- Joined
- Apr 24, 2001
- Messages
- 20,482
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I just thought I'd toss a little bit of info into the ether in case it helps anybody. My first time applying was two years ago, and I didn't get in. Last year, I chose to halt my application process because a large number of family members were seriously ill simultaneously. This year, I got in under the wire (before my 35 MCAT expired).
I honestly think that the most important thing I did was to talk to the admissions director to find out why I didn't get in. ***Note that I only applied to one school. I had my reasons, but this is an extremely stupid move that no one else should repeat*** In my case, I was fine academically, but my interviews did not go well, and I didn't have any recent clinical experience. The first part surprised me, because I thought the interviews seemed fairly low-key, and I felt confident during them. It turns out that, in trying not to sound cheesy or insincere, I had failed to communicate just how strong my feelings about medicine were.
So here's what I changed. First, I've been volunteering at the University Hospital ER since the summer. That's time that I will never regret investing -- and I don't mean investing in the application process, I mean investing in the community. Working at the ER is the first thing I've done since I moved here in 1997 that has made me feel like a worthwhile citizen. It's too much fun working with the patients!!!
Second, when I had the good fortune of going in for interviews this time, I was EXTREMELY direct with my interviewers about what I wanted them to know. I told both of them that I had discussed why my previous interviews did not go well. Because I had interviewed before and because I was so up front with the interviewers, we were able to direct most of the interview time toward my explaining to them why I want to be a physician and just how badly I do want it.
By finding out what my mistakes were before, I was able to fix them. I am so glad that I talked to the director of admissions -- after all, I'm not psychic, so asking what the school thought of me allowed me to affect the appropriate changes.
And it all worked. I got my acceptance letter this week.
So to all you fellow re-applicants, continue to persevere. There IS an acceptance letter at the end of the tunnel. And remember, your corner is crowded, because everybody here at SDN is in it. 
I honestly think that the most important thing I did was to talk to the admissions director to find out why I didn't get in. ***Note that I only applied to one school. I had my reasons, but this is an extremely stupid move that no one else should repeat*** In my case, I was fine academically, but my interviews did not go well, and I didn't have any recent clinical experience. The first part surprised me, because I thought the interviews seemed fairly low-key, and I felt confident during them. It turns out that, in trying not to sound cheesy or insincere, I had failed to communicate just how strong my feelings about medicine were.
So here's what I changed. First, I've been volunteering at the University Hospital ER since the summer. That's time that I will never regret investing -- and I don't mean investing in the application process, I mean investing in the community. Working at the ER is the first thing I've done since I moved here in 1997 that has made me feel like a worthwhile citizen. It's too much fun working with the patients!!!
Second, when I had the good fortune of going in for interviews this time, I was EXTREMELY direct with my interviewers about what I wanted them to know. I told both of them that I had discussed why my previous interviews did not go well. Because I had interviewed before and because I was so up front with the interviewers, we were able to direct most of the interview time toward my explaining to them why I want to be a physician and just how badly I do want it.
By finding out what my mistakes were before, I was able to fix them. I am so glad that I talked to the director of admissions -- after all, I'm not psychic, so asking what the school thought of me allowed me to affect the appropriate changes.
And it all worked. I got my acceptance letter this week.
So to all you fellow re-applicants, continue to persevere. There IS an acceptance letter at the end of the tunnel. And remember, your corner is crowded, because everybody here at SDN is in it. 
