Menu Icon Search
Close Search

MD Applicants

  • fpo-profile-avatar
  • BengaliBrat

  • Application cycles: 07/13/2014
  • Demographics: Female, 33
  • Home state: Ohio
  • Last Active: 10/02/2018

// Applications //

Application Cycle One: 07/13/2014

  • Undergraduate college: East Coast. . .Ivy
  • Undergraduate Area of study: History/Humanities
  • Total MCAT SCORE: 520
  • MCAT Section Scores: B/B 130, C/P 129, CARS 132  
  • Overall GPA: 3.84
  • Science GPA: 3.70

Summary of Application Experience

May update: It was MUCH more difficult than I had anticipated to turn down any school. Every one had much to offer, and I know that any of them would have educated me well. Blessed as I was with choices, I had to stop caring about rankings and let Emory go, however that might "look" to numbers-conscious people. (And don't get me wrong--Emory is a GREAT school---just not the school for me.) It was really, really hard to say no to Iowa Carver. "But sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler," I finally did choose the "road less traveled by"--the one my heart was clamoring to explore. For those conflicted after traffic day--get the most Spock-like rational person you know to crunch the numbers on financial aid and speak on behalf of prestige. Then ask why you are drawn to the school that is speaking to you. If the reasons are good and true, it seems to me that the heart chooses wisely. Wherever you go, stranger, I wish you success. You'll want to despair a thousand times, maybe, if you are an average applicant like me. Just be firm in your purpose and let your sincerity shine. I don't think any smooth prepared talk is as convincing as truth and passion. If medicine is your dream, then communicate how precious that dream is, and how hard you will work to make it reality. It's hard to turn down someone all aglow with purpose and conviction!

Previously: Thus far (March of application cycle), I fluctuate between celebrating--I got some acceptances, some at really simpatico schools--and depression--OTHER people got into Mayo, Harvard, Duke, CCLCM. What's wrong with me? I try to keep in mind how competitive this process is and to keep my eye on the prize, instead of getting distracted by fruitless self-criticism and foolish shoulda woulda coulda. I do have to chime in on the advice always given--choose the schools you select wisely--beginning consideration should begin at least a year in advance--and get those applications in as early as possible! No other wisdom to offer at this point, but if I suddenly become insightful, I will pass any Eurekas along.

April 30th: On the final day to declare our intentions, sdn was like a hyperactive kid who had swallowed a vat full of No-Doz. Everyone was jittery, sleepless, a bit crazy.

Some were still agonizing about decisions, reluctant to choose between schools that we loved for various reasons. Some were weighing prestige against financial help. Some were swayed by location or climate. Some had a very clear vision of the path ahead and were trying to determine which school would best give them a head start on that path. Some had acceptances in hand, but not from the first-choice school. Some had been waitlisted and were anxiously noting the withdrawals announced, hoping that a "no" from this applicant meant a "yes" for them.

Having invested so much, financially and emotionally, in the medical school decision intensified the difficulty of letting any acceptance go. Meeting kind and intelligent people, knowing that they are advocating for you, feeling grateful to them--all that makes it hard just to say, "Listen, I got a better offer. See ya." Knowing that you are judging based on Internet information, promotional websites and literature, word-of-mouth from a very small sample of people, and some ridiculous "rankings" by a who-appointed-you-medical-school-god organization (US News), and a single visit (or if we could afford it, an interview visit and a Second Look visit) seemed to make judgments superficial and untrustworthy.

I am one of the lucky ones. I believe that something in my application made Alpert's folks believe that I might belong at the school, and I didn't damage that impression severely enough in my interview that they changed their minds. Ultimately, they did their best to enable me to attend. I plan to head to Providence in August, and I am grateful to be able to attend a school that I actually love.

Advice: The people on sdn are your community. I could not believe the amount of help available there throughout the process--from fellow (better informed) applicants, from current medical students, and even from physicians and other adcoms. While the occasional bit of misinformation may be posted, there are enough smart, helpful people to challenge and correct it before it can do too much damage. Use that resource, and this one as well. Share your experiences--pay it back or pay it forward. I am still amazed at how much I have been helped by simply allowing others to help me.

For all of you beginning the journey, good luck. Trust in the concept of "goodness of fit." Sometimes your dream schools don't even interview you before rejection--that may be a fluke, due to human error or bias, or a honest response to a feeling that you are not quite right for that school. Each med school has its own spirit and you can see it in the people who attend or have attended. While you are crunching the numbers, don't forget the less analytical tools you have. Your heart may not tell you everything you need to know, but it certainly confides much that is--and should be--very important in your decision. Listen to it.

Application Complete, Rejected

Mayo Medical School
University of Pittsburgh
Georgetown University
Duke University
Cornell University
University of Michigan
Harvard University
Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University

Attended Interview, Waitlisted

Yale University

Attended Interview, Waitlisted, Rejected

Cleveland Clinic Medical School

Attended Interview, Waitlisted, Withdrew

Case Western Reserve University
Dartmouth College

Accepted

University of Cincinnati
University of Iowa
Ohio State University
Brown University
University of Toledo
Emory University

// Share //

× Wait!

Are you sure you want to delete this application cycle? This will remove all application data and cannot be undone.

× Wait!

Are you sure you want to delete this school? This will remove all application data and cannot be undone.