The Big Leagues

[Pneumo]

Hey Gang-
This is my first post, and I hope it is a good one. I am a junior at a top notch (albeit small and geared towards undergrad. education rather than research), have the grades, research, etc. Anyway, I am curious to get some input from folks who have been successful in applying to big name schools such as Chicago, Wash. U, Yale, Harvard, etc. What do you see as the biggest hurdles (assume I have the grades, MCAT scores, etc.) in the application process to the top schools? What should I expect during the interview process? Any input would be great!

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[nap]

I think the hurdles are to prove that you are a well rounded, very interesting individual, since that seems to be of an increasing importance to adcoms..and to prove during your interviews that you are a truly compassionate individual.

 

[Dr. Nick]

It is not PC to say but your ethnic background could represent a hurdle.

The best schools are interested in diversity and would prefer a minority over just another whitebread application.

 

[souljah1]

The best advice I can give you is don't be a dick. I'm not saying you are one, but arrogance and conceit often accompany stellar grades and mcats. The key words are humility, open-mindedness, and eloquence.

 

[TommyGunn04]

MadWheeler, do you mind me asking what school you currently attend?

 

[Trek]

Ahhh...the smell of gunner in the air! Nothing quite like it. --Trek

 

[A. Caveman]

I vant to eat yor tootsie roll MadWheeler. You seem self-important and arrogant. I rike de young arrogant boys...(anybody listen to Stern here?).

 

[Original]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by A. Caveman:
•I vant to eat yor tootsie roll MadWheeler. You seem self-important and arrogant. I rike de young arrogant boys...(anybody listen to Stern here?).•••••c'mon people! I had to go back and re-read his post after reading some of your responses. I AGAIN didn't notice any arrogance or conceit. What is this? It seemed from his post he is interested in research and so is appropriately looking at the top research schools in the country. What's wrong with that?

 

[Original]

Dude,
If you get a good MCAT and GPA and have good research, then the easy part is out of the way. For the other aspects, you either have it or you don't period. When (and you will) you hear the question: "what makes you unique?" know my friend, that the rubber has hit the road!

 

[Pneumo]

Original-
Thanks for the support. I thought this forum looked pretty useful, but I'm starting to think otherwise. Anyway, I take a vow of sincerity. I am genuinely interested to get some input from students who are willing to help.

 

[scootad.]

Your biggest hurdle will be your oversized ego.
Narcisism isn't attractive. :wink:

 

[A. Caveman]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Original:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by A. Caveman:
•I vant to eat yor tootsie roll MadWheeler. You seem self-important and arrogant. I rike de young arrogant boys...(anybody listen to Stern here?).•••••c'mon people! I had to go back and re-read his post after reading some of your responses. I AGAIN didn't notice any arrogance or conceit. What is this? It seemed from his post he is interested in research and so is appropriately looking at the top research schools in the country. What's wrong with that?•••••I was just joking man. i was going with the flow of the conversation..i didn't really think he sounded "self-important".

PS. May I eat your tootsie roll, Original? I vant to feast upon your giant tootsie roll.

PPS. i predict your next post will be vulgar....

 

[Original]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by A. Caveman:
•
PS. May I eat your tootsie roll, Original? I vant to feast upon your giant tootsie roll.•••••go eat your father's tootsie roll first; then if you're still hungry, feast some on your mom's sushi, but you gotta be careful cause I heard it smells like something crawled up in there and died.

 

[A. Caveman]

MadWheeler, perhaps it would help if we knew WHAT IN GOD'S NAME YOU'RE TALKIGN ABOUT. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

i mean you got the numbers, and i'm sure you've distinguished yourself in other ways (or not--is that what you're asking? yes, you have to "distinguish yourself in other ways"..take that to mean whatever you want).

maybe apart from the awesome research which i hope you're doing, you could do some crazy extracurricular stuff. it's what will "make you unique" because it's what you'll talk about that nobody else can talk about--that's documented..i mean you could tell them you can give yourself a blow job (w/o removing 2 ribs), but unless they see the proof....

 

[Pneumo]

I fear I've created a monster.

 

[Original]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by MadWheeler:
•I fear I've created a monster.•••••Don't worry. SDN is a good place. Even Caveman is a good guy; he's just different. Don't take what he says too personal; you'll get used to him.

 

[vyc]

wading through all the pettiness of this thread, i think original's question of "what makes you UNIQUE?" is probably the most important thing.

i always say to my advisees (i'm a peer premed adviser) that they should build their resumes by doing what they love to do. (as long as you have clinical experience, that's the only hidden requirement)
because by following your passions and not trying to "guess" what admissions committees will think, you will find by the end, that you have an application that is as unique as you are.

 

[Original]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by A. Caveman:
•
PPS. i predict your next post will be vulgar....•••••Exfacto prediction? nice one! It's not much of a prediction considering that you made the prediction AFTER my "next" post. Smart use of the edit function. btw I don't have time for you. In case you're planning for this thread to deteriorate into a flaming war, you'll have to do all the flaming by yourself or find someone else to play with you.

 

[Elysium]

Caveman,

Just wanted to say "F-Jackie twice"

I LOVE Stern. Stupid, crappy, liberal Austin doesn't have him on the air anymore, but when I lived in Boston, I was a daily listener. I actually have this guy in Canada mail me tapes of the show!

Stern Rules.

 

[Thewonderer]

I assume that it is too late to do anything now per se. Go with what you have. For top schools, I don't think that being well-rounded and being compassionate are that much help. Do mention about your research. Do try hard to work hard on your personal statement to find something very unique in your life and expand on it. Do try not to be too aggressive and do smile during interviews. That's all! (p.s. I don't know how one can come across being compassionate in an interview.)

 

[Thewonderer]

I assume that it is too late to do anything now per se. Go with what you have. For top schools, I don't think that being well-rounded and being compassionate are that much help. Do mention about your research. Do try hard to work hard on your personal statement to find something very unique in your life and expand on it. Do try not to be too aggressive and do smile during interviews. That's all! (p.s. I don't know how one can come across being compassionate in an interview.)