Brief Profile:
- Applied MD/PhD only - Studied physics and molecular biology - 2 years independent chemistry research (no pub) - 6 months other biology research experience - Official TA (not tutor) for physics course - Graded for 3 classes (two upper div) - Significant computer science coursework (entire lower division curriculum) - 5 classes away from A+ sweep of physics, bio, CS classes - Brief shadowing experiences (50 hr worth)
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 08/28/2012
Undergraduate college: UC Berkeley
Undergraduate Area of study: Physical Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 524
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 132,
C/P 132,
CARS 129
Overall GPA: 3.98
Science GPA: 3.99
Summary of Application Experience
Interviews are fun; you learn a lot going to different regions of the country. The waiting though is horrendous. Was literally about to send out job app the day I got UCLA.
Tip of the hat to Mayo, wag of the finger to UCSF (see above).
I applied during senior year, and sent all my stuff in very late (late august primaries, late october secondaries/recs). If you can do try to get your stuff in sooner, but don't rush yourself spiritually. Applying to medical or graduate school is a big decision, you gotta believe you're doing it for the right reasons.
I hope this profile can be of help to somebody. The med application process is crappy; people lie and do very deceptive things to try to get in. And they sometimes do. Don't let it get you down. Spend your time doing what you are interested in, even if it means giving up joining 5000 clubs, clocking hours in a hospital, or making a trip to Nicaragua just to put on your resume.
Summary of Experience:
Was in top tier of schools going in. Got rejected pre-secondary in October. I made an appeal saying that I am not a weirdo nerd, have a social life, and love the Bay Area. Got the secondary in December. Go figure. All my UC friends got shafted here; we just don't fit their mold of holistic people.
Summary of Experience:
America is too PC. This rejection said: "While the Committee found strengths in your application, it was simply overtaken by others in a highly competitive pool." Gotta love it.
Summary of Experience:
Fast rejection after interview; I bombed one of the interviews that had tons of weird med-school type questions. The place is nice; east coast ppl went crazy over the weather. School is great. Shoutout to the video tour of the free clinic.
Summary of Experience:
MD only interview. I liked the place (especially the free zoo). But I think they tried to hard to portray their med school as party-ish and fun. The pamphlet they handed out had student testimonials about hooking up! Much prefer Mayo's formal atmosphere.
Summary of Experience:
Mayo is a special place. Humble, cooperative, dignified, supportive. The kind of support they give their graduate students is amazing, and everyone was genuinely nice.
Summary of Experience:
Got the II 3 days later, not 1. I'm putting 10/25 for all the schools for simplicity. In top tier of choices going in. Did Caltech interview as well. Strong research, unbeatable location, happy people.
Summary of Experience:
Very late interview at hometown school. The place is very attentive to student needs and it shows. Props to their curriculum digitalization efforts.
