What is missing from my application???

[bluegrass_druid]

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I applied to several MSTPs this year and now stand on 2 waitlists - at my safety schools - and am awaiting a decision from a third school. My mentors and advisors and I are disappointed with my results (I only had 3 interviews), as they believe that I am a more competitive candidate than this shows. Reapplication is a very real possibility, and I am hoping to find out what it is that my application was/wasn't saying about me that was keeping me out of the majority of the schools that I applied to. 😕 I thought that perhaps some of you that are applying/have applied/have matriculated could help lend me some perspective on the holes in my application, so I can fill them next year, if necessary.

Short form:

College: U. of Colorado-Boulder, graduated summa cum laude 2002; major: psychology, minor: biochem, certificate in neuroscience (no major/minor program)
GPA: 3.94; Science GPA: 3.99 (of 4.0)
MCAT: 39P
Research Experience: 2 years as UG in human addiction neuroscience culminating in an honors thesis-unpublished, but presented at a conference in 2003. 3 years in human genetics @ CU and NYU School of Med. currently on author line of 2 papers that will be submitted shortly
Volunteer work: several years very devoted to (non-medical) humanitarian aid to Indians in AZ; assisted living aide for autistic adults; 2 years environmental lobby group; in the process of beginning with Musicians on Call
Other interests: Balinese musician for 5 years; Rock n' Roll band-3 years; avid outdoor enthusiast
Intended research direction: human genetics using genomics applications to understand and test for polygenic effects on disease, especially neuroscience applications

As an addendum: I feel that all of my interviews went very, very well. Also, to address the absence of clinical experience, my father is a pediatrician and my mother is an OR nurse-I spent my whole childhood witnessing clinical life.

Please help me out by picking apart my application.

😕 😕 😕

 

[jjmack]

easy answer it's your MCAT writing score hehe j/k. The only thing I could guess could be that your LOR aren't that great. Best of luck.

I applied to several MSTPs this year and now stand on 2 waitlists - at my safety schools - and am awaiting a decision from a third school. My mentors and advisors and I are disappointed with my results (I only had 3 interviews), as they believe that I am a more competitive candidate than this shows. Reapplication is a very real possibility, and I am hoping to find out what it is that my application was/wasn't saying about me that was keeping me out of the majority of the schools that I applied to. 😕 I thought that perhaps some of you that are applying/have applied/have matriculated could help lend me some perspective on the holes in my application, so I can fill them next year, if necessary.

Short form:

College: U. of Colorado-Boulder, graduated summa cum laude 2002; major: psychology, minor: biochem, certificate in neuroscience (no major/minor program)
GPA: 3.94; Science GPA: 3.99 (of 4.0)
MCAT: 39P
Research Experience: 2 years as UG in human addiction neuroscience culminating in an honors thesis-unpublished, but presented at a conference in 2003. 3 years in human genetics @ CU and NYU School of Med. currently on author line of 2 papers that will be submitted shortly
Volunteer work: several years very devoted to (non-medical) humanitarian aid to Indians in AZ; assisted living aide for autistic adults; 2 years environmental lobby group; in the process of beginning with Musicians on Call
Other interests: Balinese musician for 5 years; Rock n' Roll band-3 years; avid outdoor enthusiast
Intended research direction: human genetics using genomics applications to understand and test for polygenic effects on disease, especially neuroscience applications

As an addendum: I feel that all of my interviews went very, very well. Also, to address the absence of clinical experience, my father is a pediatrician and my mother is an OR nurse-I spent my whole childhood witnessing clinical life.

Please help me out by picking apart my application.

😕 😕 😕

 

[mark-ER]

First off, sorry to hear about this. Your scores are fantastic and it's a bit of mystery. Have you taken a look at your recommendation letters (perhaps someone badmouthed you)? If I REALLY pull at straws here: you did not go to a very prestigous university and psych is a bit of a 'soft' major, but still you have very high GPA and your MCAT shows you're very qualified. Another thing is check out your application: based on what you wrote it sounds a bit a-retentive. I understand having to list your major and minor, but why "certificate in neuroscience"? Loosen up.

Anyway, waitlists are NOT the end of the world. Semd them updates and express interest. If you really like one of the programs you're waitlisted on, write a letter of intent (basically promise them that if you are accepted you would come there). Good luck.

I applied to several MSTPs this year and now stand on 2 waitlists - at my safety schools - and am awaiting a decision from a third school. My mentors and advisors and I are disappointed with my results (I only had 3 interviews), as they believe that I am a more competitive candidate than this shows. Reapplication is a very real possibility, and I am hoping to find out what it is that my application was/wasn't saying about me that was keeping me out of the majority of the schools that I applied to. 😕 I thought that perhaps some of you that are applying/have applied/have matriculated could help lend me some perspective on the holes in my application, so I can fill them next year, if necessary.

Short form:

College: U. of Colorado-Boulder, graduated summa cum laude 2002; major: psychology, minor: biochem, certificate in neuroscience (no major/minor program)
GPA: 3.94; Science GPA: 3.99 (of 4.0)
MCAT: 39P
Research Experience: 2 years as UG in human addiction neuroscience culminating in an honors thesis-unpublished, but presented at a conference in 2003. 3 years in human genetics @ CU and NYU School of Med. currently on author line of 2 papers that will be submitted shortly
Volunteer work: several years very devoted to (non-medical) humanitarian aid to Indians in AZ; assisted living aide for autistic adults; 2 years environmental lobby group; in the process of beginning with Musicians on Call
Other interests: Balinese musician for 5 years; Rock n' Roll band-3 years; avid outdoor enthusiast
Intended research direction: human genetics using genomics applications to understand and test for polygenic effects on disease, especially neuroscience applications

As an addendum: I feel that all of my interviews went very, very well. Also, to address the absence of clinical experience, my father is a pediatrician and my mother is an OR nurse-I spent my whole childhood witnessing clinical life.

Please help me out by picking apart my application.

😕 😕 😕

 

[dave613]

I applied to several MSTPs this year and now stand on 2 waitlists - at my safety schools - and am awaiting a decision from a third school. My mentors and advisors and I are disappointed with my results (I only had 3 interviews), as they believe that I am a more competitive candidate than this shows. Reapplication is a very real possibility, and I am hoping to find out what it is that my application was/wasn't saying about me that was keeping me out of the majority of the schools that I applied to. 😕 I thought that perhaps some of you that are applying/have applied/have matriculated could help lend me some perspective on the holes in my application, so I can fill them next year, if necessary.

Short form:

College: U. of Colorado-Boulder, graduated summa cum laude 2002; major: psychology, minor: biochem, certificate in neuroscience (no major/minor program)
GPA: 3.94; Science GPA: 3.99 (of 4.0)
MCAT: 39P
Research Experience: 2 years as UG in human addiction neuroscience culminating in an honors thesis-unpublished, but presented at a conference in 2003. 3 years in human genetics @ CU and NYU School of Med. currently on author line of 2 papers that will be submitted shortly
Volunteer work: several years very devoted to (non-medical) humanitarian aid to Indians in AZ; assisted living aide for autistic adults; 2 years environmental lobby group; in the process of beginning with Musicians on Call
Other interests: Balinese musician for 5 years; Rock n' Roll band-3 years; avid outdoor enthusiast
Intended research direction: human genetics using genomics applications to understand and test for polygenic effects on disease, especially neuroscience applications

As an addendum: I feel that all of my interviews went very, very well. Also, to address the absence of clinical experience, my father is a pediatrician and my mother is an OR nurse-I spent my whole childhood witnessing clinical life.

Please help me out by picking apart my application.

😕 😕 😕

yeah, this baffles my mind. I don't know how you couldn't get even one acceptance? what schools did you apply to? something is wrong. PM or IM neuronix, he knows a lot about md/phd admissions.

 

[fyli260]

I applied to several MSTPs this year and now stand on 2 waitlists - at my safety schools - and am awaiting a decision from a third school. My mentors and advisors and I are disappointed with my results (I only had 3 interviews), as they believe that I am a more competitive candidate than this shows. Reapplication is a very real possibility, and I am hoping to find out what it is that my application was/wasn't saying about me that was keeping me out of the majority of the schools that I applied to. 😕 I thought that perhaps some of you that are applying/have applied/have matriculated could help lend me some perspective on the holes in my application, so I can fill them next year, if necessary.

Short form:

College: U. of Colorado-Boulder, graduated summa cum laude 2002; major: psychology, minor: biochem, certificate in neuroscience (no major/minor program)
GPA: 3.94; Science GPA: 3.99 (of 4.0)
MCAT: 39P
Research Experience: 2 years as UG in human addiction neuroscience culminating in an honors thesis-unpublished, but presented at a conference in 2003. 3 years in human genetics @ CU and NYU School of Med. currently on author line of 2 papers that will be submitted shortly
Volunteer work: several years very devoted to (non-medical) humanitarian aid to Indians in AZ; assisted living aide for autistic adults; 2 years environmental lobby group; in the process of beginning with Musicians on Call
Other interests: Balinese musician for 5 years; Rock n' Roll band-3 years; avid outdoor enthusiast
Intended research direction: human genetics using genomics applications to understand and test for polygenic effects on disease, especially neuroscience applications

As an addendum: I feel that all of my interviews went very, very well. Also, to address the absence of clinical experience, my father is a pediatrician and my mother is an OR nurse-I spent my whole childhood witnessing clinical life.

Please help me out by picking apart my application.

😕 😕 😕

I think something that you forgot to mention is your reasoning for pursuing both degrees. I think a lot of schools will not even consider any parts of your application if you don't have the right intentions.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

You have fantastic stats. And I will take your word for it that you interview well.

The two "X" factors are the MSTP essay you wrote and the letters of recommendations. I would say that the most important LOR is the one from your research mentor(s). I hope that this letter was strong.

One poster mentioned that you didn't go to the most prestigious college. You know, a diverse array of college are represented at a lot of the top MSTP programs. Furthermore, this aspect alone cannot explain why you only got 3 interiews given the other strong aspects of your application.

Other than that, I'm baffled. I don't like being baffled so you need to go postal. Just kidding 🙂

 

[tr]

You might try asking the schools themselves; some may hesitate to give you feedback, but if even one or two do, you may find out some valuable information.

This is tricky to diagnose over the web - as others have said, the minimal data you've posted all look super. The next thing my mind would go to would be the interview.

The thing is, there are lots and lots of very qualified candidates out there, so adcoms start looking at things you might consider minor, or might not have thought of as relevant. One of these could be the psych major, as mark-ER noted (although as he also noted, your MCAT and pubs should have counterbalanced that). But a big unknowable here is your 'vibe': you have not only to be, but to appear, committed and enthusiastic. If you are quiet, shy, highly introverted, or pessimistic by nature (many scientists are a combo of these things), you may appear detached or bored to an interviewer, even if this is not the case.

Even though you said your interviews went well, this is a pretty difficult assessment to make with an n of 1 (yourself) for interviewees. You might try doing a mock interview if your UG school or place of current employment offers such a thing, or if you can find a very honest friend to do it.

 

[xanthines]

I'm pretty much going to say the same thing as others, but the emphasis is going to be different.

I view the interviews more like auditions than interviews. You have to convince them that spending 3-4 years in the lab with you won't be complete hell. If even one interviewer (well, with your stats maybe two) doesn't think you'll make a good grad student, you'll get a bad review and your app goes into the reject pile. My PI does interviews for the MSTP here and she said that a dude with a good GPA and a good MCAT score (38, I believe), with good research (a few pubs) came off completely arrogant and he was rejected. Your interviewers won't tell you that you did badly (they'll just sit back and smile politely), so maybe your interviews didn't go as well as you thought. Did you do any practice interviews?

The essays have to be good. You have to convince them you're committed to research and won't drop out or go directly to private practice after residency. I don't care personally, but the implicit aim of most MSTP's are to produce academic researchers. If there's any indication that you'll be anything else, that's a dent in your application.

As others mentioned, your letters of rec have to be great as well. Almost no one writes a bad one; they're just mediocre or don't really say anything. They should generally say something along the lines of "this is the best guy/gal ever" or "this undergrad performed as well as grad students or post-docs" or "if I were dying, I'd want this guy/gal to cut me open." You get the idea.

My bet's on the interview followed by essay.

-X

 

[javert]

If you are quiet, shy, highly introverted, or pessimistic by nature (many scientists are a combo of these things), you may appear detached or bored to an interviewer, even if this is not the case.

My bet's on the interview followed by essay.

But if the interviews were bad, the OP would have been rejected instead of waitlisted at the schools he (or she) interviewed at. Also, the OP says he only had 3 interviews, which, assuming that he applied to a wide range of schools, suggest that the problem lies with the initial application.

For the schools where you were not offered interviews, were you primarily rejected pre- or post-secondary? If pre-secondary than it seems that the problem must be due to the AMCAS essay, where as if they were post-secondary, then it is probably either your MD/PhD essay or a bad LOR.

Like the others, I too am baffled.

 

[Mimidoc^2]

How many schools did you apply to and how early?
This was one of my mistakes, applying to only 10 schools (all top 20) and not completing secondaries until late Sept-October.

 

[xanthines]

I didn't mean THAT bad. But if you have 20 candidates with arbitrarily similar stats and expreiences, who do you choose to accept? The person who had great reviews from all interviewers or the one who got a mediocre review from 1 or more?

I should have said mediocre instead of bad. A bad anything would probably result in a rejection.

-X

But if the interviews were bad, the OP would have been rejected instead of waitlisted at the schools he (or she) interviewed at.

 

[bluegrass_druid]

I'll try to address each of these concerns to the best of my ability:

1) LOR-I had 4 people write for me, 3 of whom wrote letters for me to get my current position as a tech. I reviewed these letters with my current mentor (who is very supportive and really gets along with me) and they were all outstanding, so I imagine they would write equal letters for school. The wildcard is my current mentor, because I don't know what he wrote, despite the fact that he really likes me. I read a letter he wrote for a coworker and it was not so impressive, though I don't know if that is because she does not impress him or because he is a poor LOR writer.

2) Interviews- I agree that I could be fooling myself, but I was actually surprised at how well I felt all of my interviews went (with the exception of one MD interviewer at the only school that accepted me MD-only). Several interviewers indicated that they were very interested in my research goals and felt that my reasons for pursuing a dual degree are legit. I got into pretty serious conversations with several of my research interviewers about working together and I received very supportive emails from these people at two different schools indicating that their interest is genuine. Also, I exclusively am interested in academic research as a career, not getting a freeride to being a surgeon, and I imagine that came across clearly.

3) College/major- I can't do much about this. I was interested in neuroscience, but we had no major...so I majored in psych and followed this "consolation" track to get a certificate-I only mention that because I am aware that psych is considered a soft major, not to be exceedingly a-retentive. CU is actually a great science school, if you apply yourself and find the great faculty. Unfortunately, the name does not carry much weight (outside of unpopular leftist professors and football scandals 🙁 )

4)Essays- This one kind of bothers me. It has been 3 years since I graduated from school, and I have written very little since. My essays took nearly a dozen revisions each, and to this day I am not necessarily happy with them. Nevertheless, my current research mentor gave his seal of approval to them, so I went into the process with some confidence.

I was rejected exclusively post secondary, but that does not clear my AMCAS essay, because I figure that these schools will happily send you secondary apps and take your money if you have a mediocre essay but strong numbers/experience.

5) Application time/choices: I probably could/should have applied to more schools, but (again) I was advised that I should have no problem getting into several of the schools I applied to. I did apply in October/Nov., though, which is an obvious weakness that I intend to remedy next time.

 

[Mimidoc^2]

Please don't lose hope yet! I am in the exact position as you, and it is still possible to get an offer in the next 1-2months. Make sure you keep reinforcing how interested you are in the schools, write a LOI if you haven't yet, update them on your accomplishments, etc. The ball is still somewhat in your court, so don't give up 🙂

 

[bluegrass_druid]

Thanks, Mimidoc^2. I haven't given up, but I AM preparing for the worst...and, besides, I would like to have a better idea of why things didn't turn out as well as I had hoped--to satisfy my own curiosity as well as better prepare me for future applications, etc. Good luck to you, I hope we both get in.

 

[Neuronix]

I'm sorry that I don't have any other suggestions than those that were posted here previously. The three things that come to mind are MSTP Essay, LORs, and poor interviews, in that order. Applying to a dozen schools or more is always good advice, and applying early is also good advice. As for the schools you are waitlisted at, if you really want into one this year, try to find out your odds and send an LOI to the school you most want to get into! You might also try to contact some schools to find out why you didn't get interviews or acceptances, but many won't divulge this info or give you bogus info unfortunately.

 

[kermitdfrog]

One reason might have to do with something that you mentioned earlier. You talked about getting a neuroscience certificate because your school didn't have an option for you to a get a degree in that area. Did you attempt the same thing by applying to programs without any Ph.D. departments or potential PIs in your area of interest? My question is, did you go into your interviews, or essays with a very specific research direction, or area of interest? That could have resulted in the schools feeling like they didn't have any one available to work with you, or that the area is not one of their particular strengths. "Fit" is a very crucial part to admissions, and you may have had stellar interviews, but your interviewers could have come out thinking this person is certainly qualified, but maybe some other program would nurture your interest better.

You also mentioned that the essays where not your strong point, but after several revisions and having someone look over it you felt fairly comfortable. Did you make the mistake of not tailoring your secondaries to each program, and instead just change the name of the school in the various essays that you had to submit, or slightly change them so that they would work for a similiar type of question for another school?

Also since your stats, and over all application (from what you have stated) seem very strong, do you think that you may have given the impression that those schools were not your first choice, regardless of whether they were or not, and you would likely be going elsewhere, especially if given the chance? I agree with writing the LOI. Another option depending on the program and how close it is, and your travel availability is to see if you can set up an appointment with the person in charge to discuss your interest in their program, or even what you can do to make your application stronger next year. I know one particular MD only program, where this option is highly recommended for students that are waitlisted. However, this may not even be an option, or a good choice depending on which programs you are waiting to hear from. Maybe if you post the schools you are waitlisted at students from there can give you some advice.

Thanks, Mimidoc^2. I haven't given up, but I AM preparing for the worst...and, besides, I would like to have a better idea of why things didn't turn out as well as I had hoped--to satisfy my own curiosity as well as better prepare me for future applications, etc. Good luck to you, I hope we both get in.

 

[Mimidoc^2]

I really like the idea of asking advice from students at the schools you are waitlisted at.

 

[bluegrass_druid]

kermit-I think you have some very good points. I do have somewhat specific aims and one school really didn't have a fit for me. Also, I was a bit conservative about dedicating myself to a school (though after the interviews, I sent letters to my interviewers expressing my intent to go there), because it took the better part of the interview day to really feel the place out. Finally, my essays were not extremely school-specific in that I was trying not to make a false impression of myself. I had been advised by former and current students that consistency between the interview and the essays is very important, and I did not want to feel like I was BSing just to get in. I think I will ask some students at my waitlist schools for a little advice in getting in.

I really appreciate everyone's time in helping me figure my application out. We all know that this process is pretty painful, so if I need to repeat it, your help should at least remove some of the frustration from next spring. If anyone else has any ideas, I'm all ears - otherwise I'll keep my fingers crossed and do a little more research on how I can get myself in. Thanks again!

 

[Vader]

The main problems:

1) You didn't apply early enough to give yourself a reasonable chance at most programs. Apply early and send in the secondaries ASAP.

2) You didn't apply to enough schools. Try to apply to at least 12, and at a range (top-10, mid-range, and "fallback").

3) Make sure your letter from your current mentor is glowing. This is the most important of the LORs.

4) Make sure your essays are to your liking. Have non-science people read them.

5) Your major and school are fine--don't let anyone tell you different.

With all that being said, you still have a chance of getting in off the waitlists, so don't despair. It sounds like you are an excellent applicant.

I'll try to address each of these concerns to the best of my ability:

1) LOR-I had 4 people write for me, 3 of whom wrote letters for me to get my current position as a tech. I reviewed these letters with my current mentor (who is very supportive and really gets along with me) and they were all outstanding, so I imagine they would write equal letters for school. The wildcard is my current mentor, because I don't know what he wrote, despite the fact that he really likes me. I read a letter he wrote for a coworker and it was not so impressive, though I don't know if that is because she does not impress him or because he is a poor LOR writer.

2) Interviews- I agree that I could be fooling myself, but I was actually surprised at how well I felt all of my interviews went (with the exception of one MD interviewer at the only school that accepted me MD-only). Several interviewers indicated that they were very interested in my research goals and felt that my reasons for pursuing a dual degree are legit. I got into pretty serious conversations with several of my research interviewers about working together and I received very supportive emails from these people at two different schools indicating that their interest is genuine. Also, I exclusively am interested in academic research as a career, not getting a freeride to being a surgeon, and I imagine that came across clearly.

3) College/major- I can't do much about this. I was interested in neuroscience, but we had no major...so I majored in psych and followed this "consolation" track to get a certificate-I only mention that because I am aware that psych is considered a soft major, not to be exceedingly a-retentive. CU is actually a great science school, if you apply yourself and find the great faculty. Unfortunately, the name does not carry much weight (outside of unpopular leftist professors and football scandals 🙁 )

4)Essays- This one kind of bothers me. It has been 3 years since I graduated from school, and I have written very little since. My essays took nearly a dozen revisions each, and to this day I am not necessarily happy with them. Nevertheless, my current research mentor gave his seal of approval to them, so I went into the process with some confidence.

I was rejected exclusively post secondary, but that does not clear my AMCAS essay, because I figure that these schools will happily send you secondary apps and take your money if you have a mediocre essay but strong numbers/experience.

5) Application time/choices: I probably could/should have applied to more schools, but (again) I was advised that I should have no problem getting into several of the schools I applied to. I did apply in October/Nov., though, which is an obvious weakness that I intend to remedy next time.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

Sorry to hear things haven't exactly gone your way. I'm in a somewhat similar situation except that I do have one acceptance, although only from my backup school. Anyway, I just thought I'd raise one point that I don't think has been mentioned yet. My impression from the interview process is that pretty much everything is totally (over) qualified: 35+ MCAT scores, 3.9+ GPA, strong science background, strong research, lots of clinical volunteer experience etc. What has really struck me, though, is all of the people who have something really remarkable. For example, a concert pianist who toured in Europe, multiple first author publications as an undergrad, etc etc. It's not very helpful, but I really do think it's not truly something that's missing from your application. It's certainly much stronger than mine is! I certainly don't think that you should have to be completely amazing to be accepted to an MD/PhD program -- I mean, you certainly still have the potential to do something great even if your background is just "very good." But it seems that with the limited number of spots and the current pool of applicants, you really have to be above and beyond to get into the top schools. It's frustrating..I'm certainly aware of that...but hopefully you'll get in somewhere that's a good fit for you. You're no less of a doctor-doctor if you don't go to Harvard or Stanford. 🙂

 

[bluegrass_druid]

You're no less of a doctor-doctor if you don't go to Harvard or Stanford. 🙂

Hahaha. Truth be told!!! I could not agree more--to me name prestige has always been BS, and, if anything, somewhat unappealing. I was afraid that my original post was going to come off a little whiny. I would honestly be incredibly happy if I rolled in off of the waitlist into either school, and they are not Harvard or Stanford. I'm not after the name, just a good program that will help me reach my goals. The reason for my post isn't to repair my ego from that ivy league rejection, but rather to help me get my app together for next year, if i do need to reapply.

Also, my real application includes some things that I didn't list above, because I think that they are items/accomplishments/experiences that describe my personality and goals and will be viewed differently by different people, including adcoms. I'd like to think that there is more to me than my MCAT score. I'm not sure if I have time for that exceptional experience before next year's apps, but I am certainly proud of what I have accomplished thus far. 😉

 

[kermitdfrog]

I forgot to include one more option that could potentially help you get in. Do you know anyone (ie your recommendation writers, past employers or instructors, ect) that knows anyone at the schools you are trying to get into? It doesn't have to be someone on the adcom, a prof. or MD associated with the program is fine. If that is the case you could see if they would be willing to contact that person and put in a good word for you, with the intention that the message would eventually get relayed to the committee. Networking is done all the time in academia and the business world, and it wouldn't hurt for someone to send an email or give a phone call to a friend, colleague or acquaintance saying something along the lines of "I know this great applicant to your program, they did such and such for me and would be an excellent addition...".

 

[dave613]

This thread is over. Bluegrass got into OHSU. Congrats!!!! you definitely deserved it. 👍 👍

 

[bluegrass_druid]

thanks, dave613. thread is definitely over. i'm going to oregon !

(i think)

 

[javert]

(i think)

Oh hell no! 😉

Congrats, bluegrass. I'm so very happy that this worked out for you! 👍

 

[xanthines]

Congrats!

See? Never give up! Never surrender!

-X

thanks, dave613. thread is definitely over. i'm going to oregon !

(i think)

 

[bluegrass_druid]

Oh hell no! 😉

Congrats, bluegrass. I'm so very happy that this worked out for you! 👍

gotta keep you guessing 😉

seriously, the people on this board are great. most message boards i've seen are nothing more than sarcasm factories where insecure people can live big e-lives. everyone here has been very supportive and helpful, and i totally appreciate it.

 

[dave613]

gotta keep you guessing 😉

seriously, the people on this board are great. most message boards i've seen are nothing more than sarcasm factories where insecure people can live big e-lives. everyone here has been very supportive and helpful, and i totally appreciate it.

That's because MD/PhD's go into medicine for the RIGHT reasons.
btw, bluegrass, are you jewish?

 

[bluegrass_druid]

That's because MD/PhD's go into medicine for the RIGHT reasons.
btw, bluegrass, are you jewish?

yeah...why do you ask (or...how did you know?)?

 

[microTAS]

thanks, dave613. thread is definitely over. i'm going to oregon !

(i think)

hey congrats- I'm glad it worked out in the end

 

[leverp2000]

yeah...why do you ask (or...how did you know?)?

My guess would be the torah of fire 😳.

Congrats on the acceptance!

 

[bluegrass_druid]

My guess would be the torah of fire 😳.

oh yeah, forgot about that... 😳

 

[lwwalker]

Hey, congrats for your OHSU admit . . . I'm still waiting to hear from them. It's a nice feeling knowing you're going somewhere. 🙂

This thread may be "dead," but I'll add my $0.02 in case anybody is still in bluegrass' situation. Last year I applied to a small number (5ish) MSTP's with a BS from the Univ. of Washington in Biochem and similar stats/honors as bluegrass. I got a couple of waitlists, but no offers. This year I re-applied, buffed up my app, applied earlier and to more schools, and got several offers, including WashU and UCSD. Bottom line, hang in there. There is a lot of hand wringing that occurs when you don't get in somewhere you want to go, and one tends to obsess over all of the "small stuff" when things don't go well. (I know that's how I react, anyway!) MSTP's are stuck with the burden of picking a small number of people from a highly enriched pool. That means there's a lot of variance in the process. Catch the wrong person at the wrong time and rub them the wrong way, and you end up on the outs. Maybe the small touches put me over the edge this time, but it's sort of hard to tell. All of the advice above is sound, but at some point you've got to shrug your shoulders and decide what to do next. Anyway, if anybody is stuck on a waitlist and is stressing, hang in there. I've been there, and it all worked out OK for me.