Application Weaknesses:
-low GPA (10th percentile for many schools)
-less shadowing than I\'d like although I\'m currently shadowing doctors
-California resident (more competitive in-state pool)
-overall imbalance between GPA and MCAT
Application Strengths:
-upward trend in GPA
-good MCAT (90th percentile for many schools)
-extensive experience in the education field
-extensive experience in the biotech field
Unsure:
-LoR
-Interviews
Extracurriculars:
-Summer intern at Applied Biosystems (R&D scientist)
-Summer intern at Life Technologies, following a merger between AB and Invitrogen (R&D scientist)
-Currently an employee at Life Technologies, same boss, same group (R&D scientist)
-300+ hours in an AmeriCorps program working with preschool children in an underprivileged neighborhood near my university (and LoR from supervisor)
-40+ hours in after school program working with middle school students
-60+ hours as a department tutor for Human Physiology at my university
-40+ hours shadowed a radiation oncologist
-20+ hours shadowing ER department
-200+ hours hospital volunteer
-40+ hours volunteering at an Alzheimer\'s assisted-living center
I know not as many applicants have the unusual combination of low GPA/high MCAT so I\'ll try to keep this profile updated. If you\'re applying in the same cycle as me you can find me on SDN as well. If you\'re reading this after I\'ve (hopefully) been accepted, you can always try to send me questions over SDN and I\'ll try to keep up with them. Good luck to everybody!!!
Update 6/3/12
-Rejected from UCSF JMP post-interview
-Waitlisted by UCF
-Currently preparing for 2012-2013 application cycle, will update if I resubmit an app
(sorry for not updating in so long)
Update 6/6/12
-ACCEPTED TO UCF CoM!!! Definitely will attend!!! Accepted the day before I was about to submit my 2012-2013 application. So happy I got in! Good luck to everyone applying!!
