What am i doing wrong?? Is this not for me?

[losinghope]

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Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

 

[KNightInBlue]

Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

Hope (I am gonna leave out the 'losing' part),
how many waitlists have you had so far? I ask because there are PLENTY of students every year who get in off of waitlists (I have heard ppl say that almost half their class came in off of the wailist!!) Even 2 waitlist spots are enough to have good odds of getting in.

Don't despair. Send out letters of intent as frequently as possible to all the schools. Show your intent as strongly as possible.

By the time August rolls around, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if you didn't get in somewhere at one of the 6 schools you will have interviewed at.

Good Luck

 

[Bap2qwrq7]

First off, the application year is not over yet. Even though you are waitlisted at 3 schools you have to be aggressive in getting off by contacting them and showing enthusiasm for them. If schools go solely by rank it may not help but often times schools admit people that they know will attend. Plus since May 15 is rolling around, we'll start to see how the waitlists move.

But it is also prudent to make some sort of backup plan. Either a 1 year postbac or 1 year masters type thing. Anything to raise your GPA. It isn't horrible or anything but it could be better. I'd also contact the schools that rejected you post interview and see what was wrong with your application.

Your third MCAT score is good and shouldn't be holding you back although the number of times you have taken it may be holding you back a bit but since you did get 5 interviews I really don't think that's the problem

Did you apply only MD or DO as well? If you don't mind saying what schools are you currently waitlisted at?

 

[losinghope]

what goes in a letter of intent? Do most schools take them?

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

I basically agree with the prior advice. One suggestion I have with respect to the interview next week (and any others down the road) is that you might want to do a mock interview with an advisor or friend and get some impartial feedback on your interviewing (even better if you can videotape it). Lots of people tend to think they are better at interviewing than they are. It's also dangerous to go into an interview thinking that a school is "supposed to take 1 in two they interview" and thus be a bit passive; Just because they accept about 50% who interview statistically doesn't mean that some portion of interviewees aren't already getting in no matter what based on other credentials (and for them the interview is merely a formality) while others really need to sell themselves to get in -- you could be in the latter group, and so "not screwing up" might not have been enough. Good luck.

 

[candies]

Hope (I am gonna leave out the 'losing' part),
how many waitlists have you had so far? I ask because there are PLENTY of students every year who get in off of waitlists (I have heard ppl say that almost half their class came in off of the wailist!!) Even 2 waitlist spots are enough to have good odds of getting in.

Don't despair. Send out letters of intent as frequently as possible to all the schools. Show your intent as strongly as possible.

By the time August rolls around, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if you didn't get in somewhere at one of the 6 schools you will have interviewed at.

Good Luck

Hi all,
Me too in the same situation as Losinghope. So to whom should I send the letter of intent? To the admission committee in general or to a specific person, such as the one that had signed the waitlist letter , or the admission staff , or the one that interviewed me? Or to all of them?
I'm confused. I don't want to make mistakes by sending to the wrong person and that may cause a conflict?
Anyway, should it be an e-mail or a letter?
Thanks for any suggestion.

 

[t33sg1rl]

Hi all,
Me too in the same situation as Losinghope. So to whom should I send the letter of intent? To the admission committee in general or to a specific person, such as the one that had signed the waitlist letter , or the admission staff , or the one that interviewed me? Or to all of them?
I'm confused. I don't want to make mistakes by sending to the wrong person and that may cause a conflict?
Anyway, should it be an e-mail or a letter?
Thanks for any suggestion.

It should be snail mail adressed to the Dean of Admissions (the actual person). It takes a little research to find out who this is at each school, but it's well worth the effort. All I'm putting in mine is that the school is my top choice (yes, to all 4 schools that waitlisted me), that if I get an acceptance I will certainly attend, and specific things that really impressed me on interview day. If you have any additional activities or grades since your app, this'd be the time to mention them (unfortunately, I don't.)

 

[ERJunkie]

I agree, do not give up hope. However, I have to disagree with the remark about sending LOIs out to all of the schools you are waitlisted. First, it is unethical, you are compromising your integrity by telling all of the schools you intend coming to their institution if accepted. Second, there is a small chance, but still a chance that one school may contact another about your application. -- If you plan on sending a LOI, pick one school and stick with it.

Hope (I am gonna leave out the 'losing' part),
how many waitlists have you had so far? I ask because there are PLENTY of students every year who get in off of waitlists (I have heard ppl say that almost half their class came in off of the wailist!!) Even 2 waitlist spots are enough to have good odds of getting in.

Don't despair. Send out letters of intent as frequently as possible to all the schools. Show your intent as strongly as possible.

By the time August rolls around, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if you didn't get in somewhere at one of the 6 schools you will have interviewed at.

Good Luck

 

[boobah16]

I agree, do not give up hope. However, I have to disagree with the remark about sending LOIs out to all of the schools you are waitlisted. First, it is unethical, you are compromising your integrity by telling all of the schools you intend coming to their institution if accepted. Second, there is a small chance, but still a chance that one school may contact another about your application. -- If you plan on sending a LOI, pick one school and stick with it.

Good Advice 👍 If one of the schools you send an LOI to does infact accept you and you decide not to go there AFTER you told them you would no matter what, that does not look good on your part. You can send letters to the schools updating them on your activities/grades, but only tell one school that you intend to go there.

 

[candies]

Good Advice 👍 If one of the schools you send an LOI to does infact accept you and you decide not to go there AFTER you told them you would no matter what, that does not look good on your part. You can send letters to the schools updating them on your activities/grades, but only tell one school that you intend to go there.

Hi all,
I really appreciate your good advices. Thank very much.

 

[Hoya11]

Good Advice 👍 If one of the schools you send an LOI to does infact accept you and you decide not to go there AFTER you told them you would no matter what, that does not look good on your part. You can send letters to the schools updating them on your activities/grades, but only tell one school that you intend to go there.

I know people personally who have sent LOIs to every school and increased their chances. In fact, I know one person who got into a great school at the last minute off of the waitlist, probably do to an LOI he sent every school he was waitlisted at.

Most likely, the first place that accepts you, you will go to anyways given your situation. SO the chances of having to turn down a place that accepted you after your LOI is slim. AND even if you have to do it, there is NO consequence. IT is not a binding legal document, it is a letter. IT get the attention of the committee, and shows your interest more than others. BUt no one is going to force you to go to their medical school in reality. Honestly, I say send them to all the schools you are waitlisted at.

PLus that mcat score is very high, you must have applied late and/or to not enough schools. Just do it again next year much earlier and you will be shocked at how much easier it is.

 

[turnerm37]

I know people personally who have sent LOIs to every school and increased their chances. In fact, I know one person who got into a great school at the last minute off of the waitlist, probably do to an LOI he sent every school he was waitlisted at.

Most likely, the first place that accepts you, you will go to anyways given your situation. SO the chances of having to turn down a place that accepted you after your LOI is slim. AND even if you have to do it, there is NO consequence. IT is not a binding legal document, it is a letter. IT get the attention of the committee, and shows your interest more than others. BUt no one is going to force you to go to their medical school in reality. Honestly, I say send them to all the schools you are waitlisted at.

PLus that mcat score is very high, you must have applied late and/or to not enough schools. Just do it again next year much earlier and you will be shocked at how much easier it is.

Where's the integritiy?!!! Disgusting.

 

[ejf]

I agree with the others. i wouldn't lose hope yet. But i would suggest contacting schools that wait listed you and/or rejected you and ask them what more they were looking for (even from the interviews).

And, if this is something you really want, apply again next year (IF you do not get in this year). I have been told by quite a few people that, for some reason, repeat applicants finally get in the third time around. If you have to wait another year, would you consider getting another degree? maybe in public health or hospital admin? That would put you far ahead of a lot of the undergrad applicants. Good luck!!!

Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

 

[arashd]

When did you apply? Like what month? When didyou take your most recent MCAT? If it was in August, then you have your answer.

Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

 

[Law2Doc]

When did you apply? Like what month? When did you take your most recent MCAT? If it was in August, then you have your answer.

While applying early is obviously advantageous in a rolling admissions process, the downside to taking the August MCAT is absurdly overhyped on this board. LOTS of people take the August MCAT and get in. Besides, the OP got 5 interviews. So that is hardly the answer.

 

[ERJunkie]

I agree, taking the August MCAT is overhyped. Although it is advantageous to take the April MCAT and apply early, many people do get in after taking the August MCAT. Out of 5 schools, I have received 3 interviews.

While applying early is obviously advantageous in a rolling admissions process, the downside to taking the August MCAT is absurdly overhyped on this board. LOTS of people take the August MCAT and get in. Besides, the OP got 5 interviews. So that is hardly the answer.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Losing Hope,

The posts about not sending LOI's to more than one school b/c you might hurt their feelings/unethical/immoral is a bunch of crap. I consider myself a veteran of the application process. I applied 3x over 5 years!

I believe two other posters said to write a strong LOI, gearing it to each individual school, and send them ASAP. Thats good advice. Use it. Everyone single person I know, myself included, did this when applying for medical school. Schools do NOT contact each other about applicants (not usually). Thousands of students apply and sometimes there are over 100's on the waitlist. You really think they're going to sit there and call around verifying every applicants LOI... 🙄

If you pick only one school to send you LOI to, you may miss out on a school where you actually have a chance of getting in off the WL. If the latter school sees that you've havent expressed interest (i.e no LOI, no email, etc), you may have just shot yourself in the foot. Get the drift.

In conclusion, send LOI's and send them to all. If you get more than one acceptance, then you have the luxury to choose. Remember, "minimize your risk at every step!" <----Doctorsaib's words of wisdom... 🙂 Take care!

 

[Ypo.]

Hope (I am gonna leave out the 'losing' part),
how many waitlists have you had so far? I ask because there are PLENTY of students every year who get in off of waitlists (I have heard ppl say that almost half their class came in off of the wailist!!) Even 2 waitlist spots are enough to have good odds of getting in.

Don't despair. Send out letters of intent as frequently as possible to all the schools. Show your intent as strongly as possible.

By the time August rolls around, I'd be EXTREMELY surprised if you didn't get in somewhere at one of the 6 schools you will have interviewed at.

Good Luck

Regarding your profile... how did you manage to do all that and graduate by the age of 21? I find that incredible. Also-how do you plan to take a year off before medical school-are you taking time off right now or are you deferring? Just curious...

 

[scienceguy]

Hello everyone,

I need some help.

I am a repplicant this year. Last year, I applied to MANY schools and ALL rejections. I took the MCAT a whopping 3 times! (11B, 8P, 6V first 2 times, and 13B, 10P, 10V last year). 3.45 UG GPA. 2 volunteer activities at hospitals, research experience, teaching experience

This year, i applied to less schools, and have had 5 interviews so far, another one next week. So far i've gotten 2 rejections and the rest still waiting to hear from/waitlist. My interviews for 4 were before January. THe rejections i recieved are so dissapointing since those schools were supposed to take 1 in 2 they interview. My interviewing skills are decent, and i know for sure I didnt screw up in any of the interviews.

Maybe it's me? I'm losing hope. Is anyone in the same boat as I am? All i can do is cry! 😕 😕

Im gonna say it has somthing to do with the schools to which you are applying to, i am in no way saying to lesser your standards because your numbers seem quite well, i would say you are a shoe in for DO school and have a good chance at some of the middle tier MD schools, Dont give up hope you will get in somewhere

 

[sakura181]

Good Advice 👍 If one of the schools you send an LOI to does infact accept you and you decide not to go there AFTER you told them you would no matter what, that does not look good on your part. You can send letters to the schools updating them on your activities/grades, but only tell one school that you intend to go there.

I think there's a difference between telling a school you're wait listed at that you're still interested in the school and telling that school you will absolutely attend if accepted.

If I were you, I would probably write a general LOI to each of my waitlisted schools stating my interest in the school and maybe any additional application/EC information they may not have. However, I would probably also write a more specific LOI to ONE school, saying how much I loved the school and how they're my #1 and I would definitely attend if accepted. See the difference?

Yes, it is definitely very unethical to tell every single school of your undying love for the school and guaranteeing acceptance of an admission. But I don't think it's wrong to tell each waitlisted school that you are still interested in them if you actually are. 🙂

 

[chicadehuskers]

I think there's a difference between telling a school you're wait listed at that you're still interested in the school and telling that school you will absolutely attend if accepted.

If I were you, I would probably write a general LOI to each of my waitlisted schools stating my interest in the school and maybe any additional application/EC information they may not have. However, I would probably also write a more specific LOI to ONE school, saying how much I loved the school and how they're my #1 and I would definitely attend if accepted. See the difference?

Yes, it is definitely very unethical to tell every single school of your undying love for the school and guaranteeing acceptance of an admission. But I don't think it's wrong to tell each waitlisted school that you are still interested in them if you actually are. 🙂

I agree. You should definitely write a letter to every school where you were waitlisted. You should pick one school to write an actual LOI. In the other letters you should update any information since your AMCAS, plus tell them that you are still very interested in their school. Saying "I would be honored to receive a letter of acceptance," is not lying; while stating, "I will definitely attend if I receive a letter of acceptance," may be lying.