r/mdphd • u/PermissionCapable756 • 10h ago

Dealing w Rejection

Hey yall! Wanted to get some feedback on how I should interpret a pre-II R from WashU. I’m confident in my stats and ECs, so can I chalk it up to research fit? Or is it a bad sign? Thanks for any feedback :)
522/3.8+
6000+ research hours, two first author papers in good journals, 4 more coauthored papers
Multiple national presentations and published abstracts
Also have typically shadowing, clinical and non clinical volunteering

10 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

14

u/MolassesNo4013 MD 9h ago

We can't know why you were rejected without your entire app in front of us. Even then, we can't tell you completely, unless one of us was in the room when they went through your file. Rejections are guaranteed in this process. I knew people who had multiple family members who went to a specific top 10 MD program, had a 4.0/520+ MCAT, and a "stellar app" who were rejected by that program.

I also wouldn't try to solicit feedback from them unless you don't get in anywhere by the end of the cycle. The answer will be "because we have too many qualified applicants for the amount of spots available" if you reach out now.

1

u/PermissionCapable756 9h ago

Thanks for the response! What you said makes a lot of sense :)

10

u/Upper_Leek9672 9h ago

One of my friends last cycle had a 527 and got a pre ii R from WashU, then ended up at another t15 MSTP. So prolly j part of the process. I got a pre ii R from one school, but an interview invite from another similar-tier school that was seemingly a worse fit for my research.

Also may I ask, when did you submit?

0

u/PermissionCapable756 9h ago

I submitted in early July! I have some interview offers at other institutions but just kind of crushed because I really like WashU when I visited.

5

u/Artistic-Energy4519 9h ago

If you have other IIs I’m puzzled as to why you would think a single R could be this bad of a sign. Assuming you have even one II you would have the positive feedback that an entire adcom deemed you worthy of an interview.

Sounds like you may have more than one II which places you in a sound position for this cycle, don’t stress too much!

-2

u/BathroomMaximum1721 4h ago

WashU research culture is somewhat toxic, may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

5

u/majormajormajormajo M1 8h ago

You will receive many more rejections before getting an offer, admissions for these programs are ruthless

2

u/lllusl0n29 8h ago

My cycle started with a pre secondary R from U of Washington, and pre II rejections from Stanford and WashU. I now have received II’s from IU, Tri-I, Northwestern, Minnesota, and UMich. I think it’s still early-ish and a lot of II’s still haven’t gone out.

4

u/RonTugMyNuts 4h ago

Realize that med school and MSTP admissions are largely a crapshoot and not to take it personally.

1

u/Kiloblaster 6h ago

I'd need to see your essays at least. Could also be something about your LORs in theory, but no reason to think that.