Brief Profile:
I was very involved with the Native American community in undergrad. I did lots of biomedical research (orthopedic, public health, diabetes, infectious disease) and was involved in the Undergraduate Biology Research Program. I have a paper from the orthopedic research lab where I worked for 2 years. Early in undergrad I was involved in AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) and SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) and attended their national conferences to present my research. Also did some tutoring for a local high school, held leadership positions in student organizations and within my sorority, volunteered for 4-5 months in 3 areas of a local hospital, shadowed physicians in many different hospitals (including Indian Health Service hospitals), Arizona SMEP program, Dean's List with Distinction for a few semesters, 2 time Udall scholar, and I did lots of summer research programs. After graduation, I did a congressional internship in Washington D.C. to learn more about health policy, especially relating to American Indians. I am currently doing genetics research through a post-bacc program at NIH. I'm also interested in public health so I will likely pursue a combined MD/MPH degree.
// Applications //
Application Cycle One: 2006
Undergraduate college: University of Arizona
Undergraduate Area of study: Biological/Life Sciences
Total MCAT SCORE: 502
MCAT Section Scores:
B/B 127,
C/P 126,
CARS 123
Overall GPA: 3.60
Science GPA: 3.60
Summary of Application Experience
My MCAT scores are not great, and I definitely got asked about them at many places. We'll see what happens.
I submitted my AMCAS at the end of June, it was verified mid-July. (Being early helps a lot!!)
Started receiving secondaries after AMCAS was verified. I think I finished the last secondary by the end of September. I received my first interview mid-September from Univ. of Minnesota - Duluth (they have rolling admissions, so being early is crucial). I decided to narrow my AMCAS list to 12 schools, mostly for financial reasons and I was getting tired of doing secondaries.
All in all the process has been good, but expensive. During most of my interviews I stayed with friends or hosts, so that helped. I also tried to get in contact with other Native American students at the places I interviewed. They were all really helpful and shared their experiences and perspectives of their school. I'm really happy to be accepted into medical school and just need to decide where I'll be going. All the hard work is finally paying off and its exciting!
