Official, Pre-Allo NOT ACCEPTED YET 2017 applicant thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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tarheelpenner said:
UPDATE on my mental health: Today, I was so proud of my cells (in lab) for finally growing after being stubborn and dying, that I actually almost teared up I was so proud and happy.
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I still have nightmares about when I first started cell cultures and every single time I checked on the flask the MEM was totally cloudy with contamination. Bad times.
 
Ahhhhhh.... I'm happy that I finally found a group suffering from the same neuroses and sadness that plague me day to day throughout this cycle.
7II, 3 attended, 3 this month, 1 not attended, infinity silence/ rejection
 
flip15 said:
So happy to find this thread! I've been "lucky" compared to many of my friends in that I've gotten 7 II this cycle, but so far just 2 WL, 1 R, and 1 interminable post-interview "hold." I'm 99% positive that I'm a good interviewer so I'm just hoping I'm not a good fit at those schools. This limbo is turning me into an anxious mess, but yoga seems to help a bit. Anyone else have any mental health preservation tips?

Also, someone posted in the school-specific thread for my #1 choice that they might start to call for acceptances on Friday, and I've been feeling queasy all morning.
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I have found that treating these next 8 months as a time to do all the fun things I was not able to during undergrad and won't be able to do during med school has been uber cathartic. Maybe plan a trip with the $20 left in your account after attending seven interviews.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
flip15 said:
So happy to find this thread! I've been "lucky" compared to many of my friends in that I've gotten 7 II this cycle, but so far just 2 WL, 1 R, and 1 interminable post-interview "hold." I'm 99% positive that I'm a good interviewer so I'm just hoping I'm not a good fit at those schools. This limbo is turning me into an anxious mess, but yoga seems to help a bit. Anyone else have any mental health preservation tips?

Also, someone posted in the school-specific thread for my #1 choice that they might start to call for acceptances on Friday, and I've been feeling queasy all morning.
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If the school you're referring to is Mayo, I'm the one who posted that I heard acceptances may be coming out Friday, so I apologize for being responsible for that queasiness!!
 
deforestasian said:
Update: realized today that I bought an airline ticket to return exactly one month later than intended.

-________________________________-

NO WONDER I DONT HAVE ANY ACCEPTANCES YET I CANT EVEN PURCHASE THE RIGHT FLIGHT
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Wait are you stuck there right now till you can get another ticket? That blows.
 
Gurkhali said:
Wait are you stuck there right now till you can get another ticket? That blows.
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No, thank god. The flight isn't till next month but my coworker happened to see it and was like, why are you staying there for a month, didn't you only ask for two days off?

Apparently the 21st of February and the 21st of March are both Tuesdays, so I failed to notice when I was buying


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Fourth time applying. Have been interviewed and wait listed each time at the schools I applied to. Have absolutely busted ass over the last year to do everything one of the schools asked of me. Still no II. My MCAT is also about to expire.
 
Afp0731 said:
Fourth time applying. Have been interviewed and wait listed each time at the schools I applied to. Have absolutely busted ass over the last year to do everything one of the schools asked of me. Still no II. My MCAT is also about to expire.
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I feel your pain since this is my third time applying. Waitlisted at all the interviews from previous cycles. One cycle takes so much out of you both physically and mentally, let alone multiple cycles. Definitely respect your determination, so don't give up yet! Have you been applying MD and DO?
 
flip15 said:
Yes, it is Mayo! Haha please do not apologize, I'm definitely happy for the information, just extremely nervous based on my track record with interviews!
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Ahh my track record's been similar so far (2 WL/deferred out of 10 interviews) and so I totally understand the nervousness. Hopefully good news will come in the next few weeks for all of us waiting though!
 
alex.jl1994 said:
Ahh my track record's been similar so far (2 WL/deferred out of 10 interviews) and so I totally understand the nervousness. Hopefully good news will come in the next few weeks for all of us waiting though!
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What the heck is going on behind the scenes that you're considered for 10 IIs but only 2 WLs? Isn't the usual saying "if we're interviewing you it means we already really like you"?
 
CharlieBillings said:
What the heck is going on behind the scenes that you're considered for 10 IIs but only 2 WLs? Isn't the usual saying "if we're interviewing you it means we already really like you"?
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I think schools are becoming increasingly more likely to utilize the waitlist as a means to deal with applicants that apply to 30-40 schools (like myself). We're trying to assure we get at least one acceptance, while they're trying to minimize declined acceptances maybe? Just my $0.02.
 
Spoderman said:
I think schools are becoming increasingly more likely to utilize the waitlist as a means to deal with applicants that apply to 30-40 schools (like myself). We're trying to assure we get at least one acceptance, while they're trying to minimize declined acceptances maybe? Just my $0.02.
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Can schools see how many you applied to?
 
Afp0731 said:
Fourth time applying. Have been interviewed and wait listed each time at the schools I applied to. Have absolutely busted ass over the last year to do everything one of the schools asked of me. Still no II. My MCAT is also about to expire.
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4th time? Did you re-apply every consecutive cycle?
 
Afp0731 said:
Fourth time applying. Have been interviewed and wait listed each time at the schools I applied to. Have absolutely busted ass over the last year to do everything one of the schools asked of me. Still no II. My MCAT is also about to expire.
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Based on your post history - it seems like you're only applying to schools in Louisiana?

Although you've put in a lot of effort and doing things these schools have recommend, the individuals reading your application are surely blinded to this and will weight your new activities at their own discretion (when compared to your old).

Would you be open to attending school outside of Louisiana? Applying broadly is necessary for success.
 
CharlieBillings said:
Can schools see how many you applied to?
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The "ADCOMS" on his board say they have no way of knowing how many schools anybody applied to. They do say that on Feb 10, they will be able to see how many schools an applicant is accepted to IF they too accept him/her. And they say that on April 1o they will be able to see where their acceptees are also waitlisted.
 
I love you all! I've had two IIs so far and I felt good about them, but it's pretty hard to judge and now I'm just waiting. Still waiting to hear anything from a couple of schools, too.

I think the waiting is really frustrating for a lot of us because we've put in so much work up to this point, and then you reach a time where you really can't do anything else and it's out of your hands. It can be kind of freeing, but at the same time I feel antsy with all the uncertainty about my future and it all being out of my control! But thanks for this thread, it helps to commiserate with everyone haha
 
Is anyone else experiencing a lot of silence? I have 6 schools yet to hear from (no rejection or interview invite). When I go to the school portals it just says "your application is still under review by the AD COM."

What does this mean since the interview season is practically over? Do some schools just not inform you that you are rejected and let you sulk in silence?
 
sparklife143 said:
Is anyone else experiencing a lot of silence? I have 6 schools yet to hear from (no rejection or interview invite). When I go to the school portals it just says "your application is still under review by the AD COM."

What does this mean since the interview season is practically over? Do some schools just not inform you that you are rejected and let you sulk in silence?
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I still have silence from 12 schools, so you're not alone. I've heard that some schools just wait til the end of the cycle to send out all rejections, so I'm just running under that assumption.
 
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
 
Hiss13 said:
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
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How old are you?
 
OathTaker said:
The "ADCOMS" on his board say they have no way of knowing how many schools anybody applied to. They do say that on Feb 10, they will be able to see how many schools an applicant is accepted to IF they too accept him/her. And they say that on April 1o they will be able to see where their acceptees are also waitlisted.
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So on Feb. 10, a school can see how many other schools you've been accepted to, but ONLY if said school accepts you as well? Sorry, I read that like 5 times, but my brain is running awfully slow with the stress stemming from this cycle lol. Just wanted to clarify that I was understanding correctly.
 
Hiss13 said:
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
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Dude sorry to hear that...did you apply to the same schools this time around? Do you need help with practicing for mock interviews? Happy to help if you need it.
 
"So on Feb. 10, a school can see how many other schools you've been accepted to, but ONLY if said school accepts you as well? Sorry, I read that like 5 times, but my brain is running awfully slow with the stress stemming from this cycle lol. Just wanted to clarify that I was understanding correctly."

I deduced this from the following thread..
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...-you-would-withdraw-from-if-accepted.1239899/
 
Hiss13 said:
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
Click to expand...

I feel your pain.

This is my 3rd time applying, I've taken the MCAT twice because my first score expired. I will have to take it again if I apply again, but I am determined to meet my goals.

Stay positive, if you truly want it - you will find a way.
 
TREE TREE said:
I feel you, OP. Interviewed at 4 schools and 1 silence 1 reject 1 waitlist. waiting to hear from the 4th in a few weeks. Man, life sucks
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WTH you got a 515 on the MCAT and sent 28 applications. WTH!!!. That sucks. Whats was your GPA? And when did you apply? I hope you get in somewhere man.
 
RogueBanana said:
4th time? Did you re-apply every consecutive cycle?
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Yes. My case is unique though. I graduated with right under a 3.5 because of my freshman/sophomore self but my last three years of undergrad were a 4.0(5 years total) and I reoeateded all core classes I performed poorly in. Major upward curve. I also scored competitively on my mcat for in state schools. Had great rec letters from profs who watched my "transformation." I was also financially independent throughout college trough successful self-employment. Tons of campus leadership experience and a lot of hospice volunteering/shadowing. First two times I applied, one school took an interest in me and told me my numbers were great. I just needed to reapply and have a good interview while getting more clinically relevant experience. The other school said I needed to get a masters. I went with the former but they dropped the ball on me. Finally I sucked it up and concentrated on the other school and have taken 33 hours of upper level science over the past year(4.0) per their request. Also took on a great research/publication project this semester. Since posting, I have got an II and the dean of admissions mentioned to my advisor that I have a great chance of acceptance this time. Trying to keep that from getting to my head.
 
lpp06 said:
Based on your post history - it seems like you're only applying to schools in Louisiana?

Although you've put in a lot of effort and doing things these schools have recommend, the individuals reading your application are surely blinded to this and will weight your new activities at their own discretion (when compared to your old).

Would you be open to attending school outside of Louisiana? Applying broadly is necessary for success.
Click to expand...

I have not applied OOS. If I have to reapply, god forbid, I will do so. I would much prefer to stay in state though.
 
Afp0731 said:
Yes. My case is unique though. I graduated with right under a 3.5 because of my freshman/sophomore self but my last three years of undergrad were a 4.0(5 years total) and I reoeateded all core classes I performed poorly in. Major upward curve. I also scored competitively on my mcat for in state schools. Had great rec letters from profs who watched my "transformation." I was also financially independent throughout college trough successful self-employment. Tons of campus leadership experience and a lot of hospice volunteering/shadowing. First two times I applied, one school took an interest in me and told me my numbers were great. I just needed to reapply and have a good interview while getting more clinically relevant experience. The other school said I needed to get a masters. I went with the former but they dropped the ball on me. Finally I sucked it up and concentrated on the other school and have taken 33 hours of upper level science over the past year(4.0) per their request. Also took on a great research/publication project this semester. Since posting, I have got an II and the dean of admissions mentioned to my advisor that I have a great chance of acceptance this time. Trying to keep that from getting to my head.
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Not to burst your bubble but this isn't exactly "unique"
 
aprilfools said:
Not to burst your bubble but this isn't exactly "unique"
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Unique was the wrong word to use. What I meant to illustrate is that I didnt just apply 4 times to the same schools while spending each each year doing what they said in between. I essentially ignored the requests of one school in favor of the other. I shouldn't have put my eggs in one basket and had I improved my GPA right away, things would likely be different. I suppose I was also trying to avoid having to go the extra mile to become universally competitive in my app. I felt that I had "balanced things out" and one of the schools I applied to reaffirmed this idea. The critical lesson I've learned is that no one is special when it comes to applying. If you think you are going to be an exception of any sort, you're wrong. Everyone who applies should look at the average stats of accepted applicants at schools applied to and expect to have to reach those stats before admission. I wish I would have grasped this earlier. Hindsight..
 
OathTaker said:
The "ADCOMS" on his board say they have no way of knowing how many schools anybody applied to. They do say that on Feb 10, they will be able to see how many schools an applicant is accepted to IF they too accept him/her. And they say that on April 1o they will be able to see where their acceptees are also waitlisted.
Click to expand...
We never see where you are waitlisted.
We will eventually see where the folks we waitlisted are holding acceptances.
 
Hiss13 said:
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
Click to expand...

lpp06 said:
I feel your pain.

This is my 3rd time applying, I've taken the MCAT twice because my first score expired. I will have to take it again if I apply again, but I am determined to meet my goals.

Stay positive, if you truly want it - you will find a way.
Click to expand...
Retaking the MCAT won't kill you! I had to retake my 98th percentile MCAT because I applied twice and still couldn't get in before it expired. I had to take a huge gamble and write the new MCAT so I can have a valid score to apply for the third time, but my new MCAT turned out better and I got accepted after three cycles (it was actually 5 applications because I applied to Canadian schools for 2 cycles as well)! You can do it!
 
Afp0731 said:
Unique was the wrong word to use. What I meant to illustrate is that I didnt just apply 4 times to the same schools while spending each each year doing what they said in between. I essentially ignored the requests of one school in favor of the other. I shouldn't have put my eggs in one basket and had I improved my GPA right away, things would likely be different. I suppose I was also trying to avoid having to go the extra mile to become universally competitive in my app. I felt that I had "balanced things out" and one of the schools I applied to reaffirmed this idea. The critical lesson I've learned is that no one is special when it comes to applying. If you think you are going to be an exception of any sort, you're wrong. Everyone who applies should look at the average stats of accepted applicants at schools applied to and expect to have to reach those stats before admission. I wish I would have grasped this earlier. Hindsight..
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, reaching or exceeding the average stats of matriculating students at any given medical school is no guarantee of acceptance or even an interview.
 
Hiss13 said:
My second cycle and I couldn't even get a single interview invite this time. The interview season is almost over and my hope for getting even a single interview has diminished. My MCAT score expires at the end of this cycle. It's over....It's completely over and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can feel the floor crumbling around my feet...
Click to expand...

I am very sorry to hear about your situation and I hope you are able to manage your mental health throughout this tough time :/ Plz PM if you need to vent or talk it out.
 
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