Weird/inappropriate interview question? Advice appreciated

[skim8448]

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I had an interview about a month ago...I won't name the exact school, but it's a Florida school. I had two interviews that day. First one went well and the interviewer I had was great! She was very funny and I felt comfortable around her.

My question is regarding my second interview. It was with a researcher/faculty member and he started off by pronouncing my name wrong so I politely corrected him. He then says "well, I'll just pronounce your name the way I want"... and off to an awkward start it was!
He read out generic questions and had me answer them like "what are your weaknesses?", "what are three words to describe yourself?", and others...
However, when he asked how I relieve stress, I said I exercise and often play with my dog, who is a labrador/pit mix named June. I've had her for 6 years and she's been a constant companion so I was just being honest. He then asked if I liked animals and I answered that I do and volunteer regularly at a shelter...
Then, it got weird...and it might be because he doesn't like dogs or animals?? But he asked if I was serious about medicine... I explained that I was and gave substantial reasons. Then, he asked if I would be willing to KILL a dog if it meant that I could get into the school.. Then, he rephrased and asked if I would kill MY dog...
I didn't know if he was joking. I basically replied that I would not ever do that to my dog...

More questions later.. and a cordial thank you and nice to meet you, I was finished with the interview.

I asked several of my friends and some say that I should report this interviewer and others say to just let it be? I really would like some advice.. the interview was a month ago so I received my notification today. I am waitlisted near the middle/bottom and I THOUGHT I had done really well. The awesome first interviewer was saying how good of a match I was at their school and I thought I would receive at least a better waitlist spot.

What should I do?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

I had an interview about a month ago...I won't name the exact school, but it's a Florida school. I had two interviews that day. First one went well and the interviewer I had was great! She was very funny and I felt comfortable around her.

My question is regarding my second interview. It was with a researcher/faculty member and he started off by pronouncing my name wrong so I politely corrected him. He then says "well, I'll just pronounce your name the way I want"... and off to an awkward start it was!
He read out generic questions and had me answer them like "what are your weaknesses?", "what are three words to describe yourself?", and others...
However, when he asked how I relieve stress, I said I exercise and often play with my dog, who is a labrador/pit mix named June. I've had her for 6 years and she's been a constant companion so I was just being honest. He then asked if I liked animals and I answered that I do and volunteer regularly at a shelter...
Then, it got weird...and it might be because he doesn't like dogs or animals?? But he asked if I was serious about medicine... I explained that I was and gave substantial reasons. Then, he asked if I would be willing to KILL a dog if it meant that I could get into the school.. Then, he rephrased and asked if I would kill MY dog...
I didn't know if he was joking. I basically replied that I would not ever do that to my dog...

More questions later.. and a cordial thank you and nice to meet you, I was finished with the interview.

I asked several of my friends and some say that I should report this interviewer and others say to just let it be? I really would like some advice.. the interview was a month ago so I received my notification today. I am waitlisted near the middle/bottom and I THOUGHT I had done really well. The awesome first interviewer was saying how good of a match I was at their school and I thought I would receive at least a better waitlist spot.

What should I do?

You're at the bottom of he waitlist... Report!

Do you have any other offers?? If yes, for sure report. If no, I might give more pause, but I would at least send a letter to the dean of the school saying your experience was by far the most unprofessional experiences you've had. Be polite about it. The dean might push you further on the list in order to "right the wrong"/or because of your courage.

You're at the bottom of the waitlist, so you probably won't get a spot anyways. So yeah, report!!

 

[IlDestriero]

You're at the bottom of he waitlist... Report!

Do you have any other offers?? If yes, for sure report. If no, I might give more pause, but I would at least send a letter to the dean of the school saying your experience was by far the most unprofessional experiences you've had. Be polite about it. The dean might push you further on the list in order to "right the wrong"/or because of your courage.

You're at the bottom of the waitlist, so you probably won't get a spot anyways. So yeah, report!!

Right the wrong. That was a lol moment. Interviews are designed to challenge you. Odd choice of questions, but he threw a real curve ball and is sounds like you dropped it.
But feel free to blame the interviewer for your not getting in.

 

[def1]

I think the interviewer was trying to see how you respond to stress. Its possible u were replying to him antagonistically because u didnt like his questions

*by the way, one of my recent interviewers seemed like he just wasn't interested at all in me, perhaps he really wasn't lol, but i still pretended like i was the happiest boy in the world just to sit there and talk with him.

 

[DAPI]

I think the interviewer was trying to see how you respond to stress. Its possible u were replying to him antagonistically because u didnt like his questions

*by the way, one of my recent interviewers seemed like he just wasn't interested at all in me, perhaps he really wasn't lol, but i still pretended like i was the happiest boy in the world just to sit there and talk with him.

This. And the question could be rephrased to, "would you kill your dog to save someone's life?" IMO they are essentially the same question as with MD training that's what you'll be doing.

 

[LizzyM]

do med schools still have dog labs to teach cardiovascular physiology? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

[Blackhawkdown24]

do med schools still have dog labs to teach cardiovascular physiology? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

I see what you did there. You should've read between the lines OP!

 

[skim8448]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate them all.

To better understand my situation, I'll try to write down more of my reply. I have analyzed the interview over and over and I really do not think I was brushing off the interviewer's question and I didn't just say "No, I won't ever kill my dog". I tried to give a considerate response. I mentioned how I wanted to be a vet initially, but realized that I enjoyed talking to the owners (people) much more when I shadowed a vet earlier in my life. I told him that after shadowing all types of physicians in the past 5 years and working in healthcare environments including a free clinic in the philippines this summer, that I have a good (or at least decent!) idea of what medicine is and that my desire to become a physician has kept me motivated. I support myself financially (and I know many do!), but it has been tough balancing work and pre-med, but I explained that I know I'd feel most fulfilled and love what I do if I pursued the medical path. HOWEVER, I said "But to be honest, I really do not think I would be able to kill my own dog. I value human life above animal life and would not hesitate when it comes to human life.. but if I had to kill my dog for a medical school acceptance, I do not think I would be able to do that."

I think he wanted me to say that I would kill my own dog. Perhaps I should have said something differently and I did mess up under this stressful question, but I told the truth and was hoping for the best.

I am NOT blaming the interviewer for being waitlisted. I just told several of my friends about the question and they suggested that I report it since this particular school I interviewed at is known for having friendly/conversational interviews and the deans themselves said that it should be that way. Also, I was the ONLY person in my group of 20 to receive this particular interviewer.
I came here for advice because I really did love the school and was hoping to matriculate there. I can accept that I messed up and that I should just move on... so thank you for your help. I just wanted more advice on this matter.

 

[skim8448]

This. And the question could be rephrased to, "would you kill your dog to save someone's life?" IMO they are essentially the same question as with MD training that's what you'll be doing.

Dapi, the interviewer made it clear that he was asking if I would kill my OWN dog to get a medical school acceptance. I clearly told him that I valued any human life above animal life, including my dog.

I said that I would still pursue something in the healthcare field and mentioned that if medical school was only an option IF I killed my dog, then I would consider being a nurse practitioner. I talked about how I was very interested in primary care and how nurse practitioners ARE the primary caretakers in many areas. I have shadowed three in the past and had a good experience. However, I guess that may have been a mistake too. 🙁

 

[Aerus]

Dapi, the interviewer made it clear that he was asking if I would kill my OWN dog to get a medical school acceptance. I clearly told him that I valued any human life above animal life, including my dog.

I said that I would still pursue something in the healthcare field and mentioned that if medical school was only an option IF I killed my dog, then I would consider being a nurse practitioner. I talked about how I was very interested in primary care and how nurse practitioners ARE the primary caretakers in many areas. I have shadowed three in the past and had a good experience. However, I guess that may have been a mistake too. 🙁

I think you were being a bit vague. The interviewer might have interpreted your response to saying "No, I don't ever want to kill my dog, even for medicine!"

You should have been more clear, along the lines of "I would if it meant saving a human life, but not for a mere acceptance. I'd rather earn the actual acceptance myself."

It was a poorly worded question, in my opinion. Or a poor stress question.

 

[skim8448]

I think the interviewer was trying to see how you respond to stress. Its possible u were replying to him antagonistically because u didnt like his questions

*by the way, one of my recent interviewers seemed like he just wasn't interested at all in me, perhaps he really wasn't lol, but i still pretended like i was the happiest boy in the world just to sit there and talk with him.

I really was happy that day and during the second interview, I tried to show my enthusiasm and smiled a lot. I talked to the deans, current students, fellow interviewees, and really thought I got along with everyone.
I REALLY liked the school so the waitlist felt horrible. The school's location, mission, curriculum, everything was a perfect fit. As a naive first time applicant, if the admissions process is this brutal, well.. it sucks lol.

I have an acceptance to another FL school, but did not feel the same way about it as the one I was waitlisted for.

 

[skim8448]

I think you were being a bit vague. The interviewer might have interpreted your response to saying "No, I don't ever want to kill my dog, even for medicine!"

You should have been more clear, along the lines of "I would if it meant saving a human life, but not for a mere acceptance. I'd rather earn the actual acceptance myself."

It was a poorly worded question, in my opinion. Or a poor stress question.

Aerus, thanks for your response. Yeah, I guess he must have taken it the wrong way. This is what I said though (copied from above):

HOWEVER, I said "But to be honest, I really do not think I would be able to kill my own dog. I value human life above animal life and would not hesitate when it comes to human life.. but if I had to kill my dog for a medical school acceptance, I do not think I would be able to do that."

 

[Aerus]

Aerus, thanks for your response. Yeah, I guess he must have taken it the wrong way. This is what I said though (copied from above):

HOWEVER, I said "But to be honest, I really do not think I would be able to kill my own dog. I value human life above animal life and would not hesitate when it comes to human life.. but if I had to kill my dog for a medical school acceptance, I do not think I would be able to do that."

Yeah, this was just weird. Perhaps try Letters of Interest now? If you still have your heart set on this school, you might try that. Nothing to lose really.

 

[DAPI]

Dapi, the interviewer made it clear that he was asking if I would kill my OWN dog to get a medical school acceptance. I clearly told him that I valued any human life above animal life, including my dog.

I said that I would still pursue something in the healthcare field and mentioned that if medical school was only an option IF I killed my dog, then I would consider being a nurse practitioner. I talked about how I was very interested in primary care and how nurse practitioners ARE the primary caretakers in many areas. I have shadowed three in the past and had a good experience. However, I guess that may have been a mistake too. 🙁

Yeah, just a bad question in general with no good answer.

 

[SpecterGT260]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate them all.

To better understand my situation, I'll try to write down more of my reply. I have analyzed the interview over and over and I really do not think I was brushing off the interviewer's question and I didn't just say "No, I won't ever kill my dog". I tried to give a considerate response. I mentioned how I wanted to be a vet initially, but realized that I enjoyed talking to the owners (people) much more when I shadowed a vet earlier in my life. I told him that after shadowing all types of physicians in the past 5 years and working in healthcare environments including a free clinic in the philippines this summer, that I have a good (or at least decent!) idea of what medicine is and that my desire to become a physician has kept me motivated. I support myself financially (and I know many do!), but it has been tough balancing work and pre-med, but I explained that I know I'd feel most fulfilled and love what I do if I pursued the medical path. HOWEVER, I said "But to be honest, I really do not think I would be able to kill my own dog. I value human life above animal life and would not hesitate when it comes to human life.. but if I had to kill my dog for a medical school acceptance, I do not think I would be able to do that."

I think he wanted me to say that I would kill my own dog. Perhaps I should have said something differently and I did mess up under this stressful question, but I told the truth and was hoping for the best.

I am NOT blaming the interviewer for being waitlisted. I just told several of my friends about the question and they suggested that I report it since this particular school I interviewed at is known for having friendly/conversational interviews and the deans themselves said that it should be that way. Also, I was the ONLY person in my group of 20 to receive this particular interviewer.
I came here for advice because I really did love the school and was hoping to matriculate there. I can accept that I messed up and that I should just move on... so thank you for your help. I just wanted more advice on this matter.

IMO medicine is not supposed to be about cutting corners or pulling strings just to get the desired position. Nor is "dedication to medicine" embodied by such deal making but rather a commitment towards excellence. In that perspective, no.... I wouldn't kill a dog for admission (easy for me to say now, right? Lol). But I think this is the best answer

 

[ShenanigansMD]

do med schools still have dog labs to teach cardiovascular physiology? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Walt Lillehei? Great man.

Edit: Nvm, I think I missed the point.

 

[Fenouil]

I clearly told him that I valued any human life above animal life, including my dog.

Gotta say that if I were interviewing someone and they told me this, it would make me very sad. :/ But I'm a huge animal lover. Maybe he is too and was only pretending to not like animals, and this is what rubbed him the wrong way?

Really, telling the truth is the best thing to do. I'm glad I didn't get this question, because my answer (even if you substituted "your dog" with just any dog) would be an emphatic "hell no!"

 

[SpecterGT260]

Gotta say that if I were interviewing someone and they told me this, it would make me very sad. :/ But I'm a huge animal lover. Maybe he is too and was only pretending to not like animals, and this is what rubbed him the wrong way?

Really, telling the truth is the best thing to do. I'm glad I didn't get this question, because my answer (even if you substituted "your dog" with just any dog) would be an emphatic "hell no!"

Human life > animal life.

That shouldn't even be a question

 

[DAPI]

Human life > animal life.

That shouldn't even be a question

I think it would be quite difficult emotionally to actually kill a dog, especially your own dog. I'm sure I could say I'd be willing to do it, but I'm not sure I could actually go through with it if someone put my dog in front of me and said, "if you kill him, you'll get into X school of medicine."

 

[HipChick]

ok that question is just creepy as hell... I understand what he was getting at and what he was trying to accomplish but wow.

 

[linebacker57]

do med schools still have dog labs to teach cardiovascular physiology? Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Most schools have done away with it, I have heard awful stories from my uncles who went to medical school in the 70's and 80's about that lab and about vivisection. Last count I think they were down to 12 med schools with a dog lab as part of the curriculum for EITHER the md program of graduate medical education/

 

[IlDestriero]

Gotta say that if I were interviewing someone and they told me this, it would make me very sad. :/ But I'm a huge animal lover. Maybe he is too and was only pretending to not like animals, and this is what rubbed him the wrong way?

Are you nuts? It would make you very sad to hear that someone values human life over the life of an animal?😕
Get real man. If I was in a major car accident and my dog was trapped in the back of my SUV and someone else was trapped in their car, I'd risk my life to try to save the stranger trapped in his/her car before my pet every time. Fido is on his own. Sorry, but your compass is way off. If you spout that lunacy at an interview I wouldn't expect an offer.

 

[IlDestriero]

Most schools have done away with it, I have heard awful stories from my uncles who went to medical school in the 70's and 80's about that lab and about vivisection. Last count I think they were down to 12 med schools with a dog lab as part of the curriculum for EITHER the md program of graduate medical education/

They may have done away with required dog labs to study physiology in medical school, but animal research is still the cornerstone of innovations in clinical medicine and surgical experimentation.

 

[Fenouil]

Are you nuts? It would make you very sad to hear that someone values human life over the life of an animal? :confused
Get real man. If I was in a major car accident and my dog was trapped in the back of my SUV and someone else was trapped in their car, I'd risk my life to try to save the stranger trapped in his/her car before my pet every time. Fido is on his own. Sorry, but your compass is way off. If you spout that lunacy at an interview I wouldn't expect an offer.

I had a feeling I would get reamed for my answer. 🙄
I disagree with the BLANKET statement that human life is more valuable than animal life. I know I'm not going to get anywhere arguing with any of you, so I'm going to leave it at that so that this thread can get back on topic.

 

[nomattic]

What the hell? Unless he was kidding, there's no way to defend a question like that. The question, "would you kill your dog (or any dog) to get into med school?" in no way addresses the value of a human life vs. an animal life. Getting into med school vs. not getting into med school is not the same thing as some random example where you'd have to kill an animal to spare a human. That's a pretty half-assed, specious connection. If that was the interviewer's point they seriously blow at asking questions. I'd report it.

 

[Procyon]

This. And the question could be rephrased to, "would you kill your dog to save someone's life?" IMO they are essentially the same question as with MD training that's what you'll be doing.

I don't think so. According to the OP, the interviewer asked if he would kill a dog to get into medical school. Getting into medical school isn't the same thing as saving someone's life.

This was essentially a "Would you eat a poop hot dog?" only he offered you something even crappier than a poop hot dog once he figured out how he could play with your emotions. I think it's really awful to be honest.

 

[tn4596]

I disagree with the BLANKET statement that human life is more valuable than animal life.

you must be an ALF member....

Anyway, I would say yes (provided that I don't get into jail for animal abuse 🙂 ) without hesitation. I could always get another dog lol

 

[def1]

Aerus, thanks for your response. Yeah, I guess he must have taken it the wrong way. This is what I said though (copied from above):

HOWEVER, I said "But to be honest, I really do not think I would be able to kill my own dog. I value human life above animal life and would not hesitate when it comes to human life.. but if I had to kill my dog for a medical school acceptance, I do not think I would be able to do that."

perhaps it wasn't so much your answer (which sounds perfectly fine to me) but the way you answered. Its quite possible even unintentionally that you responded antagonistically because the question made you sad/mad.

Either way that really sucks, I can understand why the interviewer asked that question but if he put the majority of weight from that interview on that question thats kind of messed up.

Is it possible that maybe something else in your application resulted in your waitlist? Were you're grades competetive here?

Good luck though man, if you really want to attend this school, then do everything you can to get in. At this point I'd be very persistent.


*Also talking about nurses taking over primary care is probably not a good idea, especially saying you'd consider being one. I doubt physicians look highly at that issue.

 

[Fivo]

OP, the fact that you're only thinking about reporting the interviewer now after getting waitlisted rather than right after the interview, shows that you do believe the interviewer is the reason you got waitlisted. In my opinion, if you wanted to report him, then you should have done it a long time ago. Reporting him now (after the decision) makes you sound like a sour grape. You had your window and you let it pass man. Let it go and try to appeal to them in another way (LOI, LORs, updates, etc)

 

[pineapplepancakes]

This was essentially a "Would you eat a poop hot dog?" only he offered you something even crappier than a poop hot dog once he figured out how he could play with your emotions. I think it's really awful to be honest.

+1 My thoughts exactly. Yes, the question could have had some other significant meaning or something to read between the lines, but it sounds like he did a pretty bad job of asking it, if that was his intention.

 

[spacetomatoes]

Then, he asked if I would be willing to KILL a dog if it meant that I could get into the school.. Then, he rephrased and asked if I would kill MY dog...
I didn't know if he was joking. I basically replied that I would not ever do that to my dog...

I don't have an opinion really on reporting the question, but I just wanted to say that this is bonkers. Maybe it's because I'm typing this while sitting next to my sleeping dog, but I can't imagine what he was trying to gauge from that question. "No, sir, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get into medical school on my hard work and qualifications, not from any kind of pet killing." Ugh.

 

[zoner]

Are you nuts? It would make you very sad to hear that someone values human life over the life of an animal?😕
Get real man. If I was in a major car accident and my dog was trapped in the back of my SUV and someone else was trapped in their car, I'd risk my life to try to save the stranger trapped in his/her car before my pet every time. Fido is on his own. Sorry, but your compass is way off. If you spout that lunacy at an interview I wouldn't expect an offer.

First of all you are a heartless bastard and op you interviewer was a son of a bitch for asking that. Report that sorry ass.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

 

[Fivo]

First of all you are a heartless bastard and op you interviewer was a son of a bitch for asking that. Report that sorry ass.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

 

[Fenouil]

you must be an ALF member....

Close!

 

[Imogen]

OP, I don't think you did anything wrong as long as you were not combative while answering, and it sounds like you weren't. The interviewer asked you a question and you gave your answer and provided justification. I do think the question was strange... but there was probably an underlying motive for it. I don't think it was downright inappropriate though.

As far as having to justify that you value human life over animal life, or those who are saying you should have answered yes, I just have to say... WTF. He asked you if you would kill a dog, maybe your dog even, to get to med school. Saying "no, I do not have it in me to take the life of a living creature just for my own personal and professional gain" is in my opinion, a great answer. Saying yes seems downright sociopathic. The interviewer did not ask you, "If you had to kill a dog to save a human life, would you?" In that case, the "correct" answer may have been yes, because you, like most people value humans>dogs, etc.

Anyway, I don't have any pets and I don't particularly love dogs (and I actually don't think animal love has anything to do with this question). But if I were an interviewer and I asked an applicant this and they said yes, I would be tremendously disturbed. It's one thing to be passionate about medicine. It's another to be willing to kill stuff in order to be a doctor.

I would not report this. It seems petty to report an interview AFTER you've been waitlisted unless the interview was glaringly inappropriate. In this case, you might have just had an awkward guy delivering a strange question.

I do have to say though, I'm very surprised that anyone has responded that they would've said yes.

 

[jl lin]

you must be an ALF member....

Anyway, I would say yes (provided that I don't get into jail for animal abuse 🙂 ) without hesitation. I could always get another dog lol

This to me is a moral and ethical question. He didn't ask to sacrifice the dog for human life. Nonsense. He asked to sacrifice his dog to get into medical school...wow, a real house of god scenario-- meaning the arrogance of getting into the house of god trumps all things....really? Even personal ethics? Would I sacrifice a human fetus to help stem cell research? In the interviewer's mind, could this be the same kind of question? IDK. It was a moral kind of question in my view. Were you stats the lowest on the list? You don't know but maybe.

Waitlisted? They can keep waiting. Interviews are just as much about you and being true to you as them.

Whats next? I'd help expedite my dying grandmother's death for the sake disease research?

Where do you draw the line w/ these kinds of questions? Integrity should trump all, so long as you are competent and can do the work. If it doesn't, I say keep looking for schools.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

It sounds like the interviewer wanted to get you to loosen up OP. I don't think it was as complicated as this PETA debate that's going down in this thread.

I would have said...

But pre-meds tend not to read Orwell.

 

[tn4596]

This to me is a moral and ethical question. He didn't ask to sacrifice the dog for human life. Nonsense. He asked to sacrifice his dog to get into medical school...wow, a real house of god scenario-- meaning the arrogance of getting into the house of god trumps all things....really? Even personal ethics. Would I sacrifice a human fetus to stem cell research? Is this in the interviewer's mind, could this be the same question? IDK. It was an I moral kind of question in my view. We're you stats the lowest on the list? You don't know but maybe.

Waitlisted? They can keep waiting. Interviews are just as much about you and being true to you as them.

Whats next? I'd help expedite my dying grandmother's death for the sake disease research?

Where do you draw the line w/ these kinds of questions? Integrity should trump all so long as you can co pretend and do the work. If it doesn't, I say keep looking for schools.

That sucks dude, look like you have a lot to think about. The choices seemed pretty clear to me! Lawl

 

[Freesia88]

It sounds like the interviewer wanted to get you to loosen up OP. I don't think it was as complicated as this PETA debate that's going down in this thread.

I would have said...

But pre-meds tend not to read Orwell.

All living beings are equal but some are more equal than others?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

All living beings are equal but some are more equal than others?

Haha of course. So inevitably:

 

[Freesia88]

Haha of course. So inevitably:

Oh man...the memes that could be made with lines from that book and silly animal pics.😀

Bitter sweet memories for me too. This was one book my now deceased sister and I read together. Her Napoleon voice was unmatched. It still cracks me up.

 

[SpecterGT260]

First of all you are a heartless bastard and op you interviewer was a son of a bitch for asking that. Report that sorry ass.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile

So you would save a dog and let a human being burn...... yikes

 

[Blackhawkdown24]

So you would save a dog and let a human being burn...... yikes

This is tricky. I have an emotional attachment to my dog. Sooooo, I would have to agree with saving my dog first and THEN I would try to rescue the human. I can even go as far as to say, what if the other person is a child molester or rapist? One would not know but as least I know my dog is an angel : )

 

[skim8448]

Hey guys! Thanks a lot for posting your opinion. This was a confusing issue to me so reading over your advice/opinions/statements are really helping me.
I got to go to class soon, but I do agree with the member who posted that I should have reported the interview right after it and not a whole month later after being waitlisted. It's my fault. Also, I just want to mention again that I really do not think I answered with even a hint of antagonism. I was really having a great day and felt very happy.... maybe the interviewer thought I was TOO happy...and I seemed fake? It's really hard to understand what happened.

I don't think my stats are the reason for me being on the waitlist either. I speak several languages including one that is important in the area the school is in.. I have around a 3.7/3.8 gpa and I actually retook the MCAT early August and improved from a 29 to a 34 (although I received the interview before my new score came out...my new score was part of the final review process).. I also am in my third year working in a lab with a paper, participate in lots of clubs, and work full time now (since my research job isn't enough to cover all expenses).

I hope that this works out.. I'm going to send a LOI tomorrow and work on it after class today. I'm going to go walk June now 🙂