Application Cycle One: 2005

• Undergraduate college: University of Tennessee-Martin
• Undergraduate Area of study: Physical Sciences

• Total MCAT SCORE: 495
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 125, C/P 124, CARS 122   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.75
• Science GPA: 3.50

Summary of Application Experience

I am filling this survey out during the middle of my second semester at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Let me give you my road to reaching this point.

After getting my MCAT scores back, I figured I was dead. My backup plan went into affect as I applied for the Master's of Public Health programs at East Tennessee State University and St. Louis University. I sat around for a few months filling out the DO applications, still thinking that my score wouldnt be enough. In February WVSOM gave me my only interview. I found out that I was waitlisted about a month or so later. Getting in the MPH programs was not a problem. In fact ETSU offered to pay for EVERYTHING for that degree. Everything pointed to me working toward the MPH and retaking the MCAT, hopefully going to med school right after. Then out of nowhere, one week before orientation, WVSOM accepted me. I quit my job, withdrew from ETSU, and took out $75,000 in loans all before lunch. Things have worked out well though, as currently I have an 87/100 overall average. Plus the students/professors/staff at WVSOM are all awesome. Now if I just dont fail out miserably.

My advice (for anyone willing to take it):

1) If you get in to any school in the US, go. MD, DO, whatever. All the doctors I talked to said if you get in it is to your advantage to go as early as possible.

2) If you dont get in, work in a hospital doing anything with patient contact. Nothing can replace experience. Keep on trying. I know plenty of people who had to apply 3-4 times before they got an opportunity.

3) Once you get in med school, just PASS all your classes. Grades are important but only to a point. If you finish in the top 10%, good for you. Other than that just pass. Boards and rotations in the area in which you want a residency are much more important.

4) On rotations nurses are your best friend. Dont tick them off or you will suffer.

5) No matter what happens remember that God is faithful. In the end everything will work like it should, even if it isnt how you wanted it to be.

Any questions, comments, musings, full body shots (ladies only), anything, just email. Holla!