withdrawal grades and interview

[polyploidy516]

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hey all,

I would really like to know for those who had withdrawals on their record, how did the interview experiences go? Were you subsequently accepted from the school? Do you think having many withdrawals could preclude you from the top tier provided that good explanations are given?

Your experiences and anecdotes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[snowflakes]

I had one W in an advanced BCPM class (nothing that was directly medically related), but a strong GPA otherwise. I didn't include any explanation anywhere on my app except for Albert Einstein since their secondary directly asked about Ws. Lots of interviews at top schools, and no one asked me about it, ever. Post-interview, I had a mix of acceptances and waitlists, but I don't think the W had anything to do with the waitlists. Also, I got a pre-interview rejection from Albert Einstein, but again, I doubt it was because of the W.

I think if you've proven your academic abilities otherwise (high MCAT/GPA), 1-2 W's in non prereq classes aren't going to matter. How many Ws do you have? If you have more than 1-2, you may want to include an explanation in each of your secondaries if you had a legitimate reason like family emergency or personal illness.

 

[polyploidy516]

I had one W in an advanced BCPM class (nothing that was directly medically related), but a strong GPA otherwise. I didn't include any explanation anywhere on my app except for Albert Einstein since their secondary directly asked about Ws. Lots of interviews at top schools, and no one asked me about it, ever. Post-interview, I had a mix of acceptances and waitlists, but I don't think the W had anything to do with the waitlists. Also, I got a pre-interview rejection from Albert Einstein, but again, I doubt it was because of the W.

I think if you've proven your academic abilities otherwise (high MCAT/GPA), 1-2 W's in non prereq classes aren't going to matter. How many Ws do you have? If you have more than 1-2, you may want to include an explanation in each of your secondaries if you had a legitimate reason like family emergency or personal illness.

snowflakes,

i really appreciate your anecdote...I actually unfortunately have 9; ( 4 during my undergrad days spread out over several classes: I dropped due to extenuating circumstances ( parents lost job/health issues, etc). However, after that, I received really good grades with a 3.7 in my last semester. However, this semester, I had to withdraw from all my classes due to an adverse reaction to a new medication that I was prescribed which caused me to miss more than the recommended classes ( as my postbac school has a policy where excused and unexcused absences are not differentiated and more than 2 absences will result in a drop from the course), I was forced to withdraw.

Although I do have a lower gpa ( 3.4ish), I do have a high mcat ( 40). In addition, I will be applying as a disadvantaged applicant and will be taking at least 2 more semesters of full time courses to assuage doubt.

Do you think these withdrawals will raise further red flags to the point that they will negatively affect my app? Or will the red flags be primarily for my low gpa? Im concerned as my advisor recommended that I apply to some top schools given my strong mcat and recent upward trend in grades ( i had a 3.7 the previous semester)?

any other thoughts and anecdotes would be truly appreciated !

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

I had a W on my transcript, and out of my 4 interviews only 1 asked me about it. I was accepted to all 4 schools- hope that helps.

Lots of Ws without explanation can negatively impact your application.

 

[polyploidy516]

i appreciate your clarification! I would like to know if adcoms actually pay attention to explanations ( my explanations are due to medical and other extenuating circumstances that I plan on highlighting in my app; i am applying as disadvantaged as well )?

in other words, a strong explanation can basically excuse withdrawal grades provided there is sufficient improvement later ( as in further coursework, etc)?

any other anecdotes would be appreciated and advice from @LizzyM, @Catalystik, @hushcom @Goro would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for everything .

 

[BioMedic]

I'd like to know where others address W's, especially if they are old. I have several semesters of W's from years ago, but my academic record since has been clean. I would prefer not to use space on my primary to explain this

 

[WillburCobb]

3 Ws, 16 Cs, and one D. 8 interviews, 3 MD and 3 DO acceptances. The only specific grades that I was ever asked about were classes in which I had Cs.

Edit - also not URM or disadvantaged.

 

[Goro]

I've never asked anyone about Ws unless they occupied an entire semester
typical conversation:
Me: "So what happened in Spring of 2012?"
Student: "I caught mono."
Me: (moving on to next question).

Someone at one of the top tiers might ask about it...I see in Interview feedback all the time someone being asked "So what about that C in Physics?", so I can see "So what about that W in Physics?"

Waste of a question, really.

hey all,

I would really like to know for those who had withdrawals on their record, how did the interview experiences go? Were you subsequently accepted from the school? Do you think having many withdrawals could preclude you from the top tier provided that good explanations are given?

Your experiences and anecdotes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!