I agree with the advice of finding the school that fits *you* the best. Do you need to go to a top 20 school to be happy? Then go to a top 20. Is debt your biggest concern (perhaps true for everyone)? Then follow the money. Good weather? Go to CA. Ask yourself, when the going gets real tough, what will keep you going? And don\'t be ashamed of your answers. Of course, you can\'t tell what med school will be like for you until you start, but you can imagine your worst days in undergrad and start from there.
Also, if you are like me, you likely won\'t know what you\'re looking for when you first submit your application. So apply broadly. Then hang in there for the ride. The process tries to be objective but in the end a sizable amount of luck is involved. Don\'t let a rejection bring you down too much.
In retrospect, things I wish I could\'ve done differently: 1. submitted primary even earlier (i.e. when AMCAS opened) 2. gathered my recommendation letters before AMCAS opened (two great letters of mine came in September and October) 3. reduced the level of self-importance in several of my secondary responses; you\'ll soon realize that you\'re not special
Applied, Rejected
University of California, San Francisco
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: Yes
Secondary Completed: No
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: Yes
Summary of Experience:
Considered appealing pre-secondary rejection, but upon drafting my letter, realized I had few particular reasons for attending UCSF (that it\'s simply a \"good school\" would not fly). You should definitely appeal if you have special connections to the school/area. I\'ve a friend for whom it worked.
Summary of Experience:
Heard good things about the way UMich treats its students, so thought I\'d apply. No doubt that my delayed humanities letter (received September) hurt my chances. In retrospect, should have completed my secondary without the humanities letter.
Summary of Experience:
No doubt the biggest name in medicine, but I had to convince myself I liked it after my interview. It was odd. Gym, housing, food, and class all in close proximity. However, could see the detached med campus becoming claustrophobic. Interviews felt disappointingly perfunctory. Had significant reservations about the predominant PBL. Rejection was for the best. Honored to have interviewed.
Summary of Experience:
Applied because of its condensed pre-clinical curriculum, and because a friend told me I would enjoy living in Durham. Duke interviews ~1000 applicants, so I opted for a Skype interview to save on traveling costs. Prepare for a long wait between invitation and actual Skype interview (my wait was 5 months).
Summary of Experience:
My favorite interview experience. Med school was attached to the undergrad campus. Interviewers, students, and administrative staff were without pretense and helpful. Heard great things about the 1.5-year preclinical curriculum. However, I had reservations about living in a city and spending time cooking for myself; further, I would not be able to stand walking 10-15 min to reach campus each time. Waitlist was not pleasant, but that was ok.
Summary of Experience:
You don\'t know how good you\'ve had it until you\'ve taken a look around. Was not initially blown away by the interview experience, but Second Look made my decision for me. Wonderful students, staff, and culture like that at Penn. Readily available research opportunities like those at WashU. Excellent mentoring system like that at UW. Innovative and entrepreneurial spirit unique to Stanford. Housing, food, and gym all nearby. Attached to undergrad campus. Not being in a city was a non-issue--Castro is exciting enough for me. Concerns about clinical years were dispelled by honest friends at the school. The best fit for me. Wholly grateful for the opportunity to return. Matriculating here.
Summary of Experience:
Grateful for my first acceptance. Unfortunately left with a bad taste. When asked why she chose Pitt, my student host said it was because she didn\'t get into Penn. An MS4 at lunch made his frustrations with Pitt even clearer. Of course, those that speak poorly of the school are always the ones you notice/remember, so take their advice with a grain of salt.
Summary of Experience:
Had a pleasant interview experience. Did not get a chance to talk to many students. Facilities were alright. Panel interview was intimidating but allowed me to be myself. I recommend that you develop an interest in health policy and bioethics, or at least read up on it. Very grateful for the acceptance, but the biggest disappointment by far was the lack of a Second Look to learn more about the school. I especially wanted to revisit given my many reservations about the WWAMI system. Not to mention, WA weather makes me downright sad. It\'s no joke that there are daylight lamps in the student lounge.
Summary of Experience:
Had an interview experience that gave Penn\'s a run for its money. Was introduced to wonderful students, facilities, staff, and research opportunities. Could walk from Olin to class in 2 minutes without going outside. Cafeteria readily available; gym in Olin. Traditional curriculum was only a slight concern. Could see myself being very happy here.
