Order of II's vs. complete dates?

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Droseraceae

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Hey all,

Being the sometimes-neurotic typical human being who is applying to medical school that I am, I've been thinking about the correlation(s) between complete dates and timing of II's. I've perused some of last year's school specific threads for schools I applied to that I haven't heard from, and I think I saw a general trend that although people who apply early tend to get II's earlier, there are folks who apply super early (e.g. early-mid July, as I did) and for some reason or another get an II at XYZ school in Oct-Nov-Dec etc.

Are there any data on this kind of thing (thinking SDN community-generated, probs) that may ease my mind? Although I've gotten a few II's so far-- and I'm very thankful!-- I'm really just wondering how much/if I should expect that I'm still in the running at other schools where I haven't received an II, despite the fact that people who were complete later than me have heard from them already.

Something tells me I'm not the first to have wondered about this 🙂 Thanks!
 
Many wondered but came short of finding answer to this. Maybe you can compile! And publish it as a MedEd paper!
 
I feel ya. I submitted throughout August, and I'm worried there won't be any seats left by the time they get around to processing my app! (I know I'm being neurotic, but still).

This would be cool for you (or someone else) to look into. I wonder if there's already something, though?
 
Mr_Kurtz said:
WOAH this is amazing. More people should know about this!!!
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As someone who submitted all of my secondaries in August, this makes me feel a bit better. I also feel the impending doom coming within the next few weeks. Not a fan of that haha

This spreadsheet is unreal! Thanks for making it!
 
premed20172017 said:
As someone who submitted all of my secondaries in August, this makes me feel a bit better. I also feel the impending doom coming within the next few weeks. Not a fan of that haha

This spreadsheet is unreal! Thanks for making it!
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you're welcome!! it's helped qualm my anxieties and neurosis a bit so I figured I'd try to give as many people as possible access 🙂
 
The problem with trying to find a correlation between date of completion and II date is that apps are NOT reviewed in the order they are received. It is not possible to know the order in which apps will be reviewed by each school (although this information would help calm the neurosis of many premeds). That is the biggest piece that is missing from the spreadsheet created by @limeyguydr. It is just not possible to know what caused the early II. It could be stats, ECs, legacy, relationship to the school, URM status, how many siblings you have, whatever! Well probably not the sibling thing, but you never know.

My point is: it is great to get your app in early, but that doesn't mean it will be reviewed before others who submitted after you. I got an interview to an MD school where I have a ton of legacy, and I am almost certain that my app was looked at before others because of that.
 
cj_cregg said:
There is no correlation other than that you can't get an interview until you're complete. I was complete at all schools on the earliest possible date and got interview invites from July through March, and this is true for tons of other people I know as well. No use guessing or stressing.
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THIS! There is absolutely nothing you can do to speed up the process except get your secondaries in ASAP and make sure all of your other docs have arrived. Then find a hobby that will help pass the time. Good luck and learn to relax. Interview invites aren’t in your control.
 
FYI there's at least one school (UTRGV) that openly states that it reviews completed applications at random. Probably better to assume the same of all schools than spend time worrying about it
 
olayalas said:
FYI there's at least one school (UTRGV) that openly states that it reviews completed applications at random. Probably better to assume the same of all schools than spend time worrying about it
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using this

1567609431346.png
 
nj993 said:
Most of my apps were marked complete on 8/11ish (committee letter sent on 8/9). I know theres not much predictability, but is not having any II's yet a bad sign?
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Not at all. I know some of my interviews have had turn around times of 4 days, some have had turn around times of 2 months. And I can hope that I will get some in the near future with even longer turnaround times.

In general, the SDN advice is that you shouldn’t start worrying until no II by thanksgiving.
 
nj993 said:
Thanks! That is what I heard but I was worried.

On a related note, how would you know if your issue is bad LOR's or red flags (on app, in writing, on CASPer, etc.)?
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If you get no interviews/few interviews and no acceptances, there are a few schools that will let you call and ask why you were rejected late in the cycle. In reality, though, these schools are few and far between and it is likely that you will not know. Before submitting you should have had someone/several people review all of your written application (including some secondary essay peer review).
 
nj993 said:
Thanks! Yep, made sure have other eyes on it. What are some common red flags just to get an idea? The CASPer part is stressful too lmao

I made a couple errors (in income level, a contact email, an ending date, etc.) and corrected it with an email/update. Is this seen as just careless or is it more detrimental?
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Honestly, probably wouldn’t have been an issue without the updates...in general, I think emails/updates to correct non-egregious errors are more harmful than not as they draw attention to a negative that isn’t really a negative.

I am unsure of any CASPer schools that are actually using it in their process for decision making. I thought it was in beta at most schools. Anyone else know?

I think common red flags are IAs and crimes, unexplained excessive Ws, multiple MCAT retakes, obviously overstated or excessive ECs (like, saying you have 5000 hours of volunteering in 2 years or something like that). Those sorts of things, I think.
 
Unless if you put all your eggs into Tulane (they’re already giving out February interviews) then you’re fine. Bunch of invites will come in October and November. Heck it’s only the beginning of September. Many more interviews to be sent out.
 
On_The_Way_Up said:
Unless if you put all your eggs into Tulane (they’re already giving out February interviews) then you’re fine. Bunch of invites will come in October and November. Heck it’s only the beginning of September. Many more interviews to be sent out.
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yeah September should be the month when the most IIs are sent out (if things go like TMDSAS but one month later since they're on month earlier)
 
nj993 said:
Follow up question: but doesn’t not getting anything quickly mean that nobody has “fast tracked” you? Which could imply a red flag or other issue, or mean you’re not matching anybody’s mission?
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This means you have not been fast tracked, correct. However, that doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with your application it just means you may not necessarily fit into any of those school’s particular “fast track” piles (like URM, Military, LGBT, research prodigy, yadda yadda.)
 
Yes but based on my interview experience it seems like most at interviews are the type (outgoing, funny, attractive) that likely only need 1 or 2 II to get an A. When you’re like erkel is when you need to boost your chances through many II
 
southcalcardiology said:
Yes but based on my interview experience it seems like most at interviews are the type (outgoing, funny, attractive) that likely only need 1 or 2 II to get an A. When you’re like erkel is when you need to boost your chances through many II
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don't fret calipremed, you will get in somewhere. Or, you aren't even applying to medical school and you just like to troll SDN
 
southcalcardiology said:
Yes but based on my interview experience it seems like most at interviews are the type (outgoing, funny, attractive) that likely only need 1 or 2 II to get an A. When you’re like erkel is when you need to boost your chances through many II
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If I can be competent in my interviews as Smegol then I’m pretty sure you can be competent in your interviews as Urkel
 
southcalcardiology said:
Yes but based on my interview experience it seems like most at interviews are the type (outgoing, funny, attractive) that likely only need 1 or 2 II to get an A. When you’re like erkel is when you need to boost your chances through many II
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Clearly you don’t remember the ‘90s. Everyone loves Erkel! Just be yourself and you’ll shine bright like a diamond!
 
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