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Started by kypreos
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kypreos

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10+ Year Member
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I understand that the application process is completely random and getting your hopes set on one school is a good way to set yourself up for failure. However, if there is a school that you are extremely interested in, like the area/rotation sites and you can see yourself raising a family there as well AS LOVING THE SCHOOL, are there any other things that can gear you towards an acceptances other than gpa and mcat scores? I have written a compelling personal statement and it matches the mission statement at thier school very well. I believe I am a very good match for the school, however how do I portray that to them? any tips or am I bieng irrational in assuming I can do other things to make myself seem like a more compelling applicant other than gpa/mcat/EC's/research etc the norm.

ps sexual favors is definitly out and thats not what im getting at.

ok if it grants me an automatic acceptance ill consider. I really wanna go to the school.
 
you can't change who you are and you can't change what the school is looking for. pandering to the school to make yourself look more desireable is probably not the best way to go... you'll probably just look desperate.

just be yourself and if they want you, they'll tell you. relax.
 
Some schools look for specific numbers of hours of ECs. For example, MSUCOM supposedly prefers 800+ volunteer hours or your application has a good chance of never even being looked at.

Another example is some schools prefer rural or urban experience, therefore having some sort of activity related would be potentially benefical versus someone who does not have that kind of experience.

I also hear curing cancer, having a 5.5 GPA or 50 MCAT will help your cause for a specific school.
 
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I understand that the application process is completely random and getting your hopes set on one school is a good way to set yourself up for failure. However, if there is a school that you are extremely interested in, like the area/rotation sites and you can see yourself raising a family there as well AS LOVING THE SCHOOL, are there any other things that can gear you towards an acceptances other than gpa and mcat scores? I have written a compelling personal statement and it matches the mission statement at thier school very well. I believe I am a very good match for the school, however how do I portray that to them? any tips or am I bieng irrational in assuming I can do other things to make myself seem like a more compelling applicant other than gpa/mcat/EC's/research etc the norm.

ps sexual favors is definitly out and thats not what im getting at.

ok if it grants me an automatic acceptance ill consider. I really wanna go to the school.

I actually really felt that 1 school was a wonderful fit for me and my family. I ranked it far and above every other school as it had multiple qualities that would be perfect for my family (I'm a nontrad).

Anyway, I was put on the alternate list at this school. I was depressed at first, mainly because of how much I wanted to attend said school. But, I decided to write a LOI to the adcom. and after getting the ok from the director of admissions, I also wrote a letter to the Dean. I was accepted about a week later.

Now, keep in mind that I sincerely wanted to attend this school more than any other. So, even without intention I'm sure my sincerity came off as just that--sincerity, and not "sucking up". So, if you are truly passionate about a particular school, try writing such letters, it may help, and probably won't hurt. I think if you are truly sincere about wanting to attend that 1 school more than any other, it will come across in the letter, whether you make an effort for it to or not.

Good luck!
 
....are there any other things that can gear you towards an acceptances other than gpa and mcat scores? I have written a compelling personal statement and it matches the mission statement at thier school very well. I believe I am a very good match for the school, however how do I portray that to them?....

Go visit them, two or three times if necessary, in addition to the interview. Ask to talk to some of the professors and students and IN PERSON let them know how you feel. No matter what you write or send in in the mail, nothing makes a better impression than showing up at the school and making sure they know how much you want it.
 
I actually really felt that 1 school was a wonderful fit for me and my family. I ranked it far and above every other school as it had multiple qualities that would be perfect for


my family (I'm a nontrad).

Anyway, I was put on the alternate list at this school. I was depressed at first, mainly because of how much I wanted to attend said school. But, I decided to write a LOI to the adcom. and after getting the ok from the director of admissions, I also wrote a letter to the Dean. I was accepted about a week later.

Now, keep in mind that I sincerely wanted to attend this school more than any other. So, even without intention I'm sure my sincerity came off as just that--sincerity, and not "sucking up". So, if you are truly passionate about a particular school, try writing such letters, it may help, and probably won't hurt. I think if you are truly sincere about wanting to attend that 1 school more than any other, it will come across in the letter, whether you make an effort for it to or not.

Good luck!
I will try to portray the reasons I would like to attend. The school

Go visit them, two or three times if necessary, in addition to the interview. Ask to talk to some of the professors and students and IN PERSON let them know how you feel. No matter what you write or send in in the mail, nothing makes a better impression than showing up at the school and making sure they know how much you want it.


This will be difficult as it is a 12 hour drive from my home I will make an effort however. Thanks for everyones help
 
This will be difficult as it is a 12 hour drive from my home I will make an effort however. Thanks for everyones help

If you can make it work, I'd try to set up a visit/tour. I did that at the school I really wanted to attend last spring and when I interviewed there in October, most of the people remembered me and all of my interviewers brought up my previous visit during the interviews.. I'm not sure how much it helped, but I was accepted.. So if you can make the trip, I think it'd be worth it.