Posted by Probably Rejected on January 21, 2012, 1:23 am
Unfortunately, it sounds like those of us who didn't receive an interview offer this week have probably been rejected. Someone posted on the board a few hours ago and mentioned that they received their interview offer during the first week of January, and a few others have stated that they've received offers as well.
It's entirely possible that Emory plans to send out more interview offers, but with the interview dates themselves being just days away, it seems more likely that Emory has invited all the applicants they plan to invite.
For those of us who didn't/haven't received an invite, I think the next logical step is to begin assessing how our applications can be made more competitive for the next admission cycle.
For those of us who were most likely rejected because of a single detractor (I.e., a low GRE score) but who are competitive in all other areas, is it enough to improve the low GRE score, maybe shadow a few more times, and then re-apply? Or is the admissions committee going to expect to see a multitude of improvements made considering that we would have had 6+ months to make improvements?
I know that people are going to say, "AA programs don't want people who are interested in doing the minimum to get accepted," but there isn't an EMT program near where I live, and I would like to avoid taking on $30k-50k in student loan debt to get a master's degree. I would love to get a master's degree, but even the "cheap" programs at the local state university cost in that range.
Having said that, I'm not sure there's much else I can do to improve my application besides improving one of my GRE scores. My GPA is around a 3.6 and I already have my degree, so it's not really going to move around that much. I also have experience conducting an independent research project that I received college credit for. I have also shadowed for over 50 hours in several hospitals.
I have talked to a local technical school about enrolling in the CNA program, but I have been told by hiring coordinators at a few of the hospitals around here that CNA work involves a lot ass wiping, cleaning patients who have soiled themselves, washing soiled linens, etc. This will probably sound wimpy and pathetic, but I honestly don't think I can handle that kind work. I was always that kid in grade school who almost barfed when another kid would throw-up. I just don't think I'm cut out for taking care of patients in that kind of capacity. The blood and viscera during surgery doesn't bother me at all, but for some reason, the... "other stuff" does.
So unless I just suck it up and become a CNA and find a way to handle the work (which I would rather not do), I don't see what else I can do besides improve my GRE score. I think a master's degree would be the best option, but again, I'm not really in a position to be taking out thousands of dollars in loans on a degree that I'll likely never even use. On top of that, there are several people who have posted here who got master's degree and yet still didn't even get an interview offer. I have already completed a formal research project and (most likely) didn't get an interview, so I'm not sure that assisting in more research will help my chances next cycle if it didn't this time.
If I re-take the GRE and score very competitively for Emory's program (70th percentile or higher on both sections), do you think I'll be likely to get an interview offer next cycle, or will the admissions staff say, "His GRE scores are competitive now, but he hasn't done anything else but that? Forget it!"
It seems like you and have a great background. I've said it once before...stop focusing on the GRE and take the MCAT instead. It will make you more competitive as an applicant since most people that apply to Emory as well as other programs (apart from Case and UMKC) don't take the MCAT.
Also is Emory the only program you applied to? It seems like most people on here are set on attending Emory. Why is that? There are what...six or so different programs now? I honestly don't see the fascination with Emory. I'm from the Atlanta area and turned down Emory's offer to attend Case because I feel that they have a better program. At this point does it matter where you go? AA school is AA school so I hope you aren't limiting yourself by only applying to one program.
Well said. Hell, I went to Emory and if I had to do it all again I'm not so sure I would go there.
OP, why don't you just email the office and ask if they are done sending out interview invites? Also, you realize getting an interview doesn't guarantee admission...I think they interviewed 100 people for our class and something like 46 were accepted.
Don't feel bad guys. I have been in health care for 10 years now and making about $100 K a year and I did not get an invite. I guess I am a glutton for punishment because I decided to go back to school and into debt. I winged the GRE and did not do too well. Oh well, I just have to settle for what I am doing now and road biking every other week. Good luck fellas and I sincerely hope you will get in next year. Rejection is a b*tch!
Actually, I e-mailed Jerry on Thursday morning and never heard back from her, and whenever I would call the program, the receptionist (or whatever her title is) would always say that Jerry had stepped out, was busy, etc.
For me, a lot of the preference for Emory is based on proximity; I don't live that far from Atlanta and it would just generally be more convenient to go there over any of the other schools. Also, and I'm not sure if they're legitimate grievances or not, but I have read a number of not-so-good things about Nova's programs and just kind of figured that I might as well choose Emory over Nova.
I realize what you mean about an interview not guaranteeing admission, and that's something that has me worried about re-applying next year: what if I get an interview then, get waitlisted, and get rejected AGAIN? I guess that's just a reality that all re-applicants have to take into consideration.
I just feel like you are limiting yourself by only applying to Emory and Nova. Sure every program is going to have their ups and downs but if this is truly what you want to do then at the end of the day it really shouldn't matter where you go as long as you get in somewhere especially since it seems that these programs are becoming more and more competitive every year.
Again if you do not get in this year take the MCAT. It will open up two more programs you can apply to and is a quick way to improve upon your application.