good school.
 
hey honey
kiss.gif
i don't know what to tell you that hasn't already been said, other than calm the hell down, you'll get in somewhere
icon_hug.gif
 
hey honey
kiss.gif
i don't know what to tell you that hasn't already been said, other than calm the hell down, you'll get in somewhere
icon_hug.gif

Hahaha thanks. I wish I could be more confident, but I keep seeing these people with way better GPAs/MCAT scores than I have, and I get worried. I thought I had done so well on the MCAT until I found this site. 👎
 
31 is definitely a great score 👍 you have to remember too that a ton of people don't get in based on their absolutely crappy personal skills 😉 You won't have that problem 😍
 
I beg to differ, I know a lot of CA applicants with better stats (33+ MCAT, 3.7+ GPA) appling to 30+ schools with only a few interviews and not much love from state schools or so called backups. Apply to a broad range of schools, as many as you can afford, there seems to be no logic in adcom's selection or decision. Don't overlook the mid-lower tier privates, any school that you can get into is a good school.

The OP is not from California. I stand by my prior statement -- most people with OPs stats won't be applying to 30-40 schools. (Note that most people also do not live in CA and so if unfortunate folks in that state have to apply to more they are in a distinct minority). And there is, in fact, logic in adcom's selection, it's just that applicants are not privy to what they are looking for or what constitutes a "good fit", so it often just will seem random. When schools are getting as many as 10,000 applications, judicious cuts get made and they aren't always the ones folks in pre-allo would expect.
The rest of your post, in terms of aplying to a range of schools, agrees with mine.
 
(Note that most people also do not live in CA and so if unfortunate folks in that state have to apply to more they are in a distinct minority).
But a pretty vocal one, from what I've seen on SDN...
 
Just wanted to second the comments about the time-consuming nature of secondaries. I, too, spent a lot of time on the secondary essays, and the process took me a lot longer than I had expected (especially when working full-time, taking classes, etc.) You really want to be able to get those secondaries in as quickly as possible while still devoting ample time to make them good -- maybe 30 schools, instead of 40, would be more reasonable. Good luck!
 
Well...did you go to one of these mid to low tier schools, or are you a re-applicant? Define "mid-low" tier while you are at it...enlighten me, please.

I am finishing my first year at one of the schools I was accepted to. I would never reapply with an acceptance. I define mid-low tier by the fact that the schools are not ranked in the top 50, and have MCAT/GPA means around 3.4-3.6 and 30-31
 
Wow even 30 schools with those secondaries is killer. 😱
 
Wow even 30 schools with those secondaries is killer. 😱

I'm slowly cutting the list down (I'm at 36 from 40, haha). I'm debating about dropping a couple schools that dropped from above 10% OOS to below, but I'm not sure if that's a reasonable way to cut schools, as there could be considerable variation from one year to the next...
 
Hahaha thanks. I wish I could be more confident, but I keep seeing these people with way better GPAs/MCAT scores than I have, and I get worried. I thought I had done so well on the MCAT until I found this site. 👎

There's more to the application than just overall GPA and MCAT. What's your science GPA like? Plus, some (actually, many) people seem to have trouble writing a good PS that sounds sincere and not robotic. Some people are also not good interviewers. There's a lot more to this game than just numbers. Good luck! 🙂

Edit: I looked at your MDapps profile. I got in with a science GPA that was a bit below yours, and your science MCAT scores were definitely much better than mine. (My verbal really propped me up!)

When it comes to cutting out schools - maybe try to cut out schools that don't match your vision of what kind of doctor you'll become? For instance, if your dream is to be a community pediatrician or a family doc, don't apply to research heavy schools. You won't be a "good fit" as Law2Doc mentioned. Good luck!
 
There's more to the application than just overall GPA and MCAT. What's your science GPA like? Plus, some (actually, many) people seem to have trouble writing a good PS that sounds sincere and not robotic. Some people are also not good interviewers. There's a lot more to this game than just numbers. Good luck! 🙂

Edit: I looked at your MDapps profile. I got in with a science GPA that was a bit below yours, and your science MCAT scores were definitely much better than mine. (My verbal really propped me up!)

When it comes to cutting out schools - maybe try to cut out schools that don't match your vision of what kind of doctor you'll become? For instance, if your dream is to be a community pediatrician or a family doc, don't apply to research heavy schools. You won't be a "good fit" as Law2Doc mentioned. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! 🙂
 
I'm slowly cutting the list down (I'm at 36 from 40, haha). I'm debating about dropping a couple schools that dropped from above 10% OOS to below, but I'm not sure if that's a reasonable way to cut schools, as there could be considerable variation from one year to the next...

that's actually one of the most reasonable ways of cutting schools.
 
OP... I think some of these schools like Mount Sinai, NYU are very competitive median 35s, and median GPAs of +3.75. Arizona and some of the other state schools you have listed don't take a lot of OOSs unless they are exceptional. Better not to waste your parent's money on those kind of schools and concentrate on where you have the best shot, otherwise you might find yourself a bit too bogged down later on. Pore over the MSAR a little bit more and you should find that the DOs and the michigan schools have the most promise. Good luck.
 
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