What're my options? Graduated in Dec 2013 but not sure if accepted

[kevinus]

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I'm a 2013-2014 cycle applicant. I graduated a semester earlier in December of 2013, and I am currently enjoying life.

What concerns me is that I do not have any acceptance yet. I had 7 II's, and I was rejected by one school and wait listed by another.

Because I may be wait listed and rejected by the other 5 schools, I would like to start some activities that I can include in update letters to the wait listed schools. Also, they would be included in my 2014-2015 application if rejected by all the schools.

The options I considered are volunteering, research at a local university, and EMT. But not knowing whether I would be accepted this cycle, it is difficult for me to make a long-term commitment.

What do you suggest?

 

[Lya]

How is your impression on the 5 interviews that you haven't heard back from? Did the interviewers show some feedback on whether you believe you will be accepted most likely?

All three options you mentioned seem reasonable. What would be your weaknesses in your application, assuming your interviews went well? I would improve whatever that weakness is. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with more research if you can focus solely on one thing and be productive. Tell your mentor that you will be at his/her lab until the end of the summer at least, but potentially you can continue until next summer as well.

 

[kevinus]

How is your impression on the 5 interviews that you haven't heard back from? Did the interviewers show some feedback on whether you believe you will be accepted most likely?

All three options you mentioned seem reasonable. What would be your weaknesses in your application, assuming your interviews went well? I would improve whatever that weakness is. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with more research if you can focus solely on one thing and be productive. Tell your mentor that you will be at his/her lab until the end of the summer at least, but potentially you can continue until next summer as well.

The interviews I had were just okay, and I still have two more to attend this month. I think my application could benefit from more community service hours, so I will definitely consider that. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Lya]

The interviews I had were just okay, and I still have two more to attend this month. I think my application could benefit from more community service hours, so I will definitely consider that. Thank you for the reply.

Then I would focus on volunteering you enjoy. Good luck!

 

[Lollygag]

I'm a 2013-2014 cycle applicant. I graduated a semester earlier in December of 2013, and I am currently enjoying life.

What concerns me is that I do not have any acceptance yet. I had 7 II's, and I was rejected by one school and wait listed by another.

Because I may be wait listed and rejected by the other 5 schools, I would like to start some activities that I can include in update letters to the wait listed schools. Also, they would be included in my 2014-2015 application if rejected by all the schools.

The options I considered are volunteering, research at a local university, and EMT. But not knowing whether I would be accepted this cycle, it is difficult for me to make a long-term commitment.

What do you suggest?

I will admit I'm no expert on this, but if you received 7 interview invites and you are rejected by all of them, then it's likely the issue is not with your application itself but with your interviewing skills. The ratio just seems off to me and seems very rare. Hopefully you will get an acceptance 🙂

 

[medmedman]

I would start with some volunteering and research now. EMT I would hold off on until after a while. Volunteering and research you can just drop should you get an acceptance. EMT takes time for training and might cost money get certified (in some cities at least).

 

[I Love Cats]

Your worry is very premature. You should be busy doing something just by virtue of being alive especially with a college degree. So, inherently, there should be something more to put on a future application if it came to that, but I doubt you're that inept to get rejected 9x and no acceptance.

 

[kevinus]

Thank you for the replies everyone.
I have 7 II's total, not 9. Seeing that applicants from SDN sometimes get rejected following 6 interviews, it does worry me.

I think I will start with volunteer and look for a research mentor at the local state university.

 

[I Love Cats]

Thank you for the replies everyone.
I have 7 II's total, not 9. Seeing that applicants from SDN sometimes get rejected following 6 interviews, it does worry me.

I think I will start with volunteer and look for a research mentor at the local state university.

You said you had 7 interviews in your opening post. Then in a response you had, you said you had 2 more to attend this month. 7 + 2 = 9 That's how I took it. Unless you've only attended 5 and have 2 left.

 

[kevinus]

I had 7 interview invitations, and I still need to attend two of them.

 

[dancingmate]

I would start volunteering/other activities to help boost your application for next year. It may seem wise to also start applying for year long positions for next year if you are interested in a research fellowship or something in the medical field. Not saying you have to commit, but I started looking for research positions/jobs for my gap year around this time last year, before I graduated in May 2013 (currently applying 2013-2014 cycle). I'm sure you will get in, as you still have to hear back from many more schools, but it is always wise to have a backup plan so that you have something to put on your application/keep yourself busy with during the next application cycle, if you have to apply again.

 

[BlackBox]

I had 7 interview invitations, and I still need to attend two of them.

Try going through a few mock interviews. Even if it isn't your problem, it can only help.

Btw, which schools are we talking about here? Some wait till march to inform candidates.

 

[Goro]

Ask the school that rejected you for feedback on why you were rejected.

Also work on interview skills.

I'm a 2013-2014 cycle applicant. I graduated a semester earlier in December of 2013, and I am currently enjoying life.

What concerns me is that I do not have any acceptance yet. I had 7 II's, and I was rejected by one school and wait listed by another.

Because I may be wait listed and rejected by the other 5 schools, I would like to start some activities that I can include in update letters to the wait listed schools. Also, they would be included in my 2014-2015 application if rejected by all the schools.

The options I considered are volunteering, research at a local university, and EMT. But not knowing whether I would be accepted this cycle, it is difficult for me to make a long-term commitment.

What do you suggest?