Application Cycle One: 2006

• Undergraduate college: University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences

• Total MCAT SCORE: 513
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 127, C/P 128, CARS 129   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.65
• Science GPA: 3.59

Summary of Application Experience

Was really, really worried when I hit April and had no acceptances in hand despite applying very late. 4/2 and 4/3 were amazing days though as I got accepted first at Drexel, then Downstate. Been weighing my choices heavily and am leaning towards Downstate, but will attend with Rochester or Albert Einstein if accepted.

4/17: Decided to withdraw from Drexel in favor of Downstate. Clinical experience and residency placement (along with costs) were the biggest factors.

4/21: Was rejected officially a few days ago from Penn State, but I knew that was coming. Bigger news is that I was waitlisted at AECOM. I really couldn't have hoped for more than that given when I interviewed and the quality of the schol, but it would have been sweet to be accepted. Oh well, hopefully URochester or AECOM works out off the waitlist and if not I'm getting happier with the prospect of going to Downstate anyway.

5/1: Found out last week sometime that I was rejected from Jefferson (big surprise) but have still to hear officially from Mt. Sinai - it really is amazing what that secondary application fee will get you. Ah well, I'm getting excited about Downstate and am ready to move on from undergrad. I will be visiting Downstate to shadow a student on Friday (5/4) and will be sure to post my impressions.

5/3: Finally got the bulk mail from Mt. Sinai informing me of my inevitable rejection. But really, who cares? Still visiting Downstate tomorrow.

5/5: Had my shadow-a-student day yesterday. They were studying neuroanatomy and general action potential generation stuff. The material was definately tough and I was surprised by just how much information was presented in the first lecture (neuroanatomy) and the fact that they were just expected to know it after that. Neuro lab was also cool as I got to participate in a group by reading to them as they identified different parts of the brain. All of that was great and the people I met were very nice, but the area and dorms really are awful. If I don't get a single (and preferably an apartment) next year I'm gonna be really unhappy. I also REALLY don't like the neighborhood and the idea of not having a car. Mobility is something I waited for a long time (only been driving a year now) and I don't want to give it up to have public transportation again. In any case, if things work out with Rochester, Stony Brook, or AECOM I'd have some serious thinking to do. Temple, Upstate, and Buffalo are probably out of the running though.

7/3: No updates on any of the waitlisted schools, but I'm pretty much done with all my paperwork getting ready for Downstate (just have to renew my BLS cert.) In any case, got a one-bedroom apartment in the dorms there so that sweetens the deal a bit for Downstate.

7/24: All my paperwork (with the exception of my financial aid stuff) is done for Downstate, just in time to get accepted off the high priority alternate list at Upstate. Think I'm still going with Downstate though b/c of proximity to home/NYC, my perception of the educational quality, and early patient contact. They did make my decision just a bit more difficult though.

8/2: Officially rejected from both AECOM and Rochester now and with only 10 days til I move into Downstate, I've decided to make that official. All that's left to do with Downstate is to sort out my financial aid and I'll be all set... So, at the end of a long journey (and the beginning of an even longer one) - SUNY Downstate class of 2011.

8/9: Officially rejected from Temple and SUNY Buffalo over the last two days. Only school left to hear from is Stony Brook - and at this point that's not going to make a difference anyway with only 4 days left to move in.