Brief Profile:
I'm a nontraditional applicant. I completed my premed last few requirements through a continuing education program, after completing my BA. I took the MCAT in 2006 and then started a PhD program in social science and public health. By the time I applied my MCATs were 6 years old. Dozens of schools refused to accept my old scores. The directors of admissions at ten schools generously allowed me to apply using these scores. All of them turned out to be extremely competitive schools, so I didn't have any "safety" schools.
** Lots of social science and public health research experience and a few co-authored publications. ** Several years of global health experience in South Africa and Morocco. ** Tens years of experience working as a caregiver/educator for cognitively disabled children and young adults. ** Typical clinical experiences (shadowing/volunteering) during my undergraduate years.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 07/17/2012
Undergraduate college: Michigan
Undergraduate Area of study: Psychology/Social Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 522
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 130,
C/P 132,
CARS 130
Overall GPA: 3.60
Science GPA: 3.80
Summary of Application Experience
I wish I had submitted the AMCAS and secondaries sooner. But I ended up with some great options and will be matriculating at my top-choice school in August, so it all worked out in the end
It's a long, confusing, and exhausting process. My only advice is to be proactive and polite, know what you want, and be patient.
Summary of Experience:
I had a wonderful experience here and it was my first choice pretty much throughout the application process. The admissions staff was awesome, especially Gaye Sheffler.
When I got waitlisted I called right away and told them that Penn was my first choice. I sent periodic emails in April and May. Got the call from Gaye Sheffler May 17th and received a very good financial aid package the following week. I will be happily matriculating here in August.
Summary of Experience:
I received an interview invite immediately after sending an email notifying them that I would be out of the country in December and January.
Got the call from Dr. Nicholas about my acceptance.
Ultimately, they did not offer me any financial aid -- just unsubsidized loans -- and suggested I borrow money from family or friends.
Summary of Experience:
The campus is amazing. The admissions staff is awesome. The students seem really happy.
Because I am over 30, they calculated my financial aid without using my parents' info. That meant that I received a maximum award. It was very hard to turn this offer down.
