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- Jul 7, 2007
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last year i didnt get into medical school, this year i got into 3 so far with more interviews still coming.
I thought id start a post to help out people who are still trying to get that first acceptance with some things they can be doing now instead of just lurking on SDN (which by the way does not correlate to acceptance letters!)
1) Identify the weakest parts of your application and see what about it you can improve. Is your MCAT score low? Start studying now to plan on taking it again in March if you do not get in anywhere so you have an enormous amount of time to really nail it for next cycle and be able to apply early. If your grades are lacking, now is the time to start looking at possible post bacs and masters degrees. These things are rolling and your best chance is to apply early, just like in med school.
2) Gain valuable clinical experience. Not only does this look good on your resume, but its a guaranteed time consumer on your interview. You WILL be asked at every interview about any significant clinical experiences you have had. I have had 7 interviews total so far, every single one of them touched on this for at least 10 minutes. In addition to being able to talk about your clinical experience, thats less time they can spend asking you about stuff you wont be as good answering. Not to mention, valuable letters of recommendation come from clinical shadowing. IF you dont want to shadow, get a job as a technician (which is what i do) and you can even learn how to take patient histories before starting medical school! Hospitals are a revolving door and hire often.
3) Establish connections. So you fear you wont be getting in this time around, or are at least being smart and preparing for the possibility. Now is the time to start building a relationship with someone who can write you a killer letter next spring. Dont wait until next spring because you will be reading this thread again next november.
4) Remember, that it is only november. Many students are not accepted until the week before classes begin. Never give up hope, keep following up with schools, express your interest and what you can offer the school. Letters of interest and letters of intent are crucial.
5) Dont let people tell you what you can and cant do. My premed adviser last year asked me if i considered nursing or another field when i didnt get in, and did so in a condescending way. I told her F OFF.
Some other tips
On interview day:
-ask questions, youre there to learn as well as having the school learn about you. Dont make up stupid questions, but probe for a deeper understanding about why that school is unique.
-befriend your fellow interviewees, ive found every day to go by so much better when im in a laughing and joking mood with at least a couple people. You will be better off if you go into your interview loose.
-dont eat tuna fish.. please dont eat tuna fish. I dont even know why schools put those sandwiches out before youre supposed to interview.
-bring floss, make sure your teeth are clean. It doesnt seem like much, but youd be surprised what can turn some people off.
-most of all: STAY RELAXED. I have NEVER had an interviewer try to bust my balls. Ive been asked hard questions, but youd be surprised at how much better you are at answering them in the actual interview than you do when you practice.
Things not to do:
-studying every ethical dilemma possible to prepare for those questions. This is just stupid, if you get asked these questions, I DONT KNOW, is a better answer than making up something youre unsure of. Why the hell would the interviewer expect you to have the right answer to how our nation's healthcare should be handled when the nation doesnt even know that answer.
its all about how you answer, or what let you to that answer. So if you don't support Euthanasia, its okay to say so, as long as you support your answer with some sort of justification.
for example: its okay to say as a dr. i believe my responsibility is to preserve life not take it away. because that shows a thought process. Saying its against the law is not a wrong answer, but it really doesnt show much thought
if i think of more ill post but just thought id type this up for some people here. I like the DO forum more than the MD forum so it goes here
I thought id start a post to help out people who are still trying to get that first acceptance with some things they can be doing now instead of just lurking on SDN (which by the way does not correlate to acceptance letters!)
1) Identify the weakest parts of your application and see what about it you can improve. Is your MCAT score low? Start studying now to plan on taking it again in March if you do not get in anywhere so you have an enormous amount of time to really nail it for next cycle and be able to apply early. If your grades are lacking, now is the time to start looking at possible post bacs and masters degrees. These things are rolling and your best chance is to apply early, just like in med school.
2) Gain valuable clinical experience. Not only does this look good on your resume, but its a guaranteed time consumer on your interview. You WILL be asked at every interview about any significant clinical experiences you have had. I have had 7 interviews total so far, every single one of them touched on this for at least 10 minutes. In addition to being able to talk about your clinical experience, thats less time they can spend asking you about stuff you wont be as good answering. Not to mention, valuable letters of recommendation come from clinical shadowing. IF you dont want to shadow, get a job as a technician (which is what i do) and you can even learn how to take patient histories before starting medical school! Hospitals are a revolving door and hire often.
3) Establish connections. So you fear you wont be getting in this time around, or are at least being smart and preparing for the possibility. Now is the time to start building a relationship with someone who can write you a killer letter next spring. Dont wait until next spring because you will be reading this thread again next november.
4) Remember, that it is only november. Many students are not accepted until the week before classes begin. Never give up hope, keep following up with schools, express your interest and what you can offer the school. Letters of interest and letters of intent are crucial.
5) Dont let people tell you what you can and cant do. My premed adviser last year asked me if i considered nursing or another field when i didnt get in, and did so in a condescending way. I told her F OFF.
Some other tips
On interview day:
-ask questions, youre there to learn as well as having the school learn about you. Dont make up stupid questions, but probe for a deeper understanding about why that school is unique.
-befriend your fellow interviewees, ive found every day to go by so much better when im in a laughing and joking mood with at least a couple people. You will be better off if you go into your interview loose.
-dont eat tuna fish.. please dont eat tuna fish. I dont even know why schools put those sandwiches out before youre supposed to interview.
-bring floss, make sure your teeth are clean. It doesnt seem like much, but youd be surprised what can turn some people off.
-most of all: STAY RELAXED. I have NEVER had an interviewer try to bust my balls. Ive been asked hard questions, but youd be surprised at how much better you are at answering them in the actual interview than you do when you practice.
Things not to do:
-studying every ethical dilemma possible to prepare for those questions. This is just stupid, if you get asked these questions, I DONT KNOW, is a better answer than making up something youre unsure of. Why the hell would the interviewer expect you to have the right answer to how our nation's healthcare should be handled when the nation doesnt even know that answer.
its all about how you answer, or what let you to that answer. So if you don't support Euthanasia, its okay to say so, as long as you support your answer with some sort of justification.
for example: its okay to say as a dr. i believe my responsibility is to preserve life not take it away. because that shows a thought process. Saying its against the law is not a wrong answer, but it really doesnt show much thought
if i think of more ill post but just thought id type this up for some people here. I like the DO forum more than the MD forum so it goes here
