Official 2015-2016: Oh no, I don't have a single Interview Invite thread!

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[TurkDorian]

3.80 cGPA 3.76 sGPA 31 MCAT
Submitted AMCAS application on the first day and submitted all secondaries within 2 days of receiving them. Several rejections (stopped keeping count), 0 IIs and 1 hold

 

[DrScrub]

3.87 cGPA
3.85 sGPA
32 MCAT
Submitted my AMCAS application on the second day it opened, and completed all secondaries within 3 days.
Applied to 29 schools; 6 rejections, 0 interview invites, awaiting responses: 23. Hopefully I get one soon!

 

[JessebenBenjamin]

3.80 cGPA 3.76 sGPA 31 MCAT
Submitted AMCAS application on the first day and submitted all secondaries within 2 days of receiving them. Several rejections (stopped keeping count), 0 IIs and 1 hold

Was your list super top heavy?

 

[TurkDorian]

Was your list super top heavy?

I don't think so. I think most of the schools I applied to were low to mid-tier (except for my reach schools such as Harvard and Yale). I am also Canadian, if that matters.

This was my list of schools:

1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University

2. Boston University School of Medicine

3. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

4. Central Michigan University College of Medicine

5. Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

6. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

7. George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

8. Georgetown University School of Medicine

9. Harvard Medical School

10. Mayo Medical School

11. Medical College of Wisconsin

12. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

13. New York Medical College

14. New York University School of Medicine

15. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

16. Saint Louis University School of Medicine

17. Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

18. State University of New York Upstate Medical University

19. Tulane University School of Medicine

20. University of Kentucky College of Medicine

21. University of Louisville School of Medicine

22. University of Maryland School of Medicine

23. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

24. Wayne State University School of Medicine

25. Weil Cornell Medical College

26. Yale School of Medicine

 

[Doug Underhill]

I am also Canadian, if that matters.

Unfortunately, this matters a lot. The process is so hard for international students.

 

[TurkDorian]

Unfortunately, this matters a lot. The process is so hard for international students.

Oh.

I thought my stats would get me at least a couple interviews though, especially with my application being submitted so early and all.

 

[piii]

Oh.

I thought my stats would get me at least a couple interviews though, especially with my application being submitted so early and all.

It's traditionally more difficult for international students, who usually need higher than schools median stats :/

 

[TurkDorian]

It's traditionally more difficult for international students, who usually need higher than schools median stats :/

aah, darn 🙁

 

[y123]

This is a top heavy list even for non-international applicants.

I don't think so. I think most of the schools I applied to were low to mid-tier (except for my reach schools such as Harvard and Yale). I am also Canadian, if that matters.

This was my list of schools:

1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University

2. Boston University School of Medicine

3. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

4. Central Michigan University College of Medicine

5. Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

6. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

7. George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

8. Georgetown University School of Medicine

9. Harvard Medical School

10. Mayo Medical School

11. Medical College of Wisconsin

12. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

13. New York Medical College

14. New York University School of Medicine

15. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

16. Saint Louis University School of Medicine

17. Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

18. State University of New York Upstate Medical University

19. Tulane University School of Medicine

20. University of Kentucky College of Medicine

21. University of Louisville School of Medicine

22. University of Maryland School of Medicine

23. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

24. Wayne State University School of Medicine

25. Weil Cornell Medical College

26. Yale School of Medicine

 

[catie_jane]

This is a top heavy list even for non-international applicants.

I think many of the top schools accept international students, but a lot of low to mid tiers don't. So most students are forced to have top heavy lists

 

[Cotterpin]

This is a top heavy list even for non-international applicants.

Is it, though? I only really know about the east coast schools, but as far as I can see, he only has like 5 out 25 really top schools. Part of the problem might be that a toooooon of people apply to schools like GWU, Georgetown, the Philly schools, etc. Everybody with average stats have school lists that look almost identical.

 

[BurghMed]

Is it, though? I only really know about the east coast schools, but as far as I can see, he only has like 5 out 25 really top schools. Part of the problem might be that a toooooon of people apply to schools like GWU, Georgetown, the Philly schools, etc. Everybody with average stats have school lists that look almost identical.

This is a top heavy list even for non-international applicants.

For a 31 MCAT, International applicant, applying to Yale, Cornell, Case, Harvard, Mayo, NYU, and even Dartmouth are all basically non-starters who will be more than happy to have received your application fees. To be honest, unless you are URM, it will be an uphill battle as virtually every school is a reach to a certain extent despite your solid MCAT score. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you'll hear back from somewhere, TurkDorian!

Edit: international applicants do not have many options and often have to be academic superstars to achieve good fortune. Sad, but it's reality.

 

[doctorleospaceman]

Well, time for another week of neurotic email/portal checking and stressing out.

 

[Cotterpin]

For a 31 MCAT, International applicant, applying to Yale, Cornell, Case, Harvard, Mayo, NYU, and even Dartmouth are all basically non-starters who will be more than happy to have received your application fees. To be honest, unless you are URM, it will be an uphill battle as virtually every school is a reach to a certain extent despite your solid MCAT score. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you'll hear back from somewhere, TurkDorian!

Edit: international applicants do not have many options and often have to be academic superstars to achieve good fortune. Sad, but it's reality.

But there are still like 18 other schools on his list that aren't non-starters, which is why I don't think it makes sense to call it "top heavy." Yeah, he applied to a bunch of reaches, but the center of gravity is lower, if you know what I mean.

 

[BurghMed]

You have a point, it's really just a matter of semantics. I hope TurkDorian gets in, but it's just a matter of fact that almost 1/4 of the schools applied to are non-starters. With a 31 MCAT, most schools with simply prefer an applicant from the States first, including BU (1ok applicants) and Einstein (8k) for example, where a 31 is in ~20th percentile. The other schools are absolutely possible, but I still think it'll be an uphill battle.

 

[piii]

For a 31 MCAT, International applicant, applying to Yale, Cornell, Case, Harvard, Mayo, NYU, and even Dartmouth are all basically non-starters who will be more than happy to have received your application fees. To be honest, unless you are URM, it will be an uphill battle as virtually every school is a reach to a certain extent despite your solid MCAT score. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you'll hear back from somewhere, TurkDorian!

Edit: international applicants do not have many options and often have to be academic superstars to achieve good fortune. Sad, but it's reality.

Is it really sad though, that US medical schools prioritize US applicants over international applicants, in favor of nationalism? Makes sense to me.

 

[Cotterpin]

You have a point, it's really just a matter of semantics. I hope TurkDorian gets in, but it's just a matter of fact that almost 1/4 of the schools applied to are non-starters. With a 31 MCAT, most schools with simply prefer an applicant from the States first, including BU (1ok applicants) and Einstein (8k) for example, where a 31 is in ~20th percentile. The other schools are absolutely possible, but I still think it'll be an uphill battle.

What's the story with BU, by the way? I always see people getting rejected, but no one getting in. Like they're looking for something specific in their students, but what is it?

 

[Theseus]

aah, darn 🙁

Don't let your hopes down. And also take what people say on these forums with a grain of salt. Lose hope in January.

 

[BurghMed]

Is it really sad though, that US medical schools prioritize US applicants over international applicants, in favor of nationalism? Makes sense to me.

For many state schools, their interests lie in training physicians who will practice in their state, not students who will go back to Canada. Few states (especially when funding and politics come into the mix) want to pour an enormous amount of resources into an international student who is almost guaranteed to leave a state that desperately needs medical professionals. While medical students pay an incredible amount, the money that goes into training them exceeds the tuition.

 

[BurghMed]

What's the story with BU, by the way? I always see people getting rejected, but no one getting in. Like they're looking for something specific in their students, but what is it?

The only explanation I can come up with is that they have one of the highest number of applicants of any medical school. Add to the fact that they have early assurance programs for undergrads would seemingly limit the number of interviews they give. However, MSAR says they interview about 1000 per year.

 

[bananafish94]

3.83 GPA, 31 MCAT, applied between July and August. Waiting to hear from 20 schools. What is the issue here? My ECs, LORs, etc. are all good. I don't understand what went wrong.

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Happy November everyone~! I keep seeing memes of the Holiday season really starting the day after Halloween...perhaps we'll get some nice interview invites/acceptances as gifts 🙂!

 

[Dr. Stalker]

3.83 GPA, 31 MCAT, applied between July and August. Waiting to hear from 20 schools. What is the issue here? My ECs, LORs, etc. are all good. I don't understand what went wrong.

Long story short: Your stats are good, but not great enough to make you stick out in the first few batches of interview invites for stellar candidates (same GPA as you but 35+ MCAT).

Your numbers are essentially good enough for interviews and definitely one acceptance.

Patience is a virtue, the need for instant gratification is not.

 

[Gandyy]

with you 100% on this. it feels terrible especially when you have friends who already have multiple acceptances...smh #foreveralone

Try having friends who were accepted many years ago to the schools that you want to go to, and yet your struggle continues. I guarantee it feels worse, but of course its still not good for either of us. It really does suck being the odd one out.

 

[ssggs]

Got my second rejection and still no IIs. I'm starting to freak out... 🙁

 

[piii]

3.83 GPA, 31 MCAT, applied between July and August. Waiting to hear from 20 schools. What is the issue here? My ECs, LORs, etc. are all good. I don't understand what went wrong.

Could likely be poor writing in your personal statement and essays.

 

[exodian1]

cGPA: 3.7 sGPA: 3.6 MCAT: 508
Was complete at most schools mid-September
1 pre-secondary rejection; 1 secondary never received; 1 post-secondary rejection; 0 MD II; Silence from like 20 schools

 

[Theseus]

Try having friends who were accepted many years ago to the schools that you want to go to, and yet your struggle continues. I guarantee it feels worse, but of course its still not good for either of us. It really does suck being the odd one out.

Most of my friends who applied started last year and are now MS-2. They tell me my turn in suffering will come lol.

 

[cryhavoc]

1 more rejection, to a MD school I probably didn't have a shot at.

So far 2 MD rejections, 1 Do rejections, and rest of MD/DO apps are silent.

 

[physwiz]

Not exactly no interviews, had one at state school but they rejected me last year as well so I was hoping to get some other potentials on the board. Doesn't really feel like I've had a real interview because said state school interviews 90% of IS applicants.

1 interview, 4 rejections, 2 "favorable reviews" (holds?), no word from other 8 allopathic and 2 DO. Complete late July.

Lower stats: 3.35 cugrad, 3.2us, 3.72 cgrad, 3.72sgrad, 28 MCAT (that's what's holding me back I'm sure, poor performance on verbal section). However, graduate school was in difficult science and research heavy topic so I feel like it should make up for some.

Good extracurriculars: 5000+ hours in research, publishing, current job is a clinical research coordinator at a top hospital in U.S., 400+ hours of volunteer clinical phlebotomy and healthcare services to veterans, some smaller volunteer activities scattered throughout college, ultra endurance and extreme sport athlete (shows discipline).

Good writer, as everyone who read PS thought so. Wrote about graduate professor who inspired me to study medicine. He wrote a LoR to reflect my PS.

Probably not going to apply a third year. Just bummed out that can't get an interview. Have sent in updates, set up phone conferences and email threads with deans of admissions to show my interest. I've done all I can except retake the MCAT which I don't think would go much better!

 

[Gandyy]

Not exactly no interviews, had one at state school but they rejected me last year as well so I was hoping to get some other potentials on the board. Doesn't really feel like I've had a real interview because said state school interviews 90% of IS applicants.

1 interview, 4 rejections, 2 "favorable reviews" (holds?), no word from other 8 allopathic and 2 DO. Complete late July.

Lower stats: 3.35 cugrad, 3.2us, 3.72 cgrad, 3.72sgrad, 28 MCAT (that's what's holding me back I'm sure, poor performance on verbal section). However, graduate school was in difficult science and research heavy topic so I feel like it should make up for some.

Good extracurriculars: 5000+ hours in research, publishing, current job is a clinical research coordinator at a top hospital in U.S., 400+ hours of volunteer clinical phlebotomy and healthcare services to veterans, some smaller volunteer activities scattered throughout college, ultra endurance and extreme sport athlete (shows discipline).

Good writer, as everyone who read PS thought so. Wrote about graduate professor who inspired me to study medicine. He wrote a LoR to reflect my PS.

Probably not going to apply a third year. Just bummed out that can't get an interview. Have sent in updates, set up phone conferences and email threads with deans of admissions to show my interest. I've done all I can except retake the MCAT which I don't think would go much better!

Have you considered the DO route? Some of us have given up on the MD route and have had more success in the DO route.

 

[physwiz]

Have you considered the DO route? Some of us have given up on the MD route and have had more success in the DO route.

Yes, I have. I applied to two DO schools but haven't heard from them. Also don't have any DO specific experience so I wouldn't be surprised if they just view me as another back-up applicant. Maybe should have applied to more but finances were getting tight with 17 applications and I was dipping into accounts that are supposed to be retirement savings.

 

[Em4234]

Yes, I have. I applied to two DO schools but haven't heard from them. Also don't have any DO specific experience so I wouldn't be surprised if they just view me as another back-up applicant. Maybe should have applied to more but finances were getting tight with 17 applications and I was dipping into accounts that are supposed to be retirement savings.

Hey man. Dont give up on your dreams like that ! Go to graduate school to improve your GPA. This way you will have a couple of years to save money and take a break (which I am sure you need it) from all this application process. I am also having a rough cycle (0 II ) which is probably cause I am Canadian and I am not exactly the perfect candidate. Hope we both hear some good news. Just dont give up 🙂

 

[deleted642188]

Hey man. Dont give up on your dreams like that ! Go to graduate school to improve your GPA. This way you will have a couple of years to save money and take a break (which I am sure you need it) from all this application process. I am also having a rough cycle (0 II ) which is probably cause I am Canadian and I am not exactly the perfect candidate. Hope we both hear some good news. Just dont give up 🙂

+1 I would suggest that retaking any grade that is less than a B- will be helpful for DO so a post-bacc is also a viable option

 

[deleted642188]

sGPA ≅ cGPA = 3.77, MCAT 30 (10/10/10). Completed most apps between late July to Mid-August with a couple ready for review in early September. 1 wait list; awaiting another post-interview decision. still waiting on 18 more schools. and 1 pre-secondary rejection and 1 post-secondary reject

List:
NYMC
ALbany
Einstein
Tufts
Rochester
Wright State
Wayne State
Wake Forest
Oakland's William Beaumont SOM
UA Phoenix
TCMC
VCU
Creighton
Drexel
Jefferson
St. Louis
WVU (rejected)
Rush
Stony Brook
Buffalo
Penn State
Miami (rejected)

 

[bananafish94]

sGPA ~ cGPA = 3.77, MCAT 30 (10/10/10). Completed most apps between late July to Mid-August. 1 wait list; awaiting another post-interview decision. still waiting on 18 more schools. and 1 pre-secondary rejection

I'm in a very similar situation. How do you feel about your chances?

 

[deleted642188]

Honestly... i am not sure... I feel that although my secondaries are good but I wish I had more time to polish/better them. As of now, it is a waiting game and my sole glimmer of hope is VCU - but man, they're taking forever to review secondaries (as of today, three bloody months) !!!!

 

[bananafish94]

Honestly... i am not sure... I feel that although my secondaries are good but I wish I had more time to polish/better them. As of now, it is a waiting game and my sole glimmer of hope is VCU - but man, they're taking forever to review secondaries (as of today, three bloody months) !!!!

I thought my essays were good but I'm really rethinking that now. The UIC committee is meeting as we speak so I'm praying to every God there is that I get an interview from them tomorrow.

 

[deleted642188]

I thought my essays were good but I'm really rethinking that now. The UIC committee is meeting as we speak so I'm praying to every God there is that I get an interview from them tomorrow.

Luck to you on that then; that's all I can say...

 

[catie_jane]

I posted this elsewhere but I thought maybe you guys would have an opinion as well!

I've been about 7 weeks complete and was thinking about sending an update to all schools that allow pre-interview updates.

Do these warrant an update?
1. Promoted to supervisor at my catering job that I worked throughout college
2. Began volunteering for a hospice organization (inpatient center and at patient's homes)
3. 1st author publications (IF MY PI EVER GETS BACK TO ME - most frustrating thing ever)

Do you also add what you have been continuing? Like that I am still scribing full-time, auditing Anatomy and Physiology.. etc?

 

[y123]

I posted this elsewhere but I thought maybe you guys would have an opinion as well!

I've been about 7 weeks complete and was thinking about sending an update to all schools that allow pre-interview updates.

Do these warrant an update?
1. Promoted to supervisor at my catering job that I worked throughout college
2. Began volunteering for a hospice organization (inpatient center and at patient's homes)
3. 1st author publications (IF MY PI EVER GETS BACK TO ME - most frustrating thing ever)

Do you also add what you have been continuing? Like that I am still scribing full-time, auditing Anatomy and Physiology.. etc?

1st author publications definitely are worth an update.

 

[catie_jane]

1st author publications definitely are worth an update.

Unfortunately I have been waiting for my PI since July to get back to me with the green light since her name is on it as well. However, she is the most spacey person ever. I was thinking of sending an update with the 1st two in the list and then submitting another one once she gets back to me. Luckily the turn over on the journal is about a week after submission so it shoudn't take that long to get a response

 

[starlite911]

Unfortunately I have been waiting for my PI since July to get back to me with the green light since her name is on it as well. However, she is the most spacey person ever. I was thinking of sending an update with the 1st two in the list and then submitting another one once she gets back to me. Luckily the turn over on the journal is about a week after submission so it shoudn't take that long to get a response

Personally, I'd wait until you can submit all three as the same update. Just my opinion, though!

 

[Doug Underhill]

The paper hasn't been accepted yet? Most schools only want accepted pubs.

 

[catie_jane]

Personally, I'd wait until you can submit all three as the same update. Just my opinion, though!

Yeah that's what I was hoping to do, but seeing as how she was supposed to give feedback in July so I could submit then, I have a feeling she is going to keep pushing it off. I figured for most schools I haven't been reviewed or am currently being reviewed so now would be a good time to send an update

 

[catie_jane]

The paper hasn't been accepted yet? Most schools only want accepted pubs.

And yes, I only want to send the update once it is accepted. Luckily, the journal I am submitting to has a 1-2 week turn around after submission so I will hear back quickly. But I am waiting on my PI before I submit unfortunately

 

[starlite911]

Yeah that's what I was hoping to do, but seeing as how she was supposed to give feedback in July so I could submit then, I have a feeling she is going to keep pushing it off. I figured for most schools I haven't been reviewed or am currently being reviewed so now would be a good time to send an update

Is there anyway you can meet with your PI in person? Or find some other way to emphasize how important this is?

 

[catie_jane]

Is there anyway you can meet with your PI in person? Or find some other way to emphasize how important this is?

Yeah, I'm only about 2 minutes from campus and have emailed, texted, and met in person with her. Maybe if I say I am typing up an update to send to schools within the next 2 weeks? I feel like by then schools will most likely have reviewed me though?

 

[starlite911]

Yeah, I'm only about 2 minutes from campus and have emailed, texted, and met in person with her. Maybe if I say I am typing up an update to send to schools within the next 2 weeks? I feel like by then schools will most likely have reviewed me though?

Yeah, it's hard to tell with this process. I'm trying to prepare an update myself, but waiting to hear if my abstract got accepted to present at this conference. Although my update is mostly for schools that I've already interviewed at, I'm still going to send it to those I haven't heard from if they're receptive. It's difficult to know what's "too little, too late."