Brief Profile:
Activities: -Hospital Volunteering (2 summers) -Shadowing (1 summer, surgery) -Psychology Research (2 years), 1 poster presentation -Molecular Biology/Infectious Diseases Research (2 summers) -Non-clinical volunteering: high school mentoring, community health fairs, assistant ESL instructor (spread out over 4 years) -Activity Coordinator/Treasurer/Vice President for pre-med organization (3 years, 1 year each) -Staff writer for school newspaper (3 years) -On-campus job at library (2.5 years) -Miscellaneous awards/honors/scholarships
Please ignore the writing score of my MCAT. First MCAT = 30.
SR = Secondary Received; SS = Secondary Submitted; II = Interview Invitation
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 05/31/2015
Undergraduate college: CA School
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
9/1: Received "hold" email. Basically stated that they can't offer me an interview now, but have deemed me "competitive" enough to be continued for review.
Withdrew from the interview. I would have liked to attend, but I've received an acceptance at a school I like and attending the interview does not work for me financially. Wish this came in the fall, as I probably could have combined it with one of my East Coast interviews.
Summary of Experience:
SR: 7/6. SS: 7/8. II: 8/24!
Interview Day: First interview, and definitely a great experience. Very informative and well-organized interview day, with an address by the Dean of Admissions, presentations on the school (curriculum, financial aid, research, global health), lunch with current students, a comprehensive tour led by three 4th year students, and two open-file 30 minute interviews. The school is fantastic - solid reputation, excellent match results, diverse research and global health opportunities, friendly and smart students, good board scores, and great location in Boston for clinical training and social life. Interviews were conversational and completely stress-free. Biggest downside is expense, both Boston and the school.
Decision: Deferred. Pretty sad about this one. I'll always be left to think what was the real reason, as I thought my interviews went well. Maybe I'm not as competitive as other applicants, or my post-interview impressions are bad. Either way, I won't withdraw but I'm assuming I'll be rejected.
Update: Finally heard back from Tufts in early May - I've been offered a position on the wait list. I'm sure the chances are very slim, but I've accepted the wait list offer just to see what happens.
Summary of Experience:
SR: 7/7. SS: 7/7. II: 9/16!
Interview Day: Shortest interview day among the ones I attended: one 30-minute faculty interview, lunch with students, and a quick tour. Einstein is a great school. I got the feeling that it's a very productive and academic environment here. The students all have to complete a scholarly project, which seems awesome! The funding for global health, research, and student organizations is very good. The students told me that virtually everyone does something meaningful after the MS1 summer, with around half taking part in global health opportunities and half doing research. The student housing is a great plus as it's right across the street and very cheap. The diversity of the Bronx is a great learning tool for the clinical years, although I found myself not really liking the surrounding area very much. Still, I'd love to be a student here and take part in the many opportunities Einstein has to offer!
Decision: Placed on High Priority Waitlist! Will remain on the waitlist to see how things turn out.
Summary of Experience:
SR: 7/10. SS: 7/10. II: 8/19!
Interview Day: NYMC definitely offered the most comprehensive and informational interview day among the ones I've attended. There was an optional breakfast with an informal Q&A with students, a short address by the chancellor, presentations on the school (curriculum, surrounding community, financial aid), lunch with students, a tour, and the MMI. I liked the student housing (right across the street and almost everyone lives there), the students were very friendly (my host even set up a dinner/meet-and-greet with other students and applicants the night before), and the facilities weren't too bad. But I didn't find myself feeling that excited about the school. It's quite expensive, especially considering second year is mostly "self-study" and it's quite far from home. I'd also read that NYMC is one of the schools affected by Caribbean students taking rotation spots at NYC hospitals, so that's another issue. The MMI was okay. I felt some of the prompts were difficult and a couple of faculty evaluators were aggressive and challenging, so I didn't feel so great coming out of it.
Decision: Waitlisted. I'm not surprised, especially with how I felt about the MMI. Not too disappointed, as I didn't feel a huge desire to attend here. Will likely withdraw soon.
Summary of Experience:
SR: 7/20. SS: 7/20. II: 8/20!
Interview Day: Interview day started with an address from the Executive Dean about the MMI and admissions. Following this were the MMI, a tour led by a 4th year student, lunch, an address by the Dean for 1st and 2nd year students (mostly about the curriculum and student wellness), and then a student Q&A panel. I felt like I didn't really learn that much about the school, what the students are like and what opportunities are available here. It's also very expensive, far from home, and in an isolated area with relatively old facilities. I felt like the one positive about the interview day for me was the MMI - the prompts were all very fair and the evaluators were warm and receptive. I'm sure the students like it here; I just wasn't feeling it that much.
Decision: Placed on ranked "Under Consideration" list. In all likelihood will be withdrawing soon as I would not attend here over MCW.
Update: Accepted off UC list May 17! I'll most likely be withdrawing, but I am happy to know that I received another acceptance!
Summary of Experience:
SR: 7/1. SS: 7/6. II: 02/15!!
Interview Day: Incredibly positive experience here; probably my top choice post-interview. I loved everything about this school. There was a fun social the night before where the students provided us with pizza and held a Q&A panel about the school. Interview day was informative with presentations (curriculum and financial aid), lunch with students, a tour and then two 30 minute interviews. The students are super friendly and outgoing - I think it helps that a lot of them are from CA, which is what I'm used to. There are abundant research opportunities and a scholarly pathways project that students have to complete. The facilities are EXCELLENT - among the best I've seen at my 5 interviews - and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital are right on the same campus. Living expenses are much cheaper than CA and there is a good selection of housing in close proximity to the school. Interviews were fairly relaxed - one of them mostly asked about my activities; the other focused on questions related to health care and being a physician.
Decision: Accepted via email!!!! Incredible feeling. So thrilled and relieved!!!! Most likely matriculating!
sharkbyte took the old MCAT and scored a 33 which is in the 91th percentile of all old scores.
We converted this to a 514 on the updated scale which is in the 91th percentile of the updated MCAT. We also converted sharkbyte’s section scores as follows:
sharkbyte scored a 10 on the Biological Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 127 on the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems.
sharkbyte scored a 10 on the Physical Science section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 127 on the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems.
sharkbyte scored a 13 on the Verbal Reasoning section of the old MCAT which is approximately equal to a 132 on the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
