Why are SDNers more competitive than the rest of medical school applicants?

[Itsmine]

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I have heard that students who write on SDN are extremely competitive, in terms of everything (GPA, MCAT, extracurriculars).
Why is it that SDNers are so competitive?
Why is it specifically that people who go on here are in really good shape with their medical school application?

I don't think every single medical school applicant who has a 3.8+, and a 35+ goes on SDN... So just wondering what the pattern is here. Who is more likely to go on SDN?

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

self-selection

 

[Syndicate]

also half of us probably post fake stats either for anonymity or feelings of grandiosity.

 

[Itsmine]

also half of us probably post fake stats either for anonymity or feelings of grandiosity.

Really? Hmm. I didn't know that. That's really strange though.

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

I suppose this one might be pretty accurate.

 

[justAstudent]

also half of us probably post fake stats either for anonymity or feelings of grandiosity.

I feel more comfortable posting my real stats here because of anonymity lol

 

[drcollete]

I think some people will post fake stats (to be trolls, or in the spirit of being self-aggrandizing), and some will be honest because of the anonymity. Also, someone could lie about their stats because they want to discourage others from applying. Less competition.

But it's the Internet. We can't know others' motives since we don't even know the person behind the words.

 

[Valar Dohaeris]

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

Agreed. It's like new parents who go out and read all those parenting books- the books themselves probably don't make a difference, but the fact that they're the type of people to seek them out probably does.

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

And also, many of us are more competitive BECAUSE of sdn. It was this site that gave me a study plan for the mcat, the knowledge to apply early and to appropriate schools, and to make the best choices on EC activities.

I'm not 100% sure that I would be sitting on an acceptance if it weren't for the people on this site.

Srsly

 

[Womb Raider]

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

 

[Omppu27]

also half of us probably post fake stats either for anonymity or feelings of grandiosity.

Lol you honestly think so? Many a small percentage, sure. But half? Come on.

If you're taking your free time to go onto a forum and find out what you need to do to be a better applicant, chances are you're going to be more competitive.

This is basically it. /thread.

 

[Narmerguy]

There are definitely a lot of high stat people on SDN, but don't discount the number of non superstars here too. Just check out WAMC to see all the people with <3.8, <35 MCATs, some in the 20s and 3.3s. People tend to focus on the superstars on SDN because they're memorable, uncommon, and ultimately reinforce the image of "SDN Neuroticism" that people talk so much about. However, this is a massive community and it's filled with people from every segment of the application pool. I would argue that the next largest "group" on SDN are below-average applicants who come to SDN looking for an edge to improve their apps.

 

[Great White Buffalo]

I actually learned a lot from the SDN "gunners". I work hard, but some folks are just smarter and more driven than me. Good for them, cause I can cut it up on the ski slopes, in a white water kayak, and rock climbing. We all gravitate to areas where we excel. I did well enough to get into medical school, but it isn't what my life is all about. My dream job, wilderness medicine for the extreme sport types in remote areas of other countries. Haven't figured out how to get by the licensing issue though. Maybe get a helicopter license so I can do the rescue and evacuation. Hmm, better ask Mom and Dad for more tuition money to attend flying school. ha ha ha

 

[youmed]

Stop comparing yourself to others and it won't matter.

 

[medschoolmyname]

you do realize that there is a 27-29 MCAT thread?

 

[MedBrah]

Clearly OP doesn't know that adding SDN as an EC adds 5 points to your MCAT. Or maybe it was that self selective thing someone said.

 

[TheShaker]

Clearly OP doesn't know that adding SDN as an EC adds 5 points to your MCAT. Or maybe it was that self selective thing someone said.

I heard that SDN mods all get courtesy interviews at the top 20's.