Still no interview

[moola29]

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I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

 

[Mclovin0351]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

I was there last year. Keep hammering

 

[greenturtle22]

Have you received any rejections? Or is it just silence from every school you applied to?

 

[mw18]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

Not to kick you while you're down, but there's a pretty good chance you are headed toward a gap year - assuming you still want to be a doctor. The problem is that the gap year won't help your app because you'll have already submitted it. So that means you have 5-6 months to really improve your ECs (assuming your grades/mcat are at/near median levels) and work on your personal statement/essays. Have them looked over and scrutinized by as many knowledgeable people as you can, and make sure they are excellent. I know you posted this looking for commiseration, but you should really just start operating on the assumption that you are going to be a reapplicant. Interview invites certainly come in the next calendar year, so don't rule that out as a possibility; but you should be as proactive as possible to have a different fate next year.

 

[libertyyne]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

Stats ?

 

[OathTaker]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

Have you sent an update/letter of interest to the schools you have not heard from? It is a shot in the dark but it does let the schools know you are still interested in them. Some already have acceptances and are turning down interviews. Letting a school know you are still open and interested will not hurt you at this point. That said, as soon as that is done, do what you must to make your application better for the next cycle as it is only 6 months away. You need to be proactive ASAP and assume you are no getting in this cycle.

 

[JustAPhD]

Not to kick you while you're down, but there's a pretty good chance you are headed toward a gap year - assuming you still want to be a doctor. The problem is that the gap year won't help your app because you'll have already submitted it. So that means you have 5-6 months to really improve your ECs (assuming your grades/mcat are at/near median levels) and work on your personal statement/essays. Have them looked over and scrutinized by as many knowledgeable people as you can, and make sure they are excellent. I know you posted this looking for commiseration, but you should really just start operating on the assumption that you are going to be a reapplicant. Interview invites certainly come in the next calendar year, so don't rule that out as a possibility; but you should be as proactive as possible to have a different fate next year.

If I may quote (+/- a few words) the knowledgeable @gonnif "the most common mistake I see re-applicants make is that they reapply too early." OP, if you don't get in anywhere this cycle do not be afraid to take two years to make yourself more competitive. It's not a race.


Edit: Huh, I should really know to cite my sources properly haha.

 

[Goro]

One should always have a Plan B when they enter into this process, unless the accept is in hand.

 

[LizzyM]

This is the time (actually, Thanksgiving would have been the time, but better late than never) to plan what you want to do with the next 2.5 years of your life with the expectation that you will reapply 18 months from now in June 2018 and matriculate in Summer/Fall 2019. This seems like so long and so much time when you are young but it is really very little time and it is going to give you the best chance of improving your application and go into a reapplication cycle being the strongest you can be.

 

[valenceoctet]

solidarity! In the same boat here. There's good advice in this thread though.

 

[moola29]

Thanks for the replies guys! My stats are a 508 MCAT and a 3.92 GPA with plenty of extracurriculars. But of course there clearly must be a need for improvement in my application. I have been doing a lot this year already to improve my application and have recently sent in update letters so hopefully that does something if not I plan on beginning preparation for the MCAT. I honestly have no hopes of getting in this cycle and know I should prepare for a gap year of course, I was just hoping to have a few people to relate with haha but thank you all for the great advice!

 

[libertyyne]

Thanks for the replies guys! My stats are a 508 MCAT and a 3.92 GPA with plenty of extracurriculars. But of course there clearly must be a need for improvement in my application. I have been doing a lot this year already to improve my application and have recently sent in update letters so hopefully that does something if not I plan on beginning preparation for the MCAT. I honestly have no hopes of getting in this cycle and know I should prepare for a gap year of course, I was just hoping to have a few people to relate with haha but thank you all for the great advice!

Have you thought about do schools?

 

[moola29]

I very very stupidly didn't apply to DO schools but I will next cycle

 

[libertyyne]

I very very stupidly didn't apply to DO schools but I will next cycle

What state are you ?

 

[TheBiologist]

Thanks for the replies guys! My stats are a 508 MCAT and a 3.92 GPA with plenty of extracurriculars. But of course there clearly must be a need for improvement in my application. I have been doing a lot this year already to improve my application and have recently sent in update letters so hopefully that does something if not I plan on beginning preparation for the MCAT. I honestly have no hopes of getting in this cycle and know I should prepare for a gap year of course, I was just hoping to have a few people to relate with haha but thank you all for the great advice!

a 508 and a 3.92 isn't terrible for MD.... did you apply broadly enough?

 

[moola29]

I applied very broadly and to all my instate schools (florida)

 

[lightblueelephant]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

I had a friend that didn't get any II until February and March last year so don't freak out yet, although that's certainly easier said than done

 

[moola29]

I had a friend that didn't get any II until February and March last year so don't freak out yet, although that's certainly easier said than done

That would be amazing 🙂 but yeah your mind goes crazy

 

[gamieg]

what do your extracurriculars look like? is there any concern with your mcat breakdown?

was also here last year. it sucks and seems endless, but there's a pretty bright light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[psu228]

I'd consider applying DO. NOVA southeastern is probably within a reasonable distance to you and is a great program.

This upcoming cycle will be my first so I can't relate to what you're going through, other than they fact that I turned down job opportunities I was interested in in order to take this gap year thingy to keep my dreams alive. Eight months ago I couldn't imagine doing what I'm doing, but now that I'm in it I'm really content and excited about the future. Hard to have that sense when you're 23 and each year seems massive, but all the above posters are right. When you're 45 and a successful attending, this extra year or two won't really mean much.

 

[RunningMochi]

I feel this thread so hard 🙁 . I'm with you!

 

[BombsAway]

I very very stupidly didn't apply to DO schools but I will next cycle

You could apply to UIW right now. They're doing more rounds of interviews in jan and feb.

 

[henshouse]

I was right where you were this time last year. I had very similar stats (30 mcat 3.88 gpa, FL resident) and heard nothing till mass rejections around April. You still have a chance but I would err on the side of caution and assume you do not receive any interviews and start improving your application now. This is my second gap year. Not gonna lie, taking a year off sucks. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep trucking.

 

[bananafish94]

You might consider sending out some DO applications, if that interests you. A friend of mine didn't get any interviews until February when she sent an application to LECOM and ended up getting in.

 

[efle]

A 3.9/30 will kill it in DO admissions, but make sure you fully research the MD vs DO difference using a variety of websites. There are a lot of limits you should expect, even with the residencies merging.

You should post a full school list and your ECs in the What Are My Chances forum if you haven't already

 

[chillingpanda]

what the hell. With those stats and 0 interviews? That's pretty nerve racking to us pre meds/orm

 

[moola29]

I have a lot of extracurriculars too 🙁 schools are getting really really competitive. Maybe it was a letter...

 

[mo-97]

I'm sitting here at the beginning of January still without a single interview, been complete at all schools since late July to early August. The thought of a gap year and reapplying sounds like a nightmare. And on top of that this has completely crushed my confidence and all the excitement I had coming into cycle. Basically I feel like absolute poop. Anyone in the same boat?

DO you have bachelor degree? Where did you finish your prerequisites? 4-years university or community college

 

[moola29]

I'm graduating this May, University of South Florida, go bulls

 

[ciestar]

I have a lot of extracurriculars too 🙁 schools are getting really really competitive. Maybe it was a letter...

Quality of ECs also matter, what did you apply with? School list?