Application Cycle One: 2008

• Undergraduate Area of study: History/Humanities

• Total MCAT SCORE: 514
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 130, C/P 127, CARS 127   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.60
• Science GPA: 3.43

Summary of Application Experience

Any suggestions for schools for the upcoming cycle (or schools to take off)? Interests include: health care for the medically unserved and underserved (particularly in the inner city), global health and public health policy, and a school with options for dual degrees, independent study or research, etc.

5/27/08 - MCAT done with. Don't think it went too well, especially the PS. AMCAS can only locate one of my transcripts, unfortunately. Had my personal statement done and then over-revise it, so am currently un-revising. Need to narrow this list!

6/8/08 - AMCAS verified. Got the transcript issue straightened out and changed some schools at the last minute.

6/25/08 - First secondary received. Still need MCAT score. Let the games begin!

6/26/08 - MCAT scores back. Much, much lower than practice exams. Two highest sections (usually 12-14) were lowest and usual lowest (usually 10-11) was a 13. Oh well. Still a good score and I'll take it. If I don't get in, I'll retake.

7/10/08 - All letters of rec. in, waiting to be complete at schools.

8/1/08 - UK Status Page changed to 'Interview to Be Scheduled!' Apparently they liked my AMCAS essay about horses and Lexington.

8/6/08 - GWU Interview Invitation! Eep!

8/15/08 - UK Interview Invite :) Via e-mail for Oct. 4th

8/19/08 - Tulane Interview Invite, e-mail for 9/29

9/19/08 - Just got back from GWU interview.. don't think the faculty interview went very well at all, it was my first and I was very nervous, even though I am usually very outgoing, friendly and not self-conscious. The format of the interview threw me off, but I LOVED THIS SCHOOL! It was a perfect fit for exactly what I want to do and fit my philosophy for medicine in every way. I'm going to be so disappointed when I get the waitlist/ rejection in a few weeks.... Oh well, DC is an expensive place to live after all.

But, I've since gotten intervews at Case Western , Jefferson and USC, so that gives me something to looks forward to and I will be more prepared and less nervous.

9/30/08 - Tulane Interview went really well, had a great time with students and faculty.. wasn't there long enough to get a good feel for the city, though, and didn't even get to see the uptown campus. If accepted, I'll definitely have to take another trip to NOLA.

10/2/08 - MAYO INVITE!??

10/6/08 - Went to University of Kentucky interview. I was already pretty familiar with the school and very familiar with the area, but it just confirmed to me that I loved it even more. The new clinical facilities being built are astounding, and the students were all very nice and down-to-earth. The anatomy program seemed top-notch, and the research program is really on the upswing. It's a really long shot out-of-state with my numbers, and I really got grilled on my dedication to Kentucky and my grades and schoolwork in my interview, but here's to praying. I know I would love to attend if accepted. Starting prepping for the big week next week... Case and Mayo!

10/13/08 - Emory and UMiami (both campuses!) Invites... swoon :)

10/15/08 - ACCEPTED TO UK!!!!!!! So shocked, so excited and speechless. Didn't even know what to say on the phone :) I was stuttery and babbly.. Only 2 schools I would consider attending over UK, and most likely UK is where I will end up. So happy.

10/17/08 - Accepted to GWU.. Feels good, but the probation issue and some other things I have seen at other schools have cooled my opinion a bit.

I do have one school I've fallen in love with now though.... but sigh... I don't dare say it for fear the heavens will unalign...

10/20/08 - Acceptance at Tulane :) Didn't get a good feel for the school, though, so will have to re-visit.

10/22/08 - On Hold at Case :( :( Bummer.. Would have been a really good fit for me, I thought. Also rejected at Duke, big surprise.

11/10/08 - Emory was wow. just wow. I'm not even sure what words to use to describe it. It's definitely one of my top choices now. Also rejected from Dartmouth.. whoopee :)

11/25/08 - Oh Mayo. :( Don't you know I love you? On Hold. I suppose I knew I wasn't in the top 7-14 of applicants, so I wasn't expecting to get an acceptance this month.. but it still stings a bit. Here's to hoping I'm at least in the top 42 of applicants.. even that is a stretch. But now that all my interviews are over, I'm going to write a LOI letting Mayo know my true feelings. It's now or never , I suppose...

All I want for Christmas is my two top schools...

11/28/08 - ACCEPTED TO EMORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! The only thing right now that could top Emory, would be Mayo, but I'm really excited about being in Georgia! Besides loving the school, I have friends already there and friends planning to move to the ATL after graduation, so I'm really excited. Don't know how it happened, but I'm still in shock.

3/17/09 - It's over. Rejected at Mayo, but SO excited to be going to Emory. It really is a dream come true! I'll be thinking of everyone in Rochester in oh, December or so ;) To whoever suggested I add Emory at the beginning of the season, Thanks! I wouldn't be here without you!

4/2/09 - I lied. Scholarship offer at UM today... not sure what that means for my decision.

In Summary: It's a long road, but have some confidence and be honestly yourself. I was not that strong of an applicant, but I had a good idea of who I was and who I wanted to be and stuck with that. In a world full of BS, I like to think people appreciate the honesty. Also, if you like a school, let it show! Interestingly enough, the schools I got interviews at were probably my 10 top choice schools going in. I guess the fact that I felt like the fit was good showed through.