second guessing your success?

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IntelInside

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At first I was pretty confident about my application this cycle, then as I am looking at mdapplicants.com and some of the people who already received interview invites this cycle, I keep thinking negative. Like I cant even touch these people. Does anyone else feel like this? Am I just freaking out?
 
IntelInside said:
At first I was pretty confident about my application this cycle, then as I am looking at mdapplicants.com and some of the people who already received interview invites this cycle, I keep thinking negative. Like I cant even touch these people. Does anyone else feel like this? Am I just freaking out?
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you'll be ok dude lets just hope you didnt apply to all top 20 schools
good luck bro
 
Don't look at MDApplicants at this point as it will only increase your neurosis! (trust me, lol). It can be very intimidating because it has a lot of selection bias so don't freak out. A lot of people get interviews at great places with mortal stats and experiences. I am one of those who have been fortunate but without stratospheric stats. So no worries! Keep your head up and remember that it is a long (and tedious) process!
 
you'll be a lot more depressed once oct 15 rolls around.
 
Yeah. Experiences are the killer. You listen to some other people's experiences and wonder how the heck you're supposed to compete with them. Been there, done that.
 
mvenus929 said:
Yeah. Experiences are the killer. You listen to some other people's experiences and wonder how the heck you're supposed to compete with them. Been there, done that.
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You mean you guys haven't done 5 years of research and been a first author of a publication in Cell, started a clinic in Africa, been a Division 1 athlete, shadowed a neurosurgeon for 1500 hours, volunteered for 3000 hours, as well as being a URM with a 4.0 GPA and 42 MCAT?
 
IntelInside said:
At first I was pretty confident about my application this cycle, then as I am looking at mdapplicants.com and some of the people who already received interview invites this cycle, I keep thinking negative. Like I cant even touch these people. Does anyone else feel like this? Am I just freaking out?
Click to expand...

No offense, man, but how could you be "pretty confident" with a below average GPA and an average MCAT (per stats for matriculants)?

Looks like you applied broadly and wisely, though. But stats-wise, you are on the edge...do you have instate schools where your numbers are competitive? That is your best bet...frankly, that is the best bet for the majority of applicants, myself included, and I have above average stats, but by no means "superstar" stats and credentials...

Good luck.
 
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when did you apply? if you applied early, you should have had some invites by now
 
GTV said:
You mean you guys haven't done 5 years of research and been a first author of a publication in Cell, started a clinic in Africa, been a Division 1 athlete, shadowed a neurosurgeon for 1500 hours, volunteered for 3000 hours, as well as being a URM with a 4.0 GPA and 42 MCAT?
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HA, I've done 6 years of research, started clinics in African AND South America, first author in Cell AND Nature.😉
 
BlueElmo said:
HA, I've done 6 years of research, started clinics in African AND South America, first author in Cell AND Nature.😉
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I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.

But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
 
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redsquareblack said:
I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.

But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Editor of Cell AND Nature? Is that a joke? You need a PhD to do that, lol.

EDIT: Wow, my sarcasm sensing abilities are terrible.
 
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flip26 said:
No offense, man, but how could you be "pretty confident" with a below average GPA and an average MCAT (per stats for matriculants)?

Looks like you applied broadly and wisely, though. But stats-wise, you are on the edge...do you have instate schools where your numbers are competitive?
Click to expand...

And that's why it's not all about numbers. Also, an average matriculant GPA is just that, an average. Plenty of people get looks, and get in, with numbers below the mean. According to AAMC, the OP has ~60% chance of getting in somewhere. He/she is actually pretty middle-of-the-road, but there's no reason not to have confidence in yourself, in fact I think it's pretty much essential for non-rockstar applicants. Really though, until you've got that acceptance in hand, I don't think anyone should be "pretty confident" with regards to their chances in any given cycle.

OP, you just can't compare yourself to anyone else. There'll always be people with numbers that beat yours, and experiences that make you look like an underachieving failure. But no one else has had your experiences, or lived your life. The key success in this whole process lies in believing you deserve this, presenting yourself well, and staying humble. Nothing else you can do, really. Oh, and if you need a "confidence boost" check out the distribution for people who took the MCAT with you. Being in the 80-90%ile of of aspiring pre-meds is nothing to scoff at...

Chin up, yo.
 
I own those two companies that own the journals. Beat that.
 
redsquareblack said:
I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.

But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

I totally get that. As people have said, chin up. It is still early in the cycle. It would be helpful to have a realistic idea of what the time line is ... I am stressing too for not having heard from most schools.
 
redsquareblack said:
I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.

But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ouch.

Applicants from the northeast who want to stay in the northeast (DC to Boston corridor) have to realize that there are no real safeties in this region, with a couple of exceptions: NYMC in the NYC area, and a couple of schools in Philly (Jefferson, Temple, and Drexel). But schools like GWU, Georgetown, BU, Tufts, etc., get swamped with apps - they are very tough schools to break through to the interview level for any applicant.

Sounds like you got some really bad advice. What other safety schools did you apply to? What is your state of residency? Again, residency in the northeast sucks for most people except for NY and PA...not much instate help in any of the other states.
 
i think temple drexel jefferson get craptons of applicants too

but anywho, when you apply, your biggest goal should be to not have any regrets during this process

ppl say mdapps is skewed but if you meet early interviewees on the trail, those kids have some crazy **** going on
 
redsquareblack said:
I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.

But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

you will be alright man. I waited for a long time till the interviews started catching up to my rejection numbers lol. I know it's tough to think positive until you have those invites in hand. But its early, you will do fine.
 
BlueElmo said:
I own those two companies that own the journals. Beat that.
Click to expand...

Oh, sry, but I screwed your secretary and she tranfered about 5 percent of the ownership from you to me.. and i already owned like 48% of the stocks.. sry bro, but im now the actual owner.
 
vickpick said:
Oh, sry, but I screwed your secretary and she tranfered about 5 percent of the ownership from you to me.. and i already owned like 48% of the stocks.. sry bro, but im now the actual owner.
Click to expand...

My secretary is male. Hope you had lots of fun with him.
 
amakhosidlo said:
And that's why it's not all about numbers. Also, an average matriculant GPA is just that, an average. Plenty of people get looks, and get in, with numbers below the mean. According to AAMC, the OP has ~60% chance of getting in somewhere. He/she is actually pretty middle-of-the-road, but there's no reason not to have confidence in yourself, in fact I think it's pretty much essential for non-rockstar applicants. Really though, until you've got that acceptance in hand, I don't think anyone should be "pretty confident" with regards to their chances in any given cycle.

OP, you just can't compare yourself to anyone else. There'll always be people with numbers that beat yours, and experiences that make you look like an underachieving failure. But no one else has had your experiences, or lived your life. The key success in this whole process lies in believing you deserve this, presenting yourself well, and staying humble. Nothing else you can do, really. Oh, and if you need a "confidence boost" check out the distribution for people who took the MCAT with you. Being in the 80-90%ile of of aspiring pre-meds is nothing to scoff at...

Chin up, yo.
Click to expand...

checking that grid for percent of ppl who got in with my avg (3.81 33 MCAT) it says ~90%, so I feel better about myself (even though I applied late according to SDN standards).
 
redsquareblack said:
I'm the editor of Cell AND Nature.
But to respond to the OP, I, too, am beginning to question myself. I had a horrendous undergraduate GPA, and my first MCAT, while a good composite score (34R), included an 8 in PS. Fast-forward to last year, went to BU for their MAMS program, got a 4.0 & top of class, and retook the MCAT for a 38R (14 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS). Started getting more active with volunteering, am getting into academia (teaching a college class next semester), etc. I really thought that would be enough, and have been hopeful that my application will show that I'm not the same person who screwed around during UG and got those piss-poor grades.

I was worried about not including many safeties, but was encouraged by an advisor at BU not to worry about it, that I'd be flush with acceptances, etc. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm getting pretty scared actually, especially since Georgetown has already passed on me (and I figured if anyone knows how to weigh SMP grades, it'd be them).

I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

It seems that some people already own Cell and Nature...so I guess I'll own AMCAS.
D: TAHT EKAT AH
 
pfft you guys are weak. i FOUNDED cell, nature, AND the lancet.
 
bleargh said:
pfft you guys are weak. i FOUNDED cell, nature, AND the lancet.
Click to expand...


finding cell and nature means nothing if they arent yours.


but ill cut u slack cuz u ahve an amazing application:laugh:

amazing app >>> owning cell and nature👍
 
bannie22 said:
finding cell and nature means nothing if they arent yours.


but ill cut u slack cuz u ahve an amazing application:laugh:

amazing app >>> owning cell and nature👍
Click to expand...
lolwut
 
redsquareblack said:
I'm 3 Rejections, 0 Interviews, 0 Hold. This is looking pretty grim. Granted, the other two rejections are Mayo and Duke, so it's not exactly an huge surprise, but still. I hear ya. Also, any words of encouragement would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Out of how many schools, though?

Anyway, to the OP, yes I have felt that way a lot. My GPA is lower than yours and to be honest I felt really bad after I took the MCAT and thought I didn't do so well. I ended up doing better than I thought, but during the (long, long) time before the scores came out I spent a lot of time making lists of 'safety' schools and none of them felt 'safe' enough. i felt like crap.

then when i did well on the MCAT, i was all excited again and thought I'd get lots of interviews. Well, then I was around SDN all the time (and MdApps) and seeing all these people getting interviews and I wasn't and I really starting second guessing myself. I finally got my first invite this week. but even the morning i got it, before i checked my email, i woke up feeling like crap about the desolate wasteland my email inbox had been for several weeks.

it's still early. people get accepted from february and march interviews. people get accepted from waitlists. an adcom where i go to grad school told me that my gpa was fine and not as bad as SDN would have me believe. hang in there.
 
amakhosidlo said:
And that's why it's not all about numbers. Also, an average matriculant GPA is just that, an average. Plenty of people get looks, and get in, with numbers below the mean. According to AAMC, the OP has ~60% chance of getting in somewhere. He/she is actually pretty middle-of-the-road, but there's no reason not to have confidence in yourself, in fact I think it's pretty much essential for non-rockstar applicants. Really though, until you've got that acceptance in hand, I don't think anyone should be "pretty confident" with regards to their chances in any given cycle.

OP, you just can't compare yourself to anyone else. There'll always be people with numbers that beat yours, and experiences that make you look like an underachieving failure. But no one else has had your experiences, or lived your life. The key success in this whole process lies in believing you deserve this, presenting yourself well, and staying humble. Nothing else you can do, really. Oh, and if you need a "confidence boost" check out the distribution for people who took the MCAT with you. Being in the 80-90%ile of of aspiring pre-meds is nothing to scoff at...

Chin up, yo.
Click to expand...

The bolded part is possibly the best line I've ever heard on these forums. If you follow this advice, you will do well. Best of luck! :luck:
 
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