Summary of Experience:
12/7: a truly miserable and bizarre interview performance on my part... Alas, will patiently wait for my January rejection letter :( Amazing program with plentiful service learning opportunities.
1/8: No surprises there! At least I've got solid evidence that I know a bad interview when I see one.
12/18 - I don't think I can properly describe in words how excited I am about this school. Imagine a lot of frantic arm waving and manic smiling, that about sums it up. Such a fantastic interview day, didn't meet a single interviewee, student, or faculty member that I wouldn't want to be friends with. Surprisingly collaborative and supportive student body for a school of this caliber. Research opportunities aplenty, and service seems to be integral to the clinical experience given that Wash U is St. Louis's safety net hospital.
3/31: Sigh, wait listed. Still my top choice, but I wouldn't attend unless I received a merit scholarship comparable to Pitt's offer. I'm unsure if sending a letter of interest is misleading...
5/16: Acccepted to WUSM!! It doesn't feel like quite the win I thought it would, after having had nearly two months to emotionally and mentally commit to Pitt. We'll see what financial aid has to say about merit scholarships, definitely not keeping my hopes up for this one.
first interview invite! Fantastic interview day - Pitt was an early adopter of the PBL format, and I love the scholarly project, which allows for independent research in an area of your choosing. Connected to the massive UPMC health system.
1/28: ACCEPTED! Well worth the 10 week wait. Not my #1, but would most certainly be happy here. Staying unrealistically optimistic about chances for merit aid, we'll see what comes in the mail this week!
2/4: 30k/yr Merit scholarship!! My optimism didn't betray me! Unless something craaazy happens with Wash U, looks like I'm headed to Pittsburgh this August :D PITT MED 2020!
Four and a half months after submitting, an II arrived at midnight. Best Christmas present ever :)
1/13: awwwww yeah! Loved my visit to Jefferson - felt comfortable with the students and at home on the campus. The high average debt at graduation is a concern, so I'll just wait and see how financial aid shakes out in a few months.
Was completely taken aback by how much I adored UVA. Southern charm with a Northern liberal leaning, what's not to like? The "next gen" 1.5 year integrated pre-clinical curriculum seems to have worked out all the kinks and got rave reviews from the students I spoke with. OOS tuition is steep, but if the financial aid package is decent Pitt will have some real competition.