Odd rejection pattern?

[FozBear]

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I'm just curious if anyone else had a similar pattern of rejections from schools, based on the following criteria, or if anyone has any special insight on the application/acceptance process.

I graduated from GWU as an honors student w/ a solid gpa and very solid MCAT score. I applied over the summer, though I may have sent my applications in later than I should have (by no means was I in danger of not getting them in, just not as early as I could have).

I immediately started working for a prestigious cancer hospital in their clinical trials office, early enough that it was mentioned in my applications.

I applied to 12 schools and probably shot a little higher than I should have.

I've been out-right rejected by 8 of those schools and was only interviewed by one, Mount Sinai (which I felt went very well). The remaining 3 schools have not interviewed me and I don't expect they will.

Has anybody else had an experience like this?

A friend of mine at law school explained that he had a similar experience (very different, I realize) and one of the major reasons was that law schools determine rankings in part by the number of offers they give out compared to the number of matriculations. He was rejected out-right by a number of lesser programs but eventually got in to NYU w/ a significant amount of money as well (i.e. the lesser programs didn't think someone as qualified as him would consider attending their school, so didn't offer him a bid to maintain their ranking). Is this similar practice w/ med school?

I hope that providing some background didn't come across the wrong way, I am by no means attempting to "toot my own horn" or anything, I'm just confused.

I appreciate any feedback!

 

[searun]

You would have been wiser to apply to a broader range of schools and a larger number of schools. Limiting yourself to elite schools is never a good idea, regardless of your credentials. I hope it works out for you.

 

[FozBear]

I may have misrepresented my 12 school pool as all "prestigious", but there was certainly a broad range in terms of program strength, which is the reason for my confusion.

 

[E11]

I'm just curious if anyone else had a similar pattern of rejections from schools, based on the following criteria, or if anyone has any special insight on the application/acceptance process.

I graduated from GWU as an honors student w/ a solid gpa and very solid MCAT score. I applied over the summer, though I may have sent my applications in later than I should have (by no means was I in danger of not getting them in, just not as early as I could have).

I immediately started working for a prestigious cancer hospital in their clinical trials office, early enough that it was mentioned in my applications.

I applied to 12 schools and probably shot a little higher than I should have.

I've been out-right rejected by 8 of those schools and was only interviewed by one, Mount Sinai (which I felt went very well). The remaining 3 schools have not interviewed me and I don't expect they will.

Has anybody else had an experience like this?

A friend of mine at law school explained that he had a similar experience (very different, I realize) and one of the major reasons was that law schools determine rankings in part by the number of offers they give out compared to the number of matriculations. He was rejected out-right by a number of lesser programs but eventually got in to NYU w/ a significant amount of money as well (i.e. the lesser programs didn't think someone as qualified as him would consider attending their school, so didn't offer him a bid to maintain their ranking). Is this similar practice w/ med school?

I hope that providing some background didn't come across the wrong way, I am by no means attempting to "toot my own horn" or anything, I'm just confused.

I appreciate any feedback!

To get any form of constructive feedback on these forums I think you'll have to be more specific, particularly with the bolded text. Forgive me, but the whole post was very vague and leaves me with a hundred suggestions for why you may not have been looked at by schools you should have. How late is not late? How high did you "overshoot"? Unfortunately the medical school game is a crap shoot which is why I applied broadly to 34 schools. I've been very blessed, but know other people similar in stats and experiences who haven't been. I would suggest checking out the "What Are My Chances" forum for more specific help.

 

[FozBear]

Appreciated. I was vague to try and not come across as a "chooch" or whatever.

In answer to those bolded items:

GPA: 3.62
MCAT: 38

Time of application: September
Work for: Mem. Sloan-Kettering

 

[Torr]

I don't know if anything is really "odd" about this. You applied to only 12 programs and you say you may have aimed a bit too high.

It could have been a combination of things but applying slightly later definitely did not help. The interview could have gone fine but in the end other applicants may have had higher stats or found a way to stand out to the Adcom.

I'd say call up the programs and ask them what went wrong. If they're not too busy they usually will give you a reason.

If your GPA and MCAT are strong then just reapply early next cycle and apply broadly as they say. Work on strengthening your app where you can (EC's, clinical or research).


Edit: just saw your additional info. Still hard to say what went wrong but nice job on the MCAT 🙂 . What is the breakdown?

 

[FozBear]

I should be hearing back w/in the next week and a half from Mt. Sinai. From what I've gathered so far the late app and paultry number of applications is the issue. Re-applying in the next cycle is certainly not the worst thing in the world and I'll have some knowledge going back in (i.e. turn in your GD apps as soon as possible and send them everywhere, like tree pollen).

I guess the questions I have at this point are: are schools networked in such a way that they're aware of where else you applied? will they reject if they don't believe you'll accept an offer?

Thanks for everyone's feedback, should have joined SDN earlier.

 

[FozBear]

MCAT breakdown:

errrr... 12, 14, 12?

14 was physical sciences. I don't remember what my essay grade was off the top of my head.

 

[E11]

Well you certainly have some good numbers. It's hard to say why you didn't get many looks, though I am by NO means any sort of expert. Your stats are extremely similar to mine so I'm surprised that you weren't more successful with interview invites. My only suggestion would be to apply a little bit earlier in July or August. I know that I didn't get looked at by a lot of the research powerhouses because my research experience is probably the weakest part of my application. I have now been working on that in my gap year but as I suspected when I applied, most of the "top 20" I applied to didn't give me any looks because my GPA at those schools is below average and I wasn't published as a fetus. 🙂

I'm pretty sure the med school admissions game is exactly that: a game. I think that AdComs play darts with our apps. I know I would be.

 

[slatermd]

Appreciated. I was vague to try and not come across as a "chooch" or whatever.

Chotch...but that was dam funny.

 

[rhesuspieces]

I should be hearing back w/in the next week and a half from Mt. Sinai. From what I've gathered so far the late app and paultry number of applications is the issue. Re-applying in the next cycle is certainly not the worst thing in the world and I'll have some knowledge going back in (i.e. turn in your GD apps as soon as possible and send them everywhere, like tree pollen).

I guess the questions I have at this point are: are schools networked in such a way that they're aware of where else you applied? will they reject if they don't believe you'll accept an offer?

Thanks for everyone's feedback, should have joined SDN earlier.

They don't know where else you applied, but by this point, they are aware of whether you've been accepted to another medical school.

Good luck!

 

[FozBear]

Truth, haha. I have always imagined primary screens as dart games or "52 pickup" but w/ 20,000+ applications.

My research experience was in astrophysics and sort of weak as well. I'm currently in clinical trials, though not in a true research capacity (if I don't get in this cycle I'm considering transferring to a wet-lab here).

If I were to call one of the institutions that rejected me would they actually tell me a specific reason?

Thanks again!

 

[FozBear]

Chotch...but that was dam funny.

I prefer "chooch" (pronounced like choo-choo train, dropping that last "oo") but am also partial to "chotch," which I always associate with office space a la chotchkies (sp?).

 

[slatermd]

I prefer "chooch" (pronounced like choo-choo train, dropping that last "oo") but am also partial to "chotch," which I always associate with office space a la chotchkies (sp?).

Well, chooch was a new one on me so I looked it up for anyone who was curious. Thank you urban dictionary:

Chooch:
1. People (generally male) in their early to mid twenties that wear Tevas, smoke pot, listen to Phish/Dave Matthews, go snowboarding, 'hang out', bathe irregularly and other things that make them seem as though they live a 'hippie' lifestyle even though they are supported by a trust fund. Especially common to Portland, Oregon.

2. The term is derived from the Italian word "ciuccio" and means jackass, dummy, idiot, or *****. A chooch is a person, who against better judgement, acts inappropriately.

Chotch:
1. Generic, well-dressed, slightly meathead-ish dude who only cares or knows about bars, chicks, and looking good. Gel, vertical striped shirts, designer jeans, and sleek black shoes are a must. In middle school, chotches wore "No Fear" and "Coed Naked" T-shirts; in high school, white baseball caps and all Abercrombie; in college, visors, wife beaters, and cargo shorts.

2. A guy that tries too hard - usually with the ladies. Overdressed, overdone and in general "too much". A cheesy guy who tries to strut his stuff with the females - hitting on them when they clearly have no interest.

 

[FozBear]

Glad that's settled, haha.

Greatly appreciated all the help, best of luck to all of you.

 

[Torr]

Well, chooch was a new one on me so I looked it up for anyone who was curious. Thank you urban dictionary:

Chooch:
1. People (generally male) in their early to mid twenties that wear Tevas, smoke pot, listen to Phish/Dave Matthews, go snowboarding, 'hang out', bathe irregularly and other things that make them seem as though they live a 'hippie' lifestyle even though they are supported by a trust fund. Especially common to Portland, Oregon.

2. The term is derived from the Italian word "ciuccio" and means jackass, dummy, idiot, or *****. A chooch is a person, who against better judgement, acts inappropriately.

Chotch:
1. Generic, well-dressed, slightly meathead-ish dude who only cares or knows about bars, chicks, and looking good. Gel, vertical striped shirts, designer jeans, and sleek black shoes are a must. In middle school, chotches wore "No Fear" and "Coed Naked" T-shirts; in high school, white baseball caps and all Abercrombie; in college, visors, wife beaters, and cargo shorts.

2. A guy that tries too hard - usually with the ladies. Overdressed, overdone and in general "too much". A cheesy guy who tries to strut his stuff with the females - hitting on them when they clearly have no interest.

Good to know. I've dated a Chotch but not a Chooch.

Why does Oregon keep ripping off Cali's Bay Area style and then get to claim it for their own? We definitely got more Chooches .

 

[Naquadria]

They don't know where else you applied, but by this point, they are aware of whether you've been accepted to another medical school.

Good luck!

Out of curiousity when (in terms of date) do schools start having access to that information?

 

[wanderer]

Selectivity rate's effect on rankings is very low (only counts for 1% of a school's score per USNWR research rankings). I'm sure some schools care about their yield, but it doesn't explain only getting one interview. You either applied only to top programs, or your overall application is lacking something. a 38/3.6 that applies to 12 schools should get at least 4 interviews, assuming a wide variety of schools applied to.

 

[gravitywave]

They don't know where else you applied, but by this point, they are aware of whether you've been accepted to another medical school.

Good luck!

i'm pretty sure this is untrue, as the deadline for schools to report acceptance actions to AAMC is March 30, and i can't find the webpage but i can recall reading something else on there about the database being available in "the spring."

to stay OT, i'd say that OPs mistake was a confluence of lateness and poor school selection. I don't know that 12 schools is too few with a LizzyM of 74, but September is too late (esp. if AMCAS was submitted then, the info isn't clear)

 

[soundnin]

skimmed through, may have missed it, but do you have any EC's other than the previous astrophysics and the current cancer research? that might be the missing gap in your app?

 

[LizzyM]

Even if a school wants a good yield (proportion of offers accepted) it can offer interviews to strong candidates and then waitlist many of them while making offers to very few.

The situation here is not getting many interviews at all (1/12). I would have expected 2/12 if all were random. The typical things that could be going on are: late application, shot too high (the 3.6 is about 0.2 below some of the top schools and the question remains if a 38 can make up for that), and of course, experiences and fit with a particular school's mission and culture. In particular, not having had wet lab experience (some schools value this highly) or not having had testable hypothesis type research related to medically related areas of science might have been a roadblock.

Finally, the essays and LORs may have been weak and what was overlooked by 1 school was not overlooked at 11 others.

 

[jcho91]

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