<p>Now as my daughter is a senior, and is applying to med schools (where did the time go???) I am wondering if anyone can tell us some of their basic stats... MCAT score, GPA, major(s) and EC's. I know that ND has a high overall med school acceptance rate, but what are some of the real numbers? What a whirlwind this journey is! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hey, I was a biochem and Chinese dual degree student at ND (in the honors program as well). I graduated with a GPA a little over 3.7 and got a 35 on my MCAT (13 verbal, 12 physical sciences, 10 biological sciences, and a Q in writing). For my ECs, I had some shadowing, ER volunteering, tutoring Chinese, tutoring at the South Bend Juvenile Corrections Facility, was involved in several clubs (president of one, group leader in another), and did some research at the Mayo Clinic (1 summer) and ND (5 semesters).</p>
<p>I applied to 17 schools, was invited to interview at 10, attended 9 of those interviews (chose not to go to Georgetown), was accepted to 6 (U of MN, Ohio State, Loyola, Cincinnati, MCW, and SLU), waitlisted at 1 (Case Western), and rejected post-interview at 2 (Mayo and IU). The rest (Harvard, UChicago, Rush, Northwestern, Creighton, Wisconsin, and Michigan) rejected me w/o an interview. And I just started medical school at the University of Minnesota. 
</p>
<p>And now anyone who knows me can totally identify me here, lol… Sorry if that was TMI, I hope it helps!</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that this past year was a really rough application cycle and I was REALLY lucky to be as successful as I was. This coming year is expected to be rough as well. It has become a lot harder to get into med school with the economy as it is and more people deciding to go back to school. Most of my friends who applied did make it into medical school this year, but several of them got in off waitlists during the summer.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter! :)</p>
<p>Thanks Shellzie! I remember your informative posts a few years ago when we were asking about admission to ND! Now, here we are again… You are a great help! All the best to you in your medical studies! I know you will do just great! Thanks!</p>
<p>Shellzie remember you so well back when you were deciding about ND, and so happy to hear how well things turned out for you! Wishing you continued success…</p>
<p>Thanks, guys! :)</p>
<p>Anyone else? D has all the apps in, and now she waits…</p>
<p>I’m in the process of applying this year, Bio major with a 3.6 GPA, 36MCAT (though my grades shot upwards majorly after 1st semester soph year). Good ECs, good LORs, studied abroad. We’ll see how it goes (I’m applying to about 20 schools)</p>
<p>If you live in Cali good luck, your state schools are notoriously hard to get into.</p>
<p>It’s a good thing she got everything done before senior year starts. Now the real fun begins. Many applicants make the frankly foolish assumption that all they have to do now is wait. That is true in some regards but it is critical to make additional contact with the schools you applied to. Handwritten letters and phone calls are generally fine. You obviously do not want to be annoying the schools but you want to make sure they know that you care. </p>
<p>In regards to California, it is difficult because most of the schools in CA do not overtly favor instate residents. As you are aware out of state tuition is always higher and Ca schools make their money by bringing in students from outside the state. I also do not think that it helps to have gone to undergrad in another state even if you are a Ca resident.</p>
<p>How about applying ED? Is this a good thing, or not so much? It seems that taking a year off is a popular thing too~hard to imagine when med school is so long, but I think I read that the average age of a first year med student is 26! wow…</p>
<p>I can’t speak much to the ED point. As far as taking a year off goes I cannot say I am a fan of the idea. Some do but most do not. Those who do take a year off often do so before applying in an effort to get extra post-bac work, extra curriculars, or research experience. This is perfectly fine and is great prep for med school. It probably is not a good idea to take too much time off because it is easy to lose the rigorous ND study conditioning. Some med schools are also not very high on the concept of deferring an acceptance for the following year. Some certainly do but I had a friend who was met with some animosity when he asked his current med school’s admissions dean if waiting a year would be possible.</p>
<p>We know of a student that has deferred med school to participate in Teach for America. Assume that is not going to be a problem!</p>