11/23/2005
I am an August 2005 MCATer, I improved my April 2004 score from 25Q (9/7/9) to 29Q. I graduated in May 2005 with a B.S. in Biology, Minor in Spanish, after applying to only one school during the first round. Realizing my mistake at not branching out enough (and 'putting all my eggs in 1 basket'), this time around, I initially chose 10 MD programs and 5 DO programs, received secondary apps for all (except one)-- and ended up only completing 9. Some I decided against because they sounded snobby (Georgetown) or some because I figured I wouldn't have much of a chance with out of state residency (OSUCOM, VCU) and some others for various reasons.
I am particularly interested in attending school in Arizona (it's close to home) but after receiving acceptance @ KCOM (which I LOVED!) it's harder to say for sure. AMCAS and AACOMAS were done in early August. All of my files were complete (secondaries + LORs) by the end of October. I am still waiting for interview invites @ 6 schools (I am expecting that if I am offered interviews, they will most likely be in or after January 2006.)
I really have no preference for MD over DO, I applied to the specific programs I liked. Location, cost and my overall impression of the programs are the major influencing factors. I will be putting down a deposit for either AZCOM or KCOM in December, I still have a very strong interest in UA, but they will not even be reviewing files for notification until December, the earliest acceptance would be January 2006. Acceptances are also sent out in Feb and March. Alternates and rejections are sent out in April.
12/12/05
I have recieved an invite to interview at Drexel, but the earliest opening they had was April. I will for sure know about U of A by then. I also got something from Med College of Wisconsin, sort of a pre-interview 'FYI: you're not rejected yet.' awww, isn't that nice.
I'll be sending in a deposit for KCOM, I've decided it is a better fit for me than AZCOM, has more established rotations and the program in Kirksville is (almost) totally dedicated to the DO students. I liked the feel and the atmosphere of Kirksville, even if it is in BFE! I could see myself going there.
1/20/06
Received interview invite from SLU, I like Missouri a lot, but I haven't decided for sure whether I'll interview there yet. I sent my $1000 deposit to Kirksville already, and I'm still hopeful for U of A, but I have to admit I feel a bit silly not accepting interviews at places when I'm getting quite a few of them (which is somewhat unexpected) I suppose I attribute this to a higher MCAT score and slightly higher GPA, as well as a few more EC's and some good LORs from doctors and professors that know me pretty well personally. Who knows, I'm pretty excited about recieving a positive response from a majority of the schools I applied to, something as I mentioned above, a little unexpected.
1/27/06
I have decided to interview @ SLU, on Valentine's Day... the doctors I work for have convinced me that it's not a program I should turn down an invite for, and of course, I have convinced myself it's never a bad thing to have more options. Plus it gives me a reason to get away...
2/2/06
I've made some more plans for my interview @ SLU, I'll be staying at the on-campus hotel, which should be nice. I *finally* heard something from Penn State, but it's a pretty ambiguous letter, kind of like, 'we're not ready to shred your app yet, but we'll see if anyone we REALLY wants accepts...and then MAYBE invite you for an interview' well, anywho, I'm not too gloomy about it. At the moment, I'm more annoyed with UA, who sent out their 1st round of acceptances on Monday 1/30, of which I was not a part of. There's still hope with a second and third round remaining, but it would have been nice to be accepted in the 1st round, then I would have just cancelled my interview @ SLU since UA's my first choice and switched my plane ticket to do something more fun. Sometimes I just feel like calling them up and screaming 'WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!' well, me being a control freak and all, this whole process of waiting when things are totally out of your hands is just excruciating, then again... I was already accepted to two amazing schools, so somebody just needs to duct tape my mouth shut already!
:)
3/9/06
I'll be heading off to Hershey for my interview @ Penn State Monday. I was totally floored to get offered an interview there since I'm out of state and they get like 6-7k apps. I just wonder how these schools can sort through all of that garbage! Well, it's a good sign I got an interview because maybe that means I'll be a good fit-- Penn State is known for their emphasis on the arts and humanities as well as the science aspect of medical training... sort of like my undergrad experience, if you will. I do have some affiliation with Penn State however (though not the med school) as both of my parents, 2 aunts, and grandparents went there, so maybe that's it! I was dissapointed not to hear from UA on 2/27, which was the last date they sent out true 'acceptances.' This disappointment comes because I had really convinced myself that my MCAT score was the reason I did not get in last year, but, with a 4 point improvement this year, I guess not. Not to say I wouldn't be happy with getting on the waitlist, it's just that I'd hoped for more certainty that that, you know? Still waiting to hear back from SLU at this point.
3/22/06
I heard from SLU last week, they have put me on the alternate list, although will not tell me what number I am or how many others are on it. I'm ambivalent... glad it's not a rejection, but not quite as glad as I would be with an acceptance! I am supposing this is how I might fare with U of A. I went for my Penn State interview last week... I loved it there! I never thought I would say that I'd rather attend another school over U of A, but after visiting Penn State, I would be SOOOO excited to be accepted there. *Crosses Fingers*
3/30/06
Did NOT hear from UA today, which means nothing other than I was not accepted OR waitlisted. Seems kind of strange that I could get waitlisted in a pool of applicants greater than 6000 (SLU) yet not be one about 150/500 to get accepted or waitlisted at UA, so crunch those numbers for me and I'd be happy for someone to explain it to me! Maybe they were sensing my annoyance with their system? I am beginning to think that perhaps their selection process is a lot more political than I originally anticipated-- i.e. you have to know someone who knows someone who will write you a letter of recommendation. I don't know, all things aside, Penn State has been my favorite and I am anxiously awaiting their decision, while trying not to get my hopes too high! *crossing fingers and toes*
4/18/06
Found out today my application is 'on hold' at Penn State, the way I see it they are keeping me in the pool until all apps are reviewed at which time they will accept me or keep me for the 'hold list' up until the first day of class... yahoo! May 15 is the magic day for people to give up their multiple acceptances and give me a chance to get in! I will probably start drafting a letter of intent to Penn State as they are my first choice! So glad not to be rejected, but not as glad as I would have been to be accepted-- oh sweet melancholy!
4/24/06
Mailing out 'letter of interest' to SLU and 'letter of intent' to PSU, the main difference being I am telling PSU that they are #1 and I'm telling SLU everything short of 'you're #1' Let's hope I get some positive movement with these babies! ;P
5/8/06
I emailed PSU and SLU last week to make sure they received my LOIs. I heard back from SLU, they have 'recieved and placed in my file for review. thank you for the update' No word back yet on status from PSU. I am sure they are bombarded right now! But ...oh what I wouldn't do...
5/10/06
PSU emailed me back today, they said: 'Your letter was received in our office and has been placed in your file. Thank you for your interest in Penn State College of Medicine.' Kind of an unoriginal form letter, but I'm not asking for much! at least they got it!
5/16/06
No word yet from waitlist land... ack! sometimes I get sooo sick of waiting! But what can you do? Wait some more!
5/25/06
No word yet from waitlist agony... still... waiting...looked up info on SDN from last year, most waitlisters @ PSU didn't get in until after 6/15. More waiting ahead!
5/30/06
Sending 2nd letter of intent to PSU with update, continuting interest, promise to drop all other acceptances/waitlist positions to attend PSU.
6/8/06
PSU verified receipt of my 2nd LOI. I would just like to say that I am very excited to be attending med school in the fall! I am sooo happy to have been accepted @ KCOM which is probably THE BEST DO school out there. The students get amazing rotations and match into the best residencies. Three out of Four of the Docs I work for have told me they had either trained with KCOM students, or worked with students as attendings. Everyone I have ever talked to about it has had nothing but wonderful things to say about KCOM. Needless to say, PSU is still my first choice, but not yet a for sure thing. The main reason why I would choose PSU over KCOM is proximity to my family. There are many similar reasons why I loved both of these schools: rural environment, hospital on campus, dedication/connection to nearby community, opportunity to travel during rotations, good student support system and non-competetive nature of the students. WAHOOO I am going to med school and getting excited!! It's only about 2 months away! :D
7/5/06
Still waiting on those waitlists... the clock is ticking, I will start to make final plans for KCOM if I don't hear anything from PSU by 7/17. I still plan on remaining on the WL, but I need to get my moving and living arrangements squared away. Wish me LUCK!!!! ;)
8/8/06
Finally made it to Missouri, I will be attending KCOM in about 2 weeks when school starts. I never got called off the waitlists at PSU or SLU...it was a really bad year for WL movement, PSU did not take anyone off of their WL this year...sucks for me, since they were my number one choice, but I am still very happy to be attending KCOM!!!!!!!
Best of luck to all applicants out there browsing MDApps profiles... I hope this might help you in some way! :)
Total spent on MCAT, MCAT review course, primary and secondary applications, deposits and interview/travel expenses thus far: $7,455.
***So here's my 'soapbox' point if you'll listen, and if you want the advice... if you are applying to med school because you really want to be a doctor and don't get in, you WILL improve your application, you WILL apply again, and DO NOT give up, because persistence=success, and always remember you're good enough for what you want... even if you doubt it sometimes!***
We help students become doctors. TM
