pretty good stats, no acceptances

[anon9301]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a 3.8/34 from a strong undergrad and good ECs. Only applied to 10 schools because I was (naively) confident, got interviewed by 4, waitlisted at all 4 (two of them were T-25), and at this point probably will get into none. Obviously pretty bummed to have to re-apply, but the reason I'm posting this is to ask about the schools I should be applying to.

The schools that didn't interview me were not the super competitive ones (minus Columbia), but were rather the ones that my stats were a few points above.

What should I do about this? Focus more on schools with stats around mine? Would sending updates/letters to show that I'm interested to schools that my stats are slightly above, pre interview, be beneficial?

 

[phunky]

Sounds like all you need to do is apply more broadly and work on your interview skills. 4/10 interviews is a great rate. Apply to 15-20 and do mock interviews with friends/in front of the mirror.

 

[el_duderino]

Sounds like all you need to do is apply more broadly and work on your interview skills. 4/10 interviews is a great rate. Apply to 15-20 and do mock interviews with friends/in front of the mirror.

This is pretty much exactly what I was thinking while reading the OP.

Also, what have you been doing in the past year to enhance your apps?

 

[Goro]

Yes. Apply smartly and strategically. See my thread on application season. Updates and love letters will not move you on the list at this point.

What should I do about this? Focus more on schools with stats around mine? Would sending updates/letters to show that I'm interested to schools that my stats are slightly above, pre interview, be beneficial?

 

[lmn]

Hopefully you have been continuing EC's and focusing on upping any of your weak points in your app this past year, besides that focus on a smart list for yourself with more schools. I can't say that you shouldn't apply to the ones you didn't get an ii at, there could be many reasons for you not getting an interviewing that could be mission related, stat related, etc. Without knowing your info and what the schools were, it's hard to say if they were a poor choice.

 

[Keladry]

I'm in a very similar situation, but I know it's largely due to the lateness of my app. I'm applying earlier and broader; unfortunately, I did apply to most of the schools that are a fit for my stats last year, so that means this year, I'm reapplying to a bunch and applying to a bunch of schools where I'm substantially above the median. Just gonna have to prove my love in secondaries, I guess.