I've sent my AACOMAS app to about 6 schools so far. But lately, I can only see myself at two schools (LECOM-Erie and OU) for personal reasons. I've even gone as far as thinking that if I get rejected from both then I'd try and strengthen my app and reapply to these two next year. Is there anyone who only applied to 2 or 3 schools that can give some advice? What about doing the little things to show the schools you're really interested (visiting campus, letter of interest/intent)? Thanks for any advice.
Thoughts on just applying to 2 schools
- Thread starter Diopstepp
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AdemTD
I think you'll get into Erie, provided you interview well. But this is why it's generally a good idea to have a few more schools incase you do screw up an interview.
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Ehhhhhhhhhhh. I wouldn't put money on anything during this. I applied to Erie amongst other schools. I got into LECOM-Bradenton, which is quickly becoming as if not more competitive yet I didn't get an interview at LECOM-Erie. I was also accepted to a few other schools (3 DO and 1 MD). OUCOM and Erie didn't give me the time of day.
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You're getting ahead of yourself a bit. If you get accepted to either, you don't need to worry about it. Whether you should reapply, if you don't get in...well it really depends on your personal reason. Re-applying the following year will really only give you a few months to strengthen your app which might not add much and your wasting more time and money.
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Do not do this. There is no guarantee that you'll ever get into one of those schools, but if you turn down an acceptance to re-apply, you can bet that you won't get into that school again.
Only do this if you are okay with never getting into medical school.
Only do this if you are okay with never getting into medical school.
I guess since I am applying pretty early (my AACOMAS app should be verified within 2 weeks), I should have an idea if LECOM-Erie or Ohio U has an interest. If it doesn't look too good for those schools, then I could always add a few more in the fall. I've applied to 6 so far I believe. We'll see. Thanks for the comments everyone. Best of luck.
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It can take months before you hear from schools (if at all). I applied to Nine DO schools. Interview invites at four. Why didn't I get invites from the others? I don't have the slightest idea. The whole process is a crap shoot. Lay out the money and apply to a few more places.
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Whenever you turn down an opportunity, just make sure you are prepared to accept the alternative.
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yeah i would apply more broadly as well if i were you. its all a crap shoot. for instance, i am an ohio resident with gpa and mcats both slightly higher than OU averages and they didnt even give me an interview?!? who the hell knows why. i even sent them updated grades, extra LOR, and a letter of intent. on the other hand i did get an early interview and acceptance to LECOM-Erie..... but it just wasnt a good fit for me.
with your stats and gpa I would apply to ~7-10 DO schools... def not 2. but thats just me. if you dont mind us asking.....why do you think the other schools wont be a good fit for you? why dont you want to go further from home?
with your stats and gpa I would apply to ~7-10 DO schools... def not 2. but thats just me. if you dont mind us asking.....why do you think the other schools wont be a good fit for you? why dont you want to go further from home?
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Complete the secondaries for the schools you listed. You'll have some luck, I feel. Remember, you sign a contract to stay within Ohio for five years or something of the like. You'll get it with your secondary.
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I was in the exact same place, and I totally agree with you. My stats were above the average matriculant at some DO schools and my ECs and LORs were very strong, yet I was never even granted an interview (and still never have heard back from those schools). Why? I have no idea... as my application is overall-good and there aren't any obvious holes. Despite my solid application, I only received 4 interview invites of the 9-10 DO schools I was complete at.
To the OP: The process is very unpredictable. You might also find that a school doesn't even bother to read your application until the last minute (when their seats are full). I was complete at all schools in November, and when I called those schools in late March, a few schools told me they hadn't gone through my application yet... though their class was nearly full! So obviously I didn't get a fair shot. The other 5 DO schools to this point have still not sent me any correspondence after my secondaries. So you have no way of knowing whethe the schools will even get back to you, and calling doesn't help, as they don't give you much information.
You can always turn down interviews once you get accepted to a school you like. But not submitting primaries/secondaries until you have an acceptance in hand is extremely foolish. It's very important to apply widely and early to maximize your chances. The process is just too darn competitive and non-sensical at times.
For LECOM-E, write a letter of intent. In the letter, explain your personal situation to them. Let them know you applied to other schools (a way of letting LECOM know you're just playing it safe), BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO ATTEND THEIR SCHOOL based on your situation.
Good luck.
Also, as TT said, if you don't get into LECOM-E or OUCOM, but you do one of the other 4....you CANNOT reject them!! No DO school will accept you next year. The only way to possibily get out of it would be to explain why you need to stay close to home. Pray they accept that.
Good luck.
Also, as TT said, if you don't get into LECOM-E or OUCOM, but you do one of the other 4....you CANNOT reject them!! No DO school will accept you next year. The only way to possibily get out of it would be to explain why you need to stay close to home. Pray they accept that.
LECOM-E is my number 1 choice, followed closely by OU. If i do a letter of intent to LECOM, do I send that with my secondary (assuming I get one) or do I send it before my secondary? It may not help at all but I think it's important for them to know the reasons I want to go there.
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Way too risky to only apply to two schools unless you visited every school out there, you wouldn't know if you like them or not. Maybe you'll hate LECOM after interviewing there... You really don't know until your there looking at the place and talking to the people.
And why no PCOM?
And why no PCOM?
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Don't send a LOI with your secondary. Give it a chance. LOIs are supposed to be for when you haven't heard anything in a while.
Besides, one of LECOM's secondary essays is why you want to attend LECOM.
Agree 100% with this. Everything I said above was when I was under the impression you were applying for the class of 2013. Since this is not the case you really have nothing to worry about right now. Just do well on your secondaries/interview. I'm sure you're very anxious to hear back for the schools, but as previously mentioned it can take months. Unfortunately, all you can do is try to be patient.
Good luck!
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LOI are usually for when you have not gotten an interview for a while or have been put on a waitlist of some sort. Dont send it in with your secondary. Let your secondary get a chance first and then send in a LOI if still not getting enough love from the school.
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Are you also applying to MD schools? I would echo the advice already given and suggest that you apply more broadly. The process is very goofy in some ways; I was rejected outright at a school that I thought I had a great chance at (UNECOM), waitlisted in-state at a school that I really liked (OUCOM), and ultimately accepted OOS at a campus where I figured my chances were fairly slim (UMDNJ).
There are also surprising differences between campuses that you may not even realize until you attend interviews.
I didn't have the money for the shotgun approach and I could only see myself at LMU-DCOM. I only applied to there and got accepted. I was extremely lucky but by the grace of God it happened.
The best thing I can tell you is visit where you want to go often and set up meetings with people such as the admissions coordinator (ie. the person that decides if you get an interview). I met with the the Admissions Coordinator and Dean of Student Affairs several times. Also, representatives spoke a few times at my undergraduate school so I stayed around after to speak to them for a couple of minutes to make sure they knew my name and face. A two minute conversation can make all the difference in the world.
The best thing I can tell you is visit where you want to go often and set up meetings with people such as the admissions coordinator (ie. the person that decides if you get an interview). I met with the the Admissions Coordinator and Dean of Student Affairs several times. Also, representatives spoke a few times at my undergraduate school so I stayed around after to speak to them for a couple of minutes to make sure they knew my name and face. A two minute conversation can make all the difference in the world.
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With your GPA, have you thought of retaking the MCAT this summer, if you can still register? If you do better (10s), you may be competitive at some nearby allopathic schools as well (Case, Toledo, NEOUCOM, Ohio State).
