Thread: Readmissions Denied

Hi all. I am in a situation that I have no idea how to go about it. I will just inform you all about my situation and hope to hear some response into how to deal with this. I joined aua in the May semester of 2008 and finished 5th semester in December 2009. I passed the comp in Feb 2010 and was preparing for the USMLE Step 1. I wasn't able to do the usmle step 1 ran in financial problems and also my dad lost his job too. I had applied for readmission in may 2011 and was told to redo the comp and was given 2 chances. Unfortunately I couldn't pass the comp in those 2 attempts. I was told to reapply again and was the admissions representatives informed me that the school might ask me to go back to the island for a review course since I didn't pass the comp. Today few minutes back I received mail from the office in new york that I was denied readmission. I am totally devastated about this. I had prepared myself mentally to get back to school and also financially have saved up since I have been working. I really don't want to transfer out to another school. What should I do? I tried calling to speak to someone, but everyone has left so am waiting for tomorrow.

Terribly sorry to hear this. All I can tell you is that you should definitely try to reach someone as high up the ladder as possible (DEAN or higher) on Monday and plead your case. I would also spend some time this weekend crafting a well-articulated e-mail that explains your side of the story and why you should be allowed to continue your education at AUA. Send it out Sunday or first thing Monday morning before you call. Lastly, if things don't work out with this, it is NOT the end of the world. I repeat, it is NOT the end of the world. I was dismissed from AUC for academic failure, I was granted a second chance by AUA, and I was still able to prematch at my top pick residency program in SEPTEMBER 2011 (almost a YEAR before my residency start date)...and I had NO "connections". It's all about board scores, personal statements, and showing that you are capable of learning from your mistakes. In closing, I would make every effort possible to convince AUA that you are worthy of another shot. If you are unsuccessful, pursue your goal elsewhere. It's seriously not as big of a deal as it seems right now. Trust me. You WILL achieve your goal if you stick with it and work your tail off. Tomorrow is my last day of clinicals, and I promise you there is no better feeling in the world than setting a lofty goal for yourself and achieving the hell out of it. Best of luck.

I think you should transfer to a school that will not be so draconian in their decision making process.

Cheystar, sorry to hear about your bad news. I know a person at ross who was in a similar situation (failed a couple classes in fourth, was dismissed, appealed). What she did that seemed to really help her was ask for a letter of endorsement from a couple of professors she had on the island and asked them to send it to the dean and admissions committee. Also, try to sell yourself and your work ethic in that letter that Arkie suggested writing, for example if you had good grades in basics, remind them. If there is one silver lining in all of this, it's that you didn't fail the actual usmle. I hope things work out for you, best of luck

Originally Posted by cheystar

Hi all. I am in a situation that I have no idea how to go about it. I will just inform you all about my situation and hope to hear some response into how to deal with this. I joined aua in the May semester of 2008 and finished 5th semester in December 2009. I passed the comp in Feb 2010 and was preparing for the USMLE Step 1. I wasn't able to do the usmle step 1 ran in financial problems and also my dad lost his job too. I had applied for readmission in may 2011 and was told to redo the comp and was given 2 chances. Unfortunately I couldn't pass the comp in those 2 attempts. I was told to reapply again and was the admissions representatives informed me that the school might ask me to go back to the island for a review course since I didn't pass the comp. Today few minutes back I received mail from the office in new york that I was denied readmission. I am totally devastated about this. I had prepared myself mentally to get back to school and also financially have saved up since I have been working. I really don't want to transfer out to another school. What should I do? I tried calling to speak to someone, but everyone has left so am waiting for tomorrow.

WOW!!! That letter of endorsement is a great idea. Try to write the best letter ever. Demonstrate how grade of a student you are & let them know you would be willing to return to the island for the review course. Talk about how beneficial you think the review course would be. If all else fails. Transfer to a lower tier school. You can still get a residency & have the same goals you will just have state restrictions. Oh if you do go to a low tier school be prepared to pay out of pocket as most of them dont have financial aid.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will take Arkie's advise and will write a letter about my situation and also will mention about what Cardiomegaly said about my willingness to go back and do a review course on the island. As I haven't passed the comp it really does show I need a review course to freshen up on my basic science knowledge. I was thinking about the letter of endorsement, but I have been off the island for sometime I don't know if any of the profs will remember me. Now who will I address my letter to? To the person I got the denied letter from?

I think it would be appropriate to address to the person who rejected you and cc the main admissions department.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I had sent a letter to the person who I got the readmission denial from on monday, but still haven't heard a word back. I tried calling but am not getting her. Hopefully I hear something soon. By the time am looking into transferring as a worse case so at least I can get a chance to write the step 1. I heard students talking about UMHS and windsor. Any other schools that I could research into? Also am looking into a school which has a basic science review course since I have been out of school for 2 years now I really need a refresher for sure.

First off, best of luck with the appeal. Second, if finances are still an issue for you, I would recommend taking a look at each schools clinical affiliate list and seeing which ones have rotations either close to your home or relatives homes where you could stay and save money on rent. In addition to the schools you mentioned I would take a look at Sint Eustatius and St. Matthews, I know a grad from each, one who just got a residency in psych and another who is finishing up pediatrics.

in the us medical schools, they try their best to keep students in. but in the capitalist caribbean schools, they don't really care about you. it is like, show me the money, then you can do whatever you like to get the md degree.

it seems that that is aua is doing these days, denying a lot of re-admissions now. they have too many students, so they can be pompous, and deny anyone they want. i personally don't think that they will change their decision now. you only have two options, quit medicine for good, time to rethink about you career, which aua likes to tell all the denied students; or you can apply to another school, if you want to repeat 5th semester again, there are plenty schools will be happy to take your money and let you do that. or you can apply to a few that will certify you to take step 1 directly, but most likely, you will have to pay for their first semester tuition first.

i have contacted st. M before, they told me that i will have to start somewhere in the basic science program, and i also have to submit my MCAT scores to them!

almost all schools ask you to repeat 5th semester.