Brief Profile:
I've decided to create this profile because I've had quite a saga through this whole process.
I studied Forensic Science at Loyola University Chicago, which was fully accrediated by FEPAC, very science heavy, and one of the most labor-intensive degrees at the school. Starting my second semester Freshman year I continuously worked 15-20 hours a week first as a campus Store Clerk and then as a Customer Advisor at a Petco located in the heart of Chicago (I know that sounds like a blow-off job, but retail is actually very exhausting and I took on many responsibilities ). I rarely had weekends, and during breaks and campus I would pick up full-time hours. Freshman year I was more involved in campus activities such as being a Hall Representative, and working on the board for Loyola's Coalition for the Homeless, but transitioned into spending more time doing community service. I volunteered over 200 hours as a wayfinder in a Chicago hospital and as an technician assistant in the OR (where I also got to sit on a couple of surgeries). I also went with on a Habitat for Humanity trip to a Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and a mission trip to Greenwood, MI.
My Sophomore year I spent a summer as a research intern in a chemistry laboratory, which was a great and informative experience. I am not afraid to admit it confirmed my expectation that I am not interested in pursuing research, and I continued focusing on community service.
I graduated magna cum laude with minors in Chemistry and Criminal justice back in May 2013. At this time I was at the end of the 2013 application cycle. I will admit I was extremely foolish in believing that I was competitive enough to save money so I only applied to 5 medical schools; UW Madison, Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine, Rush University, St. Louis University School of Medicine, and UIC. Well UW happily sent me a rejection on my birthday (I've seen that they are very partial towards Wisconsin residents, and unless you are a HIGHLY competitive you don't stand a chance). Rush and Stritch never responded until late spring to say that they were no longer interviewing. I had an interview at SLU on 1/8/13 and at UIC in mid February (although that one went terribly on my part. I was just... a weirdo). SLU put me on the waitlist and UIC postponed a decision until May, where they then rejected me. I spent the first part of the summer working, recovering from undergrad, and hoping to hear back from SLU.
I finally realized that I needed to make a decision if I was going to apply again, and that the deadline for help from our school's pre-health advising committee was coming up. I got my butt in gear and was able to submit my AMCAS on July 22nd. Finally, I heard back from SLU on 8/12/13 informing me they were not offering me a spot in the class.
I've spent this past year volunteering in both an emergency department and with a affordable healthcare clinic for low-income families. I also took an EMT-B class, attained my license, and began work as an EMT with a private company..
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 07/21/2013
Undergraduate college: Loyola University Chicago
Undergraduate Area of study: Physical Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 511
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 125,
C/P 127,
CARS 130
Overall GPA: 3.83
Science GPA: 3.71
Summary of Application Experience
I had a hard time starting this cycle, as I was still disappointed about not getting in on the last cycle and was still waiting to hear back from SLU with a potential acceptance. The hardest part was trying to work on the secondaries in the fall- its incredibly hard to write about how great of a candidate you are when you feel like a total failure.
I chose to apply to more schools that were in my reach and that did not require research.
Applied, Withdrew
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Applying for combined PhD/MSTP? No
Submitted: 09/12/2013
Secondary Completed: No
Interview Invite: No
Interview Attended: No
Waitlisted: No
Accepted: No
Rejected: No
Summary of Experience:
I had been working on lots of secondaries at this point, and looking at the 7 questions for this school I realized I had no real desire to attend, so I withdrew my application
Summary of Experience:
11/18/13: Email- Application update, will be contacted in the next 6-8 weeks regarding interview decision (riiiiiight. 6-8 weeks. See below).
2/5/14: Email- Still in pool of interview applicants
Summary of Experience:
2/10/14: I sent an email and met with the Assistant Dean of Admissions.
2/13/14: Apparently the meeting went well, I was invited for an interview very shortly afterwards. I was unable to attend the date they gave me, and after some rapid emails back and forth I had a spot on a date 5 days later.
The interview went well, the admissions staff puts on a wonderful interview day.
Summary of Experience:
This interview went better than last year, but I still felt I fumbled a few questions. I was very stunned when I got the acceptance packet, although it happened the same day of my wisdom tooth surgery. I was in pain, still shocked about Loyola, and came home to find this waiting on the counter!
Summary of Experience:
The interview went very well, I really feel like I fit in with the nature of the school. I told my interviewers this was my first choice and would attend if accepted, and after my interview I sent an update letter and a LOI highlighting my love of the school. I received an acceptance call on my way home after having 5 wisdom teeth extracted, so my mouth was numb, swollen, and full of gauze, so I was hard to understand but I think they could tell I was super excited.
