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

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

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
I think it is possible you're arrogance came over in your application/secondaries. I don't know you personally, but neither do adcomms. From reading this thread it seems to me you feel like you are definitely BETTER than most applicants. Again, this may not be who you are at all. It is just the feeling I get from this thread.

Also, your school selection is really bad. You should right now add 5 more safety schools. You can definitely get into "a" medical school, and you probably will. It is just with the schools you selected it is a complete toss up. Also, I think there is a point of diminishing returns with really high mcat scores. Do adcoms think of a 40 as 4 points higher than a 36, in the same way they think a 34 is 4 points higher than a 30? So while your mcat is higher than the schools you applied to, your gpa is right at the average or below at some of the others.

This is similar to a person with a 32 mcat and a 3.6 gpa applying to all schools with average mcats of 30 and average gpas of 3.65-3.75. You could quickly find 5 OOS privates that would be astonished by your 3.7+ gpa and 39 mcat.

If you want to be a doctor, apply to some more schools, as long as you don't think they are below you.
 
i'm just impressed at how many guys are trying to get laid. by a chick over the internet. thousands of miles away.
there's constructive feedback and then there's severe ass-kissing.
 
I'm going to have to agree with Dr. Pardi.

I don't know how you are in real life, but based solely on this thread alone, it COMES OFF like you have a "holier-than-thou" attitude.

If you didn't mean to come off this way, maybe some of this persona leaked over into your PS.
 
dopaminesurge said:
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.
Click to expand...

I am ashamed to have gone to the same college as you. I can imagine someone from Stanford or Harvard making an attention-whoring post like this...but coming from another Cal student? Unbelievable. I understand your mistakes the first time around, in applying to <10 schools with excellent stats. However, being rejected by all those schools should've given you a wake-up call to apply to more non-reach schools. You inability/refusal to see your mistake will screw you over sooner or later.
 
I doubt you have any red flags on your application. The first round just went wrong. This current round is starting off slow because many of the schools you're applying to aren't the October 16th accepters and don't send off that many interview invites early. You'll, without a doubt, get more interviews.

The only negative I can think of is if ADCOMs get the idea that you're one of those premeds who drives a Range Rover and then runs off to third world countries for med school app padding. Are there any other parts of your app that makes ADCOMs think you are rich?
 
your chances of getting into med school are slim. sorry someone had to break it to you. oh and get a life.
 
EazyE said:
your chances of getting into med school are slim. sorry someone had to break it to you. oh and get a life.
Click to expand...

Its ok several people broke it to her in this thread. Until she grows up and learns that the sun does not rise and set on her a** (something the rest of us learned at 2) she is never going to get into medical school. And on the unlikely fluke that she does get accepted - she will either be thrown out when she flunks the clinical aspects of her program OR she will graduate and fail at being a physician because no one wants an arrogant a**hole for a doctor.

Also note she reads these things and thinks "they're just jealous." Thats what she is convincing herself. Nevermind that many of the people on here have multiple interviews and she has NONE. Or that many of the people on here are going to get accepted their first round and she is already on round 2. She's clearly better than all of us. :laugh:
 
I think this thread has amounted to virtual harrassing and bullying, don't we all have better ways to spend our time? Complete some more Secondaries, or at least prep for interviews. I think she gets the point, so we can calm down now.

Any chance to get this thread closed mods?
 
alwaysaangel said:
Its ok several people broke it to her in this thread. Until she grows up and learns that the sun does not rise and set on her a** (something the rest of us learned at 2) she is never going to get into medical school. And on the unlikely fluke that she does get accepted - she will either be thrown out when she flunks the clinical aspects of her program OR she will graduate and fail at being a physician because no one wants an arrogant a**hole for a doctor.

Also note she reads these things and thinks "they're just jealous." Thats what she is convincing herself. Nevermind that many of the people on here have multiple interviews and she has NONE. Or that many of the people on here are going to get accepted their first round and she is already on round 2. She's clearly better than all of us. :laugh:
Click to expand...

ouch. that's a little harsh. are you joking? how someone posts in a forums =/= are in real life. So what if she had some ignorant comments about some medical schools. The first round was just a mistake. I'd like to bet as much as I have that she gets in this round.

Once people tell others they're going to be bad doctors (especially w/o even knowing them!), the thread has officially degenerated. I agree with xypathos.
 
Dude, the people who are personally attacking the OP aren't demonstrating great quality themselves. She's already admitted that she's got some character flaws. BFD. We all do (so cliché, but still true). Get over it.

I personally don't think it's wrong of her to question why she doesn't have more interviews at this point or in anyway indicative of her potential as a physician. It's just human nature to ponder these things. Applicants such as the OP (and I'd include myself in there the first time I applied) aren't really used to dealing with rejection [edit: I fully realize that sounds pretty crappy]. When things don't go well or schools which you counted on as being "safeties" aren't just wetting themselves over you, it freaks you out.

Now that I think about it, it's similar to a hot chick who gets rejected by a "low-ladder" man. It's not like she really wanted him in the first place, but she liked knowing she could have him if she so wished. What should have been an easy score has now shattered her confidence. What Dope is doing is just what all "chicks" -- or perhaps all people -- do in these sorts of situations... they question, over-analyze, and generally bug the crap out of their friends by incessantly asking "WTF is wrong with me?" It's life.

So, all in all, this hobo heartily suggests that we (and by that I mean the posters trolling this thread) stop twisting the knife and start giving out more constructive criticism.
 
Severus said:
Dude, the people who are personally attacking the OP aren't demonstrating great quality themselves. She's already admitted that she's got some character flaws. BFD. We all do (so cliché, but still true). Get over it.

I personally don't think it's wrong of her to question why she doesn't have more interviews at this point or in anyway indicative of her potential as a physician. It's just human nature to ponder these things. Applicants such as the OP (and I'd include myself in there the first time I applied) aren't really used to dealing with rejection [edit: I fully realize that sounds pretty crappy]. When things don't go well or schools which you counted on as being "safeties" aren't just wetting themselves over you, it freaks you out.

Now that I think about it, it's similar to a hot chick who gets rejected by a "low-ladder" man. It's not like she really wanted him in the first place, but she liked knowing she could have him if she so wished. What should have been an easy score has now shattered her confidence. What Dope is doing is just what all "chicks" -- or perhaps all people -- do in these sorts of situations... they question, over-analyze, and generally bug the crap out of their friends by incessantly asking "WTF is wrong with me?" It's life.

So, all in all, this hobo heartily suggests that we (and by that I mean the posters trolling this thread) stop twisting the knife and start giving out more constructive criticism.
Click to expand...


I think many people did give her constructive criticism. However, she did not seem to listen or want one. How can I tell? Because the answers were already in her POLL. She knew the answers. She just wanted reassurance.
And for that person that said some of us arent showing good qualities ourselves: cmon stop kissing butt. We are just pointing out something that we all learned sometime earlier in life.
 
Sekiray said:
I think many people did give her constructive criticism. However, she did not seem to listen or want one. How can I tell? Because the answers were already in her POLL. She knew the answers. She just wanted reassurance.
And for that person that said some of us arent showing good qualities ourselves: cmon stop kissing butt. We are just pointing out something that we all learned sometime earlier in life.
Click to expand...

I'm not denying that a lot of people gave her constructive criticism. However, there are a few tools in this thread just blatantly bashing the OP. There comes a point in time where what needed to be said has been said already, and anything after that just amounts to rubbing salt in the wound.

Of course the OP wanted reassurance. Hell, 98% of the posters on here want reassurance. Maybe we weren't hugged enough as kids -- I don't know -- but Dope is far from alone in this.


Also, I'm the person you said that said a couple people aren't showing good qualities. I don't specifically recall thinking you were one of them, but whatever. I'm not a butt-kisser -- it's pretty lame to do it IRL, and even more so on the internet -- but I do call people out for being total douches. Laughing at someone for being on round-two or making fun of how they'll never get in is just butt.
 
I'd say when asking for feedback, the humble willingness to learn, no matter how the feedback is delivered, or by whom the feedback is delivered, is the key to success. Often when we find ourselves at this stage in any process it's likely because there is some great "elusive obvious" that we can't see for ourselves, but is actually right in front of our face.

If someone asks for and receives lots of feedback, however, and doesn't appear willing to hear the message all around them, then stop giving feedback, okay? Anybody remember Rocky, the movie? When his crusty trainer made him chase all those chickens in the alley? I think chasing chickens can be a pretty frustrating experience. Let it go. Life keeps giving feedback with or without your participation and it's up us when we are fully open to it.

By playing Villian to somebody else's persona, you just help keep their problems going. You provide them with the very thing that they need to push against. And in addition, you have given yourself the feedback that there is something at stake for you in the very game that you are giving feedback about. That is, you might want to examine why this is such a hot button for you (What's the pay-off for YOU). It's funny to think that if a certain approach doesn't work to solve a given problem, that you can solve it by doing it more, or harder. How about trying a different approach??

Furthermore, it's common to tie one's worthiness as a human being into processes like medical school admissions. When you don't get it in, you immediately jump to the conclusion that something's got to be wrong with you, or the entity who rejected you. There's a sense of blame and defensiveness, instead of authentic wonder. Anyway, for what it's worth.

Best of luck, OP. Keep persisting if med is what you want to do. There are certain elements in the process that are out of your control. No matter what your stats are, or what awesome things you might have accomplished, you are much more than those things. Be humble; there's always somebody who has done more. Rejection or a delay in the process, doesn't automatically equate to something being wrong with you. As I've heard it said, from this thread, in fact, that it's still early in the game. Be open to learning, patient, listen to all the feedback given to you (not necessarily at face value, but what useful stuff you can glean from it), and then let go.
 
alwaysaangel said:
Its ok several people broke it to her in this thread. Until she grows up and learns that the sun does not rise and set on her a** (something the rest of us learned at 2) she is never going to get into medical school. And on the unlikely fluke that she does get accepted - she will either be thrown out when she flunks the clinical aspects of her program OR she will graduate and fail at being a physician because no one wants an arrogant a**hole for a doctor.

Also note she reads these things and thinks "they're just jealous." Thats what she is convincing herself. Nevermind that many of the people on here have multiple interviews and she has NONE. Or that many of the people on here are going to get accepted their first round and she is already on round 2. She's clearly better than all of us. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Jerks get into med school all the time. It's not the great karmic equalizer you make it out to be.

Enjoying another person's struggle to get into med school says a lot more about you than it does dope. If med schools DID screen for jerks, you'd be in a lot more trouble than she. Go kick a puppy or something.
 
Combination:

The schools you applied to haven't been giving out mass interview invites yet.

You were complete at most ~3 weeks ago, so even if they were giving out mass invites, they probably haven't gotten to your file yet.
 
Andre04 said:
Enjoying another person's struggle to get into med school says a lot more about you than it does dope.
Click to expand...
In all fairness to the prior poster, when someone posts frequent multiple polls about her struggle to get into med school, and asks people to tell her what her "biggest problem" is it really becomes fair game for everyone to "enjoy". I think she has thicker skin than you are giving her credit for, or she wouldn't be using SDN in this fashion.
 
Ah, you knew I'd find this thread sooner or later. Despite finals (Pharm on Monday, Micro on Wednesday, and I know NOTHING about either topic, aieeee), I'm still noodling around on this silly site! Anyway, about your question. . .

. . .Chill.

You don't have many invites yet because you live in California. A lot of these people who have five invites live in states where the state schools are actually on the ball. I think Texas schools interview pretty early; they're on their own system and all. Anyway, I had two interviews in September, and those were at schools you didn't apply to. In terms of schools we both applied to, those interviews didn't come 'till late October (UC Davis, USC, Columbia, NYU) or early November (Georgetown, Wash U). They don't send invites out six weeks in advance. Hell, UCD hasn't even started sending out interview invites. I'll let you know when they do, but until then, just assume CA schools are a little on the slow side.

And thinking you're not getting invites because you're not published? Don't be silly! Not only am I not published, but I have no research experience. None, zero, zilch. Many of my classmates are the same. We did fine, and so will you.

So pretty please, no more worries? You're doing fine. 🙂
 
Xypathos said:
I think this thread has amounted to virtual harrassing and bullying, don't we all have better ways to spend our time? Complete some more Secondaries, or at least prep for interviews. I think she gets the point, so we can calm down now.

Any chance to get this thread closed mods?
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
STATs are fine, personal statement is my first thought
 
This is totally OT, but seriously. . .Doctor Pardi, your avatar completely and consistently cracks me up. It's the silliest thing ever. I love it! :laugh:
 
Law2Doc said:
It's pretty hard to get thrown out of medical school for personality flaws.
Click to expand...

Sadly true! The evidence is everywhere in medicine!!! :laugh:

Anyway it seems pretty obvious that the OP's school selection is really narrow.
I don't really think there is such thing as a 'safety school' in this process, and it's a mistake to look at schools with that frame of mind. I do think you need to target a much broader range of schools than you have so far.
 
Andre04 said:
Jerks get into med school all the time. It's not the great karmic equalizer you make it out to be.

Enjoying another person's struggle to get into med school says a lot more about you than it does dope. If med schools DID screen for jerks, you'd be in a lot more trouble than she. Go kick a puppy or something.
Click to expand...

I never said I enjoyed it. (the laughing was at the irony of her superiority complex) I realize a lot of pre-meds are not used to failing or rejection and the whole process is really really hard. I do however, have no problem voicing my opinion and have known plenty of Berkeley premeds just like her to know exactly what she's like. And its not someone I would ever want to be my doctor. Nothing in my post is untrue, mean - probably, but untrue no. She won't read it anyway, she had her little ego boost she needed from a group of random people on the internet and feels quite good about herself.
 
alwaysaangel said:
... She won't read it anyway, she had her little ego boost she needed from a group of random people on the internet and feels quite good about herself.
Click to expand...

Exactly I know the type too. I'm still amazed at the ego-stroking she keeps getting from others in this thread. Everyone, she knows exactly what the score is, but she needs others to validate her existence and acknowledge her supposed superiority. It's not mean to criticize and it's not right for the OP to go through life thinking it's all about her.
 
tulanensis said:
It's not mean to criticize and it's not right for the OP to go through life thinking it's all about her.
Click to expand...

Not so much right or wrong so much as good-idea bad-idea. I don't really think grabbing her and slamming her head on the ground to get her back to earth right now is really so bad compared to her living life with her head in the clouds.
 
alwaysaangel said:
Not so much right or wrong so much as good-idea bad-idea. I don't really think grabbing her and slamming her head on the ground to get her back to earth right now is really so bad compared to her living life with her head in the clouds.
Click to expand...

<kramer> Tet-tet-catfight! </kramer>
 
i decided to skip over most of this since it turned into a lot of bashing....so sorry if i repeat any ideas

i did see a lot about the PS. who did you have read it over? someone else related to admissions/advising could have probably told you it needed to be more about yourself in a direct manner, but a friend would probably have told you it's a great story

how about the experience essays? i'm sure you wrote something good for each one, but had to mention it just in case

finally, i agree that you just have to wait and that most of the schools you have applied to haven't really begun interviewing yet. i also think you should have expanded your range of schools....not more "safety", but just more....most of yours seem to just be UC schools, and I assume that must be hard for anyone.

anyway, i'm sure you'll be hearing soon. prepare well for the interview you do have, and work on any character flaws/weaknesses that will show through the interview...be honest to yourself and fix them

good luck
 
alwaysaangel said:
Its ok several people broke it to her in this thread. Until she grows up and learns that the sun does not rise and set on her a** (something the rest of us learned at 2) she is never going to get into medical school. And on the unlikely fluke that she does get accepted - she will either be thrown out when she flunks the clinical aspects of her program OR she will graduate and fail at being a physician because no one wants an arrogant a**hole for a doctor.

Also note she reads these things and thinks "they're just jealous." Thats what she is convincing herself. Nevermind that many of the people on here have multiple interviews and she has NONE. Or that many of the people on here are going to get accepted their first round and she is already on round 2. She's clearly better than all of us. :laugh:
Click to expand...
IMO, your post was really harsh and uncalled for. sure her stats are great and she's being arrogant by posting something about how she's not getting interviews. if you read her profile/signature, you'd know that she was not admitted last year despite the same stats. putting myself in her shoes, i'd be a little overly paranoid of not getting in again as well, especially with the huge volume of threads saying "OMG I GOT AN INTERVIEW AT XXXXXXX SOM." in truth, i don't know which kind of person she is, if she's looking for ego stroking or is legitimately concerned but you could at least give her the benefit of the doubt. i've seen her posts on SDN, and she seems authentically helpful and not out to stroke her ego. on the other hand, you've been here for less than a month, so you may not have had the chance to see this.
 
Can't we just let this thread die already? :scared:
 
A snippet of advice:

Stop making these kinds of threads, d.
 
I have no opinion on whether you get into medical school.

Have fun slogging away with the rest of us.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Topizungochico
Would you do a postbacc in my situation?
Replies
2
Views
502
Topizungochico
Topizungochico
O
What do Adcoms think of wearing school colors to an interview?
Replies
18
Views
1K
LunaOri
LunaOri
L
Is my upbringing a weakness in my application?
Replies
7
Views
914
sardinetoast
S
Y
Off by 2 months in my end date for a job, what do I do?
Replies
2
Views
419
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
dondeP
Need advice on my app!
Replies
16
Views
2K
candbgirl
C
Top