Brief Profile:
Did research in undergrad, worked in bio/chem informatics, lots of travel, some volunteering and shadowing, currently working in home health care.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2003
Undergraduate college: University of Washington
Undergraduate Area of study: Engineering/Technology
Institution: University of Chicago
Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
Degree Obtained: Postbac
Total MCAT SCORE: 513
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 127,
C/P 126,
CARS 132
Overall GPA: 3.39
Science GPA: 3.22
Summary of Application Experience
Personal Statement: My PS detailed my education and work history and how it led to me choosing to become a physician. I wrote my first draft in Febuary and didn't look at it much again untill June when I was getting ready to submit my AMCAS. I made many last minute changes and got my most useful criticism from old friends and family. They helped me make it more genuine.
MCAT: I took the April 2003 MCAT and did a Princeton Review course. It had been 5 years since I took GChem and Physics so I felt like the course was a needed refresher. I'd spend the $1000+ again in a second. I didn't take the writing section seriously enough, but I'm not sure my 'L' has made a difference anywhere. For those interested my scores on practice tests were as follows: PR4911 (9V 7P 8B), PR4912 (9V 8P 9B), AAMC 4R (12V 10P 11B), AAMC 5R (12V 10P 11B).
LORs: My advisors required that I have 3 LORs in by May 1st. I ended up getting 6 letters: 1 from an undergrad prof who I did research for and who I still know very well, 2 from biology profs from my postbac, a D.O. and an M.D. (I had shadowed them both), and finally my former boss. I probably went a bit overboard, but I was trying to capture several stages and aspects of my background and my advisor had encouraged me to get as many of my letters from recent professors as possible. I tried to strike a balance between people who were very familiar with my character and technical abilities with people who understood my motivation for becoming a doctor. I asked for 5 letters in mid-March and a 6th in June. I had 3 by the May 1st deadline and the rest came in a trickle until July. Getting LORs early made the process much less stressful and I recommend the May deadline.
Primary Applications: I was a little late submitting my AMCAS and AACOM applications (7/2) becuase I was traveling over the summer. My AACOM app was verified in under two weeks, but my AMCAS wasn't finally verified unil 8/1. I sent in all my transcripts before I submitted which made the process go as fast as it could.
Secondary Applications: Several schools sent secondaries before my AMCAS was verified which was nice for getting a head start. I sent in most of my secondaries in late August, September, and early October. For rolling schools, this was probably too late. Even so, I've done better in the process than I ever expected to.
LOInterest: In late October, I sent 'interest' letters to most of the schools I sent secondaries to. I wrote three paragraphs: one reiterating my specific interest in the school, another updating them on my activities, and a last paragraph telling them that I made an error on one of the dates I listed on my AMCAS application.
Interviews: I received invites in under 2 weeks post-secondary and also after 3 months of hearing nothing. Overall, interviews have been less stressful than I expected.
