What killed me? GPA vs Interview

[BecksTriad]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone,

This post might be a little long but I am being thorough so I can get the best perspective possible. I am a reapplicant applying for the 2014 Fall class. My situation is this: my sGPA is a 3.42 and my cGPA is a 3.53. I understand that both of those are pretty mediocre/bad but my freshman year was a huge adjustment for me. To give you an idea of how far I came I can tell you that after freshman year my sGPA was a 2.91. I have gotten As in upper level Biology classes since freshman year in classes like Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy (FYI I am NOT a science major). Furthermore, I was able to make a 33 on my MCAT (10VS,11PS,12BS). My ECs I think are pretty good. I have A LOT of clinical experience through volunteer work/shadowing. Here's a some highlighted ECs:

350 hours of volunteering at a hospice home over the course of 3.5 years
350 hours of volunteering at a residental long term care facility. Worked with many seniors who were dealing with delirium*
200 hours shadowing an internist (added an additional 100 for this cycle)*
100 hours shadowing a nephrologist
Studied abroad in Ghana and took a class in Global Health* (was listed on my first AMCAS but did not get to elaborate much since I was in the middle of the trip when I submitted. but this time I made it a most meaningful)

* = activity added since first application.

I have also added 300 hours of non-clinical volunteering and a significant leadership position as the head of a tutoring service at my undergrad (was considered professional faculty member of the college).

Last cycle I got a decent amount of interviews (7). Obviously I didn't get any acceptances but I ended up with 4 WL. My question is this: did I not get in because my GPAs were low? Or because my interviews didn't go well? I am thinking it was because my interviews didn't go well. I will readily admit that I was kind of immature last year and that definitely could've showed during my interviews. Just to give you an example, I didn't know $hit about healthcare and whenever I was asked my opinion I made up some complete BS answer. Let me know what you guys think I appreciate your input.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

If you got the interviews, chances are it's NOT your stats/ECs that held you back. Did you ever try and get feedback on your interviews?

I say chances are because it's unknown how certain schools weigh aspects of your application pre/post-interview and whether that changes based on what point they're looking at you.

 

[gyngyn]

I have not. I wasn't aware most schools offered this service?? I have heard from ppl who are on admissions committees that if you get more than 3 interviews without any acceptances then you're interviews probably aren't going that well.

Most schools don't. Your people are right.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

I have not. I wasn't aware most schools offered this service?? I have heard from ppl who are on admissions committees that if you get more than 3 interviews without any acceptances then you're interviews probably aren't going that well.

I think the general idea is 1 in 3 interviews should yield an acceptance (however this is nothing to take stock in, just the hivemind conjecture). And some schools will offer interview feedback - I know VCU does. You might as well ask - the worst they can say is no.

And yes, 7 interviews with no acceptance is telling if you were able to get the interviews in the first place. See what you can dig up from the schools, if anything.

 

[gyngyn]

that's a little bit of a relief. this past cycle really changed me and I've grown up a lot. I am hoping that sentiment will show in my PS, secondaries and hopefully in any interviews that I receive

Suerte

 

[littlelight]

Nvm. I ditto interviews.

 

[subtlepenguin]

Hey everyone,

This post might be a little long but I am being thorough so I can get the best perspective possible. I am a reapplicant applying for the 2014 Fall class. My situation is this: my sGPA is a 3.42 and my cGPA is a 3.53. I understand that both of those are pretty mediocre/bad but my freshman year was a huge adjustment for me. To give you an idea of how far I came I can tell you that after freshman year my sGPA was a 2.91. I have gotten As in upper level Biology classes since freshman year in classes like Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy (FYI I am NOT a science major). Furthermore, I was able to make a 33 on my MCAT (10VS,11PS,12BS). My ECs I think are pretty good. I have A LOT of clinical experience through volunteer work/shadowing. Here's a some highlighted ECs:

350 hours of volunteering at a hospice home over the course of 3.5 years
350 hours of volunteering at a residental long term care facility. Worked with many seniors who were dealing with delirium*
200 hours shadowing an internist (added an additional 100 for this cycle)*
100 hours shadowing a nephrologist
Studied abroad in Ghana and took a class in Global Health* (was listed on my first AMCAS but did not get to elaborate much since I was in the middle of the trip when I submitted. but this time I made it a most meaningful)

* = activity added since first application.

I have also added 300 hours of non-clinical volunteering and a significant leadership position as the head of a tutoring service at my undergrad (was considered professional faculty member of the college).

Last cycle I got a decent amount of interviews (7). Obviously I didn't get any acceptances but I ended up with 4 WL. My question is this: did I not get in because my GPAs were low? Or because my interviews didn't go well? I am thinking it was because my interviews didn't go well. I will readily admit that I was kind of immature last year and that definitely could've showed during my interviews. Just to give you an example, I didn't know $hit about healthcare and whenever I was asked my opinion I made up some complete BS answer. Let me know what you guys think I appreciate your input.

This is unrelated but I'm really curious about how you're able to spend so much time shadowing the same doctor?

 

[Toss]

This is unrelated but I'm really curious about how you're able to spend so much time shadowing the same doctor?

Be personable, and don't make the physician hate you?

A lot of doctors don't mind someone shadowing as long as that person isn't underfoot all the time.

 

[subtlepenguin]

Be personable, and don't make the physician hate you?

A lot of doctors don't mind someone shadowing as long as that person isn't underfoot all the time.

I mean I understand that. I'm just wondering why OP invested so much time shadowing a single doctor. I thought shadowing was supposed to be a tool to get to know the doctor, the lifestyle of his/her profession, and a general sense of the environment - all of which for me takes about 40 to 50 hours.

 

[catzzz88]

Sounds like its your interview skills!

I remember a post by a guy that was in a similar situation and realised that it was his interview skills. Well, he had this long story about how moved out of state and he took this intensive class (was it public speaking?) and spent a whole summer perfecting his personality to be more socially superior that he was. His next cycle he did really well and was offered multiple acceptances.

Does anyone else remember this post? I cant seem to find it, but it stood out in my mind. I didn't even know they had an intensive course like that.

Well, my point is that if you do identify and determine that it is probably your interview skills, there is definitaly a way to ensure you do not suffer the same fate this round. Look into it!

Anyone have any class ideas for this poor fella?

I am thinking:
PUBLIC SPEAKING
COMMUNICATION CLASSES...

Whatever your "problem" is, you need to identify it ASAP and pound it into the ground until it is dead. There is no reason to get 7 interviews and not get 7 acceptances! I read somewhere that if you get an interview, the school has a seat in their incoming class for you and based on how well you present yourself, you are either grabbing it or handing it off to someone else!

I recommend that you take initiative! Especially if you have the funds for some awesome (usually expensive) interview prep courses!

Good luck!
Best,
C

 

[chillaxbro]

I know that feel bro
I'm wondering the same thing
I had weak ECs so I'm wondering if I had no acceptances because of EC or because of interviews

 

[rb121]

Yeah, I wonder about the same thing. Three interviews and three waitlists. I've have nearly the same GPAs as you, 31 MCAT. I plan to apply more broadly and call the schools asking for feedback.

 

[nabilesmail]

Same 4 intverviews, 3 worst possible decisions.

1 of them I completely understand, the other two, I thought I did well or atleast waitlist material.

Good stats, Ec's were average but some schools said they didn't think I had much clinical by the way I wrote them, + my PS was kind of cliche/bad.

I am wondering if my interviews killed me (which sucks to analyze because I thought they went good-> Great), or if it was my incredibly mediocre app, but then why would they invite me to an interview?

 

[Haifa1026]

If you don't mind posting them, what are some of the schools you applied to? We have exactly the same stats in terms of GPA and MCAT as well as fairly similar ECs.

 

[yehhhboiii]

it was probably the interview. they want people who are passionate about medicine and love to work with people, etc.
there's not much you can do about the gpa now except maybe study and retake the mcat. but if so many schools interviewed you, they have determined that you are probably able to handle the academic rigor of medical school.

 

[earf]

Most people don't know what they do wrong in an interview. I've sat on the other side of the interview table a few times and although they weren't medical admissions interviews, it still improved how I interview because I saw how others interviewed and what they did wrong or right. Maybe it was one to many filler words, or maybe a nervous habit (hand shaking, moving too much, not being animated enough) that did it, or maybe it was purely the content of your answers.

Whatever it is, I suggest you record yourself answering typical interview questions on your computer and watch it to see how well you did. It might also be a good idea to ask that doctor you shadowed to conduct a 20 minute mock interview with you and get some feedback from a professional.

 

[occams_razor]

OP, if you got 7 interview invites and no acceptances, it's gotta be your interviewing skills, which can be improved, so don't give up. also, your GPA isn't "bad", it's average for all applicants, it could be better, but certainly many people get in every year with those numbers. the upward trend is great and your MCAT is above average for matriculants. so just work on those interviewing skills! good luck!

 

[CoxMD]

Hey everyone,

This post might be a little long but I am being thorough so I can get the best perspective possible. I am a reapplicant applying for the 2014 Fall class. My situation is this: my sGPA is a 3.42 and my cGPA is a 3.53. I understand that both of those are pretty mediocre/bad but my freshman year was a huge adjustment for me. To give you an idea of how far I came I can tell you that after freshman year my sGPA was a 2.91. I have gotten As in upper level Biology classes since freshman year in classes like Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy (FYI I am NOT a science major). Furthermore, I was able to make a 33 on my MCAT (10VS,11PS,12BS). My ECs I think are pretty good. I have A LOT of clinical experience through volunteer work/shadowing. Here's a some highlighted ECs:

350 hours of volunteering at a hospice home over the course of 3.5 years
350 hours of volunteering at a residental long term care facility. Worked with many seniors who were dealing with delirium*
200 hours shadowing an internist (added an additional 100 for this cycle)*
100 hours shadowing a nephrologist
Studied abroad in Ghana and took a class in Global Health* (was listed on my first AMCAS but did not get to elaborate much since I was in the middle of the trip when I submitted. but this time I made it a most meaningful)

* = activity added since first application.

I have also added 300 hours of non-clinical volunteering and a significant leadership position as the head of a tutoring service at my undergrad (was considered professional faculty member of the college).

Last cycle I got a decent amount of interviews (7). Obviously I didn't get any acceptances but I ended up with 4 WL. My question is this: did I not get in because my GPAs were low? Or because my interviews didn't go well? I am thinking it was because my interviews didn't go well. I will readily admit that I was kind of immature last year and that definitely could've showed during my interviews. Just to give you an example, I didn't know $hit about healthcare and whenever I was asked my opinion I made up some complete BS answer. Let me know what you guys think I appreciate your input.

I had nearly identical gpa and a 34 on my MCAT. I had 6 interviews, and ended up with 3 acceptances, 2 wait lists and 1 I withdrew from before attending. Obviously all schools weigh aspects of your application differently, but if you're getting that many interviews, then your stats aren't holding you back.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[jw3600]

I agree that it was probably your interviews but still a lot about your GPA. I think that adcoms expect to be really impressed by people with lower GPAs and sometime what would have been a normal interview might not be enough because you didn't enter with the same standard as people with higher GPA and equivalent MCATs. But, as you're obviously aware, you can't change GPA so the point is kind of moot. So focus on interviewing skills. Just thought hearing that might help you realize it wasn't all about factors you could control as it would seem.

 

[Oldenuff2nobetr]

bad breff on interview?

 

[911 Turbo]

They ask you about healthcare in interviews?.....

😕