<p>I've been rejected from HPME, USC, and Case Western.</p>
<p>I have a 2380, 800's in Math and Chinese, 790 in Chem, and lots of volunteer service for wildlife, legal stuff and humanitarian causes. I work at a hospital, and I've interned at 3 labs. </p>
<p>btw, I'm an Asian female.</p>
<p>What's wrong with my application? </p>
<p>I thought my essays were alright, and I admit that I don't have much medical experience.</p>
<p>I think it’s the Medical EC’s that are lacking. Have you shadowed any doctors, observed surgeries, possibly have any LOR’s from them? I think that’s what’s lacking. It doesn’t really show that you are fully committed to a life in medicine, though I’m sure you are if you’re applying to BS/MD programs, but the adcoms at the rejected schools you listed probably didn’t think so.</p>
<p>And your essays: Do they really stand out? Do they state why you want to go into medicine and why you want to go to THEIR program specifically? When it comes to grades, you’re obviously fine. But afterwards, it’s all about the interview and the essay. Are you sure your essay made the point that this is what you want to do for the REST of your life? </p>
<p>Also, as for your SAT II’s, did you ever take the Math IIc (you didn’t specify), a Science (Chem/Bio/Physics), and a Literature test? Those three SAT II’s I mentioned are usually required if you decide to submit your SAT’s. (unless you decide to submit ACT scores)</p>
<p>What is wrong is that you have applied to the most selective programs. My D. is in combined program at state school and very happy about it. She has also been rejected from PPSP at Case, the only more known program on her list, the rest of them were at state schools, and she got accepted at 3 of them, so she had a choice.</p>
<p>My son only applied to a few - only PPSP on your list. He didn’t get into PPSP either but he did get accepted to PLME (Brown). Each program looks for something different. I guess he fit Brown’s view better than Case Western’s. </p>
<p>Perhaps your 3 programs expected your high stats since they have so many high performing applicants to choose from. They probably also emphasize research/internships, volunteering, job shadowing or leadership. As MiamiDAP suggested, you could have also considered some less selective programs (still great opportunities), either they have lower requirements or perhaps they have more openings. Remember, some programs only take 10 students. The competition is intense.</p>
<p>I agree with XelbMS about medical ECs. Many applicants have years of volunteering in some medical related field. Job shadowing is a great opportunity to see what doctors actually do day to day. Try to shadow a couple different types of doctors. Ask doctors you know. Call your local hospitals to see if they offer any programs. Our Medical School offers a semester long weekly program with rotating doctors talking about different specialites. Most hospitals have volunteering opportunities. </p>
<p>Some med schools want research experience as well… My son had an interview at REMS and HIS med school interviewer focused on research experience (which my son didn’t have - not much anyway). So although disappointed, my son wasn’t surprised that he didn’t get offered a slot at UR. Other kids interviewing at REMS said their interviewers didn’t ask much about research but asked about other experience (job shadowing, volunteering, etc). Guess it was just luck of the draw which med school interviewer you got. Or who knows? Maybe those interviewers read about those kids’ research experience on their applications so they skipped over that to ask about other ECs. Most likely, there were simply ten applicants interviewing who fit REMS program better than my son. There are tons of HIGHLY qualified applicants and very few slots available. So you may have been a strong candidate, just not as strong as the top group. </p>
<p>Your stats are great. Keep up the good work. Try to widen your medical experience and find your passion (and be able to discuss it). Interviews and essays are a very important way to show how you see the medical field and why you want to be a part of it. You need to “show” not just “tell”. THat’s why you need the experience to back your words up. </p>
<p>But always be yourself and make the most of whatever opportunities present themselves. There’s still time to do all these things in college so don’t dispair. MOST medical students went through regular 4 yr undergrad programs before entering med school. It’s not that you did something wrong. You may have applied to med programs that valued experience you simply don’t have YET.</p>
<p>The students interviewing who I met at these programs all had extensive (years) experience with medical volunteering, job shadowing/mini med programs and scientific research/internships. In general, they had 4.0 GPAs (I think REMS stated they wanted 3.95UW GPA). SATs were 750+ in most areas with many having 800s in math. SATs were required, especially Chem. Although some mentioned low 700s, many had 750+ (800 in math). Some had Intel and Siemens experience. So, simply put, the applicants’ stats were incredible. ECs, leadership and most important - maturity- probably became the determining factors. It’s simply up to each medical school which criteria means the most.</p>
<p>you must keep in mind that those things that you have applied to are the ABSOLUTE most competitive academic programs to get into, probably on the planet. I know amazing people that simply did not get interviews at HPME, so you should not feel too bad about it.</p>
<p>if you are chinese, your 800 in the chinese subject test means nothing…
otherwise I don’t see a real problem, your stats are similar to mine but I guess I’ve been luckier… perhaps your essays just didn’t stand out?</p>
<p>I know only one person who got accepted to PPSP at Case with stats lower than my D’s. This person had great connection and had rec. letter written by insider. We kept it very cool, just fact of life that one has to keep in mind. Then there are URMs. Being Asian is disadvantage, this group is overrepresented in application pool to combined programs. Keeping all this facts in mind (“asian” fact was not applicable), D applied to a lot of programs at state schools. One factor is greatly overlooked is that state schools are treating these “star” students very very well, giving them tons of academic scholarships, presenting them with all kind of opportunities not open to others.</p>
<p>also, often in terms of primary care, state medical schools often beat private schools</p>
<p>When I see an Asian applicant with high stats and few medical EC’s, I (and most adcoms) think it’s just another Asian robot who got pressured by mommy and daddy to apply.</p>
<p>Being Asian is not a problem in and of itself. If you look at the rosters of most of the high profile BS/MD programs, they’re full of Chinese and Indian kids. Heck, whites are URM’s in these kinds of programs. But, these are Asians who’ve at least tried to show that they’ve given their career choice some thought instead of capitulating to their parents’ wishes. That’s what you need to ultimately prove.</p>
<p>besides working in a hospital, what is a medical EC?</p>
<p>research and shadowing doctors</p>
<p>Also, working at blood drives, advocating any public health issue, involving yourself in your county’s health initiatives, working at a free clinic (even in the office), doing things with other health care practitioners, working as an EMT, etc.</p>
<p>honestly, don’t feel bad. you applied to the hardest ones. and seriously, bs/md programs are a great way to deal with rejections. they are, simply put, just too tough/competitive</p>
<p>true, dance5257. i didn’t even react yesterday when i got my rochester rejection haha</p>
<p>My question is, which other ones did you apply into? Have you gotten any interviews for other med programs yet?</p>
<p>look at the other threads within this section, greenangel.</p>
<p>This really is ■■■■■■■■/a crapshoot.
To put things in perspective, I got interviews at UMKC and Northwestern HPME. But got flat out rejected from the St. Louis U Med Scholars program that I considered a safety! Rejected from USC, havent heard from BU yet.</p>
<p>Wait, so WashU in St. Louis is already sending out rejections?</p>
<p>no, he’s talking about the Saint Louis University program, not the Wash U in St. Louis program - 2 different schools with 2 different programs</p>
<p>oh okay thanks.</p>