Rejection Fears: High Stats and Great ECs

[unicornshadow888]

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Hi, everyone!

This is something that I'm quite uneasy about, but I've heard stories of pre-med students getting rejected from allopathic med schools even with high stats and great ECs. I'm planning on applying this year or next year (I'm about to graduate from undergrad in a couple of months), and I really don't want this to happen to me. What are some reasons why this happens to people, and how can I avoid them?

I'm assuming that some of the reasons could be attributed to "fit" and whether the applicant fits with the school's mission. But, is that it? Are there other things to think about?

Here is my info:

Pre-med courses:
2 semesters of Intro Bio: both A's
Intro Chem: A
Inorganic Chem: A
Organic Chem 1 and 2: both A's
Medical Biochemistry: A
Physics 1: A
Physics 2: A-
Statistics: A
Calculus: A

Social Science Courses:
Sociology: A
Psychology (Development and Social Behavior): A
Philosophy (Contemporary Moral Problems): B+

Other relevant courses:
Biology Senior Seminar Course in Molecular Biology: A
Public Health courses (there are a ton including Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medical Anthropology, and many electives): all of them are A's

Overall GPA: 3.922
Science GPA: (as close as humanly possible to a 4.0 with the exception of Physics II, which was an A-)

Relevant Extracurriculars:
Public Health Club (held offices as Treasurer, Co-President, and President over the past 3 years) (we were also published in The Nation's Health for National Public Health Week)
Lab Internship at the CDC (summer)
Internship at the IRC in public health (summer): created a health program proposal
Writing Center tutor at my college (10 hours/week)
Volunteer at local children's hospital (3 hours/week for 3 years) (also had the opportunity to shadow doctors)
Participated in Washington University in St. Louis' Genomic Education Partnership Program as a TA for a Bioinformatics class that I'm taking/tutoring this semester

Courses that I'm taking now:
Health Policy, Bioinformatics, an Africana Studies Class, Global Health, and music classes (for my interest)

I'd appreciate anyone's feedback! I also plan to take the MCAT this summer (possibly late June or early July). I've heard a 510+ should be sufficient? I know that getting as high a score as possible is ideal, but I need a realistic picture.

 

[libertyyne]

Hi, everyone!

This is something that I'm quite uneasy about, but I've heard stories of pre-med students getting rejected from allopathic med schools even with high stats and great ECs. I'm planning on applying this year or next year (I'm about to graduate from undergrad in a couple of months), and I really don't want this to happen to me. What are some reasons why this happens to people, and how can I avoid them?

I'm assuming that some of the reasons could be attributed to "fit" and whether the applicant fits with the school's mission. But, is that it? Are there other things to think about?

Here is my info:

Pre-med courses:
2 semesters of Intro Bio: both A's
Intro Chem: A
Inorganic Chem: A
Organic Chem 1 and 2: both A's
Medical Biochemistry: A
Physics 1: A
Physics 2: A-
Statistics: A
Calculus: A

Social Science Courses:
Sociology: A
Psychology (Development and Social Behavior): A
Philosophy (Contemporary Moral Problems): B+

Other relevant courses:
Biology Senior Seminar Course in Molecular Biology: A
Public Health courses (there are a ton including Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medical Anthropology, and many electives): all of them are A's

Overall GPA: 3.922
Science GPA: (as close as humanly possible to a 4.0 with the exception of Physics II, which was an A-)

Relevant Extracurriculars:
Public Health Club (held offices as Treasurer, Co-President, and President over the past 3 years) (we were also published in The Nation's Health for National Public Health Week)
Lab Internship at the CDC (summer)
Internship at the IRC in public health (summer): created a health program proposal
Writing Center tutor at my college (10 hours/week)
Volunteer at local children's hospital (3 hours/week for 3 years) (also had the opportunity to shadow doctors)
Participated in Washington University in St. Louis' Genomic Education Partnership Program as a TA for a Bioinformatics class that I'm taking/tutoring this semester

Courses that I'm taking now:
Health Policy, Bioinformatics, an Africana Studies Class, Global Health, and music classes (for my interest)

I'd appreciate anyone's feedback! I also plan to take the MCAT this summer (possibly late June or early July). I've heard a 510+ should be sufficient? I know that getting as high a score as possible is ideal, but I need a realistic picture.

Come back with an MCAT. GPA is only one part of the stats equation.

 

[Toutie]

Do you have any non-clinical service to the disadvantaged? Any shadowing?

 

[Goro]

Part of this process is being able to deal with rejection.

You can minimize this by having the best possible app.

Most applicants fail to get into med school

Most acceptees get only a single acceptance.

Always have a Plan B, and hope for the best.

Do some searches in these for a as to why high stat applicants get rejected. Hint: they usually don't have great ECs. Stats get you to the door, but ECs get you through.

Hi, everyone!

This is something that I'm quite uneasy about, but I've heard stories of pre-med students getting rejected from allopathic med schools even with high stats and great ECs. I'm planning on applying this year or next year (I'm about to graduate from undergrad in a couple of months), and I really don't want this to happen to me. What are some reasons why this happens to people, and how can I avoid them?

I'm assuming that some of the reasons could be attributed to "fit" and whether the applicant fits with the school's mission. But, is that it? Are there other things to think about?

Here is my info:

Pre-med courses:
2 semesters of Intro Bio: both A's
Intro Chem: A
Inorganic Chem: A
Organic Chem 1 and 2: both A's
Medical Biochemistry: A
Physics 1: A
Physics 2: A-
Statistics: A
Calculus: A

Social Science Courses:
Sociology: A
Psychology (Development and Social Behavior): A
Philosophy (Contemporary Moral Problems): B+

Other relevant courses:
Biology Senior Seminar Course in Molecular Biology: A
Public Health courses (there are a ton including Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medical Anthropology, and many electives): all of them are A's

Overall GPA: 3.922
Science GPA: (as close as humanly possible to a 4.0 with the exception of Physics II, which was an A-)

Relevant Extracurriculars:
Public Health Club (held offices as Treasurer, Co-President, and President over the past 3 years) (we were also published in The Nation's Health for National Public Health Week)
Lab Internship at the CDC (summer)
Internship at the IRC in public health (summer): created a health program proposal
Writing Center tutor at my college (10 hours/week)
Volunteer at local children's hospital (3 hours/week for 3 years) (also had the opportunity to shadow doctors)
Participated in Washington University in St. Louis' Genomic Education Partnership Program as a TA for a Bioinformatics class that I'm taking/tutoring this semester

Courses that I'm taking now:
Health Policy, Bioinformatics, an Africana Studies Class, Global Health, and music classes (for my interest)

I'd appreciate anyone's feedback! I also plan to take the MCAT this summer (possibly late June or early July). I've heard a 510+ should be sufficient? I know that getting as high a score as possible is ideal, but I need a realistic picture.

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

Looks good so far, but in all honesty GPA is meaningless without the MCAT to back it. I would say to do some shadowing, 50 hours or so, and some clinical volunteering.

Also, do you have any research experience?

 

[unicornshadow888]

Do you have any non-clinical service to the disadvantaged? Any shadowing?

Yes, I have shadowing experience. I've shadowed a physician in an area that's considered to be "medically underserved".
In terms of non-clinical service, I work with a non-profit at my school where we work to house incoming refugees. Though, it's been a challenge with these new executive orders. We're doing what we can, but we're the only undergraduate branch of this non-profit in the state.

 

[unicornshadow888]

Looks good so far, but in all honesty GPA is meaningless without the MCAT to back it. I would say to do some shadowing, 50 hours or so, and some clinical volunteering.

Also, do you have any research experience?

I did research at my CDC internship (approx. 350 hours). Plus, at my IRC internship, I had to develop a community health worker program and that involved extensive research of public health literature, a lit review, and a needs assessment.

 

[unicornshadow888]

FYI, I plan to get an MD/MPH eventually. So, that's why I have a ton of public health experience.

 

[unicornshadow888]

Looks good so far, but in all honesty GPA is meaningless without the MCAT to back it. I would say to do some shadowing, 50 hours or so, and some clinical volunteering.

Also, do you have any research experience?

RE "clinical volunteering": I've volunteered every week at a children's hospital (w/ no grunt work) for the past 3 years. I mentioned that in my original post. Did you see my list of ECs?

 

[honey0102]

Hi, everyone!

This is something that I'm quite uneasy about, but I've heard stories of pre-med students getting rejected from allopathic med schools even with high stats and great ECs. I'm planning on applying this year or next year (I'm about to graduate from undergrad in a couple of months), and I really don't want this to happen to me. What are some reasons why this happens to people, and how can I avoid them?

I'm assuming that some of the reasons could be attributed to "fit" and whether the applicant fits with the school's mission. But, is that it? Are there other things to think about?

Here is my info:

Pre-med courses:
2 semesters of Intro Bio: both A's
Intro Chem: A
Inorganic Chem: A
Organic Chem 1 and 2: both A's
Medical Biochemistry: A
Physics 1: A
Physics 2: A-
Statistics: A
Calculus: A

Social Science Courses:
Sociology: A
Psychology (Development and Social Behavior): A
Philosophy (Contemporary Moral Problems): B+

Other relevant courses:
Biology Senior Seminar Course in Molecular Biology: A
Public Health courses (there are a ton including Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medical Anthropology, and many electives): all of them are A's

Overall GPA: 3.922
Science GPA: (as close as humanly possible to a 4.0 with the exception of Physics II, which was an A-)

Relevant Extracurriculars:
Public Health Club (held offices as Treasurer, Co-President, and President over the past 3 years) (we were also published in The Nation's Health for National Public Health Week)
Lab Internship at the CDC (summer)
Internship at the IRC in public health (summer): created a health program proposal
Writing Center tutor at my college (10 hours/week)
Volunteer at local children's hospital (3 hours/week for 3 years) (also had the opportunity to shadow doctors)
Participated in Washington University in St. Louis' Genomic Education Partnership Program as a TA for a Bioinformatics class that I'm taking/tutoring this semester

Courses that I'm taking now:
Health Policy, Bioinformatics, an Africana Studies Class, Global Health, and music classes (for my interest)

I'd appreciate anyone's feedback! I also plan to take the MCAT this summer (possibly late June or early July). I've heard a 510+ should be sufficient? I know that getting as high a score as possible is ideal, but I need a realistic picture.

From reading this I think we went to the same undergrad! I had very similar stats to yours, and a good MCAT score, slightly above a 510, and I got multiple acceptances. Don't be too worried. You have a stellar app. Also, if you go to the school I think you go to-keep in mind medical schools do take into account rigor of school and curriculum.
PM me if you have any questions

 

[TaroBubbleTea]

RE "clinical volunteering": I've volunteered every week at a children's hospital (w/ no grunt work) for the past 3 years. I mentioned that in my original post. Did you see my list of ECs?

If that's the case, it looks like you have a shot at an acceptance if your MCAT is on par with your GPA.

This might be a bit premature given you have yet to take the MCAT, but don't neglect interviewing skills. I'm a pretty awkward introvert and interviewing is the bane of my existence and I regret not working on that sooner. I had many interview invites (read: I was great on paper), but my acceptance:invite ratio was horrendously low, and I'm pretty sure that's because I was such a crappy interviewer.

 

[unicornshadow888]

If that's the case, it looks like you have a shot at an acceptance if your MCAT is on par with your GPA.

This might be a bit premature given you have yet to take the MCAT, but don't neglect interviewing skills. I'm a pretty awkward introvert and interviewing is the bane of my existence and I regret not working on that sooner. I had many interview invites (read: I was great on paper), but my acceptance:invite ratio was horrendously low, and I'm pretty sure that's because I was such a crappy interviewer.

Haha! Thanks! And I'm not too worried about interviewing. I've interviewed for so many positions ever since first year of undergrad that I think I'm all interviewed out! Plus, my school offers practice interviews to prepare. I'm definitely going to utilize that so that I will be fully prepared.