Below is my application cycle, including an example LOI at the end which got me into my dream school.
Its now 4 years later. I\'m a fourth year applying to Emergency medicine. I got a 228 on my Step 1, 241 on my Step 2 and am hoping to stay in southern california for residency. Life goes on, no matter where you end up in medical school. Work hard. Good luck to you all.
LEGEND: R - Received secondary, C - Complete, I - Interview invite, A - Accepted
6/25/06
Submitted AMCAS 3 days ago - already went to under review and then back to waiting for transcript because they decided they DID need a transcript that they originally told me they didn\'t need. I strongly recommend sending transcripts from all schools even if AMCAS says you can opt out of one. They told me I could and I was wrong and it delayed my application an entire month!
7/20/06
AMCAS verified today
8/2/06
I got my first interview at George Washington University. I\'m excited, and it seems pretty early to get one, so I\'m feeling good about it. We\'ll see how it goes.
8/3/06
About half-way through secondaries. Waiting on a couple of UCs and a bunch of privates/NY states. Only complete two places so far (GWU and NYMC)because I decided to ask my current boss for a letter of rec and he\'s taking forever to do it. But I can\'t complain - its nice of him to do. Hoping to send them out soon and then I\'ll be complete pretty quick. (Ended up being about 20 days later on a lot of secondaries - not the end of the world though)
8/15/06
I got an interview at NYMC, but I had to wait until I got back from vacation to schedule it - going midweek - 10/18
8/22/06
Found out that this girl from work got into my email (I put the password on MY personal computer but since Firefox was saved on the network she had access to it) and she deleted several of my secondaries that I got in the end of July (USC, Drexel, Loyola, & Louisville). Only found out because Louisville sent me a \'second request\' to fill out the secondary. Then I contacted the other three and found they had all sent them in the same three day span. So Louisville and USC went in a month late - which I\'m still mad about. Drexel never did send me my password a second time and I gave up on them - decided I had neither the money nor the interest to pursue it if they were that unorganized. But I decided not to send in Loyola either because of the location and I am just sick of spending money. So in that respect I guess its good she delayed them until I had some interviews - I saved 200 bucks by deciding I didn\'t need to apply to them. She has a major vendetta against me (has to do with me being promoted and her not) and some self-esteem issues so I have no problem believing she\'s that evil. Unfortunately I have no way to definitively prove it and so I can\'t get her fired or anything.
8/30/06
Got an interview at University of Kentucky in late October. Hoping to hear from University of Louisville by then so I can do both in one trip.
All my UCs except SF are in. The waiting is the worst part of the whole process. I really want to stay in Cali and save myself a crapload of money.
9/9/06
In DC - made a bit of a trip of it with my parents. My interview is in three days. Sight seeing is fun and I\'ve found that I really LOVE the area. I think I can see myself living here - snow and fall would be new experiences but I already have 8 million coats so the cold wouldn\'t be too much of an issue. Anyway GWU coming up - wish me luck!
9/12/06
Just got back from my interview at GWU. Totally awesome! Loved the area, loved the school - way state of the art and they really cater to their students. Also the interviews were EXTREMELY laid back - so great!
9/13/06
Got put on hold at UC Irvine today - the one place in Cali I thought I had a shot at - this sucks!!! Although I must say, school wise I\'m not too upset because I really loved GWU so much. Now I just have to convince my boyfriend to come to DC with me :(
9/15/06
On hold at UCSD now. Well there goes the school I really liked for its class on how to run a free clinic. At least they didn\'t outright reject me - especially when I didn\'t follow the rules for LORs (didn\'t have all senior profs). Oh well, maybe a hold isn\'t the end - but I\'m not too hopeful. But I honestly think that if I can get an interview at eiter of these schools I will be in really good shape because I\'m a good interviewee.
But other than that still waiting on the other schools. Haven\'t heard anything in a while and am getting anxious. I really liked the EVMS campus when I visited Norfolk and would like an interview there. Other than that I really just hope I get an acceptance into GWU. I liked it so much I think I\'ll go there anyway and an early acceptance will save me tons of money traveling to the east coast.
9/29/06
Slow, slow month! No invites for a whole month - which I\'m kind of thankful for since if I get into GWU I am not going to anymore east coast schools. Sent out a letter of interest to UCSD today - we\'ll see if that does anything for my hold status. WISH ME LUCK!
10/2/06
Called SUNY Upstate and found out I got an interview there! Pretty cool! Waiting a little while before I schedule so my pocket book can recover. Also received a secondary from UCSF - I almost didn\'t send it in because seriously - what are my chances - ZIP! I can\'t believe I even got one with no research. I went ahead and filled it out and sent it but I have a feeling it will be a waste of money.
10/8/06
October is a better month. Two invites so far and its only the 8th. Got Albany this morning. Here\'s hoping Cali starts showing me some love and that I hear from GWU soon. I really need to start withdrawing from some schools, but I need that one Golden acceptance first.
10/10/06
Had quite a scare today. I got a response to my letter of interest to UCSD. And when I first glanced at the email all I saw was \'final decision\' and I got dizzy and my vision kind of blacked out as I freaked out thinking about how I probably pissed them off and they decided to reject me to spite me. But they didn\'t! They just said they were keeping me on hold until they got more completed secondaries and would decide later.
Oh well, it was REALLY nice of them to rediscuss my application and letter, they didn\'t have to do that.
10/16/06
I got accepted to GWU!!! I got an email this morning asking me to call the assistant dean of admissions. I called her and she let me know I was accepted to their class!! OMG!
10/19/06
Went to NYMC yesterday. I liked the school - LOVED the children\'s hospital. But I had a lousy trip otherwise and am not sure I will like NY. But we\'ll see if I get in. Its about the same cost as GW and the childrens hospital really tips the scale for them.
Withdrew from SUNY Upstate and Albany today. Also will withdraw from all other east coast schools. 3 choices in 3 different states will suffice. The Upstate New York ones are just too cold, and I don\'t really have the money/time/interest to go to the other east coast ones when I already liked GW so well. Waste of 575 bucks, but I didn\'t know that when I applied. I wish I had been a little more conservative but oh well, better safe than sorry.
10/23/06
Now its just about waiting for the UCs. Talk about a stress case. I really like the idea of going to DC though, and my boyfriend is warming up to it also. He spent like two hours yesterday looking into GW\'s MBA program. It was really cute. I would love to live in DC with him for a few years before moving back west.
11/5/06
Finally leaving Kentucky. Had my interview last Friday (10/27) then spent a week with my family (fun AND exhausting). Got a call Thursday (11/2) telling me I had been accepted. So now I have that as an option, which is pretty tempting. They have a really great program and they are close to my family. Plus IF I could declare residency after awhile it could be cheaper then some of the private east coast schools. (Edit: I realize this is a big if, but I\'m looking into it).
So now comes the long wait - December I\'ll found out if I got NYMC and if thats an option. And waiting hopefully for a UC interview somewhere. Crossing my fingers for it. We\'ll see what happens. Cali would just be soo much cheaper, plus if I\'m close enough to DRIVE home I can get a kitten!! :-D
11/9
On hold at UC Davis. This really isn\'t looking good. Plus, I recently found out that everyone I know who got put on hold at UCSD and then sent a letter of intent got an interview. I just got an email saying - \'we still can\'t decide.\' That cannot be a good sign.
Oh well, I\'m kind of accepting my fate of going out of state - at this point a Cali interview would be an amazing surprise - but I\'m no longer expecting it.
12/21
Accepted at NYMC today. Another choice I have to consider. Money is going to be a HUGE factor, among other things.
Still hoping for a UC - come on baby - all I need is ONE!
1/17
So the only school I didn\'t withdraw from on the east coast is EVMS. And I kept it because I had seen/liked the campus and area, and I thought there was no way they would invite me to interview anyway. I was wrong. I just got an invite to interview. And now I don\'t know what to do. I\'m really over the whole traveling thing. But I kind of want to see what the school is like.
I really can\'t make up my mind.
2/24
I decided against going to EVMS. Too much money and time off of work. Plus I\'ve had such a pleasant experience interviewing so far, I was concerned that feeling cornered by the 3 on 1 interview they do there would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Got rejected from most of the UCs this month. Realistically, I know I\'ll academically be happier at GWU (most likely place to matriculate atm, but still waiting on financial aid packages), but personally I would have been happier in Cali near my family and friends and boyfriend.
Oh well, so waiting for my rejections from USC and UCSD, and then once financial aid packages come I should be able to pick a single school and drop the others.
3/16/07
Well its over. The last two Cali schools rejected me. Not the end of the world - leaving the state will probably good for me. I just wish Cali had a couple of low academia med schools. Not everyone likes research and the fact that its all but required to get into a Cali school is ridiculous. I hate being a California resident. Give me a couple of low-ranked in state primary care schools anyday over a state full of research institutions.
I think I will be withdrawing my acceptance from UK soon - I doubt I will get any money from them and they start SUPER early and give no summer after first year (well one month but still).
4/10/07
OMG!! Anyone still reading my little blog here. I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW INVITE AT UC IRVINE!!! I have no clue how it happened. They rejected me in February. I thought my application cycle was over. But out of a declined interview came this interview invite!!!
I\'m going on 4/26. I\'M SOO EXCITED!!!
4/26/07
Went to Irvine today. LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT! Loved everything about it - they have some really incredible programs. I feel that my interview went fairly well and I\'m hoping for the best. My numbers aren\'t fabulous but I got the interview. I\'m sending more LORs and a letter or intent next week and hopefully they\'ll over look my average numbers.
They did say they would take 1/3 of the people there today and they would discuss our files at the 4/16 meeting. HERES HOPING FOR THE BEST - EVERYONE CROSS THEIR FINGERS FOR ME. GOING TO IRVINE WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE!
5/15/07
Tommorow they decide my fate at UC Irvine\'s adcom meeting. I\'ve been sick to my stomach all week. I want this so bad. Its such a fantastic program, with so many great opportunities and it means so much for me to be able to stay close to my family. I want this soo soo bad. I\'ll update as soon as I know. If I get accepted I should get a phone call sometime between tommorow and Sunday. If I haven\'t heard by then then I guess I have to assume I got waitlisted or rejected.
5/18/07
Alternate list. I\'m disapointed but still hopeful. They take a lot of people off the alternate list and I know my numbers aren\'t fabulous but I\'m still hopeful. Please, please, please.
6/8/07
I got into UC IRVINE!!! OMG!! I got in. It pays to persist. I sent the original letter to get off hold for interview, another letter of intent after my interview but before decisions and then another after I got waitlisted. It paid off - Dr. Peterson even said it was my persistence and desire to attend that got me in.
I\'m so excited!! I\'m going to be an anteater!
This is the end of my story, I hope it brings hope to others out there like me. No research, not top grades - but I got into a UC. Goodluck - its a long process.
I HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF PMs ABOUT MY LETTERS OF INTEREST AND WHAT WAS IN THEM, SO I\'LL CLARIFY HERE TO HELP PEOPLE:
What it comes down to is when I was desperate at the end I basically updated them with anything I could think of.
I got put on hold for interview in early September - and I sent a letter of intent/appeal for interview early. It just basically consisted of some new activities/addition of duties in old activities and a comparision of my goals to Irvine\'s teaching styles and how well they meshed. I did briefly mention in that letter how it would affect my personal life (being close to my friends/family/SO and how successful I could be if I were close to my support system). I also briefly mentioned a family issue that was a concrete reason why I wanted to stay close to my parents.
After my interview in April I sent a letter of intent saying if they let me in I would definitely attend - which would benefit them because they would have a definite spot filled and I would get to go to my number one choice for school. I touched on some deficits in my application (lower grades sophomore and junior year and lack of research)
Then after I got waitlisted I sent ANOTHER letter of intent which was kind of a hail mary - the only thing I could think of that wasn\'t in my files- that I am conversant in sign language and spanish. (this was the only non-hard copy I sent - I sent this by email to the main email, to Gayle and to Dr. Pederson.
Shortly after that I got in. And the dean of admissions even said that it was my \'persistence\' that they admired that got me in.
Just be sure to show lots of interest and always put in both how you will benefit from it and how they will benefit from having you there. You have to walk the line between persistenceand annoyance. Just start those letters early, and send them when it is most advantageous for you! You always want to send the letter after you\'ve already been reviewed so they have to review your file again - the more times they review you the better chance you that someone will notice something they like.
Here\'s what I sent to Irvine:
September 29, 2006
Gayle Pierce
Director of Admissions
University of California, Irvine
School of Medicine
Office of Admissions and Outreach
Medical Education Building 802
Irvine, CA 92697-4089
Dear Ms. Pierce,
I was recently placed on hold for interview at the UC Irvine, School of Medicine and I am writing you with the hope that my application will be reconsidered for interview. Your school is one of my top choices because I feel strongly that I am an excellent match for your school and that your school is a perfect match for my goals. If I am granted an interview, I believe your admissions committee will see how we will mutually benefit from my acceptance at your school.
The curriculum, the numerous associated free clinics, and the location make your school an excellent match for me. I learn best through lecture and reading on my own, so your traditional lecture style is ideal for me. Also, I have heard that later in the first year a smaller problem-based learning aspect is added, which would also complement my learning style because once I have learned the basic concepts myself I will be able to fortify my understanding in a group setting. Lastly, the supportive and cooperative environment your school creates is a great way to learn; there will be plenty of stress to push me to excel but a supportive group of peers to work with when I need help. With this curriculum and your superior ranking as a medical school, I know your school can make me into the best physician I can be.
Additionally, I am extremely interested in your school because of the opportunity to work in Cl?nica Cari?o and Madres del Futuro. While I realize you may have some candidates with more impressive grades or MCAT scores than mine, you will find few with the passion I have for free clinics and healthcare accessibility. For example, since I applied to your school, I have taken a quarter-time Americorps position in addition to my usual volunteer work. I spend this time following up on any issues, verifying appointments and schedules, preparing charts, and otherwise ensuring that the clinic will run smoothly. I am also enrolling in a ?Spanish for Medical Professionals? course through UC Berkeley Extension since being able to speak Spanish fluently is crucial in providing medical care to underserved populations in California. Continuing to work in free clinics and ensure healthcare accessibility to underserved populations is an important part of my goals. I know I can be an asset to your school in my commitment to your free clinic and to other programs with similar goals.
On a more personal level, your school is very close to my parents? home in Southern California. I want to remain close to them throughout medical school because family is a huge priority for me. I know I will do better in medical school being close enough to help them. The school is also close to many of my friends and family members who will be an integral support system for me.
Lastly, I want to address my lack of research experience which is probably a red flag on my application. The type of research experience available to undergraduates at Berkeley is primarily straight scientific research, something I have no interest in. However, I am very interested in many of the types of clinical research opportunities available at your school. This type of research would allow me to explore cutting edge medical technologies while maintaining the personal contact that brought me to medicine. While my undergraduate school did not give me the chance to work in clinical research, it is something I can excel at to become a further asset to your school.
I would make an outstanding matriculant for the UC Irvine, School of Medicine class of 2011. Your curriculum is suited to my learning style and goals. I can be a valuable member and leader in the student-run free clinics and in numerous other opportunities offered by your school. I believe your school can help me become an excellent physician, a leader in accessible healthcare, and a doctor your school can be proud to claim as alumni. Thank you for your consideration and I hope to soon have the chance to meet you and tell you more about me.
Sincerely,
My name
My AMCAS #
So yeah - parallel your interests with theirs and convince them that you will both benefit if you go to their school.
Good luck!
