Application Cycle One: 06/03/2012

• Undergraduate college: Johns Hopkins University
• Undergraduate Area of study:

• Total MCAT SCORE: 511
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 125, C/P 125, CARS 132   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.30
• Science GPA: 3.24

Summary of Application Experience

I am a re-applicant, during my first cycle I applied very late (2ries submitted in Nov-Dec.) and received 4 interviews, 2 waitlists, no acceptances.

This second time around I took the MCAT again (score above is highest of two), submitted the application on day 1 and also had more meanigful activities. My GPA has an upward trend (dean's list 4 semesters). I wanted to include my info to inspire other applicants that may have had a disadvantaged backroung (I did not learn English until I was 15) but may be high-achievers and comitted to making a difference.

This cycle has been going really well, I received 10 interview invites (2 DO, 8 MD). My wish was to go to a school in CA and if possible to receive an acceptance early in the cycle so I did not have to continue traveling and spending $. Luckily it happened and I cancelled 5 interviews. The only one that I wished I could have attended is UWSOM but $ and time did not allow me to visit.

I would like to become a family med physician and work with vulnerable populations. I have a very strong research background and would like to conduct community-based interventions grounded in clinical practice.

Things that I wished I'd known before my first application:
- Rolling-admissions! Looking back I think that I should have not applied the first time, in someways it was a waist of $, time & energy.
- SDN (I discovered it at the end of my 1st cycle - it can be very neurotic but can also be very informative)
- Medical schools do look at the whole picture - I knew that my GPA would keep me out of some schools but I did not have the funds to take classes to improve it while working full-time. I think that the MCAT and upward trend helped.

If you are a re-applicant think about a Plan B and try to use your gap year to gain more experience in the field you'd like to join even if you were not accepted into medical school. Knowing that I could continue with a fullfilling public health career if med school did not pan out really helped to keep the anxiety down.

Suggestions:
Apply early
If possible, pre-write secondaries
Choose schools based on mission
Ask a friend to check your essays before submission

Feel free to message me if you have any questions. This process is an emotional roller-coaster but you'll get to meet great people on your path. Good luck!