Application Cycle One: 2003

• Undergraduate college: University of California Berkeley
• Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences

• Institution: Minor in Korean Studies
• Area of Study: Foreign Language/International Studies
• Institution: Minor in Scandinavian Literature
• Area of Study: English/Literature

• Total MCAT SCORE: 511
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 129, C/P 127, CARS 127   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.40
• Science GPA: 3.10

Summary of Application Experience

Being a California resident, I am going through the tough situation of having to apply to 40+ schools. Secondaries were very draining as I stayed up from midnight to 6am to finish all of them. I work full time so I cannot do them in the daytime. I emphasized getting them in early to gain every advantage I could. Now I am in the process of getting interviews and preparing for them. Being accepted early to a school (MSU-CHM) has taken a lot of the stress off and now I can just relax as I can take out schools I do not want to attend and go to the interviews that I really care about. The application process is tough but I have learned much from them...about myself and things in general. Go Cal Bears! Go SDN!
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While UC Davis takes it sweet time to see if I am good enough for them, I got an emotional boost when I got the UCLA interview invite! This should keep me busy for a while preparing for it. For everyone out there, I can't stress this enough, the application is more than just numbers. Off numbers alone, almost no school would give me a shot. Just make sure you let the schools know your passion for medicine and things will work out in the end, hopefully ;).
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California updates...

Well finally, Davis called and accepted me. This was a joyous day since, I am now guaranteed to stay in Cali. When I first started, I didn't know how feasible this would be, but thank God to the random nature of the process.

News thats not so great but wasn't devastating was being put on the first priority waitlist at UCLA. Deep down I was expecting this, since I figure when it went to committee there would be people doubting my GPA. Luckily, I wasn't placed on the 2nd tier list and I still have a reasonable chance of getting in after May. So I still have more potential good news I can dream about.
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I wish schools that haven't sent me anything since the beginning of this application cycle would reject me soon. Thinking about having to email 20+ sincere withdrawal letters is just daunting haha.
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Well I was not pulled of UCLA's Tier 1 Waitlist, and so now my decisions has been made for me. I will be attending UC Davis School of Medicine c/o 2008. I am not at all disappointed in how everything has resulted in because I love the system they have up there at Davis. Great and compassionate administration, faculty and students. The new 'college system' sounds like a lot of fun, and I can't wait to participate in one of the best Student-Run Clinics in the country.
I have the honor of staying in California for my medical education. Many people said it couldn't be done with my numbers, but as one of my friends said, 'We are more than our AMCAS app...'
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Good luck to everyone else who has visited my profile. Hopefully it gives you some faith that if you are genuine enough in your desires to be a physician, regardless of your socio-economic status, your dream can one day come true.
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Reapplying for the 2005 class...

'Although this decision has caused me great pain, my pursuit of medicine has not been stopped by one school's lack of appreciation for the struggles I've endured. Rather, I believe it is a sign for me to reapply and find a school that appreciates me for the person I am and the characteristics I've developed.'
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I m*** y** c****...