Brief Profile:
Extracurricular: D-1 Collegiate Athlete Study Abroad, Spain Undergraduate Research Journal Editor Biology, Spanish and Chemistry Tutor High School Track and Field Coach
Volunteer/Clinical: Volunteering in two pro bono clinics Sports Medicine/Orthopaedic Surgery Internship Shadowing in 5 different specialties
Research: Two years as undergrad research assistant UROP Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Award Presenter at UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium NIH IRTA Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Two Publications
Employment Worked in retail and as a nanny all through college. Also worked as a medical assistant post-graduation.
Finished GT's SMP with a 3.65 GPA.
Submitted primary 7/19, transcripts received 8/6, verified 8/28
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2008
Undergraduate college: University of California, Irvine
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Institution: Georgetown University
Area of Study: Computing and Information Science
Degree Obtained: M.S
Total MCAT SCORE: 513
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 129,
C/P 127,
CARS 129
Overall GPA: 3.30
Science GPA: 3.30
Summary of Application Experience
Have faith, those of you with less than stellar GPAs! You CAN actually get into med school, contrary to crazy Type A pre-med belief on studentdoc.net. It may take you a year or two longer and extra work but it's doable. I did the SMP program at Georgetown-for me, it worked wonders. My first application cycle I had no interview offers, this year I had 5. Other Master's programs like U Cinn and Drexel have also proved to be really helpful from what I've heard. Post baccs too.
Here's a few tips for applying:
Don't do this unless you are sure you both really want it and you know exactly what is in store for you. It is a expensive, stressful, and painful process but also probably the best thing you'll ever do.
Try not to get wrapped up in the craziness. There's all kinds of rumors and myths that fly around about the application cycle that are designed to freak you out. Ignore them and do what your pre med advisor says.
Try and apply by mid-late July.
Save your secondary essays in case you have to re-apply the following year.
Be able to bankroll this affair without having to use a credit card. It gets expensive and interest rates are rough right now.
Practice, practice, practice when it comes to interviews. Put yourself in as many different scenarios as possible.
Email updates to the schools unless they directly state they won't consider them. Showing interest is a big plus at a lot of places.
Give yourself extra travel time for interviews if possible so that you don't have to stress about making flights/being on time.
Unless your stats are fantabulous, apply to 10+ schools minimum.
Pick a school based on your gut feeling and pocketbook. It's a fine balance of being able to afford med school and enjoy it.
Enjoy the process! This was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
