Timeline: June 2012 15 - Started studying for MCAT (slightly less than 3 month SN2ed plan)
September 11 - Took MCAT!
December 1 - Started researching medical schools briefly
April 2013 1 - Started writing PS from previous first draft.
May 23 - Finishing up PS, work experiences. Finish researching DO+MD schools!
June 12 - AMCOMAS submitted 15 - AMCAS submitted 28 - Secondaries trickling in
July 1 - AMCOMAS verified 5 - Secondaries flooding in 19 - AMCAS verified
August 16 - Western-COMP interview invite 20 - Secondaries finally stop flooding into my inbox. Received all secondaries from schools I applied to except Quinnipiac and UCSD. :(; MWU-CCOM interview invite 28 - Drexel interview invite
September 12 - Western-COMP interview attended 30 - Western-COMP acceptance
March 26 - VCU rejection T_________T 27 - Overall, successful cycle I'd say. Applied early and broadly, although more towards the lower-end of the spectrum schools as my GPA and MCAT are definitely average/not up to par. Although hoped for more interviews (who doesn't?) and acceptances, I am happy to say that I am set on going to Drexel. My entire application is definitely 'average' I'd say, but there is hope! Lastly, in retrospect, I should have retaken my MCATs, and I think that could have been a major factor in getting more interviews - but can't regret now!
Feel free to send me any questions, especially if similar stats, I'd be happy to help/advise at the above 'messages' link.
Extra schools: UC Riverside S: 7/26/2013, SC: 8/8/2013 $71. R: 6/18/2014 Quinnipiac S:None - So apparently, I found out that Quinnipiac had a glitch and did not send me the actual secondary to my email. Oh well.
****Submitted for me means the date which I received my secondary!
Applied
Touro University - Henderson
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: 07/14/2013
Secondary Completed: No
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: No
Summary of Experience:
Applied to the wrong school. Wanted to click NY but clicked this instead. Great.
Summary of Experience:
$125. Fine. I don't want you either, Tulane. (Actually, wanted to experience New Orleans and Louisana, seeing how my pediatrician went to medical school here :( )
Summary of Experience:
$80. 10/11/13: On hold. Probable interview. 10/13/13: Numero quattro baby.
01/16/14:
Started off with a student host who gave solid advice and tips for interview and about the school and surrounding area.
Then, on the day of my interview, is the first day of snow in Virginia. How lucky for a Californian. I followed my host to the TBL session, which they seem to implement more with these coming years in the new curriculum. It looks like a great way to integrate different types of learning styles together. I walked around the surrounding area and it was a very NY feel. 11:00 am was the start of the interview day with Dr. White-Cook introducing us to VCUSOM, a incredibly nice physician and dean. I had a phenomenal 1.5-2 hr interview with one faculty. When they say low stress, it really is the best interview you ever wish for.
Richmond, VA is a big city environment different from home. It is also the capital of VA. The architecture is really interesting and historical.
Overall impressions is that this school is one of my top choices so far. Although VCU does not have different tracks for different styles of learning like Drexel, they do offer individualized study plans for USMLE where they plan your studying for you! They boast high match rates, high board scores, great diversity around the school with a range of pathology, and a perfect area conducive to studying/playing.
They have the choice of doing M3 and M4 in the Inova Campus which is in Northern VA. They serve a wealthier population, but only accept 20ish students each year. Could be interesting...
Pros: - cheapest tuition out of my interviews! - top health system in the US - superb individualized step 1 study plan - Good urban location within city of Richmond like NYU feel - underserved area around school - plenty of int'l opportunities (i²crp)!
Cons: - can't think of any... No direct flights to Richmond??
3/26/2014: Rejected, thought I would still make waitlist.. What a shame.
Summary of Experience:
$50. Don't want to schedule interview yet because of limited dates. Maybe when I get another Chicago/East Coast II :P
10/15/13: Did not like Chicago too much. Campus is alright, but was raining. Interviewer was very stern and emotionless. Meh.
10/25/13: Accepted? lol.
12/15/13: Withdrew.
This was my first panel interview with 3 people: 1 PHD, 1 M4, and 1 student in residency. The PHD interviewer was emotionless and overall did not get a good impression. The day was structured well to get a good feel for campus life.
Pros: - Residencies are all in Chicagoland area - Great reputation within DO community and local/national community for future residencies - Interviewees were nice and friendly, students I would want to go to school
Summary of Experience:
$65. ACCEPTED. IM GOING TO BE A DOCTOR.
First interview invite. Scareed.
Interview went actually quite well. Met a few friends. MMI and panel interview as expected. I really liked it and enjoyed the close atmosphere between its staff and students. The entire interview day was repeat information offered from Western's Preview Day. The interview was kept to a very stress-free level. Honestly, I would be happy to come here - if all tuition were the same. I felt the most connected to the students here, they seemed to be SO happy to be there, and that gave me a very positive feeling about the school.
Pros: - Western is a great school with a good location close to family in CA - Modern facilities - 100% residency placement (2012), plenty in California which is a good reason to pick the school - connections from residencies in Cali -> Practice in Cali. - Students are smiling and seem to love it there. - Clicked with the interviewees and they seem chill and relaxed.
Cons: - Bad neighborhood -> Most students live off campus near Clairemont - About $10000 more expensive than a private MD school. O_O
Summary of Experience:
$100. Oh glorious no-essay-prompt-secondary!
10/16/2013: Loved it. Could see myself here, albeit a short (<15 min) faculty interview.. Super friendly and happy students. School definitely cares how a student learns best from PIL/IFM, IPad apps, and more! Did not get the best impression with the interviewees that day, compared to my previous interviews. Some of them seemed a bit competitive (guess that's normal). The feeling I get from this school is that it is organized and that they really cater to each student. However, I've heard that Drexel is the last to adopt new technologies actually. Plus, 3rd highest student debt in the nation!
Pros: - Close to a Chinese community with access to a free health clinic in Philly Chinatown -> Using those Cantonese skills. - Big city environment is different than home/college - Cheaper than 1st choice DO school - 3rd year full-year site rotation at Kaiser Sacramento! (Confirmed by current Drexel student that basically all who applied got in this year!) - Drexel students from my host to the 2nd year IFM student interviewer were people that I'd want to go to school with.
Cons: - Didn't really click with interviewees as much, seem very stern and not as friendly. - Still $$$... but hey, what can you do.
Currently deciding whether to go IFM or PIL. Waiting on second-look.... perhaps.
