Submitted: 06/20/2012 Verified: 07/18/2012 AMCAS Letter packet received: 08/08/2012
I wanted to give a description about myself and my experience applying this 2013 cycle. It's been up and down over 4 years, but was well worth it. I am just a "successful" applicant, as in I got in. One acceptance is all it takes, and having 10 or 15 vs. 1 makes no difference as you can only attend one school.
Non traditional student who bartended during his 4th and 5th year at UC Irvine before joining the US Peace Corps. Additionally, I worked part time throughout college ever since sophomore year as a tutor or as an on-campus computer lab advisor.
Academics:
Prerequisites completed: General Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; General Chemistry A, B, C, with labs A, B, C; Organic Chemistry A, B, C, with labs A, B; Physics A, B, C, with labs B, C; AP Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, Basic Statistics.
Two years in a pathology lab, 12-16 hours a week. Conducted own experiments from start to finish (reagent prepping through statistics, except protein mutation) that supplemented other graduate students' work.
[*]2 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guyana, South America, raised $5000 in funds to establish the first solar-powered computer lab in my village (taught over 60 students over a period of 4 months) ~24 hours x 730 days.
Shadowed a family practice physician for 2 months prior to applying ~50 hours.
[*]Attended 12 full-day free clinics hosted by the international charity organization (which I helped start the chapter on campus for) over a period of 1.5 years, gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of the under-served population in southern California and parts of Mexico ~144 hours.
Summer intern in Washinton DC at an NGO, provided administrative assistance, and supported an initiative to increase awareness in men's health ~32 hours/week.
Founded a chapter of an international charity organization on campus, vice-president for two years, doubled membership size, and coordinated a walk-a-thon across four campus chapters that involved over 300 walkers and 700 donors and raised $33,000 for Haiti relief efforts in 2009 ~4 hours/week, 100+ hours.
Tutored more students over the summer and after graduation. Mentored students in Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, and Algebra II ~ 4 hours/week.
1. Virology professor from whom I took two normal courses and a P/F course. 2 A's and a P 2. Organic Chemistry professor from whom I took one course. 1 A 3. Research professor for whom I worked for two years. 4. Humanities professor from whom I took five courses. 3 A's and 2 B+'s 5. Clinic supervisor with whom I worked closely with for two years. 6. Dr. whom I shadowed in 2012
All of the professors and supervisor I kept in touch with throughout the years, through Peace Corps, afterwards. I especially made a trip to see them all, except my supervisor who moved to Seattle. I also brought them a gift from the Peace Corps.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/19/2012
Undergraduate college: UC Irvine
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
----- Timeline ----- 2007 1xMCAT Did alright the first time, studied with TBR course, but verbal was 7, had to retake.
2008 2xMCAT Bombed it because I didn't study, thought I had the sciences down... turns out everything dropped, but verbal went up to 8.
2009 3xMCAT Buckled down this time, went home after graduating in June 2009, 1.5-2 months x 6 hours/day. Used TBR and EK products. Resulted in the MCAT above.
2012 April Returned home from the Peace Corps. Went to Irvine to check up on professors, update letters of rec. (Pretty important as I had not spoken with them in person since I left school in 2009).
May Began working on my personal statement. Requested transcripts.
June 20 / submitted AMCAS
July 18 / AMCAS verified 24 / First secondary received
August 08 / Letters received by AMCAS
September 09 / Last secondary sent out 24 / Irvine interview invite!
October 04-06 / Attended UC Davis AMSA workshop as a volunteer. Probably got the other 4 interview invites from this. 06 / Iowa interview invite! 10 / Vermont interview invite! 17 / Jefferson interview invite! (Called Dr. Brooks) 29 / Iowa interview attended!
Summary of Experience:
SR:[] | SS:[08/15/2012] | C:[08/17/2012] | II:[12/06/2012] | IA:[01/31/2013] | A:[03/05/2013] + First ACCEPTANCE and top choice!
