What do you guys think is the biggest problem in my app?

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what's wrong

  • I'm solid but not stellar, and will receive interviews in the mid-season.

    Votes: 28 20.3%
  • Schools wonder why I wasn't accepted the first time around and imagine there must be a good reason.

    Votes: 25 18.1%
  • Short-term experiences that make me appear eager to pad my resume but not serious about anything

    Votes: 44 31.9%
  • Other (specify)

    Votes: 41 29.7%

  • Total voters
    138
Sorry for this off-topic post, but I just looked at your profile and we're both Berkeley grads. Considering how big MCB was, I probably don't know you, but I just wanted to say go bears!
And I know exactly how you feel, but you seriously need to break away from SDN and the contagious neuroses that plague its users, talk to somebody in real life instead of cyberspace, and realize that you are a STELLAR applicant and you WILL get into medical school. Seriously, it's really, really early.
 
Whoaaa! The only problem I see is that you began this thread with the assumption that there is something wrong with your application. Nothing on your profile supports that assumption.

The only profile item that might give a reviewer pause is the fact that this is your second time around. Presumably you explained that in your application.

All this talk about arrogance showing through is pure speculation since we don't have your statement. What does show through is that you have all the qualifications you should need for eager consideration by any school.

Give it some time.
 
HOLY ****. POSTS: 1.

Did you actually JOIN SDN to make that post?

I'm honored that I warrant such actions, dude.


no problem. Your immaturity for wanting attention definitely deserved it.

Id rather NOT be talked about than be talked about in a negative way. And you really are arrogant to assume that I am not talked about in any Positive light. Sorry, I guess noone is better than you at CAL. My scores are pretty similar and slightly better. Im glad that you are honest about your arrogant/self centered nature. But you didnt have to blurt it out because it was blatantly obvious (the minute you posted this thread). Where is that guy who talked about splashing the OP with a vial of his semen? I wonder what he would say if he saw this. Perhaps he would splash you with more things.

And why do people help this poor girl? She knows all the answers. She is just trying to show off her stats and whine about it like a little girl. What can she do about it anyway? Nothing. The OP should know that and the people kindly helping her should know that as well. The OP is lucky that the people on this forum arent as self centered as she is.
 
Ignore that ^ post.

You have a concern about your status and you asked for legitimate feedback. The fact that your stats and quals are superior doesn't mean you are flaunting them by asking us to look things over.

Besides, you seem smart enough to know that trying to impress the SDN crowd would merely open you up for jealous reprisals and one-upmanship.
 
This post really freaks me out... when people with stats like this are worried.

That said, I went to Cal too.. GO BEARS! I guess the MCB arrogance and neuroticism extends well beyond the classroom and into SDN.

To the girl who posted this thread, you have amazing stats and I'm sure you will do well in this process. I don't mean to be rude about the arrogance/neurotic comment, but it's this characteristic about pre-meds that is such a huge turn off. Just be yourself, stay confident, and good luck!
 
Ignore that ^ post.

You have a concern about your status and you asked for legitimate feedback. The fact that your stats and quals are superior doesn't mean you are flaunting them by asking us to look things over.

Besides, you seem smart enough to know that trying to impress the SDN crowd would merely open you up for jealous reprisals and one-upmanship.

Heh. Thanks. I was ignoring it. I'm genuinely wondering why people like narc and sweetiepie have 10 interviews each, or something, and I have one. If people want to interpret it as pleas for praise, it's a free country.
 
Heh. Thanks. I was ignoring it. I'm genuinely wondering why people like narc and sweetiepie have 10 interviews each, or something, and I have one. If people want to interpret it as pleas for praise, it's a free country.

I have a hunch their each of their secondaries was finished within hours of its receipt. I'm sure that some were even hand-delivered to the admissions office. That probably has something to do with why they are getting their invites superearly.
 
Other: Arrogant
Wow did noone else catch this? You are lucky that you are a girl. If you were a guy, ppl wouldnt be putting up with your **** (other threads like "OMG I GOT UCLA INTERWVIEW! Who neeeds GW?)
You must be cocky in your personal statement as well. Good luck in your interviews *thumbs up*

People told me that you were arrogant at school
to see you bring that online in a community fulll of people well below your stats.. you are amazing.

im glad someone caught on. I feel bad for you, i really do. with your stats, you deserve some interviews. but you just start way too many threads about yourself and are a bit self absorbed. sorry to kick you while you are down, but that may be a reason..
 
What if one of your recommenders wrote something really bad about you?

That's my biggest (though probably unjustified) fear.

Do you know with certaintly that didn't happen to you?

Your not supposed to read them?!?
 
Heh. Thanks. I was ignoring it. I'm genuinely wondering why people like narc and sweetiepie have 10 interviews each, or something, and I have one. If people want to interpret it as pleas for praise, it's a free country.
Perhaps if you had applied to Michigan, Pittsburgh and Vandy, you would have got their auto invites.
 
If you came off as arrogant in your personal statement and secondaries that might hurt too but I won't comment on that since I haven't read your personal statement or secondary essays.

However I think another thing hurting both you and Severus is that you come from states where the state schools are extremely extremely competitive and don't always take 99% of their own candidates as is the case with Severus. but with you, your state just has all top 50 ranked schools for the most part and soooooooo many people that the competition is tough out there.

If either of you were florida residents or even texas residents, I bet $100 you'd both have tons of interviews by now.

However, interview invites at some schools just started recently so that could also contribute to it because it is still just the beginning of September. Let's see what happens by November and December.

Word, listen to Guju... she knows what she's talking about.


PA and CA suck... PA just sucks a little more because of the weather.
 
Heh. Thanks. I was ignoring it. I'm genuinely wondering why people like narc and sweetiepie have 10 interviews each, or something, and I have one. If people want to interpret it as pleas for praise, it's a free country.

Maybe they don't come across as arrogant or as adulation hounds.

ETA: You seem to have a sense of entitlement. "Why do others who are less-qualified than me numbers-wise have more interviews? That's not fair!" And your reluctance to add more schools to improve your chances make it seem like you are after the presitigious name of a top tier school, not the actual opportunity to become a physician.
 
Word, listen to Guju... she knows what she's talking about.


PA and CA suck... PA just sucks a little more because of the weather.

Awwww the weather can't be worse then stupid humid all the time grossly hot Florida with its hurricanes swooping in all the time.
 
This thread can't be real can it? If it is, the lack of perspective is frightening.

Heh......the OP's profile owns. could it be the rec letters? essays/personal statements? crapshoot?
 
Maybe they don't come across as arrogant or as adulation hounds.

ETA: You seem to have a sense of entitlement. "Why do others who are less-qualified than me numbers-wise have more interviews? That's not fair!" And your reluctance to add more schools to improve your chances make it seem like you are after the presitigious name of a top tier school, not the actual opportunity to become a physician.

No, not at all. I know for a fact sweetiepie has a higher GPA than mine by far. Is that all, though? That's what I'm asking in this thread. I don't think people are less qualified than me. Feel free to read the thread to find out I think I'm solid (sort of indisputable) but not stellar.
 
No, not at all. I know for a fact sweetiepie has a higher GPA than mine by far. Is that all, though? That's what I'm asking in this thread. I don't think people are less qualified than me. Feel free to read the thread to find out I think I'm solid (sort of indisputable) but not stellar.

wow... i dont think shes been reading her own thread
People have been kindly answering ur questions for 2 Pages and all you can say is "swetiepie has a higher GPA than me Is that all?"

talk about being humble. I'm solid, Im super, I deserve to get into every med school in the world.
 
Unfortunately with stats like yours, starting a thread like this is not a good look. Did you really want people to point out whats wrong (I mean after all, what can you do about it now?) or did you just want people to agree the you're among the most highly qualified here? The latter may be true, unfortunately we have no access to the unquantifiable portions of your app, which are just as important if not more important than your numbers. Even with your extracurriculars, there's no way we can tell if your description of the activity hints at involvement for the sake of involvement, or involvement because of genuine interest and compassion; thats the role of the adcoms. Either way, you should find yourself into one school or another, and I understand your applying to top schools if you feel that you are a top applicant-nothing wrong with that, and it's your prerogative.
 
I think somebody needs to give dopamine a hug.
-Dr. P.
 
Look at Bob. He's... ideal, but I still don't know much about him.
 
This sounds arrogant, but with my stats, I would have thought I'd receive a few more earlier interviews by now. What's my biggest problem, and is there anything I can do now to fix it? Should I let schools know I have a new RAing position at Stanford, or is it premature? Also, for option three, keep in mind I did shadow/volunteer regularly for six months this past year, which is by no means long term, but it's not just a dab, either.
Your stats are great and your ECs look good too. I think you should look into your LORs and your essays. Are you sure that they're as strong as they could be? I'd also suggest that you add more schools. Almost every school on your list is a highly competitive one that has many more applicants with stats like yours than it has seats to fit you all. Applying only to top schools is a very risky strategy, and the best thing you can do to improve the odds at this point is to apply broadly enough. Good luck with your apps. 🙂

-CCLCMer
 
First off let me say that your stats are amazing and well above par. If you're wondering what's wrong with your app I would say its as obvious as this post. To those who say "you've been on SDN too long" the OP's app is why average applicants should stay away from SDN so that doesn't really work in this situation. I think you're just fishing for compliments because your self-esteem is low, get over it. (i really don't mean this in a rude way)
 
I have a hunch their each of their secondaries was finished within hours of its receipt. I'm sure that some were even hand-delivered to the admissions office. That probably has something to do with why they are getting their invites superearly.

I don't necessarily agree with the "superearliness" theme, but ok.
 
Heh. I'm a nice girl. Arrogant, yes, but god, I'll try to hide it better this time around.

And for the record, yes, I am rather self-centered. But I'm a nice person. And I defy anyone to find me flinging unwarranted personal insults like a monkey with a turd. Far too popular a pursuit on this forum.

Perhaps it's the arrogance that is shining through in your application. Not trying to be mean, but just saying...I don't know, may be you should relax and if by end of Sept. you haven't heard from somewhere else, add more safety schools.
 
Perhaps it's the arrogance that is shining through in your application. Not trying to be mean, but just saying...I don't know, may be you should relax and if by end of Sept. you haven't heard from somewhere else, add more safety schools.

I agree. My thinking is, there's always gonna be someone "better" than you, so if you are arrogant and meet this better person, you're going to feel like :barf: so it's better to save your face. my 2 cents..
 
I would start questioning your LOR.
Your stats kill mine, my EC are lame at best, I seem to be doing better than you right now, and we are both Ca residents.
 
Could be a PS or LOR issue. It is early, and you haven't been complete for more than a month anywhere, and most of those schools have given out very few if any interviews. Keep in mind that there's a tendency to look for arrogance in people with very high stats, and that you have to be extra careful not to come off that way. I can't believe you won't get tons of interviews, but you're definitely going to have to make sure you come off humble. You also come from california which is a pre-med nightmare. If i were you I'd go ahead and add some schools with lower averages (maybe NYMC, SLU, Albany etc.) b/c you want to get it right this time. Upper tier schools are such a crapps shoot. Also, you should do some more research on the schools you apply to. i.e. UNC's going to be tough unless you have some connection to NC.
 
As a re-applicant, why didin't you apply to a wider range of schools? You've got great stats...solid gpa, awesome MCAT, good EC's...You seem like a shoe-in for every school in the US except for the ones you applied to (where it's a reach for anybody).

If you're so nervous about not getting in, you can still apply to more schools. To be completely honest, it seems like you'de rather go to a top 10 or no school at all. There are plenty of people with mediocre stats that have a legitimate reason to be stressed about this application process...you are not one of them.
 
As a re-applicant, why didin't you apply to a wider range of schools? You've got great stats...solid gpa, awesome MCAT, good EC's...You seem like a shoe-in for every school in the US except for the ones you applied to (where it's a reach for anybody).

If you're so nervous about not getting in, you can still apply to more schools. To be completely honest, it seems like you'de rather go to a top 10 or no school at all. There are plenty of people with mediocre stats that have a legitimate reason to be stressed about this application process...you are not one of these.

Exactly. Good post.
 
No, not at all. I know for a fact sweetiepie has a higher GPA than mine by far. Is that all, though? That's what I'm asking in this thread. I don't think people are less qualified than me. Feel free to read the thread to find out I think I'm solid (sort of indisputable) but not stellar.


Ok dopamine, seriously...get a grip. 🙄
 
i havent read any of the posts aside from the OP's, but i hope the intent of this thread was to provide some source of humor or entertainment for us lame SDNers to pass time while we stare at our Gmail tabs hoping for it to add the (1). Well, my reply, in short, as im sure has been posted before is, there is nothing wrong with your app, you've been complete at places for hardly 2-3 weeks, and you're applying mostly to schools that either havent given out invites, or have only to very top applicants. CTFO and sit tight like the rest of the other 39 3.7ers out there.
 
i havent read any of the posts aside from the OP's, but i hope the intent of this thread was to provide some source of humor or entertainment for us lame SDNers to pass time while we stare at our Gmail tabs hoping for it to add the (1). Well, my reply, in short, as im sure has been posted before is, there is nothing wrong with your app, you've been complete at places for hardly 2-3 weeks, and you're applying mostly to schools that either havent given out invites, or have only to very top applicants. CTFO and sit tight like the rest of the other 39 3.7ers out there.

We all need to CTFO! haha
 
i think people have said the same thing over and over again
but yet I kinda have a feeling that she hasnt read it? (Since she hasnt even said Thanks or shown any sign of appreciation). But maybe she did who knows.
 
i think people have said the same thing over and over again
but yet I kinda have a feeling that she hasnt read it? (Since she hasnt even said Thanks or shown any sign of appreciation). But maybe she did who knows.

👍 :laugh:
 
one other thought: dopamine is one of the only SDNers who i think could be VERY easily identified by any adcom who happens to be looking at the forums. her pics are all over the picture thread, her ECs are unique, and she shared her name. if adcoms from the lower tier schools have been following her mdapps and her SDN postings, they would know that she has her sights set much higher, and they might not be so inclined to interview someone with a good shot at the higher tier schools who has clearly expressed her preference for a top ten. also, if some people view her postings as arrogant, maybe some adcoms would as well. maybe i'm being paranoid, but i kind of think it is a good idea not to give too much identifying detail online. i could be way off base though. just an idea.
 
damn right cordelia!
 
What about that all important secondary question - if you are a reapplicant what have you done in the past year to improve your application? What did you say to this.



/being constructive



People like this is why I can only be too glad to have graduated from Berkeley and no longer have to go to MCB classes. Thank god that for every 10 of you there was at least one person who was down to earth and not so arrogant that they thought they were God.

You've been rejected from medical school once already. Where the **** do you get off being arrogant?
 
:laugh:
damn right cordelia!
i'm not saying i can't be easily identified. but i also don't have an mdapps that refers to tulane and gw as safeties, and then talks about not wanting to apply to schools like "u arkansas or some junk." i just think maybe it isn't a good idea to share those opinions in this kind of forum... not only is it offensive to the people who worked their hardest to get into those schools, but it probably wouldn't make her look so good to any stray adcoms patrolling the sites.
 
Just my 2 cents....

Give it some time first. I mean your applications have only been complete for like 2-3 wks now. I suspect with your MCAT and other stats that your get plenty of interviews. As other mentioned, would have suggested a few other safey/local state schools. Then only other thing I can think of is your personal statement is short somehow, but w/o reading it hard to tell. I'd also be surprised if there were a problem with that given all the other stats you have.

I am sure by Oct or in Oct you'll be pretty busy, so sit back and try to relax through this process. Its not fast and it sux at times, like now, but we all have to go through and not work the increased blood pressure over.

Good Luck!
 
This sounds arrogant, but with my stats, I would have thought I'd receive a few more earlier interviews by now. What's my biggest problem, and is there anything I can do now to fix it? Should I let schools know I have a new RAing position at Stanford, or is it premature? Also, for option three, keep in mind I did shadow/volunteer regularly for six months this past year, which is by no means long term, but it's not just a dab, either.

You look great
 
Ok, thanks for all the input guys. I think it's time to follow advice and chill out/take some pre-allo space.

Thanks for the supportive comments, and thanks for the constructive ones. Maybe I should change my MDapps a bit like some people said.
 
is immature and self absorbed. You project a persona of "Everything is about me" that many people find offensive. These are qualities that probably will not endear you to medical school admission committees and perhaps these aspects of your personality were revealed in some way in your application. That said, I believe that you will be admitted to several schools, given your gpa and MCAT score. However, you might want to tone down the vanity a bit as you go through life. Something to think about. Be assured that life will teach you a profound lesson at some point, that you really are not the center of the Universe or even the Big Bang.

Searun

Searun
 
Ok, thanks for all the input guys. I think it's time to follow advice and chill out/take some pre-allo space.

Thanks for the supportive comments, and thanks for the constructive ones. Maybe I should change my MDapps a bit like some people said.

your best post yet 👍 🙂 Good luck:luck:
 
Ok, thanks for all the input guys. I think it's time to follow advice and chill out/take some pre-allo space.

Thanks for the supportive comments, and thanks for the constructive ones. Maybe I should change my MDapps a bit like some people said.

haha i got a hurt puppy feel... I hope my comments werent too harsh.

changing mdapp profile wont help, changing your real app, applying to more schools, and getting perspective will!

good luck to you dopamine, you will make a great physician one day :luck:
 
Stercus accidit.

Anyway, I would only advise to relax and let things happen. If you're meant to be a doctor, it'll happen. So assume you don't make it this year, ok? What next? You've got wonderful contacts and a Berkeley education will carry you far, go grab a research job, return to Israel and work for a little while, travel ... then maybe try again, third time is the charm sometimes.

You've got wonderful stats and impressive ECs for most schools, but not EVER school. I would just advise that if not taken this year, spread out your choices and try again --- if it's really that you want to be a doctor, grab some smaller schools and try there to, unless it's the Harvard diploma you're wanting on your wall, but I don't think it is, my few times chatting with you and I get the impression that you're better than that. You've been very successful in life and school up to this point, it's your drive and dedication that make you a wonderful, successful physician ... not being a graduate from Harvard. They can only provide you the resources, you make the choices.

and for everyone else, esp. that annoying guy with 3 posts who claims to be from Berkeley, go learn to correctly pronounce your school (philosophy humor for those familiar with the philosopher Berkeley, which UCB was named after).

and MWillie, I still suggest you get off your high horse.

btw, dopaminesurge agreed to be my wife ... so eat it :luck:
 
not house MD 😀





disclaimer: its a joke. i understand real life not equal to tv 🙂

Well that is interesting about House. He treats his patients like crap with his bedside manner but is willing to put everything on the line to make them better. So even though it looks like he doesn't care about them he always puts them first.
 
Well that is interesting about House. He treats his patients like crap with his bedside manner but is willing to put everything on the line to make them better. So even though it looks like he doesn't care about them he always puts them first.

touche
 
I can't believe 6 people voted that you are solid, but not stellar. Are you kidding me? Since when is a 39 MCAT and 3.76 science gpa not stellar. What do you need these days to be considered stellar, a 4.0 and a 45? It must be a joke

I think what might be holding back interviews at this point is a combination of your re-applicant status and the school selection, with an emphesis more on the former. But if you dont get into medical school I simply would not be able to believe it.

If she is just solid but not stellar I must be a piece of **** applicant, even though I have 4 interviews at this point

You can't really say whether an applicant is "stellar" knowing only their stats. There could be a major red flag here we don't know about that's makes someone with lower stats much more attractive than dope to adcoms.

The PS that she described worries me. Her LOR writers might have something damning to say. You have to admit she comes across as arrogant at times--that could easily show through in her app somewhere.

No one's saying 39/3.8 isn't stellar (it is), but she could easily be less than stellar in other areas. Something IS going on here.
 
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