Information from adcoms about the cycle.
“All about luck” is an oversimplification for what is arguably one of the most competitive academic programs in the country. This phrase implies that applicants are randomly selected, which is far from accurate. While luck may play a minor role, applicants can actively increase or decrease their chances by taking specific steps. For instance, applying to multiple schools can reduce the impact of luck. If an applicant is passed over at one school, they may be accepted at another, provided their application is well-prepared and meets the eligibility requirements.
Admissions committees take into account numerous factors, including liability and preparedness, particularly in patient-oriented programs. Even if 200 applicants are interviewed and 50 are randomly filtered out or placed on a waitlist, pre-qualification and thorough evaluation must still occur. The admissions process begins with a preliminary review of each application, with incomplete submissions or those failing to follow instructions being dismissed. This reduces the pool, but many qualified applicants still remain.
Applications are divided among committee members, who assess various components such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and school-specific elements. Thousands of details are considered before interviews are offered. Schools have electronic systems that track this information and can identify “outliers,” such as applicants with exceptional GPAs or extensive experience. These systems allow for cross-referencing and sorting, making the process highly data-driven.
For example, an applicant’s luck might be influenced by the applicant pool in a particular year. In 2022, one applicant might find themselves in a pool with a 3.2 GPA average, while another year might have a 3.7 average. Schools can also evaluate GPA differences across countries, assess instruction-following compliance, and even use application data to diversify their classes based on nationality.
In short, thinking that every applicant has an equal chance is misleading due to the many factors at play. Even highly competitive applicants may not receive interviews at all schools. Admissions officers understand the frustration, having gone through the process themselves. The process is lengthy and complex, often taking up to a year, and is far from random.
Keep this in mind when moving forward for your next cycle ! Alll the best everyone
“All about luck” is an oversimplification for what is arguably one of the most competitive academic programs in the country. This phrase implies that applicants are randomly selected, which is far from accurate. While luck may play a minor role, applicants can actively increase or decrease their chances by taking specific steps. For instance, applying to multiple schools can reduce the impact of luck. If an applicant is passed over at one school, they may be accepted at another, provided their application is well-prepared and meets the eligibility requirements.
Admissions committees take into account numerous factors, including liability and preparedness, particularly in patient-oriented programs. Even if 200 applicants are interviewed and 50 are randomly filtered out or placed on a waitlist, pre-qualification and thorough evaluation must still occur. The admissions process begins with a preliminary review of each application, with incomplete submissions or those failing to follow instructions being dismissed. This reduces the pool, but many qualified applicants still remain.
Applications are divided among committee members, who assess various components such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and school-specific elements. Thousands of details are considered before interviews are offered. Schools have electronic systems that track this information and can identify “outliers,” such as applicants with exceptional GPAs or extensive experience. These systems allow for cross-referencing and sorting, making the process highly data-driven.
For example, an applicant’s luck might be influenced by the applicant pool in a particular year. In 2022, one applicant might find themselves in a pool with a 3.2 GPA average, while another year might have a 3.7 average. Schools can also evaluate GPA differences across countries, assess instruction-following compliance, and even use application data to diversify their classes based on nationality.
In short, thinking that every applicant has an equal chance is misleading due to the many factors at play. Even highly competitive applicants may not receive interviews at all schools. Admissions officers understand the frustration, having gone through the process themselves. The process is lengthy and complex, often taking up to a year, and is far from random.
Keep this in mind when moving forward for your next cycle ! Alll the best everyone