This is my second time through the application process. In my first try I was straight out of undergrad, had a terrible composite GPA (3.34), no clinical experience, and was having some serious doubts as to whether I really wanted to enter medicine (or whether I really was up to snuff). After two interviews, one rejection (SUNY Downstate) and one very long waitlist position that ultimately didn't work out (UIC), my MCAT instructor convinced me to do the Georgetown SMP while reapplying. So I did.
In this second time through applications, I applied to 22 schools (roughly same as my first time), but I also I made one fatal flaw: I neglected to learn the maximum age of MCAT scores schools would accept. (Long story short, the general rule is three years from your date of *matriculation*, not the date you apply to the school.) I took my MCAT in August 2002, and was hoping to matriculate in August 2006 -- sadly, most schools won't accept an MCAT that is more than three years old. Even more sadly, I didn't realize this until my move from CA to DC. Plus, there was little I could do about it (eg, even though I had some good ins at USC and UCI, they still wouldn't budge on the MCAT age requirement).
Upon my arrival in DC, I researched and found that of the 22 schools to which I'd applied, only five (GUSOM, AECOM, NYMC, UVM, and AMC) would accept my MCAT scores. And even though I was enrolled in the SMP, GUSOM was very tentative about my MCAT. Finally, I received an e-mail from the associate dean that they'd look at my application as long as I took the April 2006 MCAT. Which, interestingly, the SMP directors vehemently say we're not supposed to take -- mostly because April is during physiology, which is allegedly the toughest course in the program. But as my degree is in physiology (though had I actually done well in physiology I suppose I wouldn't be in the SMP...), I figured I could hack it. Besides, by the time January had come around, I had a 4.0 in the program, and figured I could adjust my studying to fit in some MCAT-studying joyousness. So I did (and got an A in physiology too!) and eagerly awaited GUSOM's reply.
Meanwhile, I started getting interview offers at my five schools. UVM came first (interestingly I'd forgotten that I even applied there, so the offer came as an unexpected surprise). Then came AMC (tough interview, btw), followed by an interview offer from GUSOM. Finally, an offer from NYMC (my #1 choice as of then) rolled in, and I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe that as such a borderline applicant (disregarding my SMP grades) I had such success with interview offers.
Then came the heartbreaker. Just two weeks after taking the April MCAT, I received a Dear John letter from GUSOM. Ah well, their loss and all that. Besides, going through the SMP, one learns s/he is a second-class citizen pretty quickly, with the rude stares and outright rudeness from M1s, GUSOM having difficulty penciling physios into the M1 schedule, not being allowed to attend certain classes, etc. All in all, while for personal reasons I would've loved to attend GUSOM (eg, my girfriend works in Baltimore and my best friend just moved to DC), there was nothing compelling about the institution, academically or otherwise. In the end, no real loss; I just felt disrespected for being specifically asked to take the April MCAT, only to have it completely disregarded (ie, never even looked at). But again, ah well.
Thankfully, I'd only be bummed for about a week. Just eight days after the GUSOM rejection, UVM took me off their waitlist and offered me a spot in the 2006 entering class! Prior to this, I had been waitlisted at UVM and NYMC and rejected from AECOM. (To my knowledge, AMC still hasn't created an alternate list as of June 2006.) Needless to say, I sent in my acceptance to UVM in no time flat.
So as normally happens in this amazingly cracked-out life, things worked out just fine in the end. I made some great friends in SMP, got to take another stab at the MCAT without my score actually having any bearing on my application, got interviews at 80% of my schools, did well in the SMP (should have a 3.9x by the end of the year), and got accepted to a top 20 school (in primary care). And icing on the cake: UVM just offered me a $10k/year scholarship!
Honestly, all this good fortune is making me nervous... ;-)
UPDATE: Finally received my MCAT scores a couple of weeks ago. I got a 35R, which isn't bad, but I really wanted to break 40 (I know, who doesn't?). Ah, well. There's a small part of me that wants to send the score to GUSOM with a polite e-mail telling them where they can stick their acceptance, but... ;-)
