So I'm only applying to one medical school, should I note this in my PS?

[omegaz]

I'm doing this because
1. it's an in-state school.
2. it doesn't have rolling admissions. (since I'm applying this late, this will help me a ton)

My question is if I should mention how this medical school is my dream school in my PS.

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[deleted480308]

I'm doing this because
1. it's an in-state school.
2. it doesn't have rolling admissions. (since I'm applying this late, this will help me a ton)

My question is if I should mention how this medical school is my dream school in my PS.

admitting you are only applying one place is something I would hold against you.....it's such a poor idea tactically that I would question your understanding of the process or your intelligence.

but I can be harsh sometimes

 

[Soviet Poland]

I wouldn't mention it. What are you trying to accomplish? Guilt the school in giving you more consideration because you didn't apply elsewhere?

It certainly won't increase your chances. So there is only the possibility it will be viewed negatively. Might I ask why you're only applying to one school? In-state and non-rolling admissions don't seem like sufficient reasons, in my opinion.

 

[ridethecliche]

If you don't get in, you know you're marking yourself as a reapplicant next cycle right? Bold move.

 

[Holmwood]

I'm doing this because
1. it's an in-state school.
2. it doesn't have rolling admissions. (since I'm applying this late, this will help me a ton)

My question is if I should mention how this medical school is my dream school in my PS.

The better thing to do is do extensive research on the school you are applying to. Make sure the experiences you talk about in your essays can be aligned to the school's mission statement, opportunities, etc. What I am trying to say is to show the school that you "fit", with ample evidence from life experiences you write about. You do not want to tell the school that it is your dream school, and the only one you applied to. Attempting to guilt them into accepting you is not going to work.

Since you are only applying to a single school, you have a very high chance of not being accepted into any medical school this application cycle. So while you should try your absolute best, be realistic about your expectations. People typically apply to 15+ schools this late into the cycle and may still receive no acceptances from any of it.

Best of luck.

 

[omegaz]

I wouldn't mention it. What are you trying to accomplish? Guilt the school in giving you more consideration because you didn't apply elsewhere?

It certainly won't increase your chances. So there is only the possibility it will be viewed negatively. Might I ask why you're only applying to one school? In-state and non-rolling admissions don't seem like sufficient reasons, in my opinion.

Because I'm applying late with a late MCAT test date. Almost all medical schools have rolling admissions but not this in-state medical school. Sounds like this school is most likely to accept me this cycle right? I really want to get into medical school this cycle. I'm already taking a gap year, and I don't want to take 2. Sounds like the general consensus is not to include this in my PS. Got it, thanks!

 

[omegaz]

By the way I wasn't suggesting that I should say I'm only applying to their medical school. That'll probably make them angry. I was thinking if I should mention their name or acknowledge them in a positive way.

 

[omegaz]

If you don't get in, you know you're marking yourself as a reapplicant next cycle right? Bold move.

That's better than being a reapplicant the cycle after the next cycle if I don't apply this year.

 

[deleted480308]

you aren't listening...apply to more than one school

 

[omegaz]

you aren't listening...apply to more than one school

It's too late to apply to schools that have rolling admissions, and those that don't have rolling admissions are all reaches like Harvard and Johns Hopkins. But I am considering DO schools.

 

[deleted480308]

It's too late to apply to schools that have rolling admissions, and those that don't have rolling admissions are all reaches like Harvard and Johns Hopkins. But I am considering DO schools.

my advice is to wait and apply early next cycle when you can put in the best application possible (timing is part of application strength)...but you are an adult and are clearly going to do it either way, I hope it works out for you but you have been fairly warned

 

[ridethecliche]

So basically you're okay with shooting yourself in the foot. Have fun with that.

 

[Holmwood]

Because I'm applying late with a late MCAT test date. Almost all medical schools have rolling admissions but not this in-state medical school. Sounds like this school is most likely to accept me this cycle right? I really want to get into medical school this cycle. I'm already taking a gap year, and I don't want to take 2. Sounds like the general consensus is not to include this in my PS. Got it, thanks!

We don't know the name of the school, nor do we know your ECs/stats. Even then, people here are advising against applying this cycle unless you plan on applying to more schools.

Furthermore, not having rolling admissions typically means acceptances are not sent on a rolling basis. Interview invites may still be sent on a rolling basis. Submitting your secondary now means they'll likely get to it a month from now; the longer you wait, the fewer interview slots available. And if you can't get an interview, you won't be considered for acceptance, regardless of when the acceptance is being sent out.

 

[omegaz]

my advice is to wait and apply early next cycle when you can put in the best application possible (timing is part of application strength)...but you are an adult and are clearly going to do it either way, I hope it works out for you but you have been fairly warned

I agree and thanks for the warning but time isn't a part of application strength for this particular school I'm applying since it's non-rolling. I'll definitely apply early next cycle if I don't get in, which is probably the case.

 

[omegaz]

We don't know the name of the school, nor do we know your ECs/stats. Even then, people here are advising against applying this cycle unless you plan on applying to more schools.

Furthermore, not having rolling admissions typically means acceptances are not sent on a rolling basis. Interview invites may still be sent on a rolling basis. Submitting your secondary now means they'll likely get to it a month from now; the longer you wait, the fewer interview slots available. And if you can't get an interview, you won't be considered for acceptance, regardless of when the acceptance is being sent out.

Well, it's not like I have really high hopes or anything. I know I'm at a disadvantage. I just think this school is most likely to accept me this cycle. So why not give it a shot?

 

[Holmwood]

I agree and thanks for the warning but time isn't a part of application strength for this particular school I'm applying since it's non-rolling. I'll definitely apply early next cycle if I don't get in, which is probably the case.

I know how you feel. The plus side is that when you reapply, you will be a reapplicant at only the school you sent an AMCAS primary to.
Therefore, if you don't have the time commitment to improve your application further than the one you have now, you won't be negatively impacted at most schools you'll apply to (just the one state school you applied to this cycle).

Just make sure to do SUPER WELL on the secondary. And research the school like I told you. >_<

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Whatever happened to maximizing options? And is this really your dream school?

 

[WillburCobb]

Don't do it. I didn't do this in my PS, but trust me... Also, said school won't flag you for being a reapplicant.

 

[gettheleadout]

I'm just going to interject something here: Applying to only one school can be an appropriate course of action for some applicants in some circumstances. Some state MD schools have a magical combination crazy in-state bias, non-rolling admissions, low average stats, and several other odd unique circumstantial things going on that I won't mention, and all of this can make for ridiculously high acceptance chances for some applicants.

I'm not saying OP is making a smart move, but without knowing more we can't say it's a bad one.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'm just going to interject something here: Applying to only one school can be an appropriate course of action for some applicants in some circumstances. Some state MD schools have a magical combination crazy in-state bias, non-rolling admissions, low average stats, and several other odd unique circumstantial things going on that I won't mention, and all of this can make for ridiculously high acceptance chances for some applicants.

I'm not saying OP is making a smart move, but without knowing more we can't say it's a bad one.

From a probabilistic standpoint, it is more likely to be a bad move than a good move.

 

[WillburCobb]

From a probabilistic standpoint, it is more likely to be a bad move than a good move.

OP is fine...

 

[basketcase0a0]

.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

If this school is equal or better than your other possible options, then applying now may not be that bad of an idea. And as @gettheleadout mentioned, we are not aware of your personal circumstances. But, please make sure this is not merely a rushed decision.

 

[Soviet Poland]

Because being a reapplicant is a negative thing. Especially at the school to which you are reapplying, but even at schools you are not applying to this cycle, it WILL be held against you next cycle.

I don't approve of the stigma of reapplication, but it's fairly well documented and confirmed by adcoms on this site to be a factor.

Fairly well documented where? Every admissions counselor I've spoken with has nothing negative to say about reapplicants. Assuming you've improved from last year. I think this is one of those neurotic SDN beliefs...

 

[exmoderpina]

OP, I previously thought about applying to only 2 MD schools (my state ones), and my first pre-interview rejection was from my #1 choice IS school. Thank goodness I have set wheels in motion for other MD programs + DO programs as well, or I would have been completely and utterly screwed now.

 

[Ismet]

Because being a reapplicant is a negative thing. Especially at the school to which you are reapplying, but even at schools you are not applying to this cycle, it WILL be held against you next cycle.

I don't approve of the stigma of reapplication, but it's fairly well documented and confirmed by adcoms on this site to be a factor.

You're only a reapplicant at schools where you submitted your primary before. If he's only applying to one school, he'll be a reapplicant at that school next year, but would not be a reapplicant at schools where he never applied.

 

[gyngyn]

Fairly well documented where? Every admissions counselor I've spoken with has nothing negative to say about reapplicants. Assuming you've improved from last year. I think this is one of those neurotic SDN beliefs...

A re-applicant is, by definition, a failure in some respect. We expect that someone with good stats got interviews (and under-performed). We wonder about the judgement of those who applied with weak stats.
A single strong application is far better than any alternative.

When a re-application is necessary, a dramatic change in stats or strategy is expected.

 

[Chir0nex]

Well, it's not like I have really high hopes or anything. I know I'm at a disadvantage. I just think this school is most likely to accept me this cycle. So why not give it a shot?

Being a reapplicant will hurt your chances, and unless if you feel very confident about this one school, you are essentially throwing away a chance at a clean application cycle. Not to mention that I'm sure you will be asked about being a reapplicant, and having to explain that you applied to only one school will likely prompt more questions that may not help you.

That's better than being a reapplicant the cycle after the next cycle if I don't apply this year.

This is terrible logic. There is no certainty you will be a re-applicant if you apply broadly and on time next year. Don't assume future failures to rationalize a poor decision now. I understand where you are coming form, I took a gap year that I did not want in order to have a completely solid application. The truth is though, that 1 year makes very little difference in the grand scheme of things. Find something fun or interesting to do, take 1 more year to make sure your application is perfect and apply early with a clean slate. Put another way, is it worth gambling on this one school now, in order to save a single year of time, and risk handicapping your chances of ever getting into med school in the first place?

 

[Soviet Poland]

A re-applicant is, by definition, a failure in some respect. We expect that someone with good stats got interviews (and under-performed). We wonder about the judgement of those who applied with weak stats.
A single strong application is far better than any alternative.

When a re-application is necessary, a dramatic change in stats or strategy is expected.

Are those fair assumptions though? I understand you're faculty somewhere so you have a more relevant and valid opinion. I can defer that you possess a line of reasoning I am not aware of given that I don't judge applicants. However, aren't there more qualified applicants than spots? Is it fair to assume every single qualified applicant with good stats under-performed during an interview? Or is it more likely that they got lost among the blur of other equally qualified interviewees? No arguments on those with especially poor stats who tried applying.

I just think it's a bit disingenuous to not give reapplicants the benefit of the doubt. Of course with the volume of applicants, you need to filter through them somehow. But then that prompts my next question, isn't that a bit of a self-fulfulling prophecy? Too high of a qualified applicant to seat ratio, so you decide on factors such as mission or personal fit. But how does that reflect negatively on that applicant? Maybe they interviewed alright, but they just didn't fit the school mission. Now however they have this allegedly negative label to them.

Again, I'm definitely not on an admissions committee. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of the picture. I always just assumed a competent and holistic review process is specifically to make these judgments. Not just relying on heuristics like "they must have interviewed poorly." Of course I may just be severely underestimating how many reapplicants match my "lost in the process" example and the overwhelming majority fall under your two categories

 

[mehc012]

...nvm, not worth the effort

 

[WillburCobb]

To all ye naysayers, under normal SDN logic OP would be fairly foolish, however there are schools out there that are exceptions as @gettheleadout pointed out. This happens to be one such school. OP is fine both applying late and as a reapplicant. Case closed.

 

[mvenus929]

Because being a reapplicant is a negative thing. Especially at the school to which you are reapplying, but even at schools you are not applying to this cycle, it WILL be held against you next cycle.

I don't approve of the stigma of reapplication, but it's fairly well documented and confirmed by adcoms on this site to be a factor.

The other schools he potentially will apply to next year will not know that he already had one failed cycle.

Also, a second application cycle is what you make of it. My second cycle, I highlighted the fact that I was a reapplicant, even to schools that I did not apply to the first time. It worked for me... I got accepted to a school I was rejected at the first time, as well as a school that I didn't apply to the first time.

 

[darklabel]

To answer your question, don't mention it in any way. But, I would curtail the PS towards the school and all your EC towards it.

 

[dbeast]

To all ye naysayers, under normal SDN logic OP would be fairly foolish, however there are schools out there that are exceptions as @gettheleadout pointed out. This happens to be one such school. OP is fine both applying late and as a reapplicant. Case closed.

You seem to know something we don't know...

 

[WillburCobb]

You seem to know something we don't know...

That I do...

 

[gyngyn]

Are those fair assumptions though? I understand you're faculty somewhere so you have a more relevant and valid opinion. I can defer that you possess a line of reasoning I am not aware of given that I don't judge applicants. However, aren't there more qualified applicants than spots? Is it fair to assume every single qualified applicant with good stats under-performed during an interview? Or is it more likely that they got lost among the blur of other equally qualified interviewees? No arguments on those with especially poor stats who tried applying.

I just think it's a bit disingenuous to not give reapplicants the benefit of the doubt. Of course with the volume of applicants, you need to filter through them somehow. But then that prompts my next question, isn't that a bit of a self-fulfulling prophecy? Too high of a qualified applicant to seat ratio, so you decide on factors such as mission or personal fit. But how does that reflect negatively on that applicant? Maybe they interviewed alright, but they just didn't fit the school mission. Now however they have this allegedly negative label to them.

Again, I'm definitely not on an admissions committee. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of the picture. I always just assumed a competent and holistic review process is specifically to make these judgments. Not just relying on heuristics like "they must have interviewed poorly." Of course I may just be severely underestimating how many reapplicants match my "lost in the process" example and the overwhelming majority fall under your two categories

We want to interview people from the pool of candidates most likely to be successful in this process. It is fair to assume that pre-screened (previous applicants) are different from those in an unscreened group (first-time applicants). Individual candidates may not not share all the qualities of the pool into which they sort and re-applicants are still evaluated, but to deny that they are viewed differently in this process is naive.

 

[Goro]

Concur. Apply once, and apply smartly. We tend not to like people who make poor choices.

my advice is to wait and apply early next cycle when you can put in the best application possible (timing is part of application strength)...but you are an adult and are clearly going to do it either way, I hope it works out for you but you have been fairly warned

 

[NoDakDok]

Note I haven't talked to OP but I have a strong feeling I know what's going on here. I'm only going to post because I think it's a good idea to let a couple big-name posters (@gettheleadout, @Goro, @gyngyn) know about some noteworthy niche exceptions to the SDN dogma.

I'm doing this because
1. it's an in-state school.
2. it doesn't have rolling admissions. (since I'm applying this late, this will help me a ton)

My question is if I should mention how this medical school is my dream school in my PS.

I would not mention this in your personal statement. I don't believe it is necessarily high-yield. If you want specific information feel free to message me.

admitting you are only applying one place is something I would hold against you.....it's such a poor idea tactically that I would question your understanding of the process or your intelligence.

but I can be harsh sometimes

This is slightly naive, but it's not necessarily your fault. OP's situation is actually not rare in a select few states, one of which is North Dakota. I don't blame you for not knowing this, though, because few people actually know a North Dakotan, not to mention their medical school admissions process. Before they adopted AMCAS just a couple years back, at times they received less than 300 applications for 62 spots.

I'm just going to interject something here: Applying to only one school can be an appropriate course of action for some applicants in some circumstances. Some state MD schools have a magical combination crazy in-state bias, non-rolling admissions, low average stats, and several other odd unique circumstantial things going on that I won't mention, and all of this can make for ridiculously high acceptance chances for some applicants.

I'm not saying OP is making a smart move, but without knowing more we can't say it's a bad one.

There are several programs in the Midwest (e.g. UNDSMHS, USD Sanford School of Medicine) that fit this. Very few people realize this anomaly, and kudos to you for catching its possibility.

OP is fine...

And now I know I'm right. 🙂

A re-applicant is, by definition, a failure in some respect. We expect that someone with good stats got interviews (and under-performed). We wonder about the judgement of those who applied with weak stats.
A single strong application is far better than any alternative.

When a re-application is necessary, a dramatic change in stats or strategy is expected.

Just wanted to interject here, there are exceptions to this rule. UND has a reputation for rejecting applicants their first time around and accepting them the second time around with little or no improvement from an objective (application-based) standpoint. The logical reasoning behind it is that they prefer more mature individuals who have experienced life before they delve into the learning and practice of medicine. I'm not sure who all follows this same sentiment, but I have heard of it in at least one other MD school.

Concur. Apply once, and apply smartly. We tend not to like people who make poor choices.

Keep in mind that applying to just one school (as in OP's case) is not necessarily a bad idea. A significant portion of my class (and the classes that preceded it) are applicants who only applied to UNDSMHS. It is far from rare, and in many cases a very reasonable decision.

The takeaway message is that not all cases are going to fit the SDN dogma, because not all MD schools follow the typical admissions model. It is important to keep this in mind when giving advice in question stems that seem a bit tangent to conventional wisdom.

edit: words

 

[gyngyn]

The takeaway message is that not all cases are going to fit the SDN dogma, because not all MD schools follow the typical admissions model. It is important to keep this in mind when giving advice in question stems that seem a bit tangent to conventional wisdom.

edit: words

Regional differences are undeniable!

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

To all ye naysayers, under normal SDN logic OP would be fairly foolish, however there are schools out there that are exceptions as @gettheleadout pointed out. This happens to be one such school. OP is fine both applying late and as a reapplicant. Case closed.

OP. I'm not at all so sure you should do this. One school? I think it's just too risky. I keep wondering WHAT do some of these posters here know that they're so certain you'd get in. I'd think you can find at least two or three others that may interest you. Is this the only IS school? If you had FAFSA help, you could apply to 14 schools if $$ is an issue.

 

[WillburCobb]

OP. I'm not at all so sure you should do this. One school? I think it's just too risky. I keep wondering WHAT do some of these posters here know that they're so certain you'd get in. I'd think you can find at least two or three others that may interest you. Is this the only IS school? If you had FAFSA help, you could apply to 14 schools if $$ is an issue.

Some of us are quite familiar with the school in question, and the nuances of admissions there.

 

[Goro]

My rationale is simple: you apply, get an interview, and then get rejected. What do you do then? Having married a Hoosier gal, I can understand the desire to not move far away. But sometimes when one follows a dream, you have to make sacrifices. Would it kill OP to apply to Creighton or DMU, for example?

Keep in mind that applying to just one school (as in OP's case) is not necessarily a bad idea. A significant portion of my class (and the classes that preceded it) are applicants who only applied to UNDSMHS. It is far from rare, and in many cases a very reasonable decision.

The takeaway message is that not all cases are going to fit the SDN dogma, because not all MD schools follow the typical admissions model. It is important to keep this in mind when giving advice in question stems that seem a bit tangent to conventional wisdom.

edit: words[/QUOTE]

 

[WillburCobb]

My rationale is simple: you apply, get an interview, and then get rejected. What do you do then? Having married a Hoosier gal, I can understand the desire to not move far away. But sometimes when one follows a dream, you have to make sacrifices. Would it kill OP to apply to Creighton or DMU, for example?

This particular school is where OP has his best odds (regardless of whether he applied early or late like in this case). It is not rolling in looking at apps, interview invites, or acceptances, and really doesn't flag people for being reapplicants. He'd be at a disadvantage for applying to many other schools this late and if he does end up reapplying some schools would flag him for being a reapplicant. So this is a pretty safe and reasonable move on OPs part due to applying late. Also, IIRC OP was going to apply to some DO programs this cycle.

 

[NoDakDok]

Regional differences are undeniable!

For better or for worse, UNDSMHS is certainly up there with one of the most unique application experiences I've had, and I've had my fair share (I believe my MDApps is still active, for the time being). I'm glad you understand that, and mainly I just quoted you so you could read this post if it interests you in some of the unique aspects of one of these "different" schools:

OP. I'm not at all so sure you should do this. One school? I think it's just too risky. I keep wondering WHAT do some of these posters here know that they're so certain you'd get in. I'd think you can find at least two or three others that may interest you. Is this the only IS school? If you had FAFSA help, you could apply to 14 schools if $$ is an issue.

We don't know that OP will get in, but we do know that this is OP's best shot, regardless of his/her situation. There is literally no school in the nation better for a North Dakota student to apply to than UNDSMHS. It has one of the highest acceptance rates in the nation for in-state applicants (last I checked, nearly 25% of all in-state applicants were ultimately accepted). Numerically, at a combined median accepted MCAT + GPA of 66, it is one of the lowest @LizzyM scores in the nation. Financially, it is without a doubt the cheapest school that a North Dakota resident will be able to attend without significant grants. It also has one of, if not the, most lenient applications in the country, including 100% non-rolling admissions, a point-based (GPA + MCAT + Residency Status) guaranteed interview invitation for in-state applicants, and many of the ND applicants are in some way already connected the medical school (family, work, UNDSMHS physicians, faculty). Ultimately, it's an MD school with a great reputation, wonderful staff, and fantastic students. This is why OP (I'm still technically assuming he/she's from ND and not SD, NE, etc) is absolutely in the clear doing something like this, if that is his/her ambition. Adding schools would likely be of no benefit to OP.

(I apologize for the bolding emphasis, just figure it'll be easier to highlight the important parts)

My rationale is simple: you apply, get an interview, and then get rejected. What do you do then? Having married a Hoosier gal, I can understand the desire to not move far away. But sometimes when one follows a dream, you have to make sacrifices. Would it kill OP to apply to Creighton or DMU, for example?

No one at UNDSMHS that receives an interview is outright rejected, they are placed on a wait list. If you are placed on a wait list and are ultimately rejected you can receive a clear-cut evaluation including your application rank pre- and post-interview, some other relevant numbers, and the exact comments that were made about you (verbatim) from the admissions committee that interviewed you and those that ultimately decided the fate of your application.

Not only is this helpful for evaluating your own application and interview demeanor, it also makes you a re-applicant. This is anecdotal and not truly based on numbers, but UNDSMHS is absolutely notorious for rejecting applicants and accepting them the following cycle. I shy away from saying it's truly beneficial to be a reapplicant at UNDSMHS, but honestly it might be.

I am certainly biased because I have become a huge advocate of the UNDSMHS program, but I try to stay fair to it as best I can. My hope is I didn't ramble on too much and this is useful/interesting to those who don't have experience with this type of admissions program. While I don't necessarily know OP or their intentions (though I wouldn't be surprised if I actually know them in real life, haha), this scenario is unique and they should certainly not be belittled or questioned for this choice.

 

[WillburCobb]

For better or for worse, UNDSMHS is certainly up there with one of the most unique application experiences I've had, and I've had my fair share (I believe my MDApps is still active, for the time being). I'm glad you understand that, and mainly I just quoted you so you could read this post if it interests you in some of the unique aspects of one of these "different" schools:



We don't know that OP will get in, but we do know that this is OP's best shot, regardless of his/her situation. There is literally no school in the nation better for a North Dakota student to apply to than UNDSMHS. It has one of the highest acceptance rates in the nation for in-state applicants (last I checked, nearly 25% of all in-state applicants were ultimately accepted). Numerically, at a combined median accepted MCAT + GPA of 66, it is one of the lowest @LizzyM scores in the nation. Financially, it is without a doubt the cheapest school that a North Dakota resident will be able to attend without significant grants. It also has one of, if not the, most lenient applications in the country, including 100% non-rolling admissions, a point-based (GPA + MCAT + Residency Status) guaranteed interview invitation for in-state applicants, and many of the ND applicants are in some way already connected the medical school (family, work, UNDSMHS physicians, faculty). Ultimately, it's an MD school with a great reputation, wonderful staff, and fantastic students. This is why OP (I'm still technically assuming he/she's from ND and not SD, NE, etc) is absolutely in the clear doing something like this, if that is his/her ambition. Adding schools would likely be of no benefit to OP.

(I apologize for the bolding emphasis, just figure it'll be easier to highlight the important parts)



No one at UNDSMHS that receives an interview is outright rejected, they are placed on a wait list. If you are placed on a wait list and are ultimately rejected you can receive a clear-cut evaluation including your application rank pre- and post-interview, some other relevant numbers, and the exact comments that were made about you (verbatim) from the admissions committee that interviewed you and those that ultimately decided the fate of your application.

Not only is this helpful for evaluating your own application and interview demeanor, it also makes you a re-applicant. This is anecdotal and not truly based on numbers, but UNDSMHS is absolutely notorious for rejecting applicants and accepting them the following cycle. I shy away from saying it's truly beneficial to be a reapplicant at UNDSMHS, but honestly it might be.

I am certainly biased because I have become a huge advocate of the UNDSMHS program, but I try to stay fair to it as best I can. My hope is I didn't ramble on too much and this is useful/interesting to those who don't have experience with this type of admissions program. While I don't necessarily know OP or their intentions (though I wouldn't be surprised if I actually know them in real life, haha), this scenario is unique and they should certainly not be belittled or questioned for this choice.

Also, 55-56% of applicants that interview are accepted.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Also, 55-56% of applicants that interview are accepted.

Don't they also wait until like Nov. to send out IIs?

 

[NoDakDok]

Forgot to tag @gettheleadout in my last post, but he'll like this one too.

For those interested in what this ‘point system’ is, it can be found at http://www.und.edu/dept/hpadvize/UNDSMHS Admissions Point System.pdf. Even though the file is hosted by UND, I don't know if the medical school technically endorses or distributes this information officially. To the best of my knowledge it is accurate even though the pdf itself is from years ago (e.g. class size is now 78, not 50). The point threshold for guaranteed interview varies year-to-year, but it is incredibly reasonable by SDN standards. What I have heard is conjecture, but it tends to be in the low 200 range (e.g. topping out around 220, for reference a 3.3 c/sGPA and a 28 MCAT would be a 217). Because of the large increase in class size in recent years (from 50 to 78 so far), I imagine this cut off continues to get lower (200s, upper 100s). Students with scores below the 100 guaranteed interviews are evaluated for the remaining interview spots, with scores dipping much lower for those. UNDSMHS has a very holistic application in that regard.

Also, 55-56% of applicants that interview are accepted.

That is actually, statistically speaking, relatively ‘normal’ across the nation, with some schools much lower (Columbia comes to mind) and some higher (NU comes to mind). The reason UNDSMHS is unique in acceptance rate is more to the effect that it interviews ~130 in-state applicants of < 300 total (nearly 50% if I recall correctly), not that it accepts > 50% of those it interviews.

Don't they also wait until like Nov. to send out IIs?

From my most recent experience (class of 2018) the secondary is due the first of November (100% non-rolling, so the 1st of November submissions are held in the same regard as June 10th ones would be). Interview invitations are given out between the end of November and the middle of December. There are 3 weeks of interviews (~150 interviews total) over mid-December and early January. All (with few exceptions) acceptances are given out in mid-January, with the rest of interviewees placed on a ranked wait list. All applicants on the wait list are given their rank and are provided with monthly updates on wait list movement throughout the remainder of the cycle.

There is also a 'separate' application process for the Indians Into Medicine program (known as INMED, click for a link to their website). They have a unique system with which I am not familiar, but they interview and receive acceptances slightly later in the cycle.

Keep in mind I have absolutely no inside information from the admissions committee. All the information I'm providing is public. I just had far too much time on my hands waiting to hear from medical schools...

Edit: words and facts

 

[WillburCobb]

Don't they also wait until like Nov. to send out IIs?

Yup. mid to late Nov. Interviews occur throughout the latter half of 2nd and 3rd weeks in December and the first non-holiday week of Jan. Acceptance letters go out about 2 weeks later, and waitlist letters a few days after that. INMED applicants interview either the last weekend of Jan or first weekend of Feb. I know there a few exceptions (3 I'm pretty sure) who were regular applicants, however this was an anomaly this past cycle and I'm not too sure of the circumstances surrounding these interviews.

 

[WillburCobb]

Forgot to tag @gettheleadout in my last post, but he'll like this one too.

For those interested in what this ‘point system’ is, it can be found at http://www.und.edu/dept/hpadvize/UNDSMHS Admissions Point System.pdf. Even though the file is hosted by UND, I don't know if the medical school technically endorses or distributes this information officially. To the best of my knowledge it is accurate even though the pdf itself is from years ago (e.g. class size is now 78, not 50). The point threshold for guaranteed interview varies year-to-year, but it is incredibly reasonable by SDN standards. I've heard everything from 150 to 220, but I have no idea what it actually normally is.

The range fluctuates a bit from year to year but the average cut-off for auto interviews generally falls between 180-200. For the class of 2016 the cutoff was around 223, which was a pretty big outlier compared to previous classes (it was also the year before UND joined AMCAS, and the old application was MUCH more generous with calculating GPA which could account for this, but none the less it was still an outlier amongst previous classes). Of applicants who don't make the cutoff for automatic interviews and are granted interviews on a more subjective/holistic review of their application, the low end for points tends to fall in the 150s (these applicants constitute ~20-30 of those who are interviewed).

 

[NoDakDok]

The range fluctuates a bit from year to year but the average cut-off for auto interviews generally falls between 180-200.

Good to know, but I've never seen an official record of this information so it's really all conjecture. The PDF itself says 210 was a normal cutoff, but with the significant (28 spot) increase since then, it probably is lower. I believe they are looking to continue increasing total spots with the advent of the new medical school, too.

Interesting how quickly this thread changed. Kudos to @Holmwood for sticking with it.