Application Cycle One: 2005

• Undergraduate college: Furman University
• Undergraduate Area of study: History/Humanities

• Institution: University of South Carolina SOM
• Area of Study: Biological/Life Sciences
• Degree Obtained: MBS

• Total MCAT SCORE: 517
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 130, C/P 129, CARS 129   Detailed Breakdown
• Overall GPA: 3.16
• Science GPA: 2.94

Summary of Application Experience

Low grades in undergrad, good grades in grad school (neuroscience), good MCAT, decent experience. I'm a resident of SC, but my dream school is UVM, so I was elated just to get an interview from them. USC (South Carolina) and MUSC were somewhat of a gimme, but I was extremely disappointed to get waitlisted by MUSC. I applied to a few other appealing schools up north in a 'what-the-heck, why-not' strategy, and I fell in love with University of Vermont when I was in Burlington interviewing.

11/09/05: USC's dean of admissions came up to my lab on the third floor and told me I was accepted in person. On my birthday. That felt pretty cool. I'd still love to go to UVM, and I think I would prefer MUSC if I stayed in state, but still - it's nice to know that I don't have to wait another year, and I can go ahead and start carrying out my destiny.

4/22/06: Rejected by UVM. Pretty upset, etc. What was I even thinking applying there with my grades...

6/6/06: Accepted by MUSC off waitlist. Had pretty much resigned myself to attending USC (which is still a great school), and now I'm conflicted.

6/8/06: Final decision: MUSC. I love Charleston, and it's easily the better known program, with more to offer. Too bad my school doesn't have any sports.