Supposedly, GW doesn't like being used as a safety school. I guess I didn't demonstrate enough interest to convince them that I was truly interested in their school.
Vandy rejected me early. Not entirely sure why. Doesn't much matter thought. It wasn't that high on my list.
JHU was a reach...no surprise on the rejection there. However, the rejection came as a response to an email in which I merely asked if there was anything I needed to resend, as I had not even received confirmation of receipt of my Premed Advisory Committee review packet (includes LORs). But I guess it beats not knowing for another few months.
I misread Miami's website and was surprised that I eventually got a secondary. Apparently, they want a 3.6 OVERALL GPA and not a 3.6 PREMED GPA for you to pass through their initial screening. Furthermore, they only take a few out-of-staters due to an agreement with the state of Florida for funding. Thus, no big surprise here when I didn't get an interview.
UNC is the most disorganized school I have encountered in this process. I got an interview there in early October, but...after the interview they said they'd get back to me in 6-8 weeks regarding my decision. 9 weeks later, no word. So I call and ask and they tell me they're having trouble with the system and will be sending emails to students whose decisions have not yet been made in a few days. The email says that decisions will be made by the end of March. In early March, I decide that UNC is my top choice and notify them of this. Two and a half weeks later, it is the end of March and no decision has come in the mail or by phone. Long story short, they change the date 4 times, I call on the last date and they give me a rejection by phone in vague terms that I am forced to clarify, and I don't get the actual rejection letter until May 17th. I really hope for all of the students planning on attending UNC that this is not representative of their school on the whole. However, for me, I'm now glad I didn't get in for the same reason, although I am still surprised by the flat out rejection. I thought I at least deserved a Wait List position.
Wake has a smooth process, but their waitlist letter is a little vague. They ask you to respond in writing indicating your continued interest in the school within two weeks. I responded with an email indicating my continued interest, but neglected to address the waitlist letter in said email. Apparently, this caused a misunderstanding that led my application to be set aside for the next few months. After sending my fall transcripts and a few updates and still not having heard back from them, I called the Dean of Admissions. He alerted me to the fact that my application had been set aside because they were under the impression that I did not want my place on the Wait List. He said they were very interested in me, but they assumed I had lost interest or decided to go elsewhere. After an apology letter for the misunderstanding and a humble request for reconsideration, I received an acceptance in the mail three business days later.
Columbia really requires you to express that they are your first choice...multiple times. Letters to Dean Frantz are crucial in getting accepted. I'm not so sure I want to go there anymore, eventhough they started out as my top choice. I don't know if a stronger display of interest would get me in at this point, because it is still a bit of a reach, but I'm not going to try to get a spot at a place I'm uncertain about.
Cornell seems to be similar to Columbia, as far as getting in goes. I was less impressed with their program but more impressed with their facilities and location. However, I'm still not sure about them, so I haven't displayed as much interest as I should have.
Late May 2007: For now, I'm going to Wake in the fall. I'm still waiting on Cornell and Columbia, but I'm going to have to make a final decision sooner or later. There comes a time when you just need to start making plans for the future and stop waiting. It's been a long process (over a year now) and I'm ready to be done with it.
