Application Cycle One: 09/01/2010

• Undergraduate college: Brigham Young University-Idaho
• Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences

• Total MCAT SCORE: 509
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 127, C/P 127, CARS 127   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.56
• Science GPA: 3.60

Summary of Application Experience

I took my MCAT on 7/30 so I got my scores pretty late. It then took about 4 weeks to get verified, then each school took more time to verify everything and finally mark me complete. Moral of the story is I would like to have submitted my application earlier, but I hope a school will take me in the end.

Here are my interviews so far:

University of Nevada-Reno---Interview: 11/08/2010

Pros- Reno is only 3 hours from family. They also have tuition averaging so it would still be half the price of any other school I applied to. I really like the area surrounding Reno since it can yield lots of opportunities for outdoor activities. They are building a new building for the incoming class which is great, and I also like the small class size. Cost of living is also relatively cheap which is always a plus.

Cons- Much colder than California in the winter and much warmer in the summer. As for the school itself I don\'t like that their 3rd and 4th year rotations are all in Las Vegas which means relocation of the family. It\'s just a lot of work to relocate.

Update: I was rejected on 2/24. For some reason I don\'t feel super sad but more relief that I know where I might be next year. Also I was starting to take another class to fulfill one of their requirements and now I\'m so glad I don\'t have to go anymore.

Western University-Pomona Campus--Interview: 12/11/2010

Pros- Only 30 min from family which is nice. New building, and the facilities are pretty nice. Being in So Cal there is really everything at your fingertips.

Cons- Tuition at Western is very expensive. Also I just didn\'t have a good vibe there. In my interview the teacher conducting was very anti-MD but the student was very nice and understanding. Also Pomona is not the best place for a family so I would have to commute no matter what.

Update: Waitlisted on 1/7/2011. No doubt in my mind it was because of the anti-MD interviewer. Oh well we will see what happens.


Touro University-Mare Island--Interview: 1/10/2011

Pros- I loved the campus and I thought their OMM lab was fantastic. Their curriculum seems very nice, and they have a great option to get a dual degree DO/MPH with only 2 extra summers of work. A lot of people knock Touro but from my time there they really seem to have it all together. Also there is a golf course literally right next to campus. I talked to the dean and students get a discount. Also since it is a Jewish school there are a lot of Jewish holidays off. Also rotations will stay local(if you want) so no relocation. I really liked this school and love the bay area. They also said they would get back to us a week from Friday (1/21) which is incredible turn around time.

Cons- The housing situation looks bad. To live in a good area I would have to drive at least 15-20 min to school everyday and cost of living is quite expensive. I\'m not particularly impressed with their residency match list, but I guess this will depend upon me and how hard I work.

Update: ACCEPTED! Well my first one. It\'s just nice to know at least one school wants me.


Des Moines University--Interview- 1/14/2011

Pros- I thought DMU was the best campus I have seen so far. Everything just seemed nice and up to date. Their Library was spectacular as well as their SIM labs. Also it is very smart of them to hand out computers to each student because then everyone has the same computer and you have a technical services that sees the same problems over and over and also has the parts to replace them. Another plus is you get an Itouch loaded with info for your rotations. After my tour Des Moines is definitely my first choice for DO and if it weren\'t for tuition being half the price in Nevada this may be my top choice overall of any Med school. I\'m hoping to hear good news on the 31st. More pros are cheap housing, and ability to live close to campus. Also the students were spectacular and there every step of the way to answer questions/concerns.

Cons- The winter is pretty brutal but I lived in Idaho my whole life so I can deal with it for a few years. Also I figured it out and it would cost me about $2500 to move my family out there, including at least 2 maybe 3 days of driving. Other than that I could really see myself being happy here.

Update- Waitlisted.....Crap.