Class of 2016!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[fizzgig]

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1) i'd never even seen my study abroad transcript from the coordinating american school - they gave me letter grades!! extra gradies!! so i'm excited.
2) omigosh i am going to have like 7 schools and 6 transcripts... not having done aaallll the prereqs is making life obnoxious
3) with regard to LORs, even if LORs are not part of your primary, will schools consider your app complete until you get them? i thought some schools didn't use LORs til secondaries but wouldnt evaluate your primary unless the LORs were already there?

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

officially taking the mcat july 28th

 

[tnxvintage]

mines may 26th gahhhhh. i camp out in the library 24/7 for this ish. well about 12 hrs a day but who's counting?!

 

[SilentSoldier]

mines may 26th gahhhhh. i camp out in the library 24/7 for this ish. well about 12 hrs a day but who's counting?!

12hrs? Damn I thought my 6 was a bit overkill, I'm definitely not doing it right.

 

[tnxvintage]

yeah i need some serious work on that killer verbal section. im improving so im really happy. but the 12 hrs is not all rigorous studying. its a mix of audio books, reading notes, section testing, and outside reading (for verbal). by next week, im onto practice tests.

 

[phnerd1105]

officially taking the mcat july 28th

👍

Now take a breather, work on that app a little, and get back into studying! You got a good 11 weeks to work. I think you should submit your app in june though, submitting in August will put you behind for primaries

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

👍

Now take a breather, work on that app a little, and get back into studying! You got a good 11 weeks to work. I think you should submit your app in june though, submitting in August will put you behind for primaries

yeah, remember the whole committee thing? I don't get my committee letter in until september so I won't be complete until then anyway....I'll get screwed over because of applying this late to some schools but I don't think it will KILL me everywhere ( at least I hope not).

 

[phnerd1105]

yeah, remember the whole committee thing? I don't get my committee letter in until september so I won't be complete until then anyway....I'll get screwed over because of applying this late to some schools but I don't think it will KILL me everywhere ( at least I hope not).

Oh, right. 🙁 That committee thing is a bummer. And no, I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[vickpick]

yeah, remember the whole committee thing? I don't get my committee letter in until september so I won't be complete until then anyway....I'll get screwed over because of applying this late to some schools but I don't think it will KILL me everywhere ( at least I hope not).

Same for me. I committee starts meeting in first week of September.
So the letter will be submitted by the earliest on 15 September...

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Same for me. I committee starts meeting in first week of September.
So the letter will be submitted by the earliest on 15 September...

general consensus is that it's really not that big of a deal, I think applying early is key for schools like GW, Georgetown, Drexel, Jefferon, etc. ( schools that get 10,000 + applicants).

 

[nadaba]

What's up with some committee's sending out letters in September? Do they realize they're hurting the students? Do they just not care? So stupid.

 

[TTigers70]

yeah, remember the whole committee thing? I don't get my committee letter in until september so I won't be complete until then anyway....I'll get screwed over because of applying this late to some schools but I don't think it will KILL me everywhere ( at least I hope not).

I feel your pain, committee letter should take a few months. Still, its better to have AMCAS verified and everything else in possible and just be waiting on letters than to try getting verified in August.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

What's up with some committee's sending out letters in September? Do they realize they're hurting the students? Do they just not care? So stupid.

I was upset at first but spoke to some people (even pm'd LizzyM) and the consensus is that it's really not going to hurt you too much. Sometimes I think (SDN'ers including myself) we get deluded into "applying ASAP" and that submitting your AMCAS after June will get you the axe at every school you apply to, which simply isn't true.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

I feel your pain, committee letter should take a few months. Still, its better to have AMCAS verified and everything else in possible and just be waiting on letters than to try getting verified in August.

True. Only reason I'm waiting is IF i blew the MCAT ( I know I don't need to be negative) then I wouldn't apply this cycle, if I submitted then I would be counted as a reapp if I withdraw...still haven't made a concrete decision yet but this is my thought process.

 

[getright]

^I'm taking the mcat on July 29th, but I will probably submit the primary application a couple of weeks earlier if my practice test scores are high enough. Screw waiting!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

^I'm taking the mcat on July 29th, but I will probably submit the primary application a couple of weeks earlier if my practice test scores are high enough. Screw waiting!

this is what I'm thinking as well 👍

 

[SilentSoldier]

I think I'm going to apply early myself only because of my GPA (and as soon as I get all those transcripts back I'll be able to figure out what it is). There's not much I can do to raise it considering I have 1000 units. I guess I can wait til I get my results back in July to submit my primaries I don't think that'll be considered late.

Ugh, I hate this process

 

[phnerd1105]

True. Only reason I'm waiting is IF i blew the MCAT ( I know I don't need to be negative) then I wouldn't apply this cycle, if I submitted then I would be counted as a reapp if I withdraw...still haven't made a concrete decision yet but this is my thought process.

My thinking as well....that's why I'm only adding one school until I get my scores back. That way, if it ends up crappy, then I won't apply and I'd only be counted as a reapp to one school.

EDIT: PS this is post #1500....next poster gets top!

 

[WHOIER]

So, for any other Cali applicants with a game plan like mine (every private school in the country except HBCU's and Harvard, Wash U, Hopkins, plus every remotely OOS friendly public school, >15% OOS)... that's 76 schools and $2,635.00. Might be time for a new plan.

in the same boat...my school list is a mess.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

 

[TommyPickles]

So for a biostatistics class, do you think thats considered BCPM or not? I've seen both sides argued on the forum.

 

[phnerd1105]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

I am. Only because its Hopkins though. I don't really expect anything from it though.

 

[nadaba]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

I didn't take a biochem lab 🙄

 

[getright]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

I'm not taking the lab for biochemistry, so no. I also don't think I'd enjoy getting shot during the first week of classes...lulz

 

[kexy]

So for a biostatistics class, do you think thats considered BCPM or not? I've seen both sides argued on the forum.

Seeing as both bio and statistics count for BCPM, I don't see how it couldn't be?

EDIT: Also, thank you for reminding me of Rugrats. Best show ever.

 

[berriesandcream]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

Honestly, I originally had a list of about 70, with 10 being Hopkins, UofMich, BU, etc. but with a 3.6ish and who-knows-what MCAT, I honestly don't stand a chance. SO 60 schools it is 👍

EDIT: Got two scholarships this week. Pretty stoked. One of them is awarded to one female in the whole school for service and being a role model to women in the area. The lady just emailed me my intro that will be read at the luncheon, and man, never looked at myself like that haha.

 

[phnerd1105]

Oh dang, nevermind. I thought just biochem was a requirement, not the lab. My school doesn't even OFFER a biochem lab

 

[SilentSoldier]

biochem lab is considered the hardest lab at my school, just like biochem lecture was one of the hardest lecture classes. No way I was taking that class, but I'm not applying to Johns Hopkins anyway, its bad enough that I'm still debating if I should even apply to all of my state schools (with three of those schools being UCSF, UCLA and UCSD).

However, Columbia is my "OMG I would love to go here but my stats are totally below average but I'm still going to apply anyway" school. 😛

 

[tnxvintage]

biochem lab is considered the hardest lab at my school, just like biochem lecture was one of the hardest lecture classes. No way I was taking that class, but I'm not applying to Johns Hopkins anyway, its bad enough that I'm still debating if I should even apply to all of my state schools (with three of those schools being UCSF, UCLA and UCSD).

However, Columbia is my "OMG I would love to go here but my stats are totally below average but I'm still going to apply anyway" school. 😛

that's me and mt. sinai. im just worried for my mcat cuz i havent taken it yet so my list consists of a wide range of schools.

 

[phnerd1105]

me and Northwestern <3 it's gonna be a love-hate relationship

 

[kexy]

EDIT: Got two scholarships this week. Pretty stoked. One of them is awarded to one female in the whole school for service and being a role model to women in the area. The lady just emailed me my intro that will be read at the luncheon, and man, never looked at myself like that haha.

Congrats! Sometimes it's hard to take a step back and look at yourself objectively. That's really awesome! 🙂

However, Columbia is my "OMG I would love to go here but my stats are totally below average but I'm still going to apply anyway" school. 😛

That's me and Stanford. And UCSF. And UCLA. Really any school in California... 🙄

 

[BWSTW]

Honestly, I originally had a list of about 70, with 10 being Hopkins, UofMich, BU, etc. but with a 3.6ish and who-knows-what MCAT, I honestly don't stand a chance. SO 60 schools it is 👍

EDIT: Got two scholarships this week. Pretty stoked. One of them is awarded to one female in the whole school for service and being a role model to women in the area. The lady just emailed me my intro that will be read at the luncheon, and man, never looked at myself like that haha.

That's awesome! congrats!

 

[n3xa]

me and Northwestern <3 it's gonna be a love-hate relationship

Are you there now? The anatomy lab at FSM (I keep thinking of flying spaghetti monster instead of feinberg school of medicine) has some rather crazy specimens of birth defects from god knows how long ago.

 

[SilentSoldier]

That's me and Stanford. And UCSF. And UCLA. Really any school in California... 🙄

I know, in reality its not just Columbia, its pretty much all the schools 🙄

here's to hoping our MCATs make us go from 🙄 to 😎 when it comes to our dream schools

 

[phnerd1105]

Are you there now? The anatomy lab at FSM (I keep thinking of flying spaghetti monster instead of feinberg school of medicine) has some rather crazy specimens of birth defects from god knows how long ago.

Haha no unfortunately... but theyre doing some kickass research on a disease I was diagnosed with, and the lady who runs it is like my idol. I plan on sending a LOI right as its humanly possible haha

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

My plan is if by some random chance i get a interview at jhu,I would sign up for biochem lab in the spring

 

[Slev]

I'm not taking the lab for biochemistry, so no. I also don't think I'd enjoy getting shot during the first week of classes...lulz

I have to say the biochem lab must be the most ******ed requirement I've seen for a med school. At the university I went to for undergrad, the biochem lab was really just for biochem majors and not really feasible to get into if you're not a biochem major... and for someone like me who is a do-it-yourself postbac, it's basically impossible. You hear schools talk about wanting diversity, but requirements like that mean you're going to get a lot more biochem majors and a lot less non-science majors.

 

[SilentSoldier]

thread at the very bottom of first page, that just won't do.

Who else is spending their Friday night curled up with a good MCAT book?

 

[bookfreak89]

anyone else applying to Hopkins?

Just finished inputting my coursework into the AACOMAS system. Pleasant surprise to find out that they don't include Math courses in the sciGPA - gave me the boost up to the 4.0 for sci...hopefully that catches the attention of the couple DO schools that I'm applying to.

But back on topic: time to finish up the GenChem MCAT material!

Almost finish entering my courses into AMCAS. Just waiting on one more transcript.

Also, BUMP!

 

[DrMaximus]

thread at the very bottom of first page, that just won't do.

Who else is spending their Friday night curled up with a good MCAT book?

Yep. MCAT Verbal last night, now a bunch of review questions from the last week of studying.

Gen chem and orgo studying starts Monday!

 

[nadaba]

Rode to and from the beach today on my beach cruiser. 36 miles, and I'm feeling it. Ouch.

Anyone doing any non-medical school stuff this weekend? 🙂

 

[phnerd1105]

Nope, I'm currently trying to find motivation to REALLY begin re-studying for the MCAT. I've done a few hours here and there but not the intense work I should be doing. I don't know how to fix it, especially since I thought I did everything right the last time 🙁

 

[nadaba]

Nope, I'm currently trying to find motivation to REALLY begin re-studying for the MCAT. I've done a few hours here and there but not the intense work I should be doing. I don't know how to fix it, especially since I thought I did everything right the last time 🙁

Did you use up all of your AAMC tests? I took quite a few Kaplan tests, and I didn't think they were terrible. Maybe you can find them cheap?

 

[phnerd1105]

Did you use up all of your AAMC tests? I took quite a few Kaplan tests, and I didn't think they were terrible. Maybe you can find them cheap?

Yeah I did unfortunately. I heard the TBR tests were good so I just ordered them. I have the Kaplan tests but they're the "R" versions, which means they were given when the test was still on paper. Do you know if they're the same as the CBT ones they offer?

 

[SilentSoldier]

Rode to and from the beach today on my beach cruiser. 36 miles, and I'm feeling it. Ouch.

Anyone doing any non-medical school stuff this weekend? 🙂

I wish, taking full length #5 tomorrow morning. I'm going to see if I can actually try the 8am thing. So far, all of my practice tests have been either at 12 or at 2 and its going to be very different if i don't start practicing at 8am like the time my actual test is.

 

[phnerd1105]

I wish, taking full length #5 tomorrow morning. I'm going to see if I can actually try the 8am thing. So far, all of my practice tests have been either at 12 or at 2 and its going to be very different if i don't start practicing at 8am like the time my actual test is.

When are you taking it? I found that it was helpful to wake up at 6am (or whenever you want to wake up for your test) at least two weeks before.

Unfortunately, right now I'm living at home with my parents during studying, and my dad believes that if I'm not up by 6, at the gym by 630, and studying by 830 for 12-15 hours a day, then I'm gonna fail. Ugh Indian parents 🙁

 

[SilentSoldier]

When are you taking it? I found that it was helpful to wake up at 6am (or whenever you want to wake up for your test) at least two weeks before.

Unfortunately, right now I'm living at home with my parents during studying, and my dad believes that if I'm not up by 6, at the gym by 630, and studying by 830 for 12-15 hours a day, then I'm gonna fail. Ugh Indian parents 🙁

June 16th, its been so hard to wake up that early on a weekend, or ever. I have to now, my test is a month away

and that sucks about your parents, just got to lay it on them and study at a pace thats comfortable to you. I don't live with my parents but my living situation isn't much better. I don't even study there because for one, I don't have a decent study area in my room, and 2, I'm a night owl when it comes to studying and my landlord goes to bed at 10:00pm and pretty much wants lights out by then. It sucks.

 

[rgrell]

June 16th, its been so hard to wake up that early on a weekend, or ever. I have to now, my test is a month away

and that sucks about your parents, just got to lay it on them and study at a pace thats comfortable to you. I don't live with my parents but my living situation isn't much better. I don't even study there because for one, I don't have a decent study area in my room, and 2, I'm a night owl when it comes to studying and my landlord goes to bed at 10:00am and pretty much wants lights out by then. It sucks.

My exam is in a week and I am pooping my pants.

 

[TTigers70]

Can someone comment on how/when we are supposed to update our transcript with our Spring '11 semester grades?

My registrar claims the new transcripts including this past semester's grades will be available next week. However, it takes an extra week for them to process the transcript request. Long story short, I opted to get my transcripts out ASAP and thus left off Spring '11. Are we supposed to update the transcript on file as soon as it comes out or is there another way to do it? I've heard of people saying use new grades in update letters but I took that more to mean Fall '11 not Spring '11. Thanks

 

[babydragon]

It sort of depends on your class level. If you are a junior and your spring 2011 transcript includes grades for a required medical school req then you will
have to wait for your school to complete grades on finals before they can send the updated transcript to AMCAS. If on the other hand you are a senior (like me) I think it's ok to go ahead and submit a transcript without the current 2011 spring grades (i.e. all the grades up to fall 2010) because all the classes are upper-div and won't affect GPA calculation or course req by a whole lot.