Reason I'm not getting any interview responses?

[DrOwnage]

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I just found out that my letter of recommendation from my lab, that my graduate student wrote for me, was not signed by the PI. I heard from a friend that if a graduate student writes you a letter it is practically pointless unless it has some indication of the PI's stamp of approval. Keep in mind this is 2 years of research and over 700 hours of volunteering time, so I'm kind of flustered. The reason why I couldn't get the PI to write the letter was because he was in his late 70's and never really even came to campus anymore.

What do you guys think? I've applied to 22 schools (back in mid-July) and have only been denied from 4 thus far. It's been 4 1/2 months, at this point I'm starting to lose hope. Any thoughts?

 

[Cinclus]

It's tough to figure out the reason why without knowledge of your numerical stats, other ECs, quality of other LORs and your written materials, etc. There may be more to it than just this letter. Also, this process can be unexplainable and seemingly random.

 

[Ismet]

Stats? ECs? It's kind of impossible for people to tell you what might be wrong if you don't give more info.

 

[Stumpyman]

Yeah, if you're stats and ECs are sub-par, that would most likely be the reason for not getting any interviews.

 

[DrOwnage]

I have a 3.9 GPA from UCSB (3.95 upper division) and a 30Q MCAT.

MCAT Breakdown: Verbal: 8 Phys: 11 Bio: 11

I have 2 other letters, one from a pharmacology professor and another from the undergraduate biology advisor who I worked under for 2 years.

My personal statement was about a personal medical problem that I went through for 4 years during high school and the beginning of college. I had really bad chronic idiopathic urticaria and had to visit like 12 different doctors. The whole experience made me want to enter the medical field.

Schools left to hear from: USC, Loma Linda, Baylor, Iowa Carver, Creighton, Wisconsin, Emory, Ohio State, Miami Miller, Tufts, Mt. Sinai, Colorade, Drexel, Charles E. Schmidt, Jefferson, North Western, St. Louis, Rochester.

EC's: 2 years lab research, Biology department advisor for 2 years, diabetes prevention volunteering, global medical brigades in Panama, hospice volunteering, UCSB Health Professions Association PR, volunteering for my church, shadowing my primary care physicians.

Awards: College Honors Program, graduated with highest honors (top 2.5% of class).

That's about everything I can think of at the moment guys.

Thank you for any advice you have.

 

[Stumpyman]

I have a 3.9 GPA from UCSB (3.95 upper division) and a 30Q MCAT.

MCAT Breakdown: Verbal: 8 Phys: 11 Bio: 11

I have 2 other letters, one from a pharmacology professor and another from the undergraduate biology advisor who I worked under for 2 years.

My personal statement was about a personal medical problem that I went through for 4 years during high school and the beginning of college. I had really bad chronic idiopathic urticaria and had to visit like 12 different doctors. The whole experience made me want to enter the medical field.

Schools left to hear from: USC, Loma Linda, Baylor, Iowa Carver, Creighton, Wisconsin, Emory, Ohio State, Miami Miller, Tufts, Mt. Sinai, Colorade, Drexel, Charles E. Schmidt, Jefferson, North Western, St. Louis, Rochester.

EC's: 2 years lab research, Biology department advisor for 2 years, diabetes prevention volunteering, global medical brigades in Panama, hospice volunteering, UCSB Health Professions Association PR, volunteering for my church, shadowing my primary care physicians.

Awards: College Honors Program, graduated with highest honors (top 2.5% of class).

That's about everything I can think of at the moment guys.

Thank you for any advice you have.

Not to critique, but I'll try and point out some things other than the LOR from a grad student that could've led to no interviews....

Well the 8 in Verbal is pretty bad (probably a red flag to at least a few of the schools you applied to), 30 is a solid score though.

I don't think it was the quality of the LOR that messed you up, I think it was the fact that you only have one LOR from someone who actually taught you (ie, a professor)

School list: About half those schools aren't around your range

ECs seem fine, was all the volunteering fairly long term?

 

[SellerAl]

Mcats holding you back.

 

[StoicJosher]

Not to critique, but I'll try and point out some things other than the LOR from a grad student that could've led to no interviews....

Well the 8 in Verbal is pretty bad (probably a red flag to at least a few of the schools you applied to), 30 is a solid score though.

I don't think it was the quality of the LOR that messed you up, I think it was the fact that you only have one LOR from someone who actually taught you (ie, a professor)

School list: About half those schools aren't around your range

ECs seem fine, was all the volunteering fairly long term?

Probably one of the biggest factors!

 

[Ismet]

I don't think it's the lack of signature on one LOR that's the issue. It's the number of LORs you have and who they're coming from.

Jefferson Medical College:

We prefer to receive a recommendation from a preprofessional committee. If there is no such committee, letters should be provided by individual faculty members (one letter each from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Humanities, if possible). Applicants who have been involved in graduate programs are encouraged to provide additional letters from their graduate schools. The deadline for the receipt of letters of recommendation is January 1.

Drexel University College of Medicine:

Applicants whose college or university has a premedical advisory committee should send a composite letter of recommendation, including evaluations from science and non-science professors. If this isn't possible, students should ask three individuals who hold college-level academic appointments to send letters of recommendation. Two of these should be from science faculty and one from a faculty member in a non-science discipline.

That combined with a 30 MCAT might be the reason.

 

[DrOwnage]

This is my 2nd year applying too. I forgot to mention that I have taken the MCAT twice, first time I received a 29Q, 2nd time was the 30Q. I know that I could do better if I spent the time to retake it (3-4 months). I was getting an average of a 34 over 14 practice tests. At this point though guys I'm wondering if I should just apply to Guadalajara and the Carribean for their summer start dates.

Honestly, at this point I feel that they aren't going to give any more interviews. its mid-December and I still have 18 schools to hear from. I've basically convinced myself I'm just waiting for 18 denials. I know it sucks to think that way, but I'm not wrong in thinking that am I?

 

[Ismet]

Honestly, at this point I feel that they aren't going to give any more interviews. its mid-December and I still have 18 schools to hear from. I've basically convinced myself I'm just waiting for 18 denials. I know it sucks to think that way, but I'm not wrong in thinking that am I?

It's not the end of the road yet. Schools are still giving out interviews. I got an II to Drexel just now and I've been waiting since September. Check out the school-specific threads for the schools that you're applying to. The ones that I'm still waiting on are known for having an unknown, arbitrary way of assigning interviews (i.e. definitely not evaluated first come, first serve).

Do you have any other letter writers you can ask for a letter? You can always send your schools an update, whether it's an update on what you've been doing this semester or a new LOR. I think you're missing the non-science/humanities/person who can evaluate you outside of a classroom/research setting LOR, so that might be something to update your schools with.

 

[MedicalBeast]

dont lose hope because many interview invites are after christmas break. there is still a lot of time.

and, why dont you have a committee letter?

but still, you should have applied more broadly, its your own fault really.

 

[Stumpyman]

This is my 2nd year applying too. I forgot to mention that I have taken the MCAT twice, first time I received a 29Q, 2nd time was the 30Q. I know that I could do better if I spent the time to retake it (3-4 months). I was getting an average of a 34 over 14 practice tests. At this point though guys I'm wondering if I should just apply to Guadalajara and the Carribean for their summer start dates.

Honestly, at this point I feel that they aren't going to give any more interviews. its mid-December and I still have 18 schools to hear from. I've basically convinced myself I'm just waiting for 18 denials. I know it sucks to think that way, but I'm not wrong in thinking that am I?

3.9 GPA and 30 MCAT= no way you should go Caribbean.

I highly recommend you try to bump up Verbal at least 2 points, and secondly, find two other professors who can write an LOR for you. Third, apply less selectively (you're a shoe-in for DO schools based on what you've listed).

 

[music2doc]

A lot may have to do with your school selection. I only counted about 3 schools there that you would be somewhat competitive for stats-wise. The others were basically shooting for the moon from an unbalanced 29/30 MCAT score. Schools such as SLU and Creighton are very mission-focused. Did you express an interest that matches their mission? Did you have experience and LORs to back up your claims? Where are you in-state? Iowa, Wisconsin, and Colorado are all high-tier state schools (ranked 20-40) serving the Midwest/West (i.e., serving areas with fewer med schools), so they're generally fairly focused on their individual states and surrounding areas (this is especially true of Colorado with WICHE). In particular, I can speak of Colorado, which rarely accepts anyone with below a 30 MCAT. Their average MCAT score for an interviewee was a 34 last year. While you could be interviewed and accepted there with a 3.9/30, I would not expect it to happen unless you are in-state with incredible ECs. I am also not sure that your clinical ECs would pass muster at Colorado, to be honest. They tend to look for more non-trad, actual clinical work experience type stuff. They also [still] expect a minimum of 500 hours according to Admissions.

 

[ppappui]

LORs have virtually no effect in regards to interview invites. They pretty much save those for post-interview committee meetings. Your stats, ECs, essays and PS are probably what's holding you back because that's what they look at for an II

 

[Maroon5777]

LORs have virtually no effect in regards to interview invites. They pretty much save those for post-interview committee meetings. Your stats, ECs, essays and PS are probably what's holding you back because that's what they look at for an II

Disregard the above information. The secondary and LOR are one of the biggest factors when inviting someone for an interview. I have first hand experience. Maybe send in another LOR if you can right now.

 

[music2doc]

LORs have virtually no effect in regards to interview invites. They pretty much save those for post-interview committee meetings. Your stats, ECs, essays and PS are probably what's holding you back because that's what they look at for an II

Disregard the above information. The secondary and LOR are one of the biggest factors when inviting someone for an interview. I have first hand experience. Maybe send in another LOR if you can right now.

This depends upon the school. You are both making huge generalizations when no such generalizations can be made.

That said, interviews are probably more impacted by one's stats and then, secondarily, by one's PS/activities/secondary essays. LORs are likely the low man on the totem poll initially, although this varies by school. There is an AAMC survey that demonstrates what matters when....

 

[UpwardTrend]

This is my 2nd year applying too. I forgot to mention that I have taken the MCAT twice, first time I received a 29Q, 2nd time was the 30Q. I know that I could do better if I spent the time to retake it (3-4 months). I was getting an average of a 34 over 14 practice tests. At this point though guys I'm wondering if I should just apply to Guadalajara and the Carribean for their summer start dates.

Honestly, at this point I feel that they aren't going to give any more interviews. its mid-December and I still have 18 schools to hear from. I've basically convinced myself I'm just waiting for 18 denials. I know it sucks to think that way, but I'm not wrong in thinking that am I?

Any reason in particular that you would apply Carib before DO? Maybe this has something to do with the lack of interviews. To me it seems as though you've lost your mind.

 

[pinipig523]

Any reason in particular that you would apply Carib before DO? Maybe this has something to do with the lack of interviews. To me it seems as though you've lost your mind.

3.9 GPA and 30 MCAT= no way you should go Caribbean.

I highly recommend you try to bump up Verbal at least 2 points, and secondly, find two other professors who can write an LOR for you. Third, apply less selectively (you're a shoe-in for DO schools based on what you've listed).

This is my 2nd year applying too. I forgot to mention that I have taken the MCAT twice, first time I received a 29Q, 2nd time was the 30Q. I know that I could do better if I spent the time to retake it (3-4 months). I was getting an average of a 34 over 14 practice tests. At this point though guys I'm wondering if I should just apply to Guadalajara and the Carribean for their summer start dates.

Honestly, at this point I feel that they aren't going to give any more interviews. its mid-December and I still have 18 schools to hear from. I've basically convinced myself I'm just waiting for 18 denials. I know it sucks to think that way, but I'm not wrong in thinking that am I?

You should never apply to a Carribean school IF you can make it to a DO school.

MD > DO > Carib

 

[music2doc]

you should never apply to a carribean school if you can make it to a Podiatry school.

MD> DO >Dentistry>Podiatry>NP/PA>...>Carib

FoToFoYo

 

[DrOwnage]

Isn't it too late to apply to any DO schools at this point? Also, yes the reason why I am considering other options such as Guadalajara and Carribean is that I pretty much am losing hope of getting an interview because it is so late in the cycle. What better school choices could I have made? I am a California resident so I get kinda screwed even applying to in-state schools.

 

[mipp0]

Isn't it too late to apply to any DO schools at this point? Also, yes the reason why I am considering other options such as Guadalajara and Carribean is that I pretty much am losing hope of getting an interview because it is so late in the cycle. What better school choices could I have made? I am a California resident so I get kinda screwed even applying to in-state schools.

Your schools choices are very top-heavy, very mission focused, very IS biased, etc.

Quote from Dean of Admissions during Interview Day:

"You are all here, because your LORs tell us you can walk on water."

The vast majority of SDNers here underestimate the importance of LORs. They are very important for interviews and acceptances.

STATS aren't everything. Your GPA is strong. Your MCAT is solid.

Your ECs seem average, so that's something to work on.'

UPDATE LETTERS PEOPLE. Send update letters.

I spent a grip load of time putting my heart and soul into my secondaries. The investment paid off tenfold. Same goes for my PS. A good number of interviewers brought up material from one or both during my interview.

Don't underestimate ANY part of the app process.

Final take home message: Hope for the best, brace for the worst. Strengthen all the weaknesses in your app. Consider an SMP and try again.

You live life once, don't give up. DO over FMG.

 

[Starlightembers]

Isn't it too late to apply to any DO schools at this point? Also, yes the reason why I am considering other options such as Guadalajara and Carribean is that I pretty much am losing hope of getting an interview because it is so late in the cycle. What better school choices could I have made? I am a California resident so I get kinda screwed even applying to in-state schools.

Though I am not aware of the application deadlines for DO schools, I am going to assume that it is indeed too late to apply this cycle. If you applied next cycle, however, you should be able to garner an acceptance at one.

You mention that you are a California resident. Would you like to practice in your home-state one day? Many Caribbean schools are not accepted by California. Even if you were to go to one that is, your chances of landing a residency at all are slim and getting slimmer. The risk of not being able to get a residency is greater than the loss of one extra year.

As for other schools you could have applied to, there are quite a few. Do you have a copy of the MSAR or a USNews account? If not, get one. Match your stats up to the schools' averages and your ECs to their mission statement.

 

[MilkIsGood]

+1

👍 People do underestimate the importance of LORs unfortunately.

agreed. I didnt think they were that important until I started interviewing and got a ton of compliments for my LORs.

 

[Brachyury]

I just found out that my letter of recommendation from my lab, that my graduate student wrote for me, was not signed by the PI. I heard from a friend that if a graduate student writes you a letter it is practically pointless unless it has some indication of the PI's stamp of approval. Keep in mind this is 2 years of research and over 700 hours of volunteering time, so I'm kind of flustered. The reason why I couldn't get the PI to write the letter was because he was in his late 70's and never really even came to campus anymore.

What do you guys think? I've applied to 22 schools (back in mid-July) and have only been denied from 4 thus far. It's been 4 1/2 months, at this point I'm starting to lose hope. Any thoughts?

Next year, make sure your LOR is from your PI: you should NEVER have a LOR from a grad student (even a post-doc is a little iffy)

 

[gmcguitar4]

A LOR made a HUGE difference for me. In all my interviews they mentioned one particular letter I recieved from a doctor I have been doing research for over the past year. They took it into high regard in their decision to send me an interview invite. My application is pretty strong except for a really low GPA.

 

[sirenomelia]

3.9/ 30 should be enough for an allopath spot somewhere.
I dont see any logical pattern for the choice of schools you've applied to.

 

[gloeotrichia]

A LOR made a HUGE difference for me. In all my interviews they mentioned one particular letter I recieved from a doctor I have been doing research for over the past year. They took it into high regard in their decision to send me an interview invite. My application is pretty strong except for a really low GPA.

Yeah, several of my LORs have made a big difference for me, too, and have been mentioned during all of my interviews. I think having stellar LORs can give you a leg up over students who have similar stats but relatively boring LORs.

 

[monkeyMD]

+1

👍 People do underestimate the importance of lors unfortunately.

+1