Brief Profile:
I am a re-applicant hoping to matriculate in fall 2013. Last cycle I applied to 11 schools, received 3 interviews (Einstein, NYU, and UNC), and was waitlisted at 1 school (NYU). With my stats, I thought I'd get in somewhere, but it just didn't work out that way. If you are dead set on going to med school, you need to apply early, apply broadly, and spend a lot of time making your secondaries stand out. That said, I think there are two main reasons I did not get in last year:
1. I applied to too many "reach" schools. 2. I did not turn secondaries around very quickly, and when I did, they were not as polished as they could have been.
As for my MCAT, I took it one time, wayyyy back in spring 2010. I took the Kaplan class through my university, but it didn't help much because I didn't really do much outside/independent studying until ~3 weeks before the exam. As others have said, I think the class isn't really necessary, and it can be hit or miss in terms of the teachers. Anyway, in my three weeks of intensive study, I took all the available AMCAS practice tests, scoring between 29 and 36; this accurately predicted my final score, a 33. At several schools, this is my last year of MCAT eligibility...yet another reason to succeed this cycle!
Some of my ECs include:
Research -Previous journal publication (5th author) and recently accepted 1st-author paper in well-known journal -Extensive research through major federal government agency; have co-authored several agency publications -Poster presentation through university -Two-time recipient of institutional undergraduate research award
Clinical -~250 hours as a paid nursing assistant in a hospital -~50 hours shadowing various doctors -~40 hours of working as a nursing assistant in a rural assisted living facility -Short but intense international clinical experience
Volunteer -A major experience traveling while raising money and awareness for a major social issue in the US -A couple fundraising endurance events -A few standard, long-term volunteer experiences -International health education
Other -Phi beta kappa -Summa cum laude -Been working in a research/scientific writing position (related to human health) for over a year. -Have some other, somewhat unique job experiences and hobbies. -Speak some Spanish
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/05/2012
Undergraduate college: North Carolina State University
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 514
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 127,
C/P 129,
CARS 129
Overall GPA: 3.76
Science GPA: 3.74
Application Complete
Albert Einstein of Yeshiva University
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: Yes
Secondary Completed: 06/29/2012
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: No
Summary of Experience:
I am an Einstein re-applicant. I interviewed here in October 2011 and was rejected in January 2012.
Einstein seems like a great place. I especially loved the student housing, which is very affordable for the NYC area.
Summary of Experience:
I interviewed at NYU last year...amazing experience. I really got the impression that NYU is "up and coming," even though it is already fairly prestigious. The location and facilities are great, and they have a brand new "C21" Curriculum that will be maturing as it enters its third year.
Last year, I ended up on the wait list. Here's to hoping they give me a second chance!
December update: Haven't heard anything at this point, so I'm assuming I've been passed over. I really loved NYU, so too bad. Guess they're not as friendly as some schools are towards re-applicants.
Summary of Experience:
This is a "realistic reach," and last year they seemed quite receptive to updates, so I'm hoping to score an interview with LOI persistence!
Summary of Experience:
Second rejection of the cycle; glad to know early (as opposed to April/May)! Despite my very strong research background, this school was a reach for me in terms of MCAT/GPA.
Summary of Experience:
The more I learn about Brown, the more I want to interview! It appears that I survived a "mass rejection" that occurred on or around 9/28, then another on 10/12. LOI sent in early October.
Put on "hold for re-review" in late November. I called and was told to submit pre-interview updates at this point.
January Update: I suspect I'm not going to make the cut at this point. I really hoped to visit Brown, but in light of my other acceptances I'm not going to submit any more updates.
Final Update: Rejected. :( I think on paper, I was more impressed by this school than any other at which I had a reasonable chance of acceptance, so this is one of my biggest pre-interview disappointments.
Summary of Experience:
Both last year and this year I was rejected from U. of Chicago within a week. Honestly, I wish all schools made decisions so quickly!
Summary of Experience:
I put a lot of effort into this beast of a secondary. I applied for the Primary Care Leadership Track (PCLT).
UPDATE December 13th, 2012: Logged in to check the status of my secondary and found out I've been rejected. Never received an email or anything. Not particularly surprised, as Duke was a long shot for me.
Summary of Experience:
I did NOT apply to Brody last year.
This year, I had a great interview experience...here are the pros and cons:
PROS: Great school (academically comparable to UNC and Wake Forest), small class, one of the cheapest schools in the country. Ranks very highly in recent study of med. school "social mission" (~7th in the country).
CONS: Greenville leaves much to be desired. Even the tour guides had trouble finding things to be enthusiastic about outside of school. Also, you CAN specialize coming out of Brody, but it is very geared towards primary care.
UPDATE: Interviewed on August 23rd and received a rejection letter in the mail November 11th. Came as a bit of a shock because I thought I was a competitive applicant here in terms of numbers and my fit with the school's mission. Perhaps my interviews didn't go as well as I thought they did. It is also my understanding that ECU has some "unspoken" selection factors ie; they possibly have a preference for people from certain regions of the state (to fill needs in the most underserved areas). I've also heard they might pass on applicants with stats significantly above their averages, who they suspect will go to school at UNC or elsewhere. Ah well, ECU is a great school and is so affordable, but I guess I will not be going there.
Summary of Experience:
I applied to Georgetown last year and was rejected in early September, pre-interview. In retrospect, my secondary essays were not very good and I took nearly three weeks to submit my secondary.
This year, I worked hard to tailor my essay for Georgetown (it was themed around "cura personalis") and have been invited to interview. I'll update with my experience in September!
UPDATE: Interviewed at Georgetown last week. Here are my pros and cons:
PROS: Awesome location, lots of opportunities for research and policy work, unique curricular opportunities (mind-body-medicine, health justice scholars track, etc). Service to the underserved does seem to be an institutional philosophy. Georgetown is a very prestigious institution (especially for undergrad and law), and there are many "high powered" individuals that teach or come to campus to lecture. Also, as a med student you have access to any undergraduate course if you can find time in your schedule.
CONS: Cost, somewhat outdated facilities, students complained (a little bit) about having too much lecture time, the grading system (honors/high pass/pass/low pass/fail) does not seem very popular.
Also, we found out that most interviewees are waitlisted (very few acceptances offered initially). To get off the waitlist, you MUST submit letters of interest, or else you will have virtually no chance of getting in.
Early December Update: I'm going to withdraw from the "competitive applicant pool." I already have a few strong acceptances and I don't feel like writing even more letters/essays to be actively considered here. Also, I slightly prefer the curriculum at George Washington University, where I've already been accepted.
Summary of Experience:
I delayed submitting this secondary (still submitted within two weeks) so I could polish my essays in an attempt to stand out from the other ~14,000 applicants to this school. Perhaps this helped secure me an interview, although my AMCAS activities and personal statement were also very well-polished.
PROS: Incredible location, lots of opportunities to get involved in policy and/or research.
CONS: One of the most expensive schools in the country. Curriculum seems a bit outdated and students spend a lot of time in class compared to other schools.
UPDATE: Accepted via email on 10/15/2012! My first acceptance to medical school after not getting in anywhere last year!
12/13/2012: I love GW, but it will be hard to turn down my acceptance from UNC unless GW offers me a truly substantial scholarship.
Summary of Experience:
Did not do the optional essay. At schools with so many applicants, it's impossible to say what makes you stand out, but this year I DID put a lot of effort into my AMCAS activities and personal statement. Perhaps this helped me score an interview here.
PROS: I was very impressed with BU. Excellent tour and presentation(s) by the admissions office. BU students have lots of great clinical experiences, lots of research opportunities, and an excellent public health program. In addition, the facilities are nice, and the new medical student residence is SUPER nice! Finally, the students here seemed particularly engaged and overall pretty happy.
CONS: High cost of attendance. Honestly I've struggled to think of other cons; BU is an excellent, well-rounded school.
UPDATE: Accepted! My current UNC acceptance makes it unlikely I'll end up at BU, but depending on how much aid they can offer I might be persuaded to go there... I was really impressed by BU on interview day; the students seemed particularly engaged and smart, and the admissions staff did a great job selling the school.
Summary of Experience:
I am in-state (appears to make a small difference) and did NOT apply to Wake Forest last year. I did do the \"optional\" essay.
PROS: Students seemed happy with the school. The curriculum seems very well organized; what you are studying in lecture you simultaneously cover in anatomy lab and in problem-based small group learning sessions. Winston Salem seemed more appealing than I expected it to be!
CONS: Expensive compared to comparable state schools. Students seem to spend a lot of time in class.
UPDATE: Accepted via email and status change on 10/15/2012! Woohoo!!!! :-)
Summary of Experience:
I interviewed at UNC last year and was ultimately rejected. The interview at UNC is very important because one of your interviewers is a voting member of the admissions committee. If they like you, they will advocate for your acceptance. This was my first interview last year, and as such, I didn't do well enough to gain acceptance.
As for the school...it is top notch, one of the best in the country. In fact, I think if you combine its primary care score with its research score, it is probably in the top 10. Plus, the School of Public Health is ranked 2nd nationally. And on top of all of that...in-state tuition makes UNC cheap!
UPDATE: ACCEPTED!!! :-) Six years in the making after being rejected by UNC for undergrad then again for med school last year. :-) The funny thing is, I thought my interview went terribly this time around; the wost I've had out of all my interviews actually. But I guess they liked me and were just testing my ability to react under pressure.
UNC is pretty much my top choice considering its unbeatable reputation and cost.
