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DrJohnSez

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Hi everyone,

I'm currently going into my 3rd year at UCLA as a Vietnamese male, and I'm just wondering how competetive my stats are right now and if there is anything else that I need to do. Can any of you current and past applicants give me some input? Thanks. Here are my info:

GPA: 3.985 cumulative / 4.0 science (oh by the way... is it cumulative or science that is more important?)
MCAT: 32Q

Extracurriculars:
- Ophthalmology Technician at the Jules Stein Eye Institute for 1.5 years so far... plan to stay til I graduate...
- starting research this Fall for entire 3rd year...
- age group leader volunteer at youth group at church for all of college life (even before entering college) and plan to stay there all 4 years...

i just wanted to know how i stand, cause sometimes you hear about people with 3.6 GPA / 29 MCAT getting into pretty good schools such as UCSD but then again there are people with CRAZY stats on mdapplicants.com who don't get into any well known schools... thanks for the input...

- John
 
I have VERY similar stats and extras as you...also attended UCLA, and am also an asian (female, tho). So far i have 4 interviews lined up (u of chicago, gw, vandy, and northwestern)...you'll be okay. just write a decent personal statement.
 
I don't want to be mean, but you know you have a chance...DUH. Just what we need on here, another troll or another person who is actually this high strung. Seriously, you have nothing to worry aobut...you are just now going into your 3rd year and you got a 32 on the MCAT (most ppl are still taking the pre-recs at this point in time). Relax, and have fun in your next years of college.
 
haha wow i just posted this thing like 2 minutes ago and a few responses already! well yes i know there are people who like to boost their ego by posting their stats online but i don't think i am... i am one of those pre-meds that tend to stress out WAY too much, so i'm just wondering how competetive i am... like i said sometimes (like on mdapplicants.com) you see students with really good stats that don't get into any good schools, so right now i'm worrying... i just wanted input from people who are going through the process or have gone through the process...

why might my being vietnamese hurt me? i actually heard from others that Asians as a whole are not considered minorities any more, but Vietnamese people are... the reason I included the fact that I am Vietnamese is because I wanted to know the validity of this rumor... i guess according to you, Haybrant, it might be wrong... just wondering, where did you hear that it might hurt me from?
 
haha I have really similar stats too...and I go to UCLA asian female...AND I was an opthalmic tech at JSEI for 1.5 years too. what doctor did u work for? I worked for Dr. Gonzales, I don't know if you know her or not. Anyways I only have a northwestern interview so far though...
 
I'm not Asian, but am a Bruin with stats that are similar to yours (click on my link below if you are interested), and I have four interview invites. You will definitely be competitive. 🙂 Good luck
 
DrJohnSez said:
haha wow i just posted this thing like 2 minutes ago and a few responses already! well yes i know there are people who like to boost their ego by posting their stats online but i don't think i am... i am one of those pre-meds that tend to stress out WAY too much, so i'm just wondering how competetive i am... like i said sometimes (like on mdapplicants.com) you see students with really good stats that don't get into any good schools, so right now i'm worrying... i just wanted input from people who are going through the process or have gone through the process...

why might my being vietnamese hurt me? i actually heard from others that Asians as a whole are not considered minorities any more, but Vietnamese people are... the reason I included the fact that I am Vietnamese is because I wanted to know the validity of this rumor... i guess according to you, Haybrant, it might be wrong... just wondering, where did you hear that it might hurt me from?
Click to expand...

Dude, have a beer and RELAX. You'll be FINE.
 
DocMizzle said:
Dude, have a beer and RELAX. You'll be FINE.
Click to expand...


Couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe enjoy yourself in college a bit more would be my advice. And the vietnamese thing hurting... its sarcasm... I'm sorry I know you haven't gone through the process yet, but even as a Junior I had a pretty good idea where I stood and what was competitive...

C'mon buddy, if you're gonna be a dr.. I expect a little more from you.
 
Since I realize now that you are so earnestly looking for advice, I would advise you to bring up your GPA; there's no reason for such a discrepancy b/w your overall and your science. Your cumgpa could really use some improvement. Don't slip up again.
 
stinkycheese said:
Fishin' for some ego-stroking?
Click to expand...

If you really want to know your chances go talk to your pre-med advisor. 😳
 
DrJohnSez said:
Hi everyone,

I'm currently going into my 3rd year at UCLA as a Vietnamese male, and I'm just wondering how competetive my stats are right now and if there is anything else that I need to do. Can any of you current and past applicants give me some input? Thanks. Here are my info:

GPA: 3.985 cumulative / 4.0 science (oh by the way... is it cumulative or science that is more important?)
MCAT: 32Q

Extracurriculars:
- Ophthalmology Technician at the Jules Stein Eye Institute for 1.5 years so far... plan to stay til I graduate...
- starting research this Fall for entire 3rd year...
- age group leader volunteer at youth group at church for all of college life (even before entering college) and plan to stay there all 4 years...

i just wanted to know how i stand, cause sometimes you hear about people with 3.6 GPA / 29 MCAT getting into pretty good schools such as UCSD but then again there are people with CRAZY stats on mdapplicants.com who don't get into any well known schools... thanks for the input...

- John
Click to expand...

Relax bud. Don't be the stereotypical UCLA pre-med. I can guarantee that you will get into a medical school. I have a LOT less impressive stats than yours and I have one interview so far. So basically, just relax, take applications in stride, and don't be this high strung on your interviews and you will be fine!
 
Are you fishing for a compliment? You'll be fine. Just don't pick your nose during the inteview.


DrJohnSez said:
Hi everyone,

I'm currently going into my 3rd year at UCLA as a Vietnamese male, and I'm just wondering how competetive my stats are right now and if there is anything else that I need to do. Can any of you current and past applicants give me some input? Thanks. Here are my info:

GPA: 3.985 cumulative / 4.0 science (oh by the way... is it cumulative or science that is more important?)
MCAT: 32Q

Extracurriculars:
- Ophthalmology Technician at the Jules Stein Eye Institute for 1.5 years so far... plan to stay til I graduate...
- starting research this Fall for entire 3rd year...
- age group leader volunteer at youth group at church for all of college life (even before entering college) and plan to stay there all 4 years...

i just wanted to know how i stand, cause sometimes you hear about people with 3.6 GPA / 29 MCAT getting into pretty good schools such as UCSD but then again there are people with CRAZY stats on mdapplicants.com who don't get into any well known schools... thanks for the input...

- John
Click to expand...
 
you don't stand a chance anywhere. your cumulative is far from perfect, your science gpa is suspicious, and your MCAT...let's not even go there. with all of these people on mdapplicants and SDN with their 40+ MCATs, you might as well not send in an application.

please tell me you're joking. "is it cumulative or science that's more important?" you're either trolling or terribly silly. 3.985? 4.0? sheesh. just keep it up and have some faith. given your impressive record, you have no reason to be stressing out.

the one thing you DIDN'T mention is clinical experience--if you haven't done that, get your butt going
 
I have to agree with hyphencracy, I don't think you stand a chance anywhere. Sorry dude, might as well not even apply.


Sheesh. 4.0 science? What the hell are you worrying about?
 
DrJohnSez said:
Hi everyone,

I'm currently going into my 3rd year at UCLA as a Vietnamese male, and I'm just wondering how competetive my stats are right now and if there is anything else that I need to do. Can any of you current and past applicants give me some input? Thanks. Here are my info:

GPA: 3.985 cumulative / 4.0 science (oh by the way... is it cumulative or science that is more important?)
MCAT: 32Q

Extracurriculars:
- Ophthalmology Technician at the Jules Stein Eye Institute for 1.5 years so far... plan to stay til I graduate...
- starting research this Fall for entire 3rd year...
- age group leader volunteer at youth group at church for all of college life (even before entering college) and plan to stay there all 4 years...

i just wanted to know how i stand, cause sometimes you hear about people with 3.6 GPA / 29 MCAT getting into pretty good schools such as UCSD but then again there are people with CRAZY stats on mdapplicants.com who don't get into any well known schools... thanks for the input...

- John
Click to expand...
the one weakness in your app could be your mcat. While a 32 is decent, it is well below the averages at many of the top schools. i would aim for 35+ at the april testing
 
Keep up the good work. Maintain that GPA and get some clinical experience. Most importantly RELAX! I just graduated from UCLA last spring and am now at Finch in North Chicago. There is NOTHING to do in North Chicago (North Chicago is to Chicago what Bakersfield is to LA). I miss LA more than I ever thought I would. Go to a few Dodgers games, chill at Sunset Strip and cherish the time you have left in college because life won't be quite the same again.

Also, I'd say you are a Top 30 applicant (low tier 1, high tier 2). If you play your cards right (play the med school application game properly - because it's just one big, stressful game), than you have nothing to worry about.

Peace
 
question....so you're saying you took the mcat in april of your 2nd year? Well, at least you're ahead of the game. :luck: 😎 😀
 
Dude, I dunno. A 32 on the MCAT is alright, but not great.

I'd take a year off to study for the MCAT, retake it, then apply if you get your scores up.
 
stoic said:
Dude, I dunno. A 32 on the MCAT is alright, but not great.

I'd take a year off to study for the MCAT, retake it, then apply if you get your scores up.
Click to expand...

:laugh:
 
Being an opthamology technician would be considered clinical experience, would it not? Dunno... just curious that others thought this dude lacked clinical exp.

why might my being vietnamese hurt me? i actually heard from others that Asians as a whole are not considered minorities any more, but Vietnamese people are... the reason I included the fact that I am Vietnamese is because I wanted to know the validity of this rumor... i guess according to you, Haybrant, it might be wrong... just wondering, where did you hear that it might hurt me from?
Click to expand...

IIRC, Asians were never considered to be minorities in academic setting. Vietnamese ppl are more of a minority compared to Asians as a whole, but for being in Cali, I can't imagine a scarcity of Vietnamese docs. I don't think your ethnicity will hurt you though.
 
geez i didn't know there were so many haters on SDN... i'm not trying to diss all pre-meds but it just seems like many pre-meds are a bunch of cranky haters who think they know everything and need to ridicule others to make themselves feel better... i mean really now what if someone did want show-off and get compliments online... let them do it in peace... it's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS... how about you guys go get a life, stop wasting your time on a computer looking at every single post, and "have a beer and RELAX." And I'm not even saying this because of the people who have responded on this thread... many times throughout all the SDN forums I have run into a bunch of haters just ridiculing a person earnestly asking for advice (maybe, maybe not)... either way just mind your own business if you have nothing helpful to say... i mean really... just realize that not everyone is fishing for compliments just cause they're posting their stats up... so what about all those people on mdapplicants.com with 35+ mcat's and 4.0's? they're showing off right? go bother them... i posted because i really wanted an honest opinion... and why am i worried so much? because i need to get into a med school close to home... i am from los angeles and i have alot of family obligations... for example i need to help raise my 10 year old brother... i go home every weekend from school to do that... so the reason i was asking if my stats are competetive for a well-known school is because i need to get into ucla... bad... so really... before you know the whole story... don't assume ****... i really wanted to know if i stood well with the competition at high end schools... that's it...

and for all the people who gave me some good, honest opinions... thanks i really appreciate your help...
 
krelian said:
Being an opthamology technician would be considered clinical experience, would it not? Dunno... just curious that others thought this dude lacked clinical exp.



IIRC, Asians were never considered to be minorities in academic setting. Vietnamese ppl are more of a minority compared to Asians as a whole, but for being in Cali, I can't imagine a scarcity of Vietnamese docs. I don't think your ethnicity will hurt you though.
Click to expand...

the viet girls are pretty hot tho. viet guys... well, as arnold would say, "hey girly man"
 
seriously i think we're all a little tired of guys who pointlessly put their stats up here to get pats on the back... grow up...
 
kaikai128 said:
I don't want to be mean, but you know you have a chance...DUH. Just what we need on here, another troll or another person who is actually this high strung. Seriously, you have nothing to worry aobut...you are just now going into your 3rd year and you got a 32 on the MCAT (most ppl are still taking the pre-recs at this point in time). Relax, and have fun in your next years of college.
Click to expand...

i kno i have a chance... but i was wondering if i had a chance at top end schools not just any school... and i'm asking that because i really need to get into ucla due to family obligations that require me to stay close to home... thanks for your advice anyhow except the whole troll thing buddy...
 
lilxsmilez said:
haha I have really similar stats too...and I go to UCLA asian female...AND I was an opthalmic tech at JSEI for 1.5 years too. what doctor did u work for? I worked for Dr. Gonzales, I don't know if you know her or not. Anyways I only have a northwestern interview so far though...
Click to expand...

haha that's pretty cool... i work for Dr. Yoshizumi... i think i've seen you around before!
 
Shorty43 said:
Couldn't have said it better myself. Maybe enjoy yourself in college a bit more would be my advice. And the vietnamese thing hurting... its sarcasm... I'm sorry I know you haven't gone through the process yet, but even as a Junior I had a pretty good idea where I stood and what was competitive...

C'mon buddy, if you're gonna be a dr.. I expect a little more from you.
Click to expand...

buddy i think i enjoy myself more than you think... i have a rule for myself: get my all my studying done on weekdays and don't touch a book on weekends... so i get all my work done M, T, W, Th, and maybe Sunday if it calls for it and just chill on Friday and Saturday... and i know where i stand... but just wasn't sure about schools like UCLA... oh yeah... i really don't give a damn what you expect from me... thanks for your input anyways...
 
Senor.Frog said:
If you really want to know your chances go talk to your pre-med advisor. 😳
Click to expand...

a pre-med advisor knows what med schools like to see in general... not how competetive you might be at a given one... they haven't been through the whole process so they don't know the answers that i look for... i've talked to my pre-med advisor before and that's how i know this...
 
hyphencracy said:
you don't stand a chance anywhere. your cumulative is far from perfect, your science gpa is suspicious, and your MCAT...let's not even go there. with all of these people on mdapplicants and SDN with their 40+ MCATs, you might as well not send in an application.

please tell me you're joking. "is it cumulative or science that's more important?" you're either trolling or terribly silly. 3.985? 4.0? sheesh. just keep it up and have some faith. given your impressive record, you have no reason to be stressing out.

the one thing you DIDN'T mention is clinical experience--if you haven't done that, get your butt going
Click to expand...

i'm not joking... i know it doesn't even matter for me but i would like to know just as knowledge... i have friends who wonder the same thing and i just wanted an answer to help them out... my clinical experience is my position as an Ophthalmology technician at JSEI... thanks for the help anyhow...
 
mmali2 said:
Keep up the good work. Maintain that GPA and get some clinical experience. Most importantly RELAX! I just graduated from UCLA last spring and am now at Finch in North Chicago. There is NOTHING to do in North Chicago (North Chicago is to Chicago what Bakersfield is to LA). I miss LA more than I ever thought I would. Go to a few Dodgers games, chill at Sunset Strip and cherish the time you have left in college because life won't be quite the same again.

Also, I'd say you are a Top 30 applicant (low tier 1, high tier 2). If you play your cards right (play the med school application game properly - because it's just one big, stressful game), than you have nothing to worry about.

Peace
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice but i think i enjoy my life more than you think... i posted in another reply what my "rule" is for myself and i think that leaves me with plenty of time to just have fun... oh yeah i do have clinical experience as an ophthalmology tech as stated...

i kno what you mean by top 30 applicant, but what do you mean by low tier 1 and high tier 2? thanks.
 
thundercat25 said:
question....so you're saying you took the mcat in april of your 2nd year? Well, at least you're ahead of the game. :luck: 😎 😀
Click to expand...

no actually i took it just this august... i put 32Q, but i actually scored quite a bit higher on timed, proctored practice tests... i just put a more modest score down so that i could see what people would say about how competetive i am for top end schools like UCLA... oh yeah i also did that due to fear of haters and hecklers... apparently they still showed up and made nice comments...
 
krelian said:
Being an opthamology technician would be considered clinical experience, would it not? Dunno... just curious that others thought this dude lacked clinical exp.



IIRC, Asians were never considered to be minorities in academic setting. Vietnamese ppl are more of a minority compared to Asians as a whole, but for being in Cali, I can't imagine a scarcity of Vietnamese docs. I don't think your ethnicity will hurt you though.
Click to expand...

you're right about the clinical experience... just wondering... where did you get this info about the whole asian thing? thanks for the info...
 
superdood said:
the viet girls are pretty hot tho. viet guys... well, as arnold would say, "hey girly man"
Click to expand...

well i beg to differ... not all viet girls are hot... hehe... some are hot but many... eeehhh... i think not... and screw you buddy... i'll take you on any day! :laugh:
 
constructor said:
seriously i think we're all a little tired of guys who pointlessly put their stats up here to get pats on the back... grow up...
Click to expand...

oh that's great... sorry that i bothered you but no one forced you to read... just go the f*ck away and everything will be much better for you smartie... and pointlessly? i think not... i think i have good reason and i don't need a pat on the back... especially from geniuses like you...
 
geez really i've posted up so many replies i feel like i have a fan club... really now just leave me alone unless you really want to help... ****... i just wanted to get some genuine advice for reasons that i've stated so many times before... if you don't have any... please don't bother me... no one forced you to read this thread...

and for all the people who gave me some good advice and info... i really appreciate it... you people, not the haters, are the ones that make SDN a good resource for people who have genuine questions...
 
troll post #49... cha-ching!! 👍
 
OMG... it's an unwritten rule in forums to not double post (and write all your replies and thought into a single post).... anyhow, I digress.

Anyhow, DrJohnSez, I can understand where you're coming from. Still, realize that many ppl here are sick of these kinds of threads, and it is human nature to get pissed when other ppl post up better #'s than your own and then ask questions like "do I have a chance." It kinda makes people feel crappy about their own achievements. Factor in the stress from the current appl cycle, and you can see why you've been flamed so heavily.

Perhaps you should have asked "Do I have a chance at UCLA?" and pitched this towards UCLA med students, rather than the generic "Do I have a chance" thread that pops up every other day. As an UCLA undergrad, you're prolly better off asking your own classmates and peeps you know at UCLA med.

Anyhow, bottom line is: you DO have a chance. A great chance actually, but that's only my opinion.
 
constructor said:
troll post #49... cha-ching!! 👍
Click to expand...

what is a troll anyways? sorry but i don't know this SDN forum language cause i have better things to do than count troll posts... wow! how long did it take you to count 49 of them?! :laugh:
 
krelian said:
OMG... it's an unwritten rule in forums to not double post (and write all your replies and thought into a single post).... anyhow, I digress.

Anyhow, DrJohnSez, I can understand where you're coming from. Still, realize that many ppl here are sick of these kinds of threads, and it is human nature to get pissed when other ppl post up better #'s than your own and then ask questions like "do I have a chance." It kinda makes people feel crappy about their own achievements. Factor in the stress from the current appl cycle, and you can see why you've been flamed so heavily.

Perhaps you should have asked "Do I have a chance at UCLA?" and pitched this towards UCLA med students, rather than the generic "Do I have a chance" thread that pops up every other day. As an UCLA undergrad, you're prolly better off asking your own classmates and peeps you know at UCLA med.

Anyhow, bottom line is: you DO have a chance. A great chance actually, but that's only my opinion.
Click to expand...

haha sorry about that krelian... well thanks for your input... thanks for understanding my situation... and i do realize how these people replying to this thread might be stressing out alot... but at the same time i believe that if they don't like something they can just turn their heads and walk away rather than say something while not understanding the situation and offend someone... i understand their position as well but i just don't think they're actions are called for... i see these posts all the time and even if i think as they do i just press that lil "x" in the top right hand side of this window and be done with it... again thanks for the advice... i might just do wat you suggested about the UCLA med students...
 
what is a troll? :laugh:
<==================================== 😀
 
DrJohnSez said:
no actually i took it just this august... i put 32Q, but i actually scored quite a bit higher on timed, proctored practice tests... i just put a more modest score down so that i could see what people would say about how competetive i am for top end schools like UCLA... oh yeah i also did that due to fear of haters and hecklers... apparently they still showed up and made nice comments...
Click to expand...

Its pretty hard to give you reliable, honest advice when you MAKE UP your MCAT score. Write back when you get your real score.

I agree that some people on SDN can be hateful towards 4.0/35S applicants, but usually the insults start flying when someone appears to be posting just to stroke their own ego. So, next time post your specific concerns...being new here you probably have no idea how many "where do I have a chance" threads there are on this board.

With regards to applying to UCLA, I would recommend talking to someone in UCLA's Admissions Office and ask for their input. It is a bit of a double-edged sword to cite family obligations as your reason for making UCLA your top choice. Be honest, but don't leave them with the impression that you may have so many obligations that you would be distracted or overburdened in med school. Most schools look favorably upon applicants that have interests and responsibilities outside of medicine as long as the applicant understands the commitment level required to study medicine.

I was limited to applying only to UCONN due to my husband's job and not wanting to move away from family support. I had no problems fortunately. It is difficult, but getting into one particular school can be done. There is a thread somewhere here on SDN about how to do this - check the re-applicants or non-traditional forums - I think it is in one of those.

Good luck!
 
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