Should I Be Worried

[Striatum14]

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I applied to 20-25 schools and have only 2 II. I submitted my primary late June and secondaries August-September.

Background: Highly ranked UG (not international), ORM, 3.8ish sGPA and 510+mcat, reasonably good ECs, and probably decent LOR, solid PS. Had an interview a few months ago (waitlisted) and another is coming up. I think I have a solid list and applied to only 3-4 "reach" schools.

I know it's a competitive process, but I was sorta hoping to have a few more IIs at this point. It's getting late in the cycle. Of note is that I have 0 Rs but have been placed on 2 pre-interview waitlists. I know plenty of acceptances have been given out already. Should I worried at this point?

Also how good are my chances to nab an II moving into Jan-Feb?

Any input appreciated.

 

[jarednogeek]

To quote some adcoms until you have an acceptance in hand you should be activately analyzing your app and improving. While it’s possible no one can predict your chance of A or another II

 

[stickgirl390]

Agree with above. You should already be working on improving your app for next cycle at this point. If you wait longer and end up not gaining acceptance anywhere, it’ll be too late.

 

[Striatum14]

Thanks guys, that's pretty much what I was thinking as well. I know I need to start improving my app, but I don't see any tangible way to improve it. My cars is a bit low, so maybe I could retake the mcat... but then I risk getting a lower score which is bad. I have hundreds of hours or clinical experience and ample volunteering as well both clinical and non. Plenty of research as well. Maybe by recs and/or ps sucked? Could have probably applied earlier too I guess... thanks for the input!

 

[Ambery]

You are not alone!!! I am in a similar position. I have similar stats and I think my PS and ECs are decent. My first interview became a waitlist and I have 2 more upcoming. I honestly feel a lot of pressure to do well in them... and I really hope for more interviews. Hang in there... everything will be okay at the end!

 

[altblue]

Thanks guys, that's pretty much what I was thinking as well. I know I need to start improving my app, but I don't see any tangible way to improve it. My cars is a bit low, so maybe I could retake the mcat... but then I risk getting a lower score which is bad. I have hundreds of hours or clinical experience and ample volunteering as well both clinical and non. Plenty of research as well. Maybe by recs and/or ps sucked? Could have probably applied earlier too I guess... thanks for the input!

So what schools did you apply to?

 

[Striatum14]

So what schools did you apply to?

1) "Only" 2II is 2 more than many ever get and your characterization of this in this terms along with "sorta hoping" , even though you acknowledge competitiveness is an example of the entitlement that adcoms refer to. Are you sure none of this attitude or tone come off in your secondaries.
2) You are highly unlikely to get anymore II
3) every applicant, and I mean every applicant, must assume from the moment you submit AMCAS that you will be a reapplicant and must be enhancing your record
4) The vast majority of acceptances have not yet been released but these will go on until August with WL conversions
5) Many medical schools offer specific pages of advice for reapplicants, something I find few students look into. This would be true whether or not you are a specific reapplicant to that school. Below are links to a few and please note most say the most common mistake among reapplicants is applying again too soon

Should I do a Masters in my gap year / WAMC / advice please


University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Reapplicants - Miller School of Medicine Admissions
Roughly 20% of the students who apply to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in any given year are reapplicants. Data that we have collected indicate they have a lower acceptance rate than do first time applicants

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Heath
http://www.med.wisc.edu/education/md/admissions/reapplying/31716
(emphasis in the original)
There should be significant improvements in your application before reapplying. This might mean not reapplying the very next year. The most common error made by reapplicants is that they submit their next application too soon.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine
The Ohio State University College of Medicine - Tips & Advice
To maximize the chances of giving off this perception, you must allow enough time before reapplying. This will undoubtedly be the hardest part of the process, but be patient; if you rush it, you may join the ranks of those who are applying for a third time.

University of Minnesota Medical School
Re-Applicant
Though you can submit a second application immediately after your first application, you may want to consider waiting a year if you feel you need more experiences that help you demonstrate the essential and desired qualities of an ideal medical student.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Reapplicants | Office of Admissions
http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/requirements/our-ideal-candidate/selection-criteria

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
http://medicine.vtc.vt.edu/admissions/re-applicants/

LSU Health Shreveport
Re-Applicants

University of Missouri
http://medicine.missouri.edu/admissions/nontraditional.html

East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
whatif

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC)
https://www.unthsc.edu/texas-colleg...ants-home/common-mistakes-made-by-applicants/

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
http://www.com.msu.edu/Admissions/Guidelines_For_Success/Reapplication.htm

1) Didn't mean to come off sounding "entitled," not sure how you perceived my tone to be that way. "Kinda hoping" is not the same as "I deserve more IIs." Yes I acknowledge the competitiveness of the process but nevertheless was still hoping for more IIs by this point in the cycle. What's wrong with saying that?
2) Would you mind elaborating?
3) I am well aware of that
4) So wait, if the vast majority of acceptances have not yet been released, why are my chances so low to get another II? Don't people get interviewed into March?
5) Thank you, this is very helpful 🙂

 

[Striatum14]

"Only"...if you understood how competitive this process truly is, you would understand why saying "Only" is entitled
90%+ of interview invites are distributed my Thanksgiving
no you are not. Do you realize that only about 15%-20%% of applications get an II (125,000-150,000 of 800,000+ applications

This comment above just makes me cringe. You do realize you are commenting on THREE separate functions.
First applications are evaluated and review for INTERVIEW INVITES
then applicants may have ACTUAL INTERVIEWS scheduled thru March though they are invited in October
then ACTUAL ACCEPTANCES get released, the bulk of which dont happen until late Feb or March
Between all these functions takes TIME to process

Did not know that 90% of IIs are distributed by Thanksgiving, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.