I took the MCAT in August, so I had no real feel for which schools I might get into when I submitted my AMCAS in July. I went for a very broad range. Yale and Mayo were out of the question no matter what score I got, but I thought they were neat programs and I thought 'hey, you never know unless you apply.'
So far, so good. Haven't got rejected by any schools yet (knock on wood). Looking at this site, there is such variability in scores, GPA and experiences in those who were accepted. Now the admission process seems like more of an enigma than ever! It seems like some schools just give out interviews and acceptances randomly, or maybe they put more emphasis on your activities and your reasons for choosing medicine. I hope it's the latter, as my numbers are not the best. I'll try to keep this site updated, mostly to keep track for myself, but if helps another applicant that's good too (unless they steal my spot at Irvine, then I would be mad).
10/27 - Update
Received my first rejection today. Knew it was a rejection before I even opened it because it came via snail mail and was super thin. No surprise really, it was from UCSF. I know I am not the type of applicant that they want and that is okay because they are not the school that I want. I almost did not apply there, but I figured I would since I am a California resident. Still, it does not feel good to get rejected.
11/8 - Update 2
Rejection number two came in the mail today from Georgetown. Would be nice to get an interview from at least one school before they reject me. Are my numbers really THAT bad? It probably doesn't help that I went to a California State school and that I'm a white male. Oh well, still have my fingers crossed for UC Irvine.
11/22 - Update 3
Alas, another rejection. And I might add WTF? My scores and interests are definitely right in there with Albany. Maybe they would have rejected me anyways, but I think they should have at least given me an interview. Getting a little worried that I'll have to go to the Caribbean if I want an M.D.
12/6 - Update 4
Two rejections today. Dartmouth and Mayo. Both were long shots, so I don't really care except that I would feel a whole lot more comfortable if I had an acceptance in my hand...or an interview invite. I've come to realize something, those people who said apply early were right (that means taking the April MCAT or August the year before).
Plan B: So, if I don't get in anywhere, I guess I'll just try to do something to fill out my application with research or a biotech type job for a year and also retake the MCAT (30 is passable, but it's looking like I'll need higher to compensate for my GPA).
12/7 - Update 5
Decided to do a little telephone investigation 'checking my status' and found out that I am in Rosalind Franklin's 'Acceptable for interview pool'. Ah, that wonderful word...'acceptance'. I know, it's only for an interview, and technically they haven't invited me yet (and it's not the best of schools), but hey it's a lot better than yet another rejection letter. This is exciting.
1/7 - Update 6
Well, bad news today from the application front. Rejections from Stanford (shock!) and UC San Diego, although UCSD did wish me 'Season's Greetings' on the envelope. I wrote to Albany asking why they rejected me pre-interview, but they just sent me a canned letter telling me facts and figures that I already knew. I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to bug them until I get a real answer. I also got a pre-interview hold from George Washington University; I feel so bottom-of-the-barrel. I sent them a letter telling them to reconsider me because of how great I am and how great their school is (maybe not so much on the former, but I thought I would try).
1/26 - Update 7
Rejection from UCLA. I don't care. Called Oregon and was told I'm rejected there too. That one I do care about. This process sucks, every time another rejection rolls in I feel like crap.
2/2 - Update 8
So, 6 months to the day after they received my AMCAS, UC Davis finally gets around to e-mailing me to tell me I'm rejected. Pre-secondary.
2/11 - Update 9
Rejected from George Washington after being put on hold. Also, I'm concerned that I did not receive an e-mail on Friday morning inviting me for an interview at UCI as many August MCATers did. I sent them an update letter, I hope it's not too late!
2/25 - Update 10
So, still no interviews. NYU rejected me. Knew it was coming since they had already had their last interview day and I don't recall being there. I had a weird conversation with a woman in the admissions office at Rosalind Franklin the other day:
Me: 'Hi, I would like to check on my application status if I could.'
RF: 'Have you been interviewed?'
Me: 'No.'
RF: 'Okay hold on. What's your name?'
Me: (I tell them, but not you :) )
RF: 'Okay. Can you hold?'
Me: 'Sure.'
Waiting for about five minutes (seems kind of long doesn't it?) and then a different person comes on the line.
RF: 'Hi. This is Katherine (I think that was her name?)
Me: 'I was wondering about my application status.'
RF: 'You're in the possible interview pool.'
Me: 'Okay. Thanks. I've been on there for a couple of months, so I just wanted to check.'
RF: 'When was the last time you called?'
Me: 'About a month and a half ago.'
RF: 'Okay. Yeah, you've been passed over twice now for an interview, but you're still being considered. It's really not unusual for someone in your situation (?) to still not have been invited for an interview'
Me: 'Oh. (wwssshhhhhhhhhhh = sound of my ego deflating). Yeah, I know, my GPA isn't exactly spectacular.'
RF: [Quietly] 'Yeah, and neither is your MCAT.'
Me: 'Oh.' (My ego, time of death, 7:57am (9:57 am Central) 2/22/05)
RF: [Long pause] 'But you're still being considered, they must have seen something that they liked in your application. One of the committee members wrote something on here, but I can't quite make it out.'
Me: 'Oh.' (Yeah, right)
RF: 'It's good that you've shown interest in the school though, they look upon that positively. You are definitely still interested in an interview then?'
Me: 'Yeah (slightly encouraged). I'd love to come out for an interview ...
MY BRAIN: 'I'd love one at UCI more, but hey beggars can't be choosers.'
RF: 'Well, we interview into May, so there's still plenty of time.'
Me: 'Do you send your invites by e-mail or regular mail?'
RF: 'Regular mail only!'
Me: 'Okay. Well I was wondering because I received one of those brochures about RF's post-bacc program. I thought maybe that meant I was going to be rejected.'
RF: 'You're the second non-rejected applicant that's called and mentioned that. That was a mistake, they were only supposed to go out to applicants who had already been rejected. (Proceeds to rant about the department at RF that sent out the brochures. NOT the medical school office)'.
Me: 'Oh, okay.'
RF: 'The admissions committee usually meets to send out invites around the 15th of the month, a month before that actual interview.'
Me: 'That's useful to know. (Sort of)'
RF: 'They'll be meeting again around March 15th to sent out invites for April and in April for the May invites.'
Me: 'Okay. I'll watch for the invite then. Thanks for the information. Goodbye.'
RF: 'Bye.' Click.
MY BRAIN: 'Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Well, it was a weird thing. Huh.'
3/4 - Update 11
Rejected from Northwestern today. Not surprising since I'm obviously under-qualified. The rejection letter said that they were especially sorry since my Mom went there for graduate school. They did offer to talk with me about how I could improve my application if I would like, which I think is very nice of them. I may take them up on that.
3/7 - Update 12
Columbia rejection. I'm SO surprised. ;) Did talk to the director of Georgetown's SMP and he said that I should have an 'excellent chance at admission'. Well, at least my numbers are competitive for something.
3/17 - Update 13
UCI put me on pre-interview hold. Come on, come on. Give me an interview! In other news USC has rejected me.
3/24 - Update 14
UCI rejected me. This has got to be one of the worst days of my life. Not the worst mind you, but it's in the top ten.
4/16 - Update 15
Well I'm still here and still haven't been to a med school interview. I think that I will be going to Georgetown's SMP next year, provided I get in and I'm not assuming anything with schools anymore. I went to their openhouse and I really liked it. I think that their program would really help my application. It's expensive and a lot of hard work, but the directors seem very supportive and I think that, if I do well (3.5+), it could push my application up to an acceptable level.
4/18 - Update 16
Loyola rejection. Adding it to the pile.
4/20 - Update 17
Called Rosalind Franklin. I am rejected from there too. That was the last school I was waiting on. I know all of the others are done interviewing. 24 completed applications, 0 interviews. :(
5/11 - Update 18
Accepted to Georgetown's SMP today. At first I thought it must have been a mistake because I was actually being accepted to something! Even if it is a mistake, I'm still going.
5/21- Update 19
If you would like to continue reading my application saga, please see profile number: 3430
