Only 1 Interview and Recent Disappointing News

[HoneyBadgerz]

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I know many people are posting about this right now, but I'm growing increasingly concerned about my situation after some news today. I like to think that I'm a decently strong candidate with a 3.65 GPA and 517 MCAT (other stuff here: WAMC ). As a reapplicant, I knew how long this process can take and I wasn't really worried until now.

Virginia Tech gave me an interview on August 16 that I completed on September 22. I loved the interview process there (Very relaxed and fun MMI) and I think it went pretty well! I had high hopes after getting that first interview offer, but from then it was silence until...

September 19, when Boston University gave me a rejection. I was disappointed, but not worried. Boston was one of my 3 "long-shot" schools with median stats/LizzyM above mine.

But today, Georgetown, which is a school I very much like and where I thought I was not only competitive for an interview but even for admission, turned me down without an interview.

This news has me really rattled, and that's why I'm posting here again. I told myself I wouldn't even look on here once I was done applying, but now I just need to hear from some people if I still have realistic chances at getting in to some of these schools and if I'm as likely to get more interviews as I've been assuming. Why haven't I heard anything back from more schools- Especially for my IS applications?

 

[DubbiDoctor]

Georgetown is super low-yield - I believe it's the most applied to school in the country. I had a 3.61, 518 (very similar to you) and not much research and had the most luck with State schools.

 

[Reverb]

If a school accepts 100 applicants, that doesn't mean the other 4900 that applied aren't what they were looking for. Sure, some shouldn't have applied in the first place, but getting into school is a bit of a crapshoot. So now you've got two rejections and are waiting to hear back from VT. How many schools have you applied to? Based on SDN forums in the past, up to what date do students typically recieve interview invites or acceptances from the schools you applied to? Also, it's still early.

 

[Goro]

I know many people are posting about this right now, but I'm growing increasingly concerned about my situation after some news today. I like to think that I'm a decently strong candidate with a 3.65 GPA and 517 MCAT (other stuff here: WAMC ). As a reapplicant, I knew how long this process can take and I wasn't really worried until now.

Virginia Tech gave me an interview on August 16 that I completed on September 22. I loved the interview process there (Very relaxed and fun MMI) and I think it went pretty well! I had high hopes after getting that first interview offer, but from then it was silence until...

September 19, when Boston University gave me a rejection. I was disappointed, but not worried. Boston was one of my 3 "long-shot" schools with median stats/LizzyM above mine.

But today, Georgetown, which is a school I very much like and where I thought I was not only competitive for an interview but even for admission, turned me down without an interview.

This news has me really rattled, and that's why I'm posting here again. I told myself I wouldn't even look on here once I was done applying, but now I just need to hear from some people if I still have realistic chances at getting in to some of these schools and if I'm as likely to get more interviews as I've been assuming. Why haven't I heard anything back from more schools- Especially for my IS applications?

Patience is a virtue.

The need for instant gratification is not.

Schools do not process applications in chronological order of receipt.

This is an Olympic caliber event and 60% of all applicants do not get accepted.

You might get an interview invite tomorrow or in March.

One needs to have a very thick skin in this process, and constantly working to improve your application because until you have that accept email in your inbox, you are rejected.

 

[KingT’Challa]

As mentioned above, it is a long process. You already have one interview, which is more than most can say. All you need is one school to say yes. Be proud of your interview at VT, and understand the fact that you don’t need to be interviewed at every school to have a successful cycle.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I got a pre-secondary rejection from UCSD. A couple weeks later, I got 3 IIs within days of each other. Don’t let the R rattle you.

 

[Arturiase]

you need to chill out. I have the exact same stats as you 3.65 517 orm and this is my 3rd cycle, (although already accepted) last year I interviewed at 4 places, 1 of them was in october and the other 3 were in January-march, your fine stop freaking out. As others have said above gtown is extremly low yield school and you'll get over 90% rejection anyways why freak out over 2.

 

[EasyEveryoneWouldDoIt]

you need to chill out. I have the exact same stats as you 3.65 517 orm and this is my 3rd cycle, (although already accepted) last year I interviewed at 4 places, 1 of them was in october and the other 3 were in January-march, your fine stop freaking out. As others have said above gtown is extremly low yield school and you'll get over 90% rejection anyways why freak out over 2.

early decision? i thought they couldn't give out acceptances until the 15th otherwise?

 

[EasyEveryoneWouldDoIt]

Rs part of the process. I got a II in mid august then 3 R in two weeks in sept ... then the past 2 weeks 3 more II ... i can understand that consecutive R's and silence can take a toll on the mind but resilience is part of the process and NO school is a safety school no matter how much you think you fit well with that school. its still a long cycle and a long ways off from the end of the interview cycle

 

[realitysickness]

you need to chill out. I have the exact same stats as you 3.65 517 orm and this is my 3rd cycle, (although already accepted) last year I interviewed at 4 places, 1 of them was in october and the other 3 were in January-march, your fine stop freaking out. As others have said above gtown is extremly low yield school and you'll get over 90% rejection anyways why freak out over 2.

If I'm understanding you correctly, of all 4 interviews attended not one led to an acceptance? Do you have any idea as to why? Did schools provide you any feedback?

 

[a-robit]

For what it's worth, Georgetown is super low yield and really into their mission statement. They love to be courted, and it's really hard to know exactly what they want to hear in their secondary prompt.

It's not necessarily late yet, and the wait can always be worse. I was on a waitlist for 10 months during a previous cycle!

 

[Arturiase]

If I'm understanding you correctly, of all 4 interviews attended not one led to an acceptance? Do you have any idea as to why? Did schools provide you any feedback?

You can pm if you want more details, but a combination of small things

 

[MD-2022]

Time to prepare to reapply.

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. I had a rough work day on Tuesday (assaulted and almost battered by a behavioral health patient, plus an otherwise crazy day in the ED) and at the end of the day I checked my email to see the rejection, so I overreacted a bit. I look at my original post now and wonder what I was thinking by freaking out so much. There's a ton of time left and I still have 21 schools looking at my application, so it's certainly not time to panic yet. Nevertheless, I am very much continuing to improve my candidacy as I should.

Once again, thanks for the feedback. I'll need to look into the specifics of which schools have been sending out tons of IIs already. Luckily, I think based on a quick look at a few school threads that several of my faves should have plenty of slots left.

 

[md_2020]

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. I had a rough work day on Tuesday (assaulted and almost battered by a behavioral health patient, plus an otherwise crazy day in the ED) and at the end of the day I checked my email to see the rejection, so I overreacted a bit. I look at my original post now and wonder what I was thinking by freaking out so much. There's a ton of time left and I still have 21 schools looking at my application, so it's certainly not time to panic yet. Nevertheless, I am very much continuing to improve my candidacy as I should.

Once again, thanks for the feedback. I'll need to look into the specifics of which schools have been sending out tons of IIs already. Luckily, I think based on a quick look at a few school threads that several of my faves should have plenty of slots left.

Honey badger,

Curious did you write MCAT again this year or did you apply with the same 517 score last year. Did you apply late. what have been your shortcommings in last years application.
Thanks

 

[HoneyBadgerz]

Honey badger,

Curious did you write MCAT again this year or did you apply with the same 517 score last year. Did you apply late. what have been your shortcommings in last years application.
Thanks

My 517 is new. I applied last year with a 510. That's obviously a decent score, but I knew I could do better and worked much harder for my re-test. I applied fairly early both times (as early as possible this time and maybe 2 weeks after the primary opened last time because I wanted to see my MCAT result first). My biggest weakness last time was my complete lack of clinical experience. I had plenty of research, but I had never even shadowed a physician or worked as a scribe. My plan was to get that experience over my gap year while my application was reviewed, and I made that clear in my application. Unfortunately, this was a stupid plan. Med schools rightfully want to know for certain that you will stick with medicine and not be a waste of one of their seats.

If you want to see the full details of my application, see WAMC. This also includes mentions of what was on my app last time and what is new to it this time.

 

[md_2020]

My 517 is new. I applied last year with a 510. That's obviously a decent score, but I knew I could do better and worked much harder for my re-test. I applied fairly early both times (as early as possible this time and maybe 2 weeks after the primary opened last time because I wanted to see my MCAT result first). My biggest weakness last time was my complete lack of clinical experience. I had plenty of research, but I had never even shadowed a physician or worked as a scribe. My plan was to get that experience over my gap year while my application was reviewed, and I made that clear in my application. Unfortunately, this was a stupid plan. Med schools rightfully want to know for certain that you will stick with medicine and not be a waste of one of their seats.

If you want to see the full details of my application, see WAMC. This also includes mentions of what was on my app last time and what is new to it this time.

THank you for your input.
I will be graduating in Spring.2019 plan to apply for Md class of 2020.
I will be completing 3 years of research in wet lab by next spring. I will be doing a honors thesis on the same.
My other ECs include 200 hours of volunteering at a hospital.
I am in a leadership position in Cultural exchange board for last 2 years.
Plan to do 100-150 hours shadowing during the next winter and spring of 2019.
was a poetry editor for a year
Got a 512 in mcat earlier this year. Intend to close out sgpa with 3.88 and cgpa with 3.88
Just checking how good are my chances for me to get into a medical school.

 

[Goro]

THank you for your input.
I will be graduating in Spring.2019 plan to apply for Md class of 2020.
I will be completing 3 years of research in wet lab by next spring. I will be doing a honors thesis on the same.
My other ECs include 200 hours of volunteering at a hospital.
I am in a leadership position in Cultural exchange board for last 2 years.
Plan to do 100-150 hours shadowing during the next winter and spring of 2019.
was a poetry editor for a year
Got a 512 in mcat earlier this year. Intend to close out sgpa with 3.88 and cgpa with 3.88
Just checking how good are my chances for me to get into a medical school.

100 hrs of shadowing is major league overkill. Do those hours in service to others less fortunate than yourself. 50 hrs shadowing max otherwise.

Chances look good for IIs; getting into medical school is 100% on you.

 

[BombsAway]

I got a pre-secondary rejection from UCSD. A couple weeks later, I got 3 IIs within days of each other. Don’t let the R rattle you.

I've been gone for a bit, but why are you interviewing anywhere but usu?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I've been gone for a bit, but why are you interviewing anywhere but usu?

I like options.