~~ \"Never expect anything from anyone at anytime.\" ~~
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LEGEND/KEY FOR ABBREVIATIONS:
SR: Secondary Received
SS: Secondary Sent
C: Complete (Secondary Sent + LORs sent)
ii: Interview Invite
i: Interview
A: Accepted
W: Withdrew
WL: Waitlisted
R: Rejected
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APAP: Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway
GME: Graduate Medical Education program
IM: Internal Medicine
LOR: Letter Of Recommendation
MPH: Masters in Public Health degree
PBL: Problem Based Learning
PC: Primary Care
TI: Traditional (Rotating) Internship
fml: ask someone else...
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TIPS FOR FUTURE APPLICANTS ... aka \"Things I wish I knew\": (I\'ll be adding to this list during the app cycle):
(1) APPLY EARLY!!! (This way if things don\'t go as planned, you can always readjust your strategy) --> June 1st!
(2) Know your Priorities prior to applying
a. Your preferred learning style (core hospital rotations[small community, large academic/teaching, associated GMEs, etc.], curriculum[PBL, lecture-based, cadavers, etc.], class competitveness & size, etc.) ---> Thus, DO YOUR HOMEWORK on ALL schools!
b. Location (where do you want to live for at least the next 2 years? ... snow? beach? big city? small family town?)
c. Cheapest (Please make sure that you love your school enough to have a $300K loan to repay)
[ http://services.aamc.org/tsfreports/select.cfm?year_of_study=2009 ]
(3) Apply to ALL schools that you are honestly interested in. Don\'t worry about application costs, because You will be surprised by how much you like/dislike programs after getting more info during the interviews.
(4) Have a couple \"safety\" schools (Would you rather be in med school next year or go thru this process again? ... hmm that\'s a toughy)
[ http://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/downloads/gpamcat.pdf ]
[ https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/careers/students/gradstudy/health/guide/part2/appendix ]
(5) Go to SDN, get Secondary application prompts, and complete them even before receiving them. (Saves time and prevents getting back-loaded on Secondaries.)
[ For MD: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=688 ]
[ For DO: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=603 ]
(6) Plan ahead. Make sure your program has future networking connections for residency/fellowship.
[ For DO: http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/search/search.cfm ]
[ For MD: http://www.acgme.org/adspublic/ OR http://www.acgme.org/adspublic/institution/default.asp?start=y ]
(7) If you don\'t get any rejections during the application cycle, then you either are perfect or did not reach to your full application potential.
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CYCLE TIMELINE:
06/17/2010 - MCAT (I think I did poorly on PS, because I stupidly did not adhere to my timing guidelines :-/)
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07/20/2010 - MCAT results (a PS of 7?!? That\'s the Lowest score of all my practice tests! ...Should I retake??)
07/292010 - AACOMAS submitted (late...)
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08/06/2010 - AACOMAS verified (wow, that was quick! I thought it was supposed to take 4-6 weeks around this time.)
08/11/2010 - NSU + LECOM-B SR
08/12/2010 - PCOM-GA + LECOM-E SR
08/13/2010 - DMU + UMDNJ SR; Gave 4/5 LORs a deadline on 8/23
08/15/2010 - AMCAS submitted (late...)
08/16/2010 - LMU SR; Created MDApps Profile; NSU + LECOM-B SS
08/17/2010 - 1/5 LORs in (Hassle to send DO LORs individually. So, I\'ll send them in groups on 8/23); TUCOM SR; LECOM-E SS
08/18/2010 - It\'s official. Will retake on 9/3.
08/19/2010 - (Why does it take so long to write <1 page about a favorite student? I\'d love to interview @ NSU already! tick... tock...)
08/20/2010 - 2/5 LORs in; UF sent an email asking to fill out mandatory admissions info. (Does this mean my AMCAS is verified?)
08/21/2010 - Found out that 2 LORs submitted their LORs to Interfolio by mail instead of electronically ... (Great, more waiting :-/ )
08/23/2010 - tick... tock... wish I had some LORs to ship out... *twittles fingers*
08/24/2010 - Received email from Howard to complete online Secondary...due to a verified AMCAS. But AMCAS website disagrees :-/
08/25/2010 - First interview invite @ LECOM-E!!!! ... Immediately followed by FSU rejection call...fabricated by my sister w/an accent! grrr
08/26/2010 - Changed LECOM interview date & sent 2 LORs; Complete @ NSU (finally!...but not sure why b/c I didn\'t send last LOR)
08/27/2010 - Checked in on 2 missing LOR writers to make sure they\'re still alive.
08/29/2010 - 1 LOR told me he sent his LOR thru snail mail ... (tick... tock... :-/ )
08/30/2010 - Apparently NSU has started sending out interview invites. (C\'mon, me next!! *fingers crossed*)
08/31/2010 - Checked out an FSU regional campus.
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09/01/2010 - Bought plane ticket to PA.
09/03/2010 - Retake (I feel better about PS+BS, but not VR :-/ ... Results available 10/5)
09/07/2010 - 3/5 LORs in (Gosh, I really wish I took care of the LORs MONTHS ago); Booked hotel in PA.
09/08/2010 - (Starting to think I was dumb for taking one\'s word as a binding agreement :-/ ) ... LORs sent to UMDNJ; 4/5 LORs in ............... and Happy Birthday, Val! (a great sister!)
09/09/2010 - 5/5 LORs in; AMCAS verified; UCF SR
09/10/2010 - USF + FSU + FIU SR; LECOM-E interview attended.
09/16/2010 - (omg ... I just realized that LECOM-B JUST confirmed all my stuff ...which I submitted a MONTH ago :\'( )
09/17/2010 - UMDNJ SS (after sending the 2ndary, I was told, \"the adcom just met today so your file won\'t be reviewed until Oct .... I seriously feel like nothing is going my way :-/ )
09/18/2010 - Accepted @ LECOM-E via snail mail! (looks like I better get an icepick for the winter PA days)
09/20/2010 - UMDNJ CALLED ME to confirm secondary completion and that adcom will actually review in next couple days! LECOM-B interview invite; Added UM (crazy, but worth a shot); NSU LORs sent again!(will they ever process them?!)
09/21/2010 - LECOM-B interview date change; Complete at NSU (about time!)
09/22/2010 - (Ok, I seriously need to finish these other Secondaries)
09/23/2010 - LECOM-B initerview date change; Howard SS;
09/24/2010 - Extra LOR sent to FSU from an FSU MS3;
09/30/2010 - Complete @ HU; FSU + FIU + MMC SS (gosh...FSU\'s took A LOT LONGER than expected!); Called to confirm completetion of LECOM-B secondary;
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10/01/2010 - LECOM-B interview; UMDNJ interview invite call.
10/03/2010 - Added PCOM (Strongly considering HPSP with the Armed Forces so if accepted, price won\'t matter)
10/05/2010 - New score is ... horrible. Basically means 0.01% chance to get into an MD school now, especially UF dream :\'( (bad day)
10/06/2010 - LECOM-B acceptance via phone. (Great, now have until 10/15 to decide between both LECOMs); NYCOM+CCOM added (although pricey I added d/t no potential costs w/HPSP & b/c they\'re 2/4 best DO programs .... better than alot of MD programs)
10/07/2010 - PCOM +DMU SS (cost of school is really getting to me now; DMU has a program which may aid in that regard; unfortunately, I just read some negatives about the HPSP where I may be shipped to a specialty that I\'m not in the least interested ... I mean, location and time spent away doesn\'t matter to me, but an entire career DOES!)
10/08/2010 - (Now, I\'m getting angry. All of this unnecessary stress could be avoided w/1 NSU interview)
10/09/2010 - Received LECOM-B official acceptance letter.
10/14/2010 - UMDNJ interview changed; Bought plane ticket to Philly.
10/15/2010 - Emailed LECOM-E to withdraw (great price/time saver, but overall too risky)
10/18/2010 - DMU interview invite email. (2 weeks to decide & next earliest available dates are in Dec :-/)
10/20/2010 - Official withdrawal at LECOM-E (it\'s sad that they were originally near the top of my list); HU interview invite! 1st MD interview! (omg, I didn\'t think that I\'d get any!)
10/21/2010 - UMDNJ interview (wow, the most relaxed graduate student atmosphere I\'ve ever seen. Maybe a little too relaxed? hmm...not sure yet.); (The originally \"tough\" interviewer\'s positive reaction to me makes me wonder if I should have applied to other competitive programs... Oh well :-/) Results in 5 wks.
10/22/2010 - Met with PCOM Admissions Director (would\'ve been my interview if I had a Dean/Advisor letter :-/)
10/24/2010 - Confirmed couch to crash in Washington, DC.
10/26/2010 - FSU interview invite email!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Dang, the ONE day that I don\'t go on the internet is the ONE day that I hear the best news! I wish I saw this email earlier so that I could have already confirmed it; now, I have to wait to confirm tomorrow) ; Sent withdrawal email to DMU (Too many interviews now, and I don\'t see myself choosing Iowa over other schools ... not even over my current acceptance); Confirmed couch to crash in Tally.
10/27/2010 - Confirmed FSU interview and DUM withdrawal; Emailed UF advisor for PCOM; Booked Washington, DC flight;
10/29/2010 - FSU interview (could\'ve gone better; 1 interviewer didn\'t know understand the knowledge of a PA....)
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11/02/2010 - Fly out to DC (missed my 1st flight :/ ); Results in 2.5 wks?
11/03/2010 - HU interview (pleasantly surprised; loved all the amenities, alumni, and future networking opps available after years of being established) Results Dec 15?
11/04/2010 - UF advisor sent letter to PCOM (hopefully I won\'t need it ... c\'mon FSU! *fingers crossed*)
11/4 - 11/5 - Toured DC w/friends (LOVED IT!)
11/05/2010 - LECOM-B deposit received ($1,500!!!! I didn\'t want to drop that much for a deposit, but I can\'t risk not having any acceptances :-/ ... Looks like I\'ll still be in FL, so no icepick needed anymore)
11/09/2010 - Got the call this morning to start work next week! Thus, no more time for future interviews. (I\'m lucky that I moved all of my interviews up)
11/12/2010 - Fly to Atlanta for lil\' sis Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony
11/15/2010 - 1st day of work!!! (nervous!)
11/16/2010 - FSU adcom should meet this day;
11/17/2010 - FSU email stating ..... I\'m on Hold/Waitlisted! :\'( And, apparently their waitlist doesn\'t move until April 15th (fml...)
11/19/2010 - UMDNJ adcom meets!; UMDNJ called me to inform me that I\'ve been accepted w/a scholarship! (Looks like I may need that icepick again)
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12/09/2010 - UMDNJ Acceptance packet arrives.
12/16/2010 - HU decisions made.
12/23/2010 - UMDNJ deposit sent.
12/27/2010 - Called HU to find out that I was accepted! (I would\'ve called earlier if the 12/16 email was written clearer)
12/29/2010 - HU Acceptance letter arrives via snail mail.
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01/01/2011 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can\'t wait to start med school in ~6 months!!!
01/05/2011 - HU deposit mailed; MMC interview invite.
01/08/2011 - Withdrawal email sent to MMC.(sorry, a bit too late; you should have shown interest earlier)
01/10/2011 - HU deposit received. (Unless FSU changes its mind, I\'m officially headed to D.C. to be a Bison!)
01/14/2011 - Hi Tasha. I see you..... (Avatar style) ........................... and Happy Birthday YOU!, another great sister!
01/20/2011 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEE!!!!!!!! (I hope FSU sends me a nice birthday present in the near future =P )
01/21/2011 - FSU update letter sent. (I\'m leery as to if these types of updates actually help.)
01/29/2011 - Checked FIU status and read: \"Review Completed – Applicant Not Selected for Interview\" (If I couldn\'t garner an interview here, then I stood no chance at the other more competitive FL schools ... So, I guess it\'s a good thing I didn\'t waste $$ on their secondaries :-/ )
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02/03/2011 - FAU is in Phase 3 of accreditation process aka preliminary accreditation
02/05/2011 - I just heard info on FAU\'s after months of silence. (not sure if i\'d be able to make an interview w/work and early matriuculation at HU/FSU ... but wouldn\'t hurt to try)
02/06/2011 - Tried finding the FAU application, but it\'s not up yet. (could take 1-2 week(s) )
02/10/2011 - In order to give my company 3 months notice before I leave for med school (per contract), I need to quit tomorrow :-/
02/11/2011 - Quit my job today(90-day notice)!! (It strangely feels simultaneously good and bad ... kind of like breaking up w/a SO in a relationship.)
02/24/2011 - FAU app available; sent in my final app for 2011. (fingers crossed)
02/26/2011 - While speaking to my sister today, I realized that the one school that I thought I\'d be a lock for an acceptance, is the only school that I have not heard back from since being complete; Even though I definitely would not attend now, I checked my NSU Webstar status again: still \"Decision Pending\" ... (this goes to show just how random the app cycle can be...)
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03/31/2011 - Phone call from TouroCOM asking me to send them an official withdrawal email.
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04/01/2011 - Official Rejection PDF email from FSU :\'-( (Did they seriously have to send this out on April Fool\'s Day?!? ... Must be the worst joke ever.)
04/02/2011 - Withdrawal email sent to TCOM.
04/27/2011 - Received rejection letter from NSU. (I honestly can\'t believe that the ONE school I thought I\'d be a shoe-in, didn\'t even offer me an interview... I got accepted into schools that I had ranked higher so I\'m not upset, ... but this whole application process is too random ... )
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05/12/2011 - Last day of work!
05/15/2011 - Moving to my new city!
05/16/2011 - 1st day meeting some new classmates!
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07/20/2011 - 1st Day of Orientation!
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08/05/2011 - White Coat Ceremony!
