Class of 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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haha, it actually sucks to be Canadian; it's so much harder to get in than the regular applicant.

My stats:

cGPA:3.86
sGPA:3.80
MCAT: 37S
EC's: latino center council member, member of latino education committee, helped in the building of a school for my community, tutored disadvantaged middle school kids for one semester, latino center soccer team(is this even worth mentioning), etc.
Research: 2 years as an undergraduate research assistant in biology in two different labs. Starting a big chemistry research project this semester. (1 publication, 1 presentation at a national conference).

New addtion to EC's: I recently started a tutoring program for disadvantaged high school students in my community. I managed to find 6 college students(friends) that were willing to tutor these kids for free. I put up ads at our community center and we began tutoring a fair amount of students(17). Three of the students were immigrant girls who were getting tutored without their parents' permission. Unfortunately, the parents [fathers] of these girls did not want them to continue their education after they graduate high school (I know, wtf?!). I contacted the fathers of these girls and spoke to them about the future of their daughters. After hours of negotiation, I convinced two of the fathers to let their daughters attend college next year! (I think this is by far the most important accomplishment of my life)

Clincal Experience: ~170 hrs of volunteering at 2 different hospitals (1.5 years time span). 60 hours of shadowing.
 
You have a great MCAT score, Chemdude. You should definitely get in somewhere, and probably somewhere good.

Good thing you got an S on the writing, because don't they like execute applicants in Canada if they don't get an R? :laugh:
 
metallica81788 said:
You have a great MCAT score, Chemdude. You should definitely get in somewhere, and probably somewhere good.

Good thing you got an S on the writing, because don't they like execute applicants in Canada if they don't get an R? :laugh:
Click to expand...

YES! I hate the Canadian application process...it is such a pain in the ass....
 
hey guys quick question
do we need to submit our LOR with our AMCAS when we submist on June 1st? or can we send that later with our secondaries?
 
rHinO1 said:
Which 6? Maybe we will end up going to school together 🙂

Indiana's website says they give preference to residents and people with strong ties... not sure how exclusive that makes them. However they did accept 186 people oos last year. You could be right though.
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Drexel, Tulane, OHSU, Wake Forest, Iowa, and Indiana...still unsure about Indiana though. I visited a friend there and it's a place I can see myself living for 4 years...that might be a bad reason though. How many schools do you think you'll narrow the list down to? I'm thinking I'll apply to 12, 15 if I'm not lazy.
 
bigballer27 said:
hey guys quick question
do we need to submit our LOR with our AMCAS when we submist on June 1st? or can we send that later with our secondaries?
Click to expand...

You can send it later. I would recommend sending it before secondaries in case they actually look at the letters with the essays before giving invites.
 
yeah my teacher is no longer responding to my emails and i need to meet with her to pick it up and she is being really annoying. i havent talked to her in a few months now and im getting nervous
 
Chemdude said:
YES! I hate the Canadian application process...it is such a pain in the ass....
Click to expand...
no worries, if Canada doesn't want you I'm sure somebody will import you to the U.S. 👍
StarryNights said:
Drexel, Tulane, OHSU, Wake Forest, Iowa, and Indiana...still unsure about Indiana though. I visited a friend there and it's a place I can see myself living for 4 years...that might be a bad reason though. How many schools do you think you'll narrow the list down to? I'm thinking I'll apply to 12, 15 if I'm not lazy.
Click to expand...

I think liking your environment is a legit reason to pick a school 🙂. I have a lot of interest in all of those schools.

I originally was going to go with 15, but everyone freaked me out b/c I'm from CA so I'll probably keep it close to where it's at.

I just got called in to the hospital to set the equipment up for an emergency lap appy... gotta go make some money 👍
 
hey guys
i took a research class that was a year-long class that i got units for. but it was research. does that mean i also add it into me EC?
 
rHinO1 said:
I'm not really sure where else I would apply anyway. Any suggestions? I think somewhere with limited distractions and a cheap cost of living would suit me just fine if I have to leave CA.


Indiana's website says they give preference to residents and people with strong ties... not sure how exclusive that makes them. However they did accept 186 people oos last year. You could be right though.
Click to expand...
that OOS for indiana is very deceiving. I would recommend not applying there but its worth a shot if you like the area.

as far as other schools, well excluding the top schools id say...

schools to maybe add

Loyola
tufts
suny downstate
rochester
case western
ohio state
univ. cincinnati
vanderbilt (maybe its a "top" school but they only give a 2ndary if they will interview you. So its well worth the 30 bucks to add it)

Idk if you just dont want to go to NYC, since it seems like you avoided there, but i thought id add a few of them in there.

If you had to remove a few id say

aecom
indiana
evms
 
bigballer27 said:
hey guys
i took a research class that was a year-long class that i got units for. but it was research. does that mean i also add it into me EC?
Click to expand...
I had a the same thing and I put it in the ECs. I definitely wanted that highlighted.
Elijah05 said:
that OOS for indiana is very deceiving. I would recommend not applying there but its worth a shot if you like the area.

as far as other schools, well excluding the top schools id say...

schools to maybe add

Loyola
tufts
suny downstate
rochester
case western
ohio state
univ. cincinnati
vanderbilt (maybe its a "top" school but they only give a 2ndary if they will interview you. So its well worth the 30 bucks to add it)

Idk if you just dont want to go to NYC, since it seems like you avoided there, but i thought id add a few of them in there.

If you had to remove a few id say

aecom
indiana
evms
Click to expand...
I think vandy is sounding better haha, I already have Ohio state and I'll probably add cincy. I had Loyola and their LOR req would make me get a lor from every school I attended... Kinda a hassel so I took it off. You're right I was avoiding New York :laugh:
 
bigballer27 said:
yeah my teacher is no longer responding to my emails and i need to meet with her to pick it up and she is being really annoying. i havent talked to her in a few months now and im getting nervous
Click to expand...
I'm having literally the exact same worry/problem right now. Asked this prof who I thought really likes me and who I work for about an LOR like 2 or 3 months ago. Said he started working on it recently, but I sent out reminder emails to this prof and another and haven't received any responses. I'm worried about this prof because I also had some questions for him in the email and I know he's been online since I sent it (google chat 😉)

Agh the PS readers list is pretty much "full." Only found one reader on there so far =(
 
FlowRate said:
I'm having literally the exact same worry/problem right now. Asked this prof who I thought really likes me and who I work for about an LOR like 2 or 3 months ago. Said he started working on it recently, but I sent out reminder emails to this prof and another and haven't received any responses. I'm worried about this prof because I also had some questions for him in the email and I know he's been online since I sent it (google chat 😉)

Agh the PS readers list is pretty much "full." Only found one reader on there so far =(
Click to expand...

Would you be interested in exchanging PSs? I could read yours...you could read mine. What do you say?
 
Research helps but make sure you notify the admissions office about your accomplishment. Also reading biochem, anatomy and microbio would be beneficial and can give you a good start.
 
so i just sent the PI i interviewed with on friday and email asking for articles related to the research. i just want the damn job!
 
msb1190 said:
so i just sent the PI i interviewed with on friday and email asking for articles related to the research. i just want the damn job!
Click to expand...

that's how you play the game 👍

Good luck!
 
FlowRate said:
I'm having literally the exact same worry/problem right now. Asked this prof who I thought really likes me and who I work for about an LOR like 2 or 3 months ago. Said he started working on it recently, but I sent out reminder emails to this prof and another and haven't received any responses. I'm worried about this prof because I also had some questions for him in the email and I know he's been online since I sent it (google chat 😉)

Agh the PS readers list is pretty much "full." Only found one reader on there so far =(
Click to expand...

yeah i called her and sent her emails for over a month now.

but after 2 hours of research (man i love google), i found out where shes going to be today, so im going there and hopefully she'll be there so i can take care of this damn thing already



i got lucky i got one to read mine, and it turned out to be a pretty crappy PS so im redoing most of it now, i think im going to print out 5 copies and pass them to my counselor, 1 teacher, english prof, and maybe a few family members and hope for the best
 
msb1190 said:
haha i was hoping you'd be the one to respond.
Click to expand...

Haha I've been staking out the forum ready to respond all week. Everyone but Baller has gone MIA... I think it's b/c we are the only ones still taking classes (at least I'm guessing you are baller). Even right now I'm posting while I'm at work. This kid came in for sugery today... 20 yo, cancer ---> orchiectomy (look it up, it's not good). Poor guy 🙁
 
bigballer27 said:
yeah i called her and sent her emails for over a month now.

but after 2 hours of research (man i love google), i found out where shes going to be today, so im going there and hopefully she'll be there so i can take care of this damn thing already



i got lucky i got one to read mine, and it turned out to be a pretty crappy PS so im redoing most of it now, i think im going to print out 5 copies and pass them to my counselor, 1 teacher, english prof, and maybe a few family members and hope for the best
Click to expand...
Stake out!! Good plan =)

Yeah, I got 1 out of like 6 hahaha. Sending it out to a lot of my friends.

Talkin' shop with an old HS classmate right now. Ah being a premed nerd is entertaining sometimes.
 
I get frustrated reading personal statement advice books because the sample essays they use and praise as "no weaknesses" are obviously over 5,300 characters. Yea, I'd be able to make mine in depth and flowery too if I get 2 pages. All lies, I tell you
 
Fortunately my 4 LORs have been completed. I put together nice packets with resume, information sheets, transcripts, and a $10 Starbucks card for each.

I must admit, it is a silly game. They must provide you a service for nothing in return. Fortunately all my writers were exceptional human beings and very helpful.
 
Don Draper said:
Fortunately my 4 LORs have been completed. I put together nice packets with resume, information sheets, transcripts, and a $10 Starbucks card for each.

I must admit, it is a silly game. They must provide you a service for nothing in return. Fortunately all my writers were exceptional human beings and very helpful.
Click to expand...

That's a brilliant idea, especially the starbucks cards. I gave each a small resume and a pretty detailed cover letter. Oh well, they have 7 days before the deadline. I'll have to really get on 'em in 5.

StarryNights said:
I get frustrated reading personal statement advice books because the sample essays they use and praise as "no weaknesses" are obviously over 5,300 characters. Yea, I'd be able to make mine in depth and flowery too if I get 2 pages. All lies, I tell you
Click to expand...
Not only that, but is it really that common to have someone dying in your arms in Nicaragua?

I went with a good old boring PS. I know it's not the awe inspiring, live changing sort of paramedic/$5000-to-volunteer story, but I think so far it's giving a good impression of me. Unfortunately, I have to figure out stuff to cut. BTW, I'd be cool with swapping PS's if you like. I think it's always better to have other peoples' critiques =)
 
Don Draper said:
Fortunately my 4 LORs have been completed. I put together nice packets with resume, information sheets, transcripts, and a $10 Starbucks card for each.

I must admit, it is a silly game. They must provide you a service for nothing in return. Fortunately all my writers were exceptional human beings and very helpful.
Click to expand...

I think that is a nice gesture, but you should really do that after the person writes the letter for you.
 
rHinO1 said:
I think that is a nice gesture, but you should really do that after the person writes the letter for you.
Click to expand...

That's not how things get done around here.

tony.jpg
 
ive actually noticed they are more inclined to write or do things for u as a bribe (as horrible as it sounds), so giving them a little "thank you" in advance never hurts
 
Chemdude said:
Sooooo...are you guys excited or what? I can not believe that I am already applying to medical school. I still feel like a freshman....
Click to expand...

I'm excited but also in a little bit of shock. Now that I'm getting e-mails from AMCAS it feels so real...

Chemdude said:
yes....

1) Stanford
2) Yale
3) University of Connecticut
4) Emory
5) Northwestern
6) Rosalind Franklin
7) University of Kentucky
8) Johns Hopkins
9) University of Maryland
10) Harvard
11) Michigan State
12) Wayne State
13) Washington University at St Louis
14) Dartmouth (#1 Choice)
15) Columbia
16) Cornel l(Alma Matar, you better show me some love…)
17) Mount Sinai
18) SUNY Upstate
19) Case Western Reserve
20) University of Pennsylvania
21) Vanderbilt(#2 Choice)
22) University of Chicago
23) University of Vermont
24) Duke ( #3 choice)
25) Georgetown
Click to expand...

Haha, I'd say there's a good chance we're going to end up meeting each other, if not attending the same school, given that you're applying to ~12 of the same schools as me. 🙂

bigballer27 said:
yeah my teacher is no longer responding to my emails and i need to meet with her to pick it up and she is being really annoying. i havent talked to her in a few months now and im getting nervous
Click to expand...

I mean, you have some time, at least. Obviously, the sooner the better, but if you don't get to submit with the letters it won't be the end of your chances. Good luck with getting her to respond! :luck:

rHinO1 said:
Haha I've been staking out the forum ready to respond all week. Everyone but Baller has gone MIA... I think it's b/c we are the only ones still taking classes (at least I'm guessing you are baller). Even right now I'm posting while I'm at work. This kid came in for sugery today... 20 yo, cancer ---> orchiectomy (look it up, it's not good). Poor guy 🙁
Click to expand...

Oh, that's no good. No good at all...

FlowRate said:
I went with a good old boring PS. I know it's not the awe inspiring, live changing sort of paramedic/$5000-to-volunteer story, but I think so far it's giving a good impression of me. Unfortunately, I have to figure out stuff to cut. BTW, I'd be cool with swapping PS's if you like. I think it's always better to have other peoples' critiques =)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure my PS is boring, and it's definitely not at the point where I'd want other eyes on it, but in a few days I'd be willing to swap if you'd like.
 
yeah this forum as gone pretty dead

WHERE ARE YOU PEOPLE
 
i dont want to add to their 1trillion posts already hahaha
 
bigballer27 said:
i dont want to add to their 1trillion posts already hahaha
Click to expand...

haha that is the kind of thinking that got you this far Baller. 👍


I am working on assigning my LOR to the schools on AMCAS... it is hard in some situations. I have 5 letters: honors o-chem prof (probably my best letter based on his comments to me), biochem prof, psychology prof, research mentor (post-doc I've worked with for almost 2 years), and a letter from an anesthesiologist I've worked with for 3+ years (this is the only letter I have seen and I think it is very good--but what do I know).

For example from Univ. of Pittsburgh:
While any three letters of recommendations will be accepted, it is preferred that the applicant submit three academic letters.
An academic letter can be written by a professor from whom you took a class, a pre-health advisor, or a research mentor(s). In addition to the academic letters, we also welcome personal letters from supervisors and volunteer directors.
Click to expand...

So I've got to pick 3... I'd probably go with: ochem prof, research mentor, & anesthesiologist or biochem prof. Seams like a small choice but very tough to make.
 
FlowRate said:
I went with a good old boring PS. I know it's not the awe inspiring, live changing sort of paramedic/$5000-to-volunteer story, but I think so far it's giving a good impression of me. Unfortunately, I have to figure out stuff to cut. BTW, I'd be cool with swapping PS's if you like. I think it's always better to have other peoples' critiques =)
Click to expand...

Yea, mine is pretty boring. No life altering event here. Honestly, I'm most proud of the fact that I feel the PS I wrote truly captured the real me. I didn't hype anything up and wrote about activities that really mattered to me. I'm totally willing to swap PS for more critique. I'm going to PM you my email. Definitely let me know if you fell asleep reading it :laugh:
 
rHinO1 said:
haha that is the kind of thinking that got you this far Baller. 👍


I am working on assigning my LOR to the schools on AMCAS... it is hard in some situations. I have 5 letters: honors o-chem prof (probably my best letter based on his comments to me), biochem prof, psychology prof, research mentor (post-doc I've worked with for almost 2 years), and a letter from an anesthesiologist I've worked with for 3+ years (this is the only letter I have seen and I think it is very good--but what do I know).

For example from Univ. of Pittsburgh:


So I've got to pick 3... I'd probably go with: ochem prof, research mentor, & anesthesiologist or biochem prof. Seams like a small choice but very tough to make.
Click to expand...


take the one u think was written the best lol.
 
bigballer27 said:
take the one u think was written the best lol.
Click to expand...

I know the anesthesia doc wrote me a great letter b/c I've seen it... however it sounds like they prefer academic letters. I think the biochem prof wrote me a good letter too but since I haven't seen it the other one is safer.
 
crapp just added some stuff that i thought was bomb to my ps, and now im over by 700 characters.

time to DELETE
 
rHinO1 said:
I know the anesthesia doc wrote me a great letter b/c I've seen it... however it sounds like they prefer academic letters. I think the biochem prof wrote me a good letter too but since I haven't seen it the other one is safer.
Click to expand...


yeah the ones you've seen are cool because you know exactly what they're getting.

i would choose the one ive seen over the one i havent


for me, the one my mentor wrote had a spelling mistake (a bad one lol), but he's a PhD, so i hope it doesnt really matter. not sure if i should go all the way back and bother him
 
bigballer27 said:
crapp just added some stuff that i thought was bomb to my ps, and now im over by 700 characters.

time to DELETE
Click to expand...
This happened to me every time I edited. I guess it is part of the process.
bigballer27 said:
yeah the ones you've seen are cool because you know exactly what they're getting.

i would choose the one ive seen over the one i havent


for me, the one my mentor wrote had a spelling mistake (a bad one lol), but he's a PhD, so i hope it doesnt really matter. not sure if i should go all the way back and bother him
Click to expand...
Yeah, safer is good I guess.

Hopefully the PhD isn't in english :laugh: If you get it fixed that's cool, but I bet admission committees see mistakes all the time. They are reading for content not grammer/spelling anyway.
 
yeah he completely jacked it up lol. oh well, its a good letter overall, i think.

btw i tracked down my teacher and found her today. she was so surprised i found her

hahahah shes like "oh uhh come back on wed and i'll have it!"
im like, "yeah you better, @#$@#"
 
StarryNights said:
Yea, mine is pretty boring. No life altering event here. Honestly, I'm most proud of the fact that I feel the PS I wrote truly captured the real me. I didn't hype anything up and wrote about activities that really mattered to me. I'm totally willing to swap PS for more critique. I'm going to PM you my email. Definitely let me know if you fell asleep reading it :laugh:
Click to expand...
in the next month or so before i start school i wouldnt mind looking at some PS for some of you here. Grammar wise, im fairly useless but if you just want some suggestions on content or another set of eyes and an opinion, i wouldnt mind. Last time i did something like this, i got literally about 25 PM the next morning...hoping it doesnt repeat haha...

oh and rhino dont stress about the letters. Most schools you are applying too dont have such odd reqs like upitt does. Most will take your 5 letters and be happy. I applied to every school you had on your list and i dont believe one of them had any problems taking all 5 of my letters and just sorting through what they wanted. It somehow worked out
 
Last edited:
bigballer27 said:
yeah he completely jacked it up lol. oh well, its a good letter overall, i think.

btw i tracked down my teacher and found her today. she was so surprised i found her

hahahah shes like "oh uhh come back on wed and i'll have it!"
im like, "yeah you better, @#$@#"
Click to expand...
lol good job 👍 Gotta be on them so we can submit in June.
 
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