RESEARCH 1) 1 Summer Fellowship after High School 2) >2 Years of research at UCLA (no pub, multiple poster presentations and national/departmental award)
CLINICAL EXPOSURE 1) 4 years at a clinic at a county medical center 2) Minor Clinical Care Extender involvement
LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER, NON-CLINICAL 1) Multiple leadership position over 3 years at a pipeline education program 2) Peer mentor for minority students 3) Founded and hosted college health fair 4) Led and structured academy for minority students
TEACHING/TUTORING 1) Worked as a peer advisor/tutor 2) Ambassador at community college
HONORS/AWARDS Highest departmental honor, multiple merit scholarships, research prize and recognitions...
----STORIES---- I am a first generation college student from a low-income recent immigrant family. By the time I applied, I have been in the States for a few years. I lived in a low-income, people of color community and have close interactions with mostly URM students. My involvement in community service is somewhat extensive but focused primarily of pre-health and health education advocacy.
General Advice: 1) Apply early...I cant even emphasize this any further! However, my early acceptance is a representation of the direct benefit of applying early! It really comforts you for your following interviews 2) Apply SMART - Pick your schools wisely based on: Metric (GPA, MCAT), the schools focus (primary care vs research vs specialty focus), the are (do you want to live there?), OOS vs IS bias, geographic preference of the school, the opportunities available and whether they fit your backgrounds/activities/interests. 3) Do everything early - start your PS latest March, start getting your letters in January, start researching schools in January, start pre-writing secondaries in March --> the earlier you complete your app = the better your chacne 4) Plan your vacation - Applying to medical school is tough --> giving yourself some resting time = invaluable 5) Be patient - secondaries and interview invites can come in anytime so take a moment and breath 6) Dont put yourself down thinking you messed up - your perception of your performance can be faulty especially when it comes to interview! I personally believed I bombed my first interview (MMI), however, I was proven happily incorrect 7) Practice Practice Practice - When you eat, when you walk, when you have free time, think of the typical interview questions and answer them! Practice MMI with friends, at events or any opportunities available! While MMI practices wont help too much, it will calm your nerves.
IN THE END, Getting into medical school is a long journey! You have to be ready for the rollercoaster ride so make sure to fasten your seatbelt! btw, LOR is utmost important - Be personal and build your relationships! Be honest with those who mentored you and those who accompanied you! They will attest to your personalities and capacities.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/14/2017
Undergraduate college: UCLA
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
