Brief Profile:
I\'m a bit non-traditional in that I completed a Music Performance degree before I decided to pursue medicine (I went back for my Bio degree). So, my extracurriculars may be somewhat different, although not extraordinary...
-Shadowing: -- Orthopaedic Surgeon -- Anethesiologist -- Otolaryngologist -- Cardiothoracic Surgeon -- Gastroenterologist -- Ophthalmologist -Volunteer at hospital\'s Total Joint Center -Nursing Assistant Certification -President of university pre-med club 2 years, secretary 1 year -Chemistry Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader -Manager at a local business -Research in Organic Chemistry -4 major operatic roles at university -2 major roles in community light opera company, also served on Board -Member of multiple bands & choirs at university and in community -Full tuition music scholarship plus various academic awards and organizations: Dean\'s List, Golden Key International Honour Society, National Scholars Honor Society
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 08/14/2008
Undergraduate college: Northern Arizona University
Undergraduate Area of study: Fine Arts/Architecture
Institution: Northern Arizona University
Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
Degree Obtained: BS, BM
Total MCAT SCORE: 509
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 129,
C/P 126,
CARS 127
Overall GPA: 3.83
Science GPA: 4.00
Summary of Application Experience
Well, first of all, I discovered this website quite late in the process.. I know, I know, I don\'t know how I missed it! I wish I had been keeping up with it and updating everything as I went along, but I have saved every email/letter from every school I applied to, so I will try to get back through and update everything.
I decided to pursue medicine after looking at graduate schools for music performance, so most of my transformation into a med school candidate has been based on my own research of how to do it! In other words, I feel like I made my own path with little outside guidance.
I was nervous to apply this year, and perhaps because I was a bit ill-informed, I applied late. I took the MCAT in July 2008 for the first time and got an okay score that I was disappointed in. I was still waiting for a committee letter in October and didn\'t submit secondaries until then, which was a BAD IDEA. The best advice that every applicant will give you is to apply early! I wish I had realized I could get in those secondaries without having my letters completed... oh well. I also wish I had gotten more clinical experience - start early on that, too!
In the end, I am excited to have been accepted at the University of Arizona- Phoenix and Tucson campuses, so far! I\'m pretty much sick of this process and thrilled to move forward!
Update, 3/11/09: This week, I declined my seat at UA-COM Tucson and accepted the seat at Phoenix! In light of this, I also withdrew from NYMC and GW, but couldn\'t quite bring myself to withdraw from Yale, Temple, Tufts, or USC! They are going to have to break up with me first... :(
Update, 3/18/09: I just came home from an awesome day shadowing (watched OB/GYN morselizing an enlarged uterus with several huge fibroids followed by an ovarian dermoid cystectomy that was complete with hair and teeth!), when I checked my email and found I was accepted to SLU! Not sure what to do now - I loved this school\'s curriculum and structure, but my state school is also good and so much cheaper.
Update, 4/1/09: I declined my acceptance at St. Louis yesterday. It was very hard, in fact, I composed my email to them at 11 am and couldn\'t send it until 4 pm. It\'s tough, but I feel like it was the right thing to do. Especially in this economy, a good state school that doesn\'t push me as far into debt is a good thing. Still, it hurts. :(
Update, 4/25/09: Just checked Temple\'s status page - \'Correspondence Mailed\'. Well, folks, end of the cycle for me! I suppose Penn State or UMD may still pull through, but I\'m very excited about UA Phoenix (and about in-state tuition), so I think I\'ll stay here in AZ. Maybe I can get out of here and be more adventurous for residency... :)
Update, 10/14/09: UACOM-Phoenix is an amazing school, and I\'m so glad I stayed here. Great new curriculum, facilities, faculty, students... everything! Just an exciting new school and unique, modern program. LOVE IT!! Send me a PM on SDN if you ever want to know about the specifics!