What am i doing wrong?

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jyu116

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I've already had two interviews at my top two DO schools - Touro NV and Western. I don't know what i'm doing wrong because i'm waitlisted at both universities. Was it a mistake doing my first two interviews at my top two schools? Luckily, I have interviews at 4 other schools but now i'm fearing that i'm going to be waitlisted in all those school as well.

I'm I saying the wrong things during the interview? I'm a pretty normal person so I don't think I'm saying anything out of the norm. Perhaps it's my low MCAT score? 25M, 3.6 GPA.

Since I'm waitlisted, does that mean that my interviewers did NOT recommended me to the admissions committee?

I'm so bummed....

ADVICE PLEASE. My next interview at Touro CA is next week... just around the corner.
 
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jyu116 said:
I've already had two interviews at my top two DO schools - Touro NV and Western. I don't know what i'm doing wrong because i'm waitlisted at both universities. Was it a mistake doing my first two interviews at my top two schools? Luckily, I have interviews at 4 other schools but now i'm fearing that i'm going to be waitlisted in all those school as well.

I'm I saying the wrong things during the interview? I'm a pretty normal person so I don't think I'm saying anything out of the norm. Perhaps it's my low MCAT score? 25M, 3.6 GPA.

Since I'm waitlisted, does that mean that my interviewers did NOT recommended me to the admissions committee?

I'm so bummed....

ADVICE PLEASE. My next interview at Touro CA is on Tuesday... just around the corner.
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Relax! Do not get yourself worked up more about the interviews. You may just not have been ideal match for that school Or I like to think of it as the people interviewing you knew you would not be happy at that place. Having more interviews is a REALLY good sign. Plus lots of people get in from the wait list.

I will see you at the TouroCOM interview! We will get through it together! Just take a deep breathe.
 
You never know with these things...it could be your interviewing skills, or it could be nothing at all and just bad luck. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors and every school has a different approach to comparing and selecting applicants. You have 4 more interivews, I would suggest doing a mock interview. Usually your school has career services or something that can set that up. With 4 more though I'd say you still have a great shot at an acceptance, your #s are fine.
 
See if your university can set up a mock interview. If the interview was not the issue, maybe it could be the MCAT score.
 
Have you considered emailing or calling those schools and asking them what it was about you or your application that caused you to be wait-listed? If you need to you might have to ask them to be specific otherwise they might just say you need stronger numbers.

Just be honest and tell them you are trying to get to the bottom of things and know how you can improve if needed (it would also be a good opportunity to ask the school about sending a letter of intent regarding the wait list).

I think that is what I would do if I were you - otherwise you will really never know if there was something you did or did not do and everything you think or are told will just be guesses. You'll feel a lot better if you just get to the bottom of it.
 
JYU-

Remember that medical school applications are a complete crap shoot. You could be a statistically exemplary applicant and get wait listed or a statistically aberrant applicant and get in. Similarly, you could have stellar or abysmal LORs, ECs, etc and have similarly confusing responses from schools.

If you have 6 interviews, you should be set. I think generally 3 is considered the magic number for acceptance. I had a discussion with an adcom employee at a DO School and he voiced a similar rule of thumb. You'll get in somewhere.

Best advice has already been given though; setup a mock interview somewhere.
 
jyu116 said:
I've already had two interviews at my top two DO schools - Touro NV and Western. I don't know what i'm doing wrong because i'm waitlisted at both universities. Was it a mistake doing my first two interviews at my top two schools? Luckily, I have interviews at 4 other schools but now i'm fearing that i'm going to be waitlisted in all those school as well.

I'm I saying the wrong things during the interview? I'm a pretty normal person so I don't think I'm saying anything out of the norm. Perhaps it's my low MCAT score? 25M, 3.6 GPA.

Since I'm waitlisted, does that mean that my interviewers did NOT recommended me to the admissions committee?

I'm so bummed....

ADVICE PLEASE. My next interview at Touro CA is next week... just around the corner.
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It's important to realize a school isn't going to interview you if they think you have inferior academics, and wouldn't be able to make it in medical school. Look at Western's stats for example . . .they interview about 15% of applicants. Getting an interview there should be encouraging. What is done is done as far as your AACOMAS/AMCAS goes, so now, like it's been said on here, practice interviewing. You might have rocked your interview, but we never know exactly what the school wants. Good luck on your top schools and future interviews.
 
@ OP, I'm on the same boat as you. I interviewed at Erie and CCOM and got rejected to both. I really don't think it's your score that is holding you back. Like the other posters stated, it really is a crap shoot. I think my stats are pretty competitive (31/3.5 Great LORs and ECs) but yet nobody seems to want me. You should call the office and speak with a counselor to see what you did wrong. That's what I'm doing. Good luck!
 
This is how the admissions committee decides who gets accepted or not at their weekly meeting.

They throw up a pile of the most recent applications and which ever ones land face up are granted an interview. If they land face down, you get rejected. And let's not even talk about those poor souls who's application lands sort of face up/down. Then, they wad up the applications into a tiny ball and play trashcan basketball. Whichever apps don't land in the garbage get scholarships.


Seriously though, you have a great number of interviews. Chances are, you'll get in somewhere. The more interviews, the better.
 
You're funny scummie.

Thanks everyone for the advice and for keeping me hopeful. I'll definitely get more interview practice. I guess that's all I can do for now! If I get in somewhere, I'll buy all of you guys dinner.... come find me.
 
Eilat87 said:
@ OP, I'm on the same boat as you. I interviewed at Erie and CCOM and got rejected to both. I really don't think it's your score that is holding you back. Like the other posters stated, it really is a crap shoot. I think my stats are pretty competitive (31/3.5 Great LORs and ECs) but yet nobody seems to want me. You should call the office and speak with a counselor to see what you did wrong. That's what I'm doing. Good luck!
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I don't think it is a crap shoot if your stats are well above the school's averages.

It could be one of two things:

(1) You are some weirdo with no people skills, and they are afraid that you'll be eating people's children, or

(2) They feel like you are using them as a backup. No one wants to be a "back-up school". Look at the allo threads. Places like BU and NYMC are either ignoring or flat out rejecting people with amazing stats. If you didn't express your interest in the school or osteopathic medicine in a convincing way, then they have a pretty good idea that you're only there "just in case".
 
So I found out from TouroNV university why i'm waitlisted... their concern ist that although I meet their required science hours, i'm right around the cut off line... They told me take a couple of more science courses to increase my chances of being accepted... but, reallly... would taking one or two science classes really help me? I'm a full time employee... i really can't take more than that. I'll be homeless. Advice anyone?

....
Now that I think about it... why would Touro tease me with an interview in the first place if my academic history was gonna be a concern for them? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........
 
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Is your sGPA much lower than your cGPA? Is that why they are concerned?
 
MSUSpartan642 said:
Is your sGPA much lower than your cGPA? Is that why they are concerned?
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No, not really. My science GPA is 3.5, overall is 3.6 I've gotten all As and Bs during my undergraduate years.... no Cs or below.
 
asked a question already answered above...oops
 
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jyu116 said:
So I found out from TouroNV university why i'm waitlisted... their concern ist that although I meet their required science hours, i'm right around the cut off line... They told me take a couple of more science courses to increase my chances of being accepted... but, reallly... would taking one or two science classes really help me? I'm a full time employee... i really can't take more than that. I'll be homeless. Advice anyone?

....
Now that I think about it... why would Touro tease me with an interview in the first place if my academic history was gonna be a concern for them? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........
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Hmmm... what science courses do you have? I have an interview there next week, and I'm not sure how badly I want to go if they're going to say that same thing about me after my flying all the way out there! I have 1 semester of AP bio, 2 semesters of physics, 2 of gen chem, 2 of o chem, 1 of biochem, and right now i'm in o chem lab and zoology.
 
MN premed said:
Hmmm... what science courses do you have? I have an interview there next week, and I'm not sure how badly I want to go if they're going to say that same thing about me after my flying all the way out there! I have 1 semester of AP bio, 2 semesters of physics, 2 of gen chem, 2 of o chem, 1 of biochem, and right now i'm in o chem lab and zoology.
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I mean I completed all the requirements and I listed some other science courses as planned.... 3 quarters of physics (all As), 3 quarters of biology (A, B, B), 3 quarters of general chemistry (B, A, B), 3 quarters of organic chemistry (all As), 1 quarter of biochem B+... i've gotten all As in math, in some other physics and chemistry courses...

I asked if there was anything wrong with my interview... they said nope. The interviewers didn't have anything negative to say about my interview. Maybe I'm just unlucky.
 
jyu116 said:
I mean I completed all the requirements and I listed some other science courses as planned.... 3 quarters of physics (all As), 3 quarters of biology (A, B, B), 3 quarters of general chemistry (B, A, B), 3 quarters of organic chemistry (all As), 1 quarter of biochem B+... i've gotten all As in math, in some other physics and chemistry courses...

I asked if there was anything wrong with my interview... they said nope. The interviewers didn't have anything negative to say about my interview. Maybe I'm just unlucky.
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Sorry to hear about that. This kind of just makes me scratch my head. You did very well in the required science courses, so I don't understand why they would recommend that you take more.

I can understand your frustration with their response. There was a thread here a few weeks ago about why ad coms reject or waitlist people after an interview based on the aspects of an individual's application that were available before the interview. No one can really figure it out. All I can say is to keep your head up and just keep doing what you got to do. It seems like you're OK on the interview, so I'm confident you'll get in somewhere.
 
What is Touro's req for science courses? I ask because they brought it up in my interview. Only 42 hours. Still waiting to hear from them.
 
Getting rejected after two interviews is not abnormal, it happened to me, I am waiting on other schools. Just keep trying your best and think positive, I am sure you will get in somewhere.
 
The committee may feel that while your credentials are not that bad, they want to see if they get more competitive applicants. I hate to put it bluntly, but that is what it means to be put on the waitlist.

Depending on where on the waitlist you will determine your chances of getting off. Depending on the school, you can get off the waitlist next month or the day after orientation starts. Just realize that most waitlists do not move until much later as people who are holding onto multiple acceptances are making final decisions.

This is the way that medical school admissions are. You can be great on paper but something just did not sit well with the interviewer so you were given a low score. Or you scores were towards the bottom but you did a hell of a job selling yourself so you are in.

Keep going in your applications. Try to rerun the entire interview in your head and see where you could improve.

Good luck
 
Don't be upset. As others have said it's a crap shoot.

I wouldn't bother with mock interview with your career counselor though. Like dating, just because someone dumped you doesn't mean you are not good. Move on and you will find your love. Short-term mock interview skills may actually work against you.

Your stats look fine, though your MCAT may be a little on the weak side, especially your PS. Anyone who makes it to the interview is top 10%~15% of that schools applicant pool. However, the committee tend to forget about that or switch into a super picky mode when the applicants are presented.

Bottom line: be yourself and relax. Your chances are pretty good with 4 interviews to go.


jyu116 said:
I've already had two interviews at my top two DO schools - Touro NV and Western. I don't know what i'm doing wrong because i'm waitlisted at both universities. Was it a mistake doing my first two interviews at my top two schools? Luckily, I have interviews at 4 other schools but now i'm fearing that i'm going to be waitlisted in all those school as well.

I'm I saying the wrong things during the interview? I'm a pretty normal person so I don't think I'm saying anything out of the norm. Perhaps it's my low MCAT score? 25M, 3.6 GPA.

Since I'm waitlisted, does that mean that my interviewers did NOT recommended me to the admissions committee?

I'm so bummed....

ADVICE PLEASE. My next interview at Touro CA is next week... just around the corner.
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nikon said:
Don't be upset. As others have said it's a crap shoot.

I wouldn't bother with mock interview with your career counselor though. Like dating, just because someone dumped you doesn't mean you are not good. Move on and you will find your love. Short-term mock interview skills may actually work against you.
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I would dispute this advice. I think that you may very well be interviewing perfectly and it's some other component of your application that is causing the hesitancy. However, my understanding is that if you get to the interview stage you simply have to sell yourself to the school, or perhaps not hang yourself with the rope handed to you. Depends on your point of view.

Going through a mock interview can only help you, not hinder you. You could consider the two you have already had as practice, but why leave things to chance? Applying to medical school is a game of probabilities and you want to hedge your bets. If you can be a better interviewee by going to a mock interview, why wouldn't you? Make yourself as well rounded as possible, there is always room for improvement...
 
jkmph said:
I would dispute this advice. I think that you may very well be interviewing perfectly and it's some other component of your application that is causing the hesitancy. However, my understanding is that if you get to the interview stage you simply have to sell yourself to the school, or perhaps not hang yourself with the rope handed to you. Depends on your point of view.

Going through a mock interview can only help you, not hinder you. You could consider the two you have already had as practice, but why leave things to chance? Applying to medical school is a game of probabilities and you want to hedge your bets. If you can be a better interviewee by going to a mock interview, why wouldn't you? Make yourself as well rounded as possible, there is always room for improvement...
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Once you are invited to the interview you are pretty much on even flooring with other applicants up until the actual interview. The interview is the most subjective part of the process, if the interviewer does not like you, you are not getting into that school, its that simple. I had a few interviews and I sensed on two of them that one of the interviewers did not like me and I did not get into those schools. I interviewed at other schools where my rapport with the interviewers was outstanding and got into those schools.
 
JanikeyDoc said:
Once you are invited to the interview you are pretty much on even flooring with other applicants up until the actual interview. The interview is the most subjective part of the process, if the interviewer does not like you, you are not getting into that school, its that simple. I had a few interviews and I sensed on two of them that one of the interviewers did not like me and I did not get into those schools. I interviewed at other schools where my rapport with the interviewers was outstanding and got into those schools.
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I have to partially agree with this. I just had an interview where the interviewer seemed to have it in for me from the start. It's hard to read though. She could have been testing me, or she may have thought I had no business being invited for an interview. I'll show her...no thank-you letter for you!

In any event, the interview is very subjective and the interviewer's perception of you is dependent upon their own disposition.
 
I was able to read the body language of my interviewers real well, especially their facial expressions, and even the way they shook my hand. One went so bad I did not even get a hand shake at the end. It really boils down to whether or not they like or hate you and they will make up their minds immediately upon seeing you, if they like you, chances are that you will get in, and if not, then you will get a rejection.
 
JanikeyDoc said:
I was able to read the body language of my interviewers real well, especially their facial expressions, and even the way they shook my hand. One went so bad I did not even get a hand shake at the end. It really boils down to whether or not they like or hate you and they will make up their minds immediately upon seeing you, if they like you, chances are that you will get in, and if not, then you will get a rejection.
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I agree with both of you. Depending on the disposition of the interviewers you're either selling yourself to the good cop or trying not to hang yourself with the rope handed to you by the bad cop. Given that the OP has 6 interview invitations, he or she simply needs to refine their interviewing skills via a mock interview or two.
 
Its unfair but its true that the interview is basically a "whether I like you or not" kind of session. Most interview questions I was asked did not really probe anything and nothing that put me into deep thought. The OP has six interviews, I am sure at least one school will give him an acceptance.
 
jkmph said:
I agree with both of you. Depending on the disposition of the interviewers you're either selling yourself to the good cop or trying not to hang yourself with the rope handed to you by the bad cop. Given that the OP has 6 interview invitations, he or she simply needs to refine their interviewing skills via a mock interview or two.
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I definitely agree with the posters regarding interviews. It is the most subjective aspect of this process. My course stats are similar to yours (I worked full time and only took the necessary basic science courses). However, that being said, during the review process they do go over your entire application again (both stats and interview). Definitely practice with mock interviews and learn to read your interviewer's response to your answers; adjust your tone, body language, etc if you have to. Good luck on the next few!
 
Basically anyone invited to an interview by a medical school is deemed qualified academically at most schools, there are a few who interview all students who submit supplemental apps but most schools thoroughly go through your application. The interview becomes the big tie breaker, and yes its very subjective and not fair, but that is unfortunately the system. There was a guy in the reapplicant section who said he had ten interviews last year and got rejected by every single school, now there might be an issue with this guy's interviewing skills but for the OP to be rejected after two interviews is not abnormal and I would be he will get in on the other interviews.
 
I think everyone above has really hit the main points about the importance of interviewing. I've interviewed at AZCOM, WVSOM, and ATSU-KCOM. AZCOM was my first and I thought for sure that I bombed the interview, but was surprisingly accepted. Then I flew out and had a very relaxed interview at WVSOM and again was accepted. My scores aren't the best either. 25M (6v 9ps 10bs), 3.1 undergrad GPA, 3.4 grad GPA. My interview at ATSU-KCOM was last week and I'll hear back this Thursday (2 days) on a decision. I went ahead and canceled my interview at LMU-DCOM as I believe the previous schools are better established and offer better opportunities/training. Additionally I'm a Texas resident and haven't heard a peep out of the TMDSAS schools.

The best you can do is be honest with yourself and the interviewers when answering their questions as to why you want to enter their profession. They see so many applicants that say "I just want to help people" and can smell acting from a mile away. You have to step in there with confidence and say "I'm the man/woman for the job, and I'm here to figure out if this school is right for me." They invited you for an interview and are looking for reasons to weed you out (hence you have a 80%+ of getting in) You've essentially been selected. So act like you have and question THEM about how THEY are going to help YOU become a great colleague one day. Its the same concept as dressing for the job you will have. Have the attitude that you WILL be a doctor, nothing is going to stop you, regardless of the outcome of the interview, and you most certainly will convince them that you belong amongst their ranks.

The primary/secondary applications help you get your foot in the door, and the interview is where you get to find out about their intentions and yours. If they dont match up, dont take it to heart because some school is waiting for you. And never forget that you WILL become a doctor.
 
Upper 90 said:
I think everyone above has really hit the main points about the importance of interviewing. I've interviewed at AZCOM, WVSOM, and ATSU-KCOM. AZCOM was my first and I thought for sure that I bombed the interview, but was surprisingly accepted. Then I flew out and had a very relaxed interview at WVSOM and again was accepted. My scores aren't the best either. 25M (6v 9ps 10bs), 3.1 undergrad GPA, 3.4 grad GPA. My interview at ATSU-KCOM was last week and I'll hear back this Thursday (2 days) on a decision. I went ahead and canceled my interview at LMU-DCOM as I believe the previous schools are better established and offer better opportunities/training. Additionally I'm a Texas resident and haven't heard a peep out of the TMDSAS schools.

The best you can do is be honest with yourself and the interviewers when answering their questions as to why you want to enter their profession. They see so many applicants that say "I just want to help people" and can smell acting from a mile away. You have to step in there with confidence and say "I'm the man/woman for the job, and I'm here to figure out if this school is right for me." They invited you for an interview and are looking for reasons to weed you out (hence you have a 80%+ of getting in) You've essentially been selected. So act like you have and question THEM about how THEY are going to help YOU become a great colleague one day. Its the same concept as dressing for the job you will have. Have the attitude that you WILL be a doctor, nothing is going to stop you, regardless of the outcome of the interview, and you most certainly will convince them that you belong amongst their ranks.

The primary/secondary applications help you get your foot in the door, and the interview is where you get to find out about their intentions and yours. If they dont match up, dont take it to heart because some school is waiting for you. And never forget that you WILL become a doctor.
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👍 Great post!

Also, any updates from the OP yet?
 
To the OP:


At this stage of the game, most people who interviews this early usually receive an acceptance. Basically, if you received an interview at this time, that means the school wanted you based on your app.

I think you might have to work on your interviewing skills. One waitlist might be bad luck, but two, it seems like your interviewing skills might be lacking. I recommend doing a mock interview with your school. Either with a professor, or just someone. Not your family members. I think a lot of us don't really have a clue of how we portray ourselves to others. Get it video taped, so you can see for yourself. There's a lot of things you can do to improve this. I suggest you do before your next interview.

Relax, because its not over yet.
 
You may be interviewing fine, but your stats might be a little low for those programs. I think Western's 2013 class has an average GPA of 3.6 and MCAT ~28-30.
 
cliquesh said:
You may be interviewing fine, but your stats might be a little low for those programs. I think Western's 2013 class has an average GPA of 3.6 and MCAT ~28-30.
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I think you may be misquoting those numbers. None-the-less, an interview offer is tantamount to him successfully passing the screening stage for MCAT/GPA and thus that is not his problem.
 
jkmph said:
I think you may be misquoting those numbers. None-the-less, an interview offer is tantamount to him successfully passing the screening stage for MCAT/GPA and thus that is not his problem.
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I think the notion that making it to the interview means you're on an equal playing field is a misconception. It probably just means you passed the initial review, and once your interview is over a more thorough review of your application is conducted.

By looking at the numbers, they interview far too many people to simply base the decision on the interview alone afterward. It's hard to believe that the number of people rejected post-interview is simply due to a lack of interview skills or some other aspect of the interview. Many schools' interviewers are too laid back to gain any real knowledge of an applicant with basic questions.

Of course, the interview can be very subjective and your chances may tank if you get a horrible interviewer, but my theory makes more sense to me than the idea that it's a total crap shoot. It doesn't seem fair, but I guess that's life.
 
DocHomer said:
I think the notion that making it to the interview means you're on an equal playing field is a misconception. It probably just means you passed the initial review, and once your interview is over a more thorough review of your application is conducted.
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I completely disagree. Let's say school X interviews 300 students, offers 200 acceptances and expects a class size of 125 or 150 as obviously some students will decline the offer. Those 100 students who didn't get an offer more than likely shot themselves in the foot during interview day. They may have not sold themselves well, may have hung themselves with the rope handed to them by the interviewers or may simply be socially incapable of carrying on a meaningful conversation with complete strangers.

That's not to say that if a school won't accept the statistically superior of two students given that they have similar/equivalent interviews.

However, my understanding, which is built from among other things, a DO who interviews students and is on the adcom of a school, is that the GPA/MCAT considerations more-or-less end once you are offered an interview. Take it for what it's worth.

Either way the OP has 6 interviews and it's not his MCAT/GPA that's getting him waitlisted.
 
jkmph said:
I completely disagree. Let's say school X interviews 300 students, offers 200 acceptances and expects a class size of 125 or 150 as obviously some students will decline the offer. Those 100 students who didn't get an offer more than likely shot themselves in the foot during interview day. They may have not sold themselves well, may have hung themselves with the rope handed to them by the interviewers or may simply be socially incapable of carrying on a meaningful conversation with complete strangers.
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But the OP called the schools where he was waitlisted, and they told him that the interview went well. His stats were cited as the reason. If everyone is on the same playing field, then why would they call him in for an interview only to turn around a put him on the waitlist even if it went well? This is when what I said previously makes more sense. His numbers were good enough for the initial screening, but after the interview, which was good, there wasn't enough there to put the OP over that final hurdle (grades and MCAT scores).

Some schools may be different as in the case of that DO you mentioned. NYCOM comes to mind. Supposedly, they have a very high acceptance post-interview. However, I do not think this is the case with the majority of schools.

With regard to the number of interview the OP has lined up, his GPA is slightly above the average for DO schools whereas his MCAT is lower. It seems natural that he would be invited for interviews. Maybe the schools he interviewed for were looking for a certain something, but nothing made him stand out from the pack. Really, his chances are 50/50 based on his stats alone and the interview is not going to be the decisive factor unless there is something about it that is so compelling.
 
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jkmph said:
I completely disagree. Let's say school X interviews 300 students, offers 200 acceptances and expects a class size of 125 or 150 as obviously some students will decline the offer. Those 100 students who didn't get an offer more than likely shot themselves in the foot during interview day. They may have not sold themselves well, may have hung themselves with the rope handed to them by the interviewers or may simply be socially incapable of carrying on a meaningful conversation with complete strangers.
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That's not a generalization anyone can make. And I have a very hard time believing that this is true.

Acceptances are based on an entire application INCLUDING the interview. The stats aren't merely thrown out after someone has interviewed. Most schools have a voting system among a secret select few of the faculty and staff in order to select interviewed applicants to be accepted. They meet, look at the students' files with everything in there, vote yes or no, and a certain number of votes equals an acceptance. Now explain to me how an open file evaluation would reflect only the interview performance of an applicant.

----
I am a firm believer in extra-curricular activities being the prime thing that makes people stand out. Just a hunch..but if you get involved in something unique you seem to get a lot more attention.
-Example: my friend-
*29S MCAT
*High gpa
*Overseas work with pediatric surgeons doing humanitarian aid and research (1-2 years), missions work, bench research, and an EMT
*Interviews at Georgetown, Duke, UC Davis, and Uniformed services SO FAR. No rejections or holds yet.
He really blew my mind having that much succes with a low-ish MCAT..but his EC's were really phenominal and he is really passionate.

OP - if things don't work out this year my advice would be to try (as hard as it may be) to get some extra-curricular experience that would help you stand out and try and bump up that MCAT. I got in with a 25, but it can't hurt to improve that score and show adcoms you want it. Good luck 🙂
 
I just got accepted with a 3.3 GPA and a 21 MCAT. I couldn't do much to change these two parts of my application.

The rest of my application I had some measure of control. Schools look at the entire person. Admission Committees have to consider the paper record as only a small portion of the committee membership ever sees the applicant. And, admission office staff have a great deal to do with selecting who gets an interview.

So, these are my tips (no tricks) and my thoughts:

(1) Don't get an LOR from a Professor who doesn"t think enought of you to provide you with a copy of what he or she wrote. I know that the student has no right to see it but if you have a decent relationship with the professor he or she will show it to you. KNOW what it in your LOR;

(2) Write a killer Personal Statement and secondary essays. Tell a true story and not recite sterile facts. This is critical: have other people read it and offer suggestions including at least one English major or professor;

(3) Sell yourself on paper and you will be given the chance to sell yourself at an interview

(3) Prepare for the interview. Practice with professionals - not with your Mom. Take constructive criticism and make changes. KEY: Be self-confident but not cocky. Show some true humilty and be appreciative of the school persons who interviewed you or processed your application. Write a thank you note to not just the person who interviewed you but to the secretary in the office too. Don't suck up but show a little thoughtfulness and kindness. Tell and show the school that you want to be a student.

Class of 2014
PCOM Georgia - Accepted! :soexcited:
 
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I know that many schools do like to see a lot of science hours, and I'm not sure if you stand out in that respect (even though you meet the min reqs).

I really don't think you MCAT should be a problem this early in the cycle (but you are getting to the point where it will).

Apart from those things, maybe ask these questions:
1) What types of extra curricular activities did you list on your app?
2) Did you shadow a D.O. - For how many hours? (I know that some schools say you can shadow either an M.D. or D.O., but you know they will favor the D.O. experience because you will have hopefully had manipulative therapy experience)
3) Have you had any leadership positions?
4) Have you been on any service trips (especially outside the US looks awesome on apps)?
5) Have you done any service? Some people don't think it's important - or they say they are too busy (not an excuse as that is one of the points, to see how you manage your time)?
6) Do you have clinical experience (volunteer is best, but even through work)?
7) Research? (Yup, this is becoming more and more important)
8) How much time did you spend on your personal statement? Is there any substance behind what you wrote? Did anyone help you with it - to bounce ideas off?

I remember a few years ago, the dean of the University of Utah's medical school came to talk to one of my classes and he told us that we would be surprised at how many people think they can apply with no hours or the absolute minimums in all of the U of U's med school applications categories (Volunteering, Clinical Experience, Shadowing, Patient Care, Etc).

He said that those who think they can apply with no hours are instantly rejected, but that those with the minimums are sometimes even granted interviews because on paper they look good, but once the interviewers get to know the applicant, they find out how shallow the experiences were and this also leads to rejection.

Not to be presumptuous, but could this be your problem? I totally agree that the interview is mostly a crap shoot (basically, unless you are a total weirdo, you are still on level playing ground after the interview), but they still have to pick or reject you using some opinion along with what you have provided them with on paper.
 
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Thanks for the advice and support everyone. I really thought I was gonna be waitlisted everywhere.

TouroNV - WL
TouroCA - WL
Western - WL
AZCOM - ACCCCCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!
DMU - decision to be made soon
SOMA - decision to be made soon

I had a really bad interview at AZCOM and was so sure that I wouldn't get in that I threw out the packet of info they gave. Surprisingly, i got in! It's true... they rock paper scissor acceptances.

I interviewed at DMU and SOMA thinking... i'm doomed for ross, i don't care anymore... so i wasn't as nervous. The interviews went really well. Interviewers laughed a couple of times. I felt really confident. Regardless, i'll be attending AZCOM.
 
Nobody really knows how they interview. We are pretty poor judges in that department in all but the most obvious of situations. My nova interview went stellar. We went over time, talked, joked and I even got a friendly wave afterwards when I saw the interviewer walking around. I would've been shocked at that one if I were denied. My Lecom-B one went horribly. It was tense and awkward and was honestly surprised I was accepted. Touro I THOUGHT went very well, but I was waitlisted. I didn't think KCOM was horrible (but not great) and I was outright rejected. The same thing happened with AZCOM.

It is just a game. Waitlists happen. I'm at a school where I was accepted off of a waitlist that I was put on because of my numbers. I still got off of it. We all have our days. I've known people to outright get rejected from numerous schools. They then reapplied and got accepted to ALL of the same schools the next year.
 
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