Brief Profile:
Hello everyone! I have always been a strong believer in utilizing the experiences of those who took the path before you as an illumination to your own future. So, feel free to ask me any question about my path towards being accepted to med school - I\'d be more than willing to help where I can! I have gone through the stressful process (or at least am in the process of going it), so I know what you are dealing with. I hope that this page helps someone out, it is the least I could do. Here is a little bit about me: I am a Mathematics Major with a Biology Minor and a Pre-Medical Focus at American University in Washington, DC. I loved working, living and learning in DC for undergrad - there is always something (be that political, cultural, eventful, social) surfacing at all times in the District. It\'s a culturally explosive city, with a population as diverse as can be.
I have worked hard my whole life and have tried my best to thrive - although I sometimes can fall short, as does any human (re: MCAT attempt 1,2). Here\'s some of my ECs that I have worked my pants off for over years: -Eagle Scout in the BSA -Black Belt in Karate -Division I Swimmer for American University -President of Pre-Health Society (2009-2012) -President of American Medical Student Association of American University (2008-2012) -Research Intern for PECARN at the EMTC of CNMC (June 2010 - July 2012) -Hundreds of hours of clinical experience and shadowing from this position (over 2000) -Voluntary Research Coordinator for a study conducted at CNMC. -Published on the poster and abstract three times for our Clinical Research study as a Co-Author. -Quality and Performance Improvement Best in Show Poster Cash Prize. -Currently drafting a manuscript to be published by the end of September. Undergraduate Research Conferences -Robyn Rafferty Mathias Annual Student Research Conference, 2010/2012 2010 (Poster/Presenter) – Quorum Sensing: Cell-to-Cell Communication in Bacteria 2012 (Presentation) – A Differential Equations Analysis of Pandemic Disease Spread in an Apocalyptic State. *Best Oral Presentation in the Sciences by an Undergraduate Student – Honorable Mention Cash Prize 2012 (Presentation) – The Relations of Telomerase Function and Premature Aging in Down Syndrome Patients.
-Undergraduate Mathematics Conference in Washington, GWU, 2012 2012 (Presentation) - A Differential Equations Analysis of Pandemic Disease Spread in an Apocalyptic State.
-American University Honors Capstone Research Conference, 2012 2012 (Presentation) - A Differential Equations Analysis of Pandemic Disease Spread in an Apocalyptic State.
-My first MCAT was May 21st, 2011: Not so hot...24R. I was averaging about 4 points higher, but I guess I just did not answer enough questions correctly this time around haha. -On August 6th, 2011 I received a 25R. After this result, I pretty much scrapped my 2011 application. -On July 6th, after taking a solid month of only MCAT studying, I received a 31Q (10/11/10). I could not have been happier. I still get excited just thinking about it. It took alot for me to master this test, even though I had all the knowledge needed. I just tried to do too much while studying (40 hours of work/week, 30 hours of swimming, etc). I happily knocked this one out of the park and am so grateful :]
Like I said, if you have any questions, just ask. Medicine is about working together to solve a common goal. If there is some way I can help someone who is starting their medical process move forwards, it would make it all the more worthwhile.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 07/29/2012
Undergraduate college: American University
Undergraduate Area of study: Mathematics
Total MCAT SCORE: 511
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 127,
C/P 127,
CARS 129
Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.74
Summary of Application Experience
So I had some push backs with my application - I initially wanted it ready to be submitted on June 1st, but after studying for my MCAT was extended (and with great success!) I ended up backing myself up to July 30th as the submission date. My transcript was submitted and received by AMCAS on 05/21/12 and my letters were received 08/15/12.
Application Update: 09/06/12 AMCAS Verified!
Secondaries Received by the following:
-09/28/12 Drexel University COMPLETED 09/30/12 -09/28/12 Wake Forest COMPLETED 09/30/12 -09/28/12 University of Missouri - Kansas City Not accepting anymore apps. REJECTED before secondary. Woof. -09/12/12 Eastern Virginia COMPLETED 09/26/12 -09/12/12 Georgetown University COMPLETED 10/15/12 -09/11/12 Jefferson COMPLETED 09/17/12 -09/10/12 Downstate COMPLETED 10/01/12 -09/10/12 Mount Sinai COMPLETED 10/15/12 -09/10/12 University of Maryland COMPLETED 09/21/12 -09/07/12 University of Pennsylvania COMPLETED 10/15/12 -09/07/12 University of Pittsburgh COMPLETED 09/17/12 -09/07/12 University of Buffalo COMPLETED 09/07/12 -09/06/12 Albert Einstein COMPLETE 09/21/12 -09/06/12 Stony Brook COMPLETED 09/16/12 -09/06/12 New York University COMPLETED 10/15/12 -09/06/12 University of Connecticut COMPLETED 10/16/12 -09/06/12 Hofstra-LIJ University COMPLETE 09/09/12 -08/22/12 Columbia University COMPLETED 10/15/12 -08/15/12 New York Medical College COMPLETED 08/15/12 -08/01/12 The George Washington University COMPLETE 09/09/12
04/25/13 UPDATE: I was invited to 6 interviews. I was rejected by one (Albert Einstein), I was waitlisted at three (Georgetown, Buffalo, EVMS), I have yet to hear from one (NYMC) and I was ACCEPTED at George Washington!!!
Applied, Rejected
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: 07/29/2012
Secondary Completed: No
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: 09/27/2012
Summary of Experience:
Not accepting any more applications. Rejection pre-secondary on 09/28/12. I was worried when I didn't receive a secondary after a couple months..oh well. This my least liked school and I didn't have to waste money on the secondary. I actually applied to the wrong Kansas school anyway haha!
Summary of Experience:
DONE! 10/15/12 Rejected 02/07/13 A reach school, but it was another NY program I really liked. I've got more options in NY left.
Summary of Experience:
09/09/12 Secondary Complete! Rejected :[ This is ten minutes away from my high school and right around the corner from my best friend. I am sad I missed a chance on this great program.
Summary of Experience:
09/17/12 COMPLETED! It was a stretch, but I was rejected. On the bright side, at least I will begin to hear from med schools! 11/05/12 - rejected. The program is great, but it's a far school from home.
Summary of Experience:
COMPLETED 09/21/12 01/11/13 Rejected. This one kind of sucked. I am sorry we weren't meant to work together, Maryland. You're still a great program.
Summary of Experience:
COMPLETED 09/30/12 Rejected 03/18/13 I am actually seriously relieved to be rejected by this school. Their application system/online interface never worked for me and I just become so fed up with it that I didn't care towards the end. SC is too far for me anyway. Great school though, everyone going will be given a great education and many opportunities to become great docs.
Summary of Experience:
COMPLETED 09/21/12 FIRST NEW YORK INTERVIEW!! Home here I come!! 02/20/13 Interview Scheduled for 02/22/13 WOAH That's a quick response, thanks AEYU! 02/22/13 - My interview day was AMAZING. I had to break off from the main group since my interviewer came late and had to change times, but the office arranged for me to be given tours by two different current medical students! I saw the dorms, the school, the hospital, the labs...it was GREAT. And the entire staff was so friendly and inviting. This is now one of my top three schools, if not tied for my top school.
03/14/13 - rejected...sigh...It's a sad day for me...
Summary of Experience:
DONE! 10/15/12 COMMON GEORGETOWN! 11/20/13 - FIRST INTERVIEW INVITE!! And it's my top choice! 02/05/13 - Interview day was everything I expected and then some. My first interview! I love the campus, I love the program, I love the motto and the mission statement. I LOVE GEORGETOWN. A fire alarm went off during my interview and we had to evacuate the building, but that didn't stop me and my interviewer. We walked around the campus and chatted a bit, then finally settled down in the atrium to finish up the day. He was the head of Peds EM at Shady Grove, and I want to go into Peds EM, so I loved that! Thanks for the great day, Georgetown!
03/15/13 - added to the CAP! CANNOT WAIT, I'M STILL IN THE GAME!
Summary of Experience:
09/26/12 COMPLETED. My interview day was AMAZING! I loved the school, I loved the tour, and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter was so impressive. My interviewers were also so friendly and amazingly welcoming. 02/25/13 - Waitlisted on the top tier of applicants. I hear the chances of getting accepted off the top tier are pretty high, so here's to hoping!
Summary of Experience:
8/1/2012 - Secondary Received! 09/09/12- Secondary Completed! 02/14/13- What a great Valentine's present! Will you be mine GWU?? 03/21/13 - I absolutely loved my interview day. The entire experience was amazing. The hospital was gorgeous, the facilities were new and well maintained, and the students were very friendly. This is a favorite for sure.
Summary of Experience:
8/15/12 First completed secondary! 03/21/13 LOI sent 04/01/13 I am glad this isn't an April Fools joke! This is my last chance at a NY school, so I couldn't be happier! NYMC has been one of my favorites since the get go, so we shall see how I feel after the interview day! Scheduled for 04/15/13
I didn't research the interview day at all before my interview, so the MMI format came as a bit of a shock, but I really felt comfortable and my current job requires a lot of the same back and forth that MMIs require. Turns out I did well enough because I was accepted on 05/06/13!!
05/14/13 - I loved NYMC and I was excited to possibly return to NY, but after a hard, long review, I decided it would be best to stay in DC at GW. It just clicked more.
SurgeonOrBust took the old MCAT and scored a which is in the percentile of all old scores.
We converted this to a on the updated scale which is in the percentile of the updated MCAT. We also converted SurgeonOrBust’s section scores as follows:
SurgeonOrBust scored a 10 on the Biological Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 127 on the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems.
SurgeonOrBust scored a 10 on the Physical Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 127 on the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems.
SurgeonOrBust scored a 11 on the Verbal Reasoning section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 129 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
