Application Cycle One: 06/01/2017

• Undergraduate college: Penn State
• Undergraduate Area of study: Premedical Studies

• Total MCAT SCORE: 517
• MCAT Section Scores: B/B 132, C/P 130, P/S 131, CARS 124
• Overall GPA: 3.89
• Science GPA: 3.94

Summary of Application Experience

This is my second year applying. During my first application cycle, I was applying with both a 501 and 507 MCAT. I received 4 interviews with 2 post-interview rejections and 2 waitlists. After not getting in, I retook the MCAT and scored a 517. I received a lot more interviews but applied to twice the amount of schools. I did not receive my first MD acceptance until March. Ironically, my first two MD acceptances were the schools that rejected me post-interview my first application cycle.

TAKEAWAYS:
Apply early
Only take the MCAT once if you can. Trust the scores you receive through the AAMC practice tests.
Make sure you have significant volunteering in both clinical and community service. This is one area I felt really held me back.
Do Research if possible. Again, I did not do this and felt like some schools expected research in some capacity.
Get really good letters of recommendation. At least get one from a physician.
Scribe!!!! I did this over shadowing because it is more involved. You will learn A LOT.
Have someone read over your primary application and secondarys
Practice with someone for interviews.
My last advice is to relax! You will be a doctor if you want it bad enough. Apply MD and DO.