Research: Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. 2 years, 3 presentations, 0 pubs Clinical Research, Surgery Dept. of Large Hospital. 1 year, 1 pub (2nd Author) and presentation at APSA national conference Currently a research associate in developmental neuroscience and imaging lab at HYPSM
Volunteering: HS - Mentor/big brother role for children with autism, Volunteer and Regional President. 2000 hrs, 4 years Saban Free Clinic, Patient Advocate/Registration. 150 hrs
Shadowing: Surgeon, Large Hospital. OR, Clinic, and Rounds. 120 hours. Pediatrician/Allergist, Private Practice. 30 hours.
Work: Behavior Interventionist for 2 years, working mostly with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (and related developmental disorders). This was a full time job after undergraduate, before and after my post-bacc program. Mentor/tutor during undergraduate for 2 years (~20 hrs/week) Catering server since I was 15, Bartender since I was 21
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/03/2013
Undergraduate college: University of California, San Diego
Undergraduate Area of study: Psychology/Social Sciences
Institution: Scripps Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program
Summary of Experience:
What really struck me about Hofstra was the truly unique curriculum. Being a new (3 year old) school, they were truly able to build their education philosophy and curriculum from the ground-up, with a deemphasis on memorizing large quantities of minutiae and a focus on teaching critical thinking and clinical skills from the very start. Also, their partnership with the North Shore-LIJ hospital system seems to allow them to offer a lot of flexibility and control over clinical rotations and experiences. The only reservation I have is the fact that they are still so new with no track record of residency placement to refer to. With that being said, the first round of students did amazing well on STEP 1 (average in the mid 230's) and they have the LIJ system to fall back on. The class sizes are small (capped at 100) and the students all seemed very happy and a close-knit group.
Summary of Experience:
Another great interview experience. All of the staff was very nice and the students were amazing. They seemed the most laid back and least stressed of all of the schools I have been too, which is pleasantly surprising considering it is the most "reputed" school I have been too and was (incorrectly) expecting a more intense environment. The research and clinical opportunities cannot be ignored… Weill has so many world-class institutions at it's disposal and they are all centralized around the school in a few blocks in the heart of Manhattan. I cannot wait to hear back in March!
Summary of Experience:
I fell in love with the school during my interview day. The admissions staff is beyond welcoming and helpful. The campus is picturesque - very much the quintessential "Ivy" feel to it. The class is tiny (85!) and there seemed to be a palpable camaraderie because of that. It is isolated, but they seemed to do a good job of placing the students in varied and interesting away rotations.
Summary of Experience:
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Einstein. The community aspect is something that is repeatedly stressed and everyone I met from the students to physicians seems genuinely happy. The campus itself is very nice and compact. There is on-campus housing in large apartment buildings with a full workout center (with a basketball court!) that remind me of an adult version of my college dorm. The only caveat I would say is the unstructured nature of the interview day and lack of information session.
