Menu Icon Search
Close Search

MD Applicants

  • fpo-profile-avatar
  • markyb03

  • Application cycles: 06/27/2012
  • Demographics: Male, 34, Caucasian
  • Home state: Illinois
  • Last Active: 05/30/2013
  • Brief Profile: After studying music for two years in college, I had a change of heart and decided to give my best shot at getting into medical school. My GPA before starting my science courses was 3.75, but all of the general science classes went surprisingly well bumping me up to a cGPA of 3.87. I'm applying this cycle after only having the basic science courses completed, a couple of upper level bio classes, and only half of the orgo sequence. I'm hoping that a upward trend on my GPA and my decent MCAT score will get me in somewhere.

    MCAT: I went through all the ExamKrackers books over 6 months, and took FL practice exams roughly every other weekend. I took several Kaplan FL's and all the AAMC FL's - the AAMC tests are the best practice available. I tried my best to mimic real test conditions every time for the FL. The EK Biology book was especially helpful as I didn't have any upper-level bio classes before the test.

    First Kaplan Test: 28
    Kaplan Diagnostic: 33
    AAMC 3-11: between 31 and 36

    Extracurriculars: I have quite a myriad of activities due to changing majors, but I've kept myself busy throughout with jobs and volunteering. I wish I had more research experience, but I plan to keep doing research this school year in hopes that I can bring it up during interviews.

    - charity work of some kind throughout all of undergrad
    - music ensembles, singing competitions, overseas chorale tour when studying music
    - Tutor ACT, SAT, math, and science for private company (~20 hrs/week)
    - Volunteer at Children's Memorial Hospital (~200 hrs)
    - Research part time during school year (~100 hrs)
    - Summer Research Intern at Rosalind Franklin University (40+ hrs/week)
    - CRC Press Chemistry Award

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed below are just that - opinions. Picking the "best" medical school is not an objective process, and below are my thoughts in trying to figure out what is best for me. Lastly, for any soon-to-be or current applicants, I would not have applied to these schools if there wasn't a chance of me attending. This process is long and arduous with sometimes inexplicable decisions by some schools, so gaining an acceptance to any of these schools is quite an accomplishment regardless of school "prestige."

    Good luck to all future MD's!
  • // Applications //

    Application Cycle One: 06/27/2012

    • Undergraduate college: DePaul University
    • Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
    • Total MCAT SCORE: 517
    • MCAT Section Scores: B/B 130, C/P 129, CARS 129  
    • Overall GPA: 3.87
    • Science GPA: 3.98

    Summary of Application Experience

    Submitted 6/28/12
    Verified 7/30/12
    Game Over 5/8/13

    "What a long, strange trip it's been"

    I didn't want to do this, but I figured I should calculate it...

    Total Costs Thus Far

    Practice MCATs = $245
    Real MCAT = $300 (rescheduled once)
    Primary Application = $1146
    Secondary Application = $2194
    Travel Costs = $1085
    Lodging Cost = $25
    New Suit = $330
    Second Look Days = IDK exactly but flying costs $$$

    Total Cost ~ $7000

    Applied, Rejected

    Vanderbilt University

    Applied, Withdrew

    Duke University

    Application Complete, Rejected

    Washington University in St. Louis
    Boston University
    University of Michigan
    Baylor College
    University of Illinois
    University of Chicago
    Northwestern University
    University of Wisconsin

    Application Complete, Withdrew

    University of Cincinnati
    Medical University of South Carolina
    Medical College of Wisconsin
    New York Medical College
    Dartmouth College
    Tufts University
    Rush Medical College
    Wake Forest University
    University of Louisville

    Invited for Interview, Withdrew

    New York University
    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Attended Interview

    Indiana University

    Attended Interview, Waitlisted

    Saint Louis University
    Brown University

    Accepted off Waitlist

    Georgetown University

    Accepted

    Rosalind Franklin University
    Loyola University Chicago
    Southern Illinois University
    University of Iowa

    // Share //

    × Wait!

    Are you sure you want to delete this application cycle? This will remove all application data and cannot be undone.

    × Wait!

    Are you sure you want to delete this school? This will remove all application data and cannot be undone.