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- Mar 8, 2015
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Hi everyone, I posted here once before and people told me that I didn't have a very strong application (but called me an "overachiever?" I feel like the opposite). I took that to heart and I have been working harder on building the non-numerical aspects of my resume. I think I have a decent grouping of extracurricular experiences and jobs that demonstrate my interests, however, I really just pursue positions that I am intrinsically interested in, and thus I am confused about how to "characterize" my experiences.
Here are some of my stats and extracurriculars:
University of California school graduate (this quarter) with a B.S. in a bio-major.
cGPA: 3.83
sGPA: 3.78
With an upward trend from my low point during freshman year.
MCAT: (13/13/15): 41 (99.9th percentile)
During highschool (I know this doesn't count but I will be continuing with the research I started there soon) I worked as a volunteer at my local hospital, and specifically I worked on a Stroke Study. I had a very active role in compiling the data and scoring patients. Some of the initial data was presented at some talks, etc. Once I went to school the research stopped. I intend to pick it back up and work it to publication hopefully before this summer.
1st year:
Worked in a human research lab (not medical, more psychological), worked there for a little over a year (into my sophomore year). I have no idea how many hours, I didn't keep track, but I was there very often. How do people know how many hours they worked at their positions? Should I attempt to guess?
At that lab I eventually was able to get some data together and made a poster and presented it at a conference.
2nd year:
I left my lab to pursue two different positions, neither of which I was able to get. This left me with a hole in my activities for a long time. However I started my training for my private pilot's license during this time and finished it. I also joined a charity organization developed around the concept of having pilots donate flights to patients to get them access to specialized medical care. Not much time spent yet as my pilot qualifications are not yet at a high enough level to offer my services directly.
I became a property manager of a rental property that I directed the purchase, set-up and renting of. I am still managing this property as an employee of my father 3 years later.
3rd year:
Large gaps in extracurriculars, I was focusing heavily on my classes.
Near the end of the year I joined a student run, free clinic focused on undeserved populations (IV Drug users). I have been in the clinic for 4 quarters now, it has probably been the coolest thing I have done in my college career. Very hands-on, I work with med students and doctors, I intake patients and take vitals, I observe and assist ("hold this, turn on that light") with procedures occasionally.
I joined an undergraduate research group doing research on free clinics in the area, I visit the clinics and give surveys to patients. Recently, I joined a team, interviewing various people associated with the clinics.
4th year:
Became a biochemistry tutor for the university, also doing private tutoring for college and high school students.
Did a volunteer stint on a cardiology floor at our medical center, once a week for 4 hours, 10 weeks.
Became an MCAT instructor/lecturer for a test prep company (I love teaching), teach a class of about 15 people
I am attempting to set-up a research project at a drug therapy clinic in Mexico, I have the consent of the clinic director, a rough outline of the methods of the study, and some support from a doctor here to help me initiate the study. I would like to do this in the next few months and perhaps publish as a single author.
I also plan on doing some actual shadowing of doctors in my home town, I know a few doctors and would like to see how they practice. I am considering getting a scribe position or another healthcare related job during my 1.5 year time "off."
I am a photographer and have some published photographs as well.
Well, that is my life story. I struggle with categorizing these experiences. To me, I have just continually pursued my interests, not really seeking to fulfill a checklist of hours/experiences. I feel like I may either be a great candidate, or a terrible candidate with glaring problems, unfortunately I am not sure which. I also have been unlucky with letters of rec (no excuses! It is just that between a death of a letter writer and the disappearance of another I am a bit put out, but I am working on this aspect).
In addition to categorizing these experiences properly, I am also hoping to nail down a school list sometime soon.
I would like to apply to most California schools:
UCSF
UCLA
UCD
UCI
UCR
UCSD
Stanford
USC
as well as other OOS top-tiers:
Harvard
Yale
Columbia
... others?
but I am a bit paralyzed with choices on other options. If you have any advice for me it would be sorely appreciated, although even if you don't, writing this has been somewhat cathartic.
Here are some of my stats and extracurriculars:
University of California school graduate (this quarter) with a B.S. in a bio-major.
cGPA: 3.83
sGPA: 3.78
With an upward trend from my low point during freshman year.
MCAT: (13/13/15): 41 (99.9th percentile)
During highschool (I know this doesn't count but I will be continuing with the research I started there soon) I worked as a volunteer at my local hospital, and specifically I worked on a Stroke Study. I had a very active role in compiling the data and scoring patients. Some of the initial data was presented at some talks, etc. Once I went to school the research stopped. I intend to pick it back up and work it to publication hopefully before this summer.
1st year:
Worked in a human research lab (not medical, more psychological), worked there for a little over a year (into my sophomore year). I have no idea how many hours, I didn't keep track, but I was there very often. How do people know how many hours they worked at their positions? Should I attempt to guess?
At that lab I eventually was able to get some data together and made a poster and presented it at a conference.
2nd year:
I left my lab to pursue two different positions, neither of which I was able to get. This left me with a hole in my activities for a long time. However I started my training for my private pilot's license during this time and finished it. I also joined a charity organization developed around the concept of having pilots donate flights to patients to get them access to specialized medical care. Not much time spent yet as my pilot qualifications are not yet at a high enough level to offer my services directly.
I became a property manager of a rental property that I directed the purchase, set-up and renting of. I am still managing this property as an employee of my father 3 years later.
3rd year:
Large gaps in extracurriculars, I was focusing heavily on my classes.
Near the end of the year I joined a student run, free clinic focused on undeserved populations (IV Drug users). I have been in the clinic for 4 quarters now, it has probably been the coolest thing I have done in my college career. Very hands-on, I work with med students and doctors, I intake patients and take vitals, I observe and assist ("hold this, turn on that light") with procedures occasionally.
I joined an undergraduate research group doing research on free clinics in the area, I visit the clinics and give surveys to patients. Recently, I joined a team, interviewing various people associated with the clinics.
4th year:
Became a biochemistry tutor for the university, also doing private tutoring for college and high school students.
Did a volunteer stint on a cardiology floor at our medical center, once a week for 4 hours, 10 weeks.
Became an MCAT instructor/lecturer for a test prep company (I love teaching), teach a class of about 15 people
I am attempting to set-up a research project at a drug therapy clinic in Mexico, I have the consent of the clinic director, a rough outline of the methods of the study, and some support from a doctor here to help me initiate the study. I would like to do this in the next few months and perhaps publish as a single author.
I also plan on doing some actual shadowing of doctors in my home town, I know a few doctors and would like to see how they practice. I am considering getting a scribe position or another healthcare related job during my 1.5 year time "off."
I am a photographer and have some published photographs as well.
Well, that is my life story. I struggle with categorizing these experiences. To me, I have just continually pursued my interests, not really seeking to fulfill a checklist of hours/experiences. I feel like I may either be a great candidate, or a terrible candidate with glaring problems, unfortunately I am not sure which. I also have been unlucky with letters of rec (no excuses! It is just that between a death of a letter writer and the disappearance of another I am a bit put out, but I am working on this aspect).
In addition to categorizing these experiences properly, I am also hoping to nail down a school list sometime soon.
I would like to apply to most California schools:
UCSF
UCLA
UCD
UCI
UCR
UCSD
Stanford
USC
as well as other OOS top-tiers:
Harvard
Yale
Columbia
... others?
but I am a bit paralyzed with choices on other options. If you have any advice for me it would be sorely appreciated, although even if you don't, writing this has been somewhat cathartic.
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