Brief Profile:
Nontrad in the sense that I applied senior year, even though that seems to be becoming the norm now. Pease see discussion for more in depth info :)
Majors: Immunology, International Studies
GPA: Cum Laude
MCAT: 37+
Research: 4 years, 2 pubs (1 first author in a low-tier journal, 1 coauthor in an upper-mid tier journal)
Leadership: Founded massive student volunteer organization addressing the stigma that those with disabilities/ diseases face, member of newspaper editorial board for 3 years, member of executive board of several other community organizations that address social justice issues/ marginalization/ international public health
Extracurriculars: participation in activities that focused on social justice, systematic inequality and perception of marginalized communities. Traveled abroad (see blog).
Clinical Experience: ~100 hours (about a year) of volunteering at a low-income clinic, involved shadowing
Awards: lots of research-centered awards, a few community service ones and a major international award
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/27/2013
Undergraduate college: A Humble University of California
Summary of Experience:
Wow, BU you golddigger. Took my $110 for the secondary fee and rejected me the next day!
Least I didn't take you out to dinner.
Update: BU rejected everyone from my school. Well, about 5-7 people I know, all with solid apps. I think we'll form a club and list it on our AMCAS app. For like, extracurriculars. Because we want to become doctors.
Summary of Experience:
TERRIBLE application experience. UCLA frankly had the most disorganized, unprofessional relationship with its applicants-- I've heard similar horror stories from friends who have applied to other graduate departments. One even had his application misplaced, only to find out at the end of the cycle.
I submit my app fairly early, informed them I would be traveling abroad and requested that if I were to be considered for an interview, to have it given prior to my departure. Eight months-- EIGHT MONTHS-- passes by with not a single update from them-- not a waitlist, rejection or acceptance, while I had been communicating with them monthly. I realize there is a lot of demand on UCLA, but honestly, taking almost a year to determine whether or not an applicant merits and interview is pushing it-- especially when there is no correspondence in the meantime. Applicants invest a considerable amount of time, effort and money into the process, and at the very least, deserve the courtesy of basic notification. Very disappointed with how UCLA handled the season.
Summary of Experience:
Same as Northwestern. A little frustrating because I told them ahead of time (4 months ahead) that I would be going abroad for an internship. They sent me the invite literally maybe 3 days after I left the country.
I was pretty surprised they don't do Skype interviews like Hopkins. It's pretty ridiculous to expect someone to drop $1500 to fly back for just one interview.
Summary of Experience:
Would have loved to check this school out, but they sent me the invite after I left the country for my internship abroad :( Had to withdraw
Summary of Experience:
LOVED LOVED LOVED this school. Great interviewers, very warm and welcoming Dean, friendly students, excellent hosts. And yet amidst all these geniuses is not a shard of arrogance; everyone is so down to earth- adcoms, faculty, literally everyone. You can immediately tell everyone is sincerely delighted to be here. And who wouldn't be? Top-tier institution, gorgeous area, lots to do. I have nothing but praise for UCSF. Humbled to have even gotten an interview here!
Summary of Experience:
Ouch. This waitlist really hurt. However, this was my second interview overall and first MMI and I was nervous as heck. That's probably what set me on the fence in the eyes of the adcoms. Otherwise, it seemed they were fairly fond of me and that they had genuinely enjoyed my application.
DO NOT underestimate how much you need to prep for MMIs and interviews, but don't psyche yourself out.
Otherwise, truly lovely campus. Everything is brand new! Architecture is a piece of art in and of itself. Challenging curriculum and a plethora of research opportunities. Very interesting, diverse student body.
