As the others have said, they wouldn't waste their time if you didn't have a real shot. Given the effort many schools are making to diversify their classes and make accommodations for low SES URMs who might have excellent reasons for having below average stats, you can't look at any school's medians to determine YOUR chances.
I'm a pre-applicant, so please take my comments with a grain of salt, but I think you are absolutely fine. The comment you are asking about is referring to a staircase analogy many of us like which says that we all enter the admissions staircase on a different step, and if you are on a lower step, you need to excel in the interview in order to climb to the level necessary to receive an A.
This isn't exactly right. Being URM or disadvantaged doesn't affect how you should perform in an interview. Every interviewee is there to prove they have the desired qualities.I'm a pre-applicant, so please take my comments with a grain of salt, but I think you are absolutely fine. The comment you are asking about is referring to a staircase analogy many of us like which says that we all enter the admissions staircase on a different step, and if you are on a lower step, you need to excel in the interview in order to climb to the level necessary to receive an A.
I happen to think that your "URM, disadvantaged with good ECs" status probably puts you on a higher step than would otherwise be indicated by your stats, so this "greater than great" performance requirement doesn't apply to you. In any event, your point is very well taken -- you are who you are and can only do you best, even if it's not good enough.
I don't think it's accurate, or productive, to think in terms of needing to be something other than your honest self, or to be "greater than great" in order to have a real shot at an A. You are already "greater than great" - you scored an II at a T5!!!!! Now just be yourself and go close the deal.
Of course. My point was simply that a low SES or URM with given stats is not necessarily entering the staircase at the same level as a high SES ORM or White candidate with the same stats. Everyone always needs to do their best, but a low SES URM 516/3.6 does not have to be "greater than great" like someone else with similar stats might have to be.
Did you see previous years URM threads to see how previous applicants with similar stats did?
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Fascinating, but what does this have to do with someone asking about an II in 2020 at a T5 with stats in their 10%-ile????Did you see previous years URM threads to see how previous applicants with similar stats did?
***2019-2020 URM Medical School Application Thread***
It is almost that time of the year again! As requested, here's the thread for the upcoming cycle. Please feel free to share your cGPA, sGPA, MCAT, Major, if you're non-trad, your ECs, etc. and ask and answer questions! Dates: AMCAS Opens - May 1 Application Submission - May 30 Completed...Official 2019-2020 URM Acceptance Thread
Hey y'all... figured we could get this going!! Hope I see a few of you at second looks. Please use the following format so acceptances stand out when posting: DO NOT ERASE THESE INSTRUCTIONS! 1) Click quote on the most recent acceptance list. 2) Delete the quote messages at both the top and...***2018-2019 URM Medical School Application Thread***
That time of the year guys! I'm starting to see spill over in last year's thread for this year's cycle so I'd thought I'd go ahead and start a new one. Utilize each other! Utilize me! I was in you guys' shoes many moons ago and I'm currently wrapping up 2nd year with the doom and gloom of step 1...
Isn't 10th percentile mentioned in MSAR for all students combined? OP seems to worried about his stats so I am suggesting given URM and disadvantaged status looking at previous years URM threads may give some insight vs general advise of don't worry, you did your part.
I understood your point. I am saying that that only applies to getting the II. The standards for interview performance are not different based on SES/race as far as I know. Giving an advantage for academics because of overcoming adversity makes sense. It does not make sense for the interview.
And I understand your point. I'm afraid I am either not being clear or you are not referring to the staircase analogy.
). What this means is that the OP probably doesn't need to be "greater than great" in his interview to score an A, even though standards for performance are the same for everyone.Think about what that says.And I understand your point. I'm afraid I am either not being clear or you are not referring to the staircase analogy.
Yes, interview performances are definitely judged without regard to SES, race, or anything other than the actual performance. The point of the staircase analogy is that different levels of interview performance are required to receive an A, depending on what step you are on going into the interview.
A low SES URM is probably on a higher step than a high SES ORM with a given set of stats, all else being equal (and, of course, all else is never equal!
A 516 is also the same for everyone, but, not really after taking into account the obstacles some people have to overcome to achieve that score as compared to others. That's why some people with 516s receive IIs from T5s while other people with 520+ don't.
Getting accepted is 100% on you
I just watched that. I enjoyed it.
We all have implicit biases. We have to acknowledge and recognize them and compenstate the best we can. Implilcit bias often gives black and brown candidates a lower interview score than they'd otherwise have. Do you take issue with that?
I guess I'm just not convinced on implicit bias having such a strong effect. I mean if it's simply race that's harming a person's chances, of course anyone would take issue with that. But I'm not convinced by what I'm familiar with that it's unconscious factors causing unfairness. I'd need to be convinced that individuals are unable to suspend their biases before I'd be cool with a corrective policy. Luckily I'm not in charge of such decisions. I appreciate your wisdom in the issue.
Hi friend! No real advice - just came here to say that I got an II from a school where my GPA is pretty much in the bottom 10th percentile too (not a T5 by any stretch, but it's my top choice school). I have to keep reminding myself what has been said over and over again in various threads on here. They wouldn't interview someone they didn't think had what it takes! Someone has to be in the bottom 10th percentile. Might as well be us!
They are not wasting their time interviewing you if you don't have a shot. Just do the best you can. No self-defeating thoughts on the way in. Focus on your great ECs and how you fit at the program. If there was a dip in grades, be prepared to address it, but don't raise it unless asked. Apparently, they've gotten past it.
