Application Cycle One: 2006

• Undergraduate college: Loyola University Chicago
• Undergraduate Area of study: Premedical Studies

• Institution: Loyola University Chicago
• Area of Study: Fine Arts/Architecture
• Degree Obtained: BA

• Total MCAT SCORE: 513
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 129, C/P 127, CARS 129   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.67
• Science GPA: 3.55

Summary of Application Experience

Received my BA in '00 with a music major, a psych minor, and absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Worked in finance for over a year before realizing I hated it and needed a job I was passionate about; found it while volunteering at a hospital. Since then, my life has been a mix of working full-time while taking evening classes to complete my prereqs. I decided to take the MCAT last August to give myself time for a re-take if necessary, but I was happy with my score. I'm both excited and nervous about this application cycle, but I firmly believe I'm a well-rounded candidate with a great deal of life experience which will (hopefully) help out with my application.

My advisor told me to apply to 10-15 schools, but I plan to apply to 25-30 because I only want to do this once. I'd prefer to stay in Chicago...but if that doesn't happen, I'm okay with any major city. I just want to go to med school.

The schools listed are tentative; any suggestions would be welcome!

6/8/06 - Been working on my app this week and hope to submit this weekend. Transcripts requested today, and LORs are all waiting with the pre-health committee. Let's get this show on the road!

6/19/06 - Transcripts have been received by AMCAS. Just finishing up my PS...hope to submit by the end of the week.

9/6/06 - Due to work/family issues, I waited to submit my AMCAS application. Yes, I know that wasn't smart; however, I'm going to keep plugging away and hope for the best.

9/28/06 - App verifed by AMCAS

1/1/07 - Turns out my advisor was right; 10-15 schools would have been much more manageable. After slogging through secondaries and receiving rejections from several out of state schools, I made the decision to withdraw from nine schools based on the following criteria: 1) out-of-state status at a state school, 2) low stats for that school, 3) lower-than-average interest in attending.

1/9/07 - INTERVIEW INVITE TO NYMC!!! Finally, an interview! Scheduled for late February.

1/17/07 - INTERVIEW INVITES TO NORTHWESTERN AND LOYOLA!!! So far, this has been the best day of my life. :)

1/23/07 - Interviewed at Feinberg and loved it... keeping my fingers crossed!

1/26/07 - Interview at Stritch was nothing short of amazing! I really felt at home there.

1/30/07 - Received invite from MCW to interview for a waitlist spot. I may cancel if I get some good news from Loyola next week.

2/5/07 - Rejected from SLU via an oddly worded e-mail: 'It is the sincere hope of the members of the Committee that your extensive interest in and intensive preparation for a medical education be fully realized in another school or a related field.' The bit about a 'related field' seems vaguely insulting, but whatever.

2/5/07 - ACCEPTANCE FROM LOYOLA!!! I am SO excited! I think I'd be really happy at Stritch, so even if this is my only acceptance, I'm thrilled!

2/8/07 - Rejection from Cincinnati. Not crying over this one, since I'd rather be in Chicago anyway.

3/2/07 - Rejection from Northwestern. Mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I was disappointed to not at least get waitlisted; on the other, at least my process is complete and I LOVE Loyola. I'm excited to be starting at Stritch this fall... now I can start making plans!

3/22/07 - Scholarship offer from Loyola!!! I feel so fortunate. :)