Application Cycle One: 2005

• Undergraduate college: Oregon State University
• Undergraduate Area of study: Engineering/Technology

• Institution: Oregon State University
• Area of Study: Engineering/Technology
• Degree Obtained: MSEE

• Total MCAT SCORE: 519
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 130, C/P 129, CARS 129   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.23
• Science GPA: 3.41

Summary of Application Experience

It's long. It's stressful. It's arbitrary in many ways. My advice to anyone who is just starting this process is:

1. Attention to detail in every aspect of your application.
2. Focus on what will get you an interview and then an admission. Dump the rest.
3. Apply widely. Many of these schools get 8000+ applications. They must reject many qualified candidates, mostly using random factors. Getting an interview depends mostly on who is reading your application on any given day and if they are interested in you and want to learn more. Improve your odds by putting your application in front of more reviewers.
4. Apply to a range of schools. Just because you have a 3.9 gpa and a 38 on the MCAT doesn't mean you have a lock on Harvard. The object is to get into medical school. Apply to some schools where you believe you will be very competitive, as well as some of your dream schools. Don't sell yourself short, but don't be caught with nothing at the end.
5. When you go to an interview, dress well, and behave well with everyone. If you're a tool to the admissions secretary, it'll get back to the decision makers.
6. If you have a problem with your application (like grades in my case), do everything you can to make certain that the rest of your application is as spotless as possible.

Good luck!