Brief Profile:
Lifelong dream to become a physician for genuine reasons. I have a very personal story to share with medical schools, and hopefully, my passion speaks through my AMCAS, secondaries, and (hopeful) interviews. Struggled a bit with my pre-reqs in college, did not get it together until my junior year. Decided to attend a post-bacc program with Georgetown and George Mason - BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. I feel prepared now more than ever!
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 06/18/2013
Undergraduate college: University of Maryland - College Park
Undergraduate Area of study: Psychology/Social Sciences
Institution: Georgetown University
Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
Degree Obtained: Master of Science
Institution: George Mason/Georgetown University
Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
Degree Obtained: Certificate
Total MCAT SCORE: 503
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 129,
C/P 122,
CARS 127
Overall GPA: 3.26
Science GPA: 2.82
Summary of Application Experience
I am a very punctual and efficient person, thus, I had my recommendation letters lined up, my personal statement complete, and everything ready to go for when the AMCAS opened. Completed and submitted my AMCAS on 06/19/2013 and it got verified on 07/22/2013. From then the secondaries started rolling in and I did them slowly but surely, the longest time I spent on one was George Washington U because they send secondaries before you even get verified and I wasn't prepared to complete my secondary at that time. By the end of the summer, I had completed all of my secondaries and all recs were in... just a waiting game.
First interview invite came from Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (Nov 1)... second came from Howard University (I snatched up the Oct. 2 one)
For now, I am just patiently waiting and sending schools (that accept them) any updates to my application such as my transcript reflecting my MS degree.
This has been such a rewarding experience for me because I never saw myself getting this far! Yes I don't have the best science GPA (although I KILLED in graduate school)... and my MCAT score could be better. I don't have connections or a daddy who's the top physician at Johns Hopkins... I'm just a girl from Baltimore, MD with a dream that I've followed my entire life no matter what. I hope I see the fruits of my labor soon after these interviews.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY - CLASS OF 2018!
Applied
Temple University
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: Yes
Secondary Completed: No
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: No
Summary of Experience:
I honestly got toooo lazy to submit their secondary, so much time had gone by and I was starting to hear negative things about the experiences that minorities have at this school so I decided not to move forward
Summary of Experience:
Another school in which I really identify with their mission and the school's history really intrigues me! Hopeful for an II.
Update: It's been more than 2 months and I haven't heard anything... my confirmation email saying that I was complete said that it would take 6 weeks so I'm not sure what the hold up is.
Summary of Experience:
Never thought I would have a chance at this school but they sent me a letter stating that I should submit a secondary because I'm a minority w a qualifying MCAT score... offered a fee waiver so I applied! As I did my research on the school for the secondary, found that I really liked them, their newly designed curriculum, and their mission. Fingers crossed!
Summary of Experience:
Sent in an update through the secondary application website.
Update: my file has been reviewed and placed on HOLD for a re-review. No date or information for when this would happen, my status states that reviews are done periodically. Just have to keep checking in on this one and sending updates.
Summary of Experience:
I rescheduled my interview for January 8th because I wanted to wait to hear back from some more local schools. Really pleasant and hospitable. A first-year SNMA member reached out to me and invited me to dinner the night before my interview.
Summary of Experience:
Really enjoy this school's mission and how fresh and new they are. Admissions staff are really nice and personable as well. Excited for this interview! November 1, 2013
Update: THIS SCHOOL IS AMAZING! SO INNOVATIVE AND GENUINELY EXCITED TO WELCOME THE NEW INCOMING CLASS. EVERYTHING IS STATE-OF-THE-ART AND THE CURRICULUM REALLY INTRIGUED ME. I SEE THIS SCHOOL REALLY BECOMING SOMETHING SPECIAL.
Accepted offer, only $100 deposit. I emailed the Dean of Admissions and let her know that I could not immediately pay my deposit and she WAIVED IT FOR ME! Soooo generous!
Summary of Experience:
I have never wanted anything so bad. Howard U is my top choice and I can only pray that this is conveyed in my interview with them. Very pleasant app experience. Got the secondary in August and completed it soon after, attended the open house the first Friday in Sept. and fell even more in love.
Patiently waiting for my interview and acceptance soon to follow :)
Update: Received an email stating that the committee has made a decision and that I should hear back around Nov. 15th... and was instructed to CALL when I receive the email. Love the personal touch :) anxiously waiting
Update: PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. DID NOT HEAR BACK EXACTLY ON THE 15TH, INSTEAD I HEARD BACK ON THE 19TH AND IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT. YOU GET AN EMAIL THAT TELLS YOU YOUR LETTER HAS BEEN SIGNED AND TO CALL FOR THE DECISION! I THINK THEY ONLY DO ACCEPTANCES OVER THE PHONE SO IF IT SAYS CALL, YOU'RE IN BUSINESS. Howard C/O 2018 here I come!
btarrant 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 btarrant’s section scores as follows:
btarrant scored a 11 on the Biological Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 129 on the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems.
btarrant scored a 6 on the Physical Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 122 on the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems.
btarrant scored a 10 on the Verbal Reasoning section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 127 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
