Which Schools provide application feedback?

[conure]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am trying to formulate a plan for re-application next year provided that I don't get in this go around. One piece of that plan is contacting schools regarding feedback on my application. What were some of the things that prevented me from getting an interview or resulted in a post-interview rejection. Hopefully I could correct those things for the next cycle.

Have any of you attempted this and what was the response? Did you only do it with your top choice school? With schools you interviewed with? or with any and all of them? Is there a better time to do this?

Obviously this would be a big time commitment for schools and I imagine those that receive a lot of applications are less willing to do it. But it could be of tremendous benefit and could help reapplicants focus their attention.

Thanks

 

[ayj]

I've gotten really good feedback from the University of Iowa. I was rejected and called to ask where my application was weak. The lady I spoke with scheduled a phone appointment with a member of their admissions staff. I called them back at my appointment time. I spoke with a member of their staff for about 20 minutes. She went through every part of my application and gave me very detailed explanations of where I needed improvement.

I also called GW and Albany for feedback and they told me I needed to write a letter, they weren't willing to talk to me about my application over the phone.

ayj

 

[conure]

Bump

b/c we've been offline since it was posted

 

[BobbyDylanFan]

Originally posted by ayj
I've gotten really good feedback from the University of Iowa. I was rejected and called to ask where my application was weak. The lady I spoke with scheduled a phone appointment with a member of their admissions staff. I called them back at my appointment time. I spoke with a member of their staff for about 20 minutes. She went through every part of my application and gave me very detailed explanations of where I needed improvement.

I also called GW and Albany for feedback and they told me I needed to write a letter, they weren't willing to talk to me about my application over the phone.

ayj

could you provide any info that the admissions member said that might help us all a little...just curious...thanks

 

[wolferman]

I had a post-rejection interview with the Dean of University of Utah School of Medicine (Dr. Judd). She asked me a bunch of questions on the phone one afternoon and seemed really positive. She even said that "there was no reason why I shouldn't get an interview next year." This year I did get a secondary (unlike before) but didn't get an interview. All this despite the fact that I did everything I mentioned on the phone plus I also shadowed a physician for 50+ hours, went to MMEP at UW, and started pulmonary research where I get to operate on sheep! I think the confusion may be partly due to an administrative error, though I have no way to find out. Originally when I submitted my application materials I learned that they had originally been filed under my middle name. Perhaps the contents of my post-rejection interview with the Dean never got associated with my application this year.

So, as you can imagine, I was a little confused by the pre-interview rejection. But I guess it doesn't matter much anymore since it's looking like I'll get into my own state school.

 

[UCLAMAN]

UCSD was willing to speak with me after I emailed them last year. They gave me a number to call. Unfortunately the office was closed for remodeling or something and I never got in contact with them. UCSD currently has me on hold for interview. Last year they didn't even give me a secondary.

 

[ayj]

I was rejected from the University of Iowa pre-interview. I had a phone appointment with a very nice lady in the admissions office to discuss my application

She basically told me the following

1. My recommendations were very strong

2. My extracurriculars were a little weak but not too bad. I've volunteered once a week for 2 1/2 years at a children's hospital and that is pretty much it

3. My MCAT was very good (36)

4. I was probably not interviewed due to my GPA (3.1)

I mentioned that I might do the Georgetown Special Master's Program and reapply next year. She told me doing well in that would do a lot to strengthen my application. She is probably the nicest person I have ever spoken with during this entire applications process.

ayj

 

[Adcadet]

after being rejected post-interview two years ago by my state school I had a meeting with the director of admissions and got some very good feedback and what was weak, and more importantly, what I could do to strengthen my app. I highly recommend trying to speak with as many med schools as you can, but at least your local (state) school.

 

[macdown]

Originally posted by Adcadet
after being rejected post-interview two years ago by my state school I had a meeting with the director of admissions and got some very good feedback and what was weak, and more importantly, what I could do to strengthen my app. I highly recommend trying to speak with as many med schools as you can, but at least your local (state) school.

Are you talking about Dr. Becker? She is the most vile human being on earth. I had a personal meeting with her and not only was she a half an hour late, she was totally unfamilliar with my file and personally insulted me. She told me my GPA could use improvement (I have a 3.75 from Georgetown), she told me my LOR's were horriable (I know that's not true, my advisor read her's to me), she also told me I will probably never make a good physician. I was utterly stunned by her unprofessional manner. I further asked for an exemption from the U of M's policy of not accepting a 3rd application. I explained how I had withdrew my application for personal reasons and the previous year I had been placed on the waitlist, but she said they make absolutely no exceptions. She further instructed me to contact her if I need and further assistance on applying to medical school. I really despise that school now.😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

 

[Medical123]

I think that Finch would be good about providing feedback. They did not receive one of my letters of recommendation and "withdrew" my application. When I called to inquire about this, the director pulled my file and told me that I basically had good stats and work experience. She did give me a couple of pointers on what I could do to enhance my application should I have to apply again. I had a weak verbal score on the MCAT and she told me that if I improved that, I would definitely be competitive.

 

[SouthernGirl]

I'm pretty sure Northwestern said that they reserve April and May for counseling applicants.

 

[123456]

Originally posted by macdown
Are you talking about Dr. Becker? She is the most vile human being on earth. I had a personal meeting with her and not only was she a half an hour late, she was totally unfamilliar with my file and personally insulted me. She told me my GPA could use improvement (I have a 3.75 from Georgetown), she told me my LOR's were horriable (I know that's not true, my advisor read her's to me), she also told me I will probably never make a good physician. I was utterly stunned by her unprofessional manner. I further asked for an exemption from the U of M's policy of not accepting a 3rd application. I explained how I had withdrew my application for personal reasons and the previous year I had been placed on the waitlist, but she said they make absolutely no exceptions. She further instructed me to contact her if I need and further assistance on applying to medical school. I really despise that school now.😡 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

couldnt have said it better...

just to add a few things, i spoke with her after i didnt get in a few years back. she commented on my generally average grades and said they needed improving by post-bacc classes, then looked at my MCAT scores and said, "wow! how'd you manage to do so well!"

then i asked her to evaluate my extracurrics (i have a lot of non-science leadership stuff, president of this, chair of that, etc...). she said that they were good, but would probably never contribute to my career as a physician, and didnt really help or hurt my app.

overall, she said i lacked medical experience. pretty poor excuse. i think minnesota simply doesnt admit traditional applicants straight out of college.

id say to anyone who didnt get in to minnesota, make an appointment, simply for comical value

 

[medorbust]

bump

 

[oldman]

wow, i see some very upset people with dr. becker. i have only had good experiences with her, and i know many people in my class who came straight out of ugrad.

of course she is just one person and she is not the one person who decides whether you get in or not.