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MD Applicants

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  • CaveCanem

  • Application cycles: 05/31/2014
  • Demographics: Male, 36
  • Home state: Alabama
  • Last Active: 12/28/2019
  • Brief Profile: LizzyM of ~69, unusual mix of undergraduate studies with a DIY postbacc (3.9).

    What I did right: I had a convincing story and addressed issues of low GPA by doing well on my postbacc and MCAT. Not all schools loved that/had the time to dig into my story, but for the schools that did, I think I stood out.

    What I did wrong: I applied to way too many schools. Hindsight of course is 20/20, but I think I definitely could have applied to fewer schools. I was nervous and did not want to apply multiple times, so I found comfort in the numbers. Knowing what I know now based on the schools and typically what I interpreted how they evaluate candidates, I could have definitely knocked off a dozen or so. Another error I think I made was focusing too much on my work experience, as it is not 100% unique and there are several others with similar stories, I needed to make mine even more about my other experiences/characteristics besides what I've been doing the past 4 years.

    All in all, extremely happy to have had the interview experiences I've had thus far, and grateful to have several acceptances!
  • // Applications //

    Application Cycle One: 05/31/2014

    • Total MCAT SCORE: 517
    • MCAT Section Scores: B/B 131, C/P 127, CARS 129  
    • Overall GPA: 3.40
    • Science GPA: 3.20

    Summary of Application Experience

    8/9/14: FIRST REJECTION. UChicago, we were never meant to be. Never. I applied because I love Chicago and would love to be there, but alas.
    8/12/14: Indiana rejection. It's fine ya Hoosiers!
    8/12/14: FIRST II!! UMiami. So excited!
    8/21/14: Second II! I'm in shock-DUKE!
    8/26/14: Here's my shot at being a Cornhusker!
    9/4/14: Getting some more OOS interest! Mizzou!
    9/18/14: Rejected at my only state school. It burns! Really bummed about this one...
    10/14/14: Some good news! UT @ Case!
    10/15/14: SUCH A BIG DAY! II @ Columbia! AND ACCEPTED TO MIAMI!!!
    **insert weeks of silence**
    12/2/14: II @ Dartmouth!
    12/18/14: Getting cleaned out lately... lots of rejections. Ouch ouch.
    12/22/14: Accepted at Nebraska!!
    1/1/15: So thrilled to have 2 acceptances at the start of 2015, I had no idea what would happen during this chaotic, unpredictable journey. I am still hopeful to hear something in terms of interview offers from Northwestern, Emory, UCSD, USC, Penn, Baylor, or WashU. Maybe there is another II or two out there before the close of the season!
    2/20/15: So relieved to have an acceptance at Dartmouth! On the waitlist at Case and Columbia, but I really loved my time at Dartmouth! I applied to way too many schools in retrospect, but I was feeling really nervous and only wanted to apply once. I guess it worked out, and it's only money!
    7/27/15: Looking back on this crazy experience, I really lucked out. I applied to many schools I had no business applying to and interviewed at several of them. it was a great ego-boost through the cycle to interview at Duke and Columbia, despite not ultimately getting in. It shows that even with stats in the <10th percentile range, you can still be there on interview day. Good luck and aim high!

    Applied, Rejected

    Vanderbilt University

    Applied, Withdrew

    University of California, Los Angeles

    Application Complete

    Emory University
    Tufts University
    Ohio State University
    Washington University in St. Louis
    University of Colorado
    Oregon Health & Science University
    Baylor College

    Application Complete, Rejected

    Indiana University
    Hofstra University
    Saint Louis University
    Johns Hopkins University
    Boston University
    Brown University
    University of California, San Diego
    Northwestern University
    Mayo Medical School
    Georgetown University
    University of Iowa
    University of Wisconsin
    University of Southern California
    University of Rochester
    Virginia Commonwealth University
    New York University
    University of Chicago
    University of Pittsburgh
    Rush Medical College
    Tulane University
    University of Pennsylvania

    Application Complete, Withdrew

    Loyola University Chicago
    Drexel University
    Medical College of Wisconsin
    Wake Forest University
    University of Vermont
    University of Arizona
    Creighton University
    Temple University
    Pennsylvania State University
    New York Medical College

    Attended Interview, Rejected

    Duke University
    University of Missouri, Columbia

    Attended Interview, Waitlisted, Rejected

    Columbia University

    Attended Interview, Waitlisted, Withdrew

    University of Cincinnati
    Case Western Reserve University

    Accepted

    Dartmouth College
    University of Miami
    University of Nebraska

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