Should I be concerned about my application progress this cycle?

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bluishbird336

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Hello, I am a current applicant this cycle. I currently have had 7 interviews and been waitlisted/rejected at 3 already and waiting to hear back from 4. I am a little nervous because the remaining schools I have yet to hear back from have a pretty low post II acceptance rate ~30%.

I was hoping to I was curious if anyone could look through my application to see if there was anything wrong with my primary application and how I should prepare to reapply if I need to. The thing I am most concerned about is my clinical experience. Do you guys think my clinical experience is adequate enough?

Application

State/Country of Residence: CA

Cumulative GPA: 4.0

Science GPA: 4.0

MCAT Score(s): 516(131,126,130,129)

Undergraduate: Top UC

Research Experience: I did 3 years of research in 3 labs (total 2700 hours). I was able to do independent research and do an honors thesis with my current lab. I did research in 2 neurobiology labs and 1 vascular biology lab. I am also researching Alzheimer's disease (current lab).

Publications/Abstracts/Posters (include how you were credited e.g. first author, second author, etc.): one honors thesis and 2 poster presentations as well as a co-author on a manuscript currently being written.

Clinical Experience (paid or volunteer): I was an EMT for my school's EMT club and was an event EMT for school events (200 hours). I am an FTO in my club and help train and lead new members. As an FTO I am lead EMT at the event.

I also am an ER volunteer (50 hours).

I also am a health advocate and work with underserved populations in a hospital in which I meet with patients and help connect them with social service needs like food stamps, housing, and legal services (200 hours, 190 Projected). I have already a few meaningful experiences working with people in this experience.

I also volunteer at a Free Mobile clinic where I take vital signs for patients in a local shelter. (20 hours, 50 projected)

I am also a Assistant clinical research coordinator for my Gap Year Job where I provide dietary intervention and conduct physical exams for study subjects. This experience was mentioned in my secondaries but not primary application.

Physician Shadowing: I shadowed a GI and endocrine physician for 70 hours.

Non-Clinical Volunteering:

I was a public policy advocate for dementia patients since high school and had the opportunity to reach out to members of congress and advocate for Alzheimer's related bills at both the state and federal level. Had some success at both levels. (800 hours)

I also advocated at the city level and got proclamations from over 6 cities across the country to support lung cancer awareness month (150 hours).

I also volunteered at a food bank every month and helped distribute food (115 hrs, 100 projected).

I also volunteer at an adult daycare for people with dementia where I talk with them and participate in various activities with them. (200 hrs)

Other Extracurricular Activities: I started my own free tutoring “business” where I tutored students in general and organic chemistry. I was also a TA for my Biology class as well where I made quizzes and rounded on students to answer questions. (316 hrs)
 
if you received 7 interview invites, i cant imagine your primary nor your secondary is the problem. you are still waiting to hear back from multiple programs... i think youll be okay 🙂
 
I agree there doesn't appear to be issues with your primary or secondary essays, but why do you think you were rejected from the schools that have done so? How many schools rejected you?
Thanks for the response!

Of the school I interviewed at 1 rejected me. I am not sure why the school (Kaiser) who rejected me did so.

I thought my interview went ok, but not spectacular. I found it difficult to talk at depth at the MMI questions. I don't think I bombed the interview but it is possible that I did not stand out as much as needed to get accepted. Also I know my application is a bit research heavy and I think Kaiser values service more than research.

Additionally, I think maybe my clinical hours may be lacking. I feel my hours seem to be on the lower side.
 
Thanks for the response!

Of the school I interviewed at 1 rejected me. I am not sure why the school (Kaiser) who rejected me did so.

I thought my interview went ok, but not spectacular. I found it difficult to talk at depth at the MMI questions. I don't think I bombed the interview but it is possible that I did not stand out as much as needed to get accepted. Also I know my application is a bit research heavy and I think Kaiser values service more than research.

Additionally, I think maybe my clinical hours may be lacking. I feel my hours seem to be on the lower side.
From my experience and in my uninformed opinion, I think you stood out enough to get rejected. We usually say "work on your interview skills." But any of the schools that waitlisted you can turn around and give you an offer. So don't lose hope.

Kaiser is building its research reputation with its association with Cal Tech, but it's not clear if you would take advantage. You shouldn't expect to do the same research topic in medical school that reflects your prior knowledge.
 
From my experience and in my uninformed opinion, I think you stood out enough to get rejected. We usually say "work on your interview skills." But any of the schools that waitlisted you can turn around and give you an offer. So don't lose hope.

Kaiser is building its research reputation with its association with Cal Tech, but it's not clear if you would take advantage. You shouldn't expect to do the same research topic in medical school that reflects your prior knowledge.
Thank you for this!

So just to clarify. From your experience, do you believe the issue with my current results (3WL/R and 0 As), can be attributed to my interview and not any issue with my primary or secondary?

I ask this because from what I understand, after the interview the admissions committee reviews the application in its entirety prior to making a decision.

Also, does a WL typically signify a mediocre interview whereas a rejection signify a poor interview?
 
Thank you for this!

So just to clarify. From your experience, do you believe the issue with my current results (3WL/R and 0 As), can be attributed to my interview and not any issue with my primary or secondary?

I ask this because from what I understand, after the interview the admissions committee reviews the application in its entirety prior to making a decision.

Also, does a WL typically signify a mediocre interview whereas a rejection signify a poor interview?

Have you had any mock interviews?
 
Do you believe that the issue lies with my interviews?
It could just be bad luck! You mentioned Kaiser, and their post-interview acceptance rate is below 20%. What are the other 2 schools?

That being said, the issue could also lie with your interview, as you’re suggesting. Were the mock interviews conducted by people familiar with medical school admissions?
 
Thank you for this!

So just to clarify. From your experience, do you believe the issue with my current results (3WL/R and 0 As), can be attributed to my interview and not any issue with my primary or secondary?

I ask this because from what I understand, after the interview the admissions committee reviews the application in its entirety prior to making a decision.

Also, does a WL typically signify a mediocre interview whereas a rejection signify a poor interview?
You need to read

You haven't given us your school list. You haven't said if your interviews were open file. All we know is you have 7 interviews, which suggests your primaries and secondaries were fine for those schools (and most likely in general).

You may have had a great interview and wind up as an alternate.

Trust the process.
 
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It could just be bad luck! You mentioned Kaiser, and their post-interview acceptance rate is below 20%. What are the other 2 schools?

That being said, the issue could also lie with your interview, as you’re suggesting. Were the mock interviews conducted by people familiar with medical school admissions?
Yes I current have been waitlisted at GUSOM (traditional )and UCSD (MMI only).

I am currently waiting on decisions from Stanford (traditional + MMI), Cornell (Traditional), CCLCM (traditional) and UCLA (traditional)

Kaiser was MMI + traditional interview. All traditional interviews were open file.

Here is the rest of my school list.

Wake Forest
Michigan
Saint Louis
Pritzker
Albert Einstein
Tufts
Mt Sinai
Rochester (Pre II R)
Georgetown
Northwestern
UCSD
Darthmouth (Pre II R)
Cornell
UC Davis
Kaiser
Ohio
Stanford
University of Arizona
Pitt (Pre II R)
Cincinnati
Virginia
Brown
Carver
Duke
Creighton
Emory
UCI
GW
Boston (Pre II R)
Colorado
UCLA
Temple
Wisconsin (Pre II R)
Case Western (Pre II R)
CUSM
USC
Drexel
Hofstra (Pre II R)
NYMC
VCU
Miami
UCSF


Thanks
 
Yes I current have been waitlisted at GUSOM (traditional )and UCSD (MMI only).

I am currently waiting on decisions from Stanford (traditional + MMI), Cornell (Traditional), CCLCM (traditional) and UCLA (traditional)

Kaiser was MMI + traditional interview. All traditional interviews were open file.

Here is the rest of my school list.

Wake Forest
Michigan
Saint Louis
Pritzker
Albert Einstein
Tufts
Mt Sinai
Rochester (Pre II R)
Georgetown
Northwestern
UCSD
Darthmouth (Pre II R)
Cornell
UC Davis
Kaiser
Ohio
Stanford
University of Arizona
Pitt (Pre II R)
Cincinnati
Virginia
Brown
Carver
Duke
Creighton
Emory
UCI
GW
Boston (Pre II R)
Colorado
UCLA
Temple
Wisconsin (Pre II R)
Case Western (Pre II R)
CUSM
USC
Drexel
Hofstra (Pre II R)
NYMC
VCU
Miami
UCSF


Thanks
Georgetown is notorious for waitlisting the vast majority of people that interview! Given the nature of 2/3 of the schools you’ve heard back from, there isn’t really enough data to ruminate on whether or not your interviewing skills are holding you back.

It never hurts to practice, however, so if you happen to get more interview invites, are concerned about your performance, and want more practice, I could run a mock interview with you.

As for your school list, any feedback I could offer would pale in comparison to experts like @Mr.Smile12, but it seems quite large and looks to have a fair number of baseline and target schools to accompany the reaches.
 
Georgetown is notorious for waitlisting the vast majority of people that interview! Given the nature of 2/3 of the schools you’ve heard back from, there isn’t really enough data to ruminate on whether or not your interviewing skills are holding you back.

It never hurts to practice, however, so if you happen to get more interview invites, are concerned about your performance, and want more practice, I could run a mock interview with you.

As for your school list, any feedback I could offer would pale in comparison to experts like @Mr.Smile12, but it seems quite large and looks to have a fair number of baseline and target schools to accompany the reaches.
Thanks for the reply and info! I definitely take up your offer if I have another interview come my way.

I also just had a quick question. Given that Georgetown waitlists a good number of applicants, does that mean they pull many students from the waitlist? Or is that not true.
 
Thanks for the reply and info! I definitely take up your offer if I have another interview come my way.

I also just had a quick question. Given that Georgetown waitlists a good number of applicants, does that mean they pull many students from the waitlist? Or is that not true.
You did read the article I referred to?
 
Thanks for the reply and info! I definitely take up your offer if I have another interview come my way.

I also just had a quick question. Given that Georgetown waitlists a good number of applicants, does that mean they pull many students from the waitlist? Or is that not true.
A lot of that depends on how many students they interview in general. While I can't speak for Georgetown specifically, in general some schools interview a comparatively smaller group (and extend a higher % of A's as a result) while others interview a much larger group making A's harder to come by. Admit.org may have details on %s accepted off of waitlist, not sure.

As for where you are rn: Given that you're on a waitlist you're probably ranked somewhere on that waitlist. You could be just below, in the middle, or towards the back end (it's hard to say for certain). But as people begin to decline acceptances — especially as we get towards April — the waitlists will begin moving and there's a decent chance you could get in.

Regardless, my opinion is the same as before: You are in an incredibly strong position. Work on the interviewing skills and I have no doubt you'll get in. Just be sure to keep hope and patience (and as necessary, work towards improving just in case the very unlikely but still possible scenario of needing to reapply)
 
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