Class of 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Conflagration]

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/shameless bump

How did your semesters go, everyone?

I got 2 A's, 4 B's. Not what I wanted but I had a lot of crap happen this semester.

New numbers are better for me- both of my GPAs sit at a 3.3.

I need to ace this next semester for some good growth before I apply for June 2015. I'm taking the new MCAT...

If I ace next semester, which I'm probably going to make a 15 hour one (Orgo II/Lab + Ornitholgy/lab + Another bio/lab + Spanish 201), I'd get a nice bump.

My new cGPA would be a 3.41, and my new sGPA would be 3.48. (AMCAS, anyway. I'd have the same cGPA with AACOMAS, but my sGPA would be a 3.42.)

Is that good enough to apply? Should I try to take another science class to bump myself to over 3.5 for a science GPA?

 

[quicheduty]

/shameless bump

How did your semesters go, everyone?

I got 2 A's, 4 B's. Not what I wanted but I had a lot of crap happen this semester.

New numbers are better for me- both of my GPAs sit at a 3.3.

I need to ace this next semester for some good growth before I apply for June 2015. I'm taking the new MCAT...

If I ace next semester, which I'm probably going to make a 15 hour one (Orgo II/Lab + Ornitholgy/lab + Another bio/lab + Spanish 201), I'd get a nice bump.

My new cGPA would be a 3.41, and my new sGPA would be 3.48. (AMCAS, anyway. I'd have the same cGPA with AACOMAS, but my sGPA would be a 3.42.)

Is that good enough to apply? Should I try to take another science class to bump myself to over 3.5 for a science GPA?

Actually that bump is much appreciated! I forgot about our c/o 2020 thread
I guess what I'd be worried about most is acing your semester + studying for the MCAT at the same time, no matter how many credits you do. What's your game plan on that?

 

[Conflagration]

Actually that bump is much appreciated! I forgot about our c/o 2020 thread
I guess what I'd be worried about most is acing your semester + studying for the MCAT at the same time, no matter how many credits you do. What's your game plan on that?

Hello! Pleasure to meet you. :3

Well, my semesters end in April. I'd want to take a May or June test. That would give me about a month or so to study.

And, I'm taking classes that are relevant to the MCAT, so that would be nice ongoing review. 😀

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

/shameless bump

How did your semesters go, everyone?

I got 2 A's, 4 B's. Not what I wanted but I had a lot of crap happen this semester.

New numbers are better for me- both of my GPAs sit at a 3.3.

I need to ace this next semester for some good growth before I apply for June 2015. I'm taking the new MCAT...

If I ace next semester, which I'm probably going to make a 15 hour one (Orgo II/Lab + Ornitholgy/lab + Another bio/lab + Spanish 201), I'd get a nice bump.

My new cGPA would be a 3.41, and my new sGPA would be 3.48. (AMCAS, anyway. I'd have the same cGPA with AACOMAS, but my sGPA would be a 3.42.)

Is that good enough to apply? Should I try to take another science class to bump myself to over 3.5 for a science GPA?

Yep yep! Had a great semester. Took it pretty light while studying for the MCAT alongside. I have a January 13th test date so I'm hoping to rock it out then and have an awesome last semester before applying!

 

[Conflagration]

Nice! I hope you get a good score, @Thoroughbred_Med. I'm sure you'll get a 45 or whatever is the max for the new one lol.

Question- can you apply if you're taking pre-requisites during your app season?

I'd want to apply June 2015, but I'll be taking both Physics classes and biochem, and maybe some psych classes since I need them for a few of my in-states during Fall 2015 and Spring 2016. Is that allowed?

 

[Lannister]

@Conflagration You're good as long as you take all the pre-reqs before graduating, I believe. The only reason most people take them before applying is so they know the material for the MCAT.

 

[Conflagration]

@Conflagration You're good as long as you take all the pre-reqs before graduating, I believe. The only reason most people take them before applying is so they know the material for the MCAT.

Thanks, man! Good to meet you. 🙂

I was hoping for an answer like that. Of course, I'm going to review for things before my test. ^^

 

[Lannister]

Anyways, I've never posted on this thread before, so hi! I'll be applying this summer (the reality of that definitely still has not hit me lol). I studied abroad last semester so I had a nice break from the pre-med life, but now it's back to business. I'm pretty happy with my application so far. I've got a lot of volunteering and work experience, and my GPA is pretty solid, cGPA is 3.91, I think my sGPA is like a 3.85 or something. The only area I'm lacking in is research, which is really stressing me out. I'm not interested in research but it seems like you pretty much have to have it these days. So I'm desperately searching for a lab position at the moment. If anyone has any advice on finding a lab I'd much appreciate it!

Also, question: I have like 90 hours of clinical observations/shadowing. However, only six of those were in the US. The rest were in Chile, in both public and private hospitals. The private hospitals are exactly the same as hospitals in the United States. But will my overseas shadowing carry the same weight as shadowing in the US, does anyone know?

 

[Conflagration]

Nice job! You're doing awesome.

My GPAs are below average, but I have two years of historical math research. Not sure what that'll count as, lol. I'll have my second and third presentations this spring.

Research isn't required- but it doesn't hurt to have.

I don't know much about overseas hours... I can't help you there. Maybe another c/o 2020 person can help you out?

Anyone else taking Orgo II in the spring? Care to commiserate?

 

[Lannister]

Thanks 🙂 what exactly is historical math research? It sounds interesting!

Ochem II was a lot better than ochem I, in my opinion. I still got a B, but at least I felt like I learned a lot in ochem II. Although I had a really awful teacher for ochem I, we never learned how to name molecules and spent most of our time learning the synthesis of crystal meth (not even joking).

 

[Conflagration]

Thanks 🙂 what exactly is historical math research? It sounds interesting!

Ochem II was a lot better than ochem I, in my opinion. I still got a B, but at least I felt like I learned a lot in ochem II. Although I had a really awful teacher for ochem I, we never learned how to name molecules and spent most of our time learning the synthesis of crystal meth (not even joking).

Your teacher may be a bit too avid a Breaking Bad fan, just saying.

My research is all about the history of statistics. I'm trying to chronicle the achievements of mathematicians to make an inclusive picture of how we got the current distributions and graphs that we have now. You see, calculus has a far better documented history because of its importance with respect to physics, and a lot more attention has been paid to it because of that. It started in a time where things were at least decently documented, and the scandal of Newton or Leibniz being the founder at the time led to much more care being paid to the original documents.

Statistics, though, has roots that stem from Roman times. It wasn't seen as a math until well into the 1800's, and even then, its applications were pretty limited until professionals from different fields started to apply it to their work in the latter part of the century. So, the contributions from the mathematical greats is wildly understated, and sometimes not even included in the information column of textbooks. Because of the scarcity of such collections, I've been able to keep it as a topic for two years. It's fascinating stuff.

Sorry if I blathered. And awesome! I got a C in Orgo I a while back when I wasn't as serious and a freshman who didn't really know what she was doing. ^^

 

[Lannister]

Wow that sounds really interesting! I didn't even know that type of research existed 😛 I would love to do something like that, I really like history but haven't had the chance to do anything with it in college.

 

[Conflagration]

I like it a lot. Thanks, @Lannister.

How I got it is a bit of a funny story...

You see, this was intended to be simply a group project for a class that I needed for my major, the History of Math. My partner was a huge pain in the neck. She never responded to my emails, and refused to talk to it until a week before it was due.

Her: I'm going to do Weibull, she's the most awesome English pacifist evar!!!1!!
Me: Uh... Alright?

So, I looked Weibull up. Not only is Weibull not a woman, he got his fame in the Swiss Coast Guard for studying explosions on the sea floor and the fatigue of parts of cannons. I'm freaking out. I send even more emails, try to mention it to her gently that she may have something mixed up, but she is adamant.

I finally get an email from her, the morning of, telling me that she changed her person to a mathematical great. I remake my general presentation in an hour, and I skate into class right as it starts. My partner has elected to go first. She made this presentation, but it was lacking. In fact, it never answered the prompt at all.

My professor called her out on it, and she has the gall to say, "Whatever I don't have, Conflag's got."

I'm fuming, but I did in fact have her person's contribution to statistics. It was offered to me to present in that symposium, and I did. Now, I have research credit for it and am presenting in two symposia this year. 🙂

 

[quicheduty]

@Conflagration nice to meet you too! 🙂

Anyways, I've never posted on this thread before, so hi! I'll be applying this summer (the reality of that definitely still has not hit me lol). I studied abroad last semester so I had a nice break from the pre-med life, but now it's back to business. I'm pretty happy with my application so far. I've got a lot of volunteering and work experience, and my GPA is pretty solid, cGPA is 3.91, I think my sGPA is like a 3.85 or something. The only area I'm lacking in is research, which is really stressing me out. I'm not interested in research but it seems like you pretty much have to have it these days. So I'm desperately searching for a lab position at the moment. If anyone has any advice on finding a lab I'd much appreciate it!

Also, question: I have like 90 hours of clinical observations/shadowing. However, only six of those were in the US. The rest were in Chile, in both public and private hospitals. The private hospitals are exactly the same as hospitals in the United States. But will my overseas shadowing carry the same weight as shadowing in the US, does anyone know?

Most of my shadowing was done overseas as well, actually! I asked an adcom about it last year (I think maybe hushcom?) and they told me that at least for them, shadowing is shadowing. It might vary by school but as long as you have some here, I wouldn't sweat it.

RE research, are you intent on finding a lab? How about clinical research? For me it was a great way to get exposure to research + patient interaction at the same time!

 

[Lannister]

Haha awesome story @Conflagration, way to make something positive out of a bad situation.

@suchbrio, good to know, thanks! Concerning research, I'm actually looking into finding a research position in a lab where they do field work at our University Farm. I think it sounds super fun to actually go out and work with plants and stuff, way better than sitting in a lab at least. I got one response from a professor saying she'd love to meet with me about volunteering in her lab, so I'm really hoping that works out!

 

[Relz.]

@Conflagration im in organic II this semester! I was really hoping that with the change in the new MCAT med schools would take out the requirement for part two but no such luck! I have a relatively easy going semester otherwise though so hopefully I can pull off a B.

I still can't believe we're all applying this summer! It's so crazy.

 

[Conflagration]

Good Lord, taking it in January.

I'm binge-watching Khan like it's Netflix and I still don't think I'll be prepared.

 

[Relz.]

Me too. I just barely understood organic I and it shows in my grades so I have no idea how I'm going to pull off a decent mark!

 

[Conflagration]

Me too. I just barely understood organic I and it shows in my grades so I have no idea how I'm going to pull off a decent mark!

I got a C in Organic I. I need a good grade to show that I've improved how I study and how I work. (I took Orgo I in freshman fall...)

I'm going to be a FL resident for the cycle, projecting a ~3.4 cGPA and near a 3.5 sGPA in June. I'm already a little nervous- I'm expecting my ECs to save me a little, but I'm not so sure if they can.

How about you?

 

[quicheduty]

@Relz. @Conflagration you guys can do it! Rooting for you. If there are reaction lists or charts from Ochem 1 that you still have, going through those would help for Ochem 2. And as long as you don't cram, I'm sure you'll improve. My grades took a dip in Ochem 2 because I slacked off and didn't get through the material in time... 🙁

 

[Conflagration]

@Relz. @Conflagration you guys can do it! Rooting for you. If there are reaction lists or charts from Ochem 1 that you still have, going through those would help for Ochem 2. And as long as you don't cram, I'm sure you'll improve. My grades took a dip in Ochem 2 because I slacked off and didn't get through the material in time... 🙁

Thanks for the advice!

 

[me16]

Good Lord, taking it in January.

I'm binge-watching Khan like it's Netflix and I still don't think I'll be prepared.

Lol oh my I thought I was the only one overdosing on Khan Academy vids.😉 How do you feel about them so far? How are they really are they really helping you? I like them cuz for the most part they simplify info and make it easier to digest but I have not applied what I have learnt to actual practice questions yet. I'm terrified that I'll go to the questions and not remember any on the 400 videos I've watched.

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Hi! New to SDN here and I will hopefully be in the class of 2020! I'll be taking the 2015 MCAT in May and I'm terrified. I'm about to start an MCAT prep course (next week) and classes will also be starting next week. Any other advice?
Oddly enough, with the Ochem talk, Ochem is one of my stronger subjects...*shrug*...I took a practice old MCAT and ochem was my strongest area and it is one of my best classes. I will be taking Ochem 2 this semester and I have been preparing all break by starting my notes and studying early.
Last semester was ehh...I started out doing terrible (due to explainable issues) but I ended strongly by acing all of my finals. Huge improvement, but sadly, going from one end of the spectrum to the other results in an overall average grade. My professors seemed to be proud of my improvement and I had received an email from two of them noting that at the end of last semester (I may have one (if not both) write letters of recommendation). Since this next semester will only consist of the second parts of the classes I've had last semester, I am hoping for a strong start since I had a strong finish 🙂

 

[me16]

Hi! New to SDN here and I will hopefully be in the class of 2020! I'll be taking the 2015 MCAT in May and I'm terrified. I'm about to start an MCAT prep course (next week) and classes will also be starting next week. Any other advice?
Oddly enough, with the Ochem talk, Ochem is one of my stronger subjects...*shrug*...I took a practice old MCAT and ochem was my strongest area and it is one of my best classes. I will be taking Ochem 2 this semester and I have been preparing all break by starting my notes and studying early.
Last semester was ehh...I started out doing terrible (due to explainable issues) but I ended strongly by acing all of my finals. Huge improvement, but sadly, going from one end of the spectrum to the other results in an overall average grade. My professors seemed to be proud of my improvement and I had received an email from two of them noting that at the end of last semester (I may have one (if not both) write letters of recommendation). Since this next semester will only consist of the second parts of the classes I've had last semester, I am hoping for a strong start since I had a strong finish 🙂

Welcome to SDN 😀 What prep course are you taking?

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Welcome to SDN 😀 What prep course are you taking?

I am taking a prep course my school is offering - it's a mix of Kaplan and Exam Krackers! Just picked up the materials today.

 

[me16]

Oh wow? Your school offers a prep course? is it free? I'm currently using Kaplan as well but as of now thy're annoying me so I've turned to Sal Khan and his team of medical geniuses over at Khan Academy lol 😉
Besides being terrified for the new exam I'm also beating myself in the head for not retaining old material the FIRST TIME it was taught to me. I just started reviewing/RELEARNING my ochem and gen chem material and they all look like gibberish to me. *sigh* 🙁
Some people think having a prep course is like magic and now all that info will now magically diffuse into your brain easier but it's faarrr from that. The prep course just gives you notes and question strategies and then says "here you go, have fun!" You actually have to know the material and learn it before you can apply it to the practice questions.

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Oh wow? Your school offers a prep course? is it free? I'm currently using Kaplan as well but as of now thy're annoying me so I've turned to Sal Khan and his team of medical geniuses over at Khan Academy lol 😉
Besides being terrified for the new exam I'm also beating myself in the head for not retaining old material the FIRST TIME it was taught to me. I just started reviewing/RELEARNING my ochem and gen chem material and they all look like gibberish to me. *sigh* 🙁
Some people think having a prep course is like magic and now all that info will now magically diffuse into your brain easier but it's faarrr from that. The prep course just gives you notes and question strategies and then says "here you go, have fun!" You actually have to know the material and learn it before you can apply it to the practice questions.

Yes! My school offers a prep course; however, it is not free. However, it is about 1/4 of the price of most other courses in which are equivalent (i.e. Kaplan and TPR) even though we are using some of Kaplan's materials. There are classes and tutoring and books and practice exams. The classes start in only a few days! How is the prep over on the Khan Academy? I had wanted to check it out but I haven't had much of a chance to yet.
I'm also terrified. I looked at one of the practice exams in the booklet and I was so shocked about how much general chemistry I have forgotten. Sure, I can do the equations and math real easy...but I forget the "trends" from the periodic table, pKa, etc. Luckily, I'm not too shabby at organic chemistry. I had taken an older practice exam and ochem was my strong area.
A prep course is definitely not magic - it's beneficial in some ways and all, but in others, it's basically all up to you as to how you're going to go about strategies, time, etc. I'm terrified of the MCAT, but I want to do well. It's the new one, so I don't know what to expect...🙁

 

[me16]

That's really good. The main reason why I use Khan Academy is cuz its much easier for me to learn from a person teaching the content than reading the material from a book. Also, based on my experience and some other pre-meds I've spoke with, it's good to branch out with your study material. You can use some Kaplan, some EK, PR and Khan Academy if you can get your hands on them. They all help to supplement and enhance your understanding of the concept.

Also, If you can do the equations and math from the chem section, that's still really good, especially since you're good on O-chem. Remember 90% of doing really well on the MCAT is confidence. The exam (both the old one AND the new one) are complex and challenging, its supposed to be that way. How else will it weed out the weaklings? The best way is to run on confidence in every area from studying, practice exams and picking your answer choices.

 

[neurotroph]

I have to turn in a profile to my school's health professions committee by the end of the month so that they can start working on a committee letter. I guess the cycle has officially started for me. Gonna start asking for recs soon too.

 

[Wasted Energy]

I have to turn in a profile to my school's health professions committee by the end of the month so that they can start working on a committee letter. I guess the cycle has officially started for me. Gonna start asking for recs soon too.

Same here. Need a rough draft of my PS by the end of the month, haven't gotten very far yet though.

 

[moop]

I have to turn in a profile to my school's health professions committee by the end of the month so that they can start working on a committee letter. I guess the cycle has officially started for me. Gonna start asking for recs soon too.

Same here. Already got 1 rec written, another requested. TOO REAL

 

[I'm No Superman]

Checking in again. It's been a while. How's everyone?

My application's looking pretty decent right now, I need to work on hospital volunteering hours and I need one more letter. I shadowed a couple orthopedic surgeons over break, so that was fun. Are you guys taking the MCAT soon? New or old?

 

[Lannister]

Hi guys!

So I decided not to bother with a $2000 MCAT class, because from what I've heard, they focus exclusively on test-taking strategies rather than content. I can use Google for free to read about test-taking strategies. What I really need is content review. So I just designed my own schedule for content review. It's a 14-week schedule (one day off a week) that involves the use of Kahn Academy videos, Kaplan review books (or any company, really, but I'm using Kaplan), Mprep's Qbank, and AAMC and Kaplan practice tests. The videos are free, the review books + Kaplan exams were $180 off Amazon, the Qbank is $45 for three months, and the AAMC exams are, from what I hear, like $25 each. Plus a little more for verbal practice passages. So the total cost of my studying will be between $300-400. Definitely a lot cheaper than a class lol.

Basically my study method is going to be the following: First, I will read and take notes on a topic using the Kaplan books. As I do this, I will make a list of concepts that I didn't feel 100% confident in. The next day, I will use Kahn Academy videos to review the topics I felt iffy on. Then approximately one week after reading about the topic in the book, I will do review questions on each topic to make sure I've mastered the material. And of course verbal practice and practice questions are thrown in there, as well as a lot of full length exams. I designed this schedule knowing that I understood 99% of the concepts taught in the pre-reqs, and simply need content review rather than needing to be taught the material.

SO! That being said. If anyone wants to see my schedule and use it, or use it to write your own schedule, please PM me and I'll send it to you! Obviously I have no idea if it'll work, but I'm hopeful it will!

tl;dr: made my own MCAT study schedule that's feasible for a full-time student who needs content review. Message me if you want it.

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Checking in again. It's been a while. How's everyone?

My application's looking pretty decent right now, I need to work on hospital volunteering hours and I need one more letter. I shadowed a couple orthopedic surgeons over break, so that was fun. Are you guys taking the MCAT soon? New or old?

Doing great now that I just took the Jan. 13th MCAT! Whooooooof, studying and trying to master the MCAT was one of the hardest things I've ever put myself through. I'm so glad its over and I can focus on gearing up for the application cycle!

 

[I'm No Superman]

Doing great now that I just took the Jan. 13th MCAT! Whooooooof, studying and trying to master the MCAT was one of the hardest things I've ever put myself through. I'm so glad its over and I can focus on gearing up for the application cycle!

Nice, having the MCAT behind you is a great feeling. How were you feeling post-exam?

 

[moop]

Doing great now that I just took the Jan. 13th MCAT! Whooooooof, studying and trying to master the MCAT was one of the hardest things I've ever put myself through. I'm so glad its over and I can focus on gearing up for the application cycle!

GODDAMN FINALLY IT WAS ABOUT TIME YOU WENT FOR IT

ahahaha nice going man!

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Nice, having the MCAT behind you is a great feeling. How were you feeling post-exam?

Knock on wood, I really think I threw down the best performance I ever have. My arch nemesis is verbal, ranging from 6-9 avg. 8, and I just had a some legit kind of divine, supreme focus during the verbal on my test... feeling like I did the best I've ever done. So I'm really pulling for a 10 here. The sciences were weird. I guessed on a couple in PS but feel good overall. The BS was fair, I only know of one that I missed. Guessed 50/50 on about three. So we will see! Fingers crossed!

GODDAMN FINALLY IT WAS ABOUT TIME YOU WENT FOR IT

ahahaha nice going man!

Yeah man I finally got to scoring in the 30's! lol I told you I would finally get up there! I just took me 3x the amount of time as most folks lol

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Wow! Great job! And I hope you did well on your verbal! For me, verbal seems like the easiest section - probably because my english profs were basically drill sergeants and forced everything to be perfect and to think outside of the box. I have only taken a practice exam of the old and I did well...better than I thought but I'll be taking the new MCAT. We had our first meeting of the MCAT course yesterday and it seems they are planning to focus mainly on content and not too much on strategies. Luckily, most of my friends are older than me and are in med school already; they're going to help me develop good strategies.

Classes also began last week...I'm feeling much more confident about everything at this point because I can finally admit I UNDERSTAND (for once). I had some study problems before and I found a solution in which benefits me well.

For letters of rec, I have two people who I have selected and asked already. I planned on having 5 letters. For the last three, I am having trouble deciding who I want to write them. I have so many great options 🙁. Any suggestions?

 

[I'm No Superman]

For letters of rec, I have two people who I have selected and asked already. I planned on having 5 letters. For the last three, I am having trouble deciding who I want to write them. I have so many great options 🙁. Any suggestions?

For the non "required" letters (2 science 1 non science), you should try and get letters from people who don't have to write you letters. For instance, doctors that you've shadowed, or people that are in charge of things you volunteered for.

I'm assuming your school doesn't have a committee letter, if it does, get one.

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Wow! Great job! And I hope you did well on your verbal! For me, verbal seems like the easiest section - probably because my english profs were basically drill sergeants and forced everything to be perfect and to think outside of the box. I have only taken a practice exam of the old and I did well...better than I thought but I'll be taking the new MCAT. We had our first meeting of the MCAT course yesterday and it seems they are planning to focus mainly on content and not too much on strategies. Luckily, most of my friends are older than me and are in med school already; they're going to help me develop good strategies.

Classes also began last week...I'm feeling much more confident about everything at this point because I can finally admit I UNDERSTAND (for once). I had some study problems before and I found a solution in which benefits me well.

For letters of rec, I have two people who I have selected and asked already. I planned on having 5 letters. For the last three, I am having trouble deciding who I want to write them. I have so many great options 🙁. Any suggestions?

Definitely try to get a physician you've shadowed to write one!
Have any long standing employers?

 

[jd989898]

I have 2 PIs, one of which has been one of my professors for several semesters. Could I use one of them as a PI LOR and the other as my science LOR? They would both be such strong letters so I'd really like to. Also don't have too many other good options.

Also, going to the bookstore today to pick up some MCAT books. Lowered my course load to 12 hours this semester to maximize study time. Hopefully we can dominate this new MCAT.

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Yes yes yes! And no, my school does not have a committee letter, but they do write a cover letter in which is based upon all of the letters of rec. First off, I've shadowed hundreds of hours (and I even want to shadow more this summer...hmm...) and I have also done a lot of volunteering and great employers.
Here is what I have been sorting through so far: I have my PI/person-I-did-volunteer-work-for (I have done biomedical research under him as well as a lot of volunteer work for science olympiad) and another person in which I have worked along side for years (but have known for several years beyond - I've known him for 8 years going on 9 at this point) who knows me personally and professionally and has seen me grow and mature (this person was suggested by my pre-med advisor).

I am now debating for the last three slots in which are supposed to be academically based and whatnot. I have had two professors in which have seen me overcome failure and end up excelling in their classes. One had even tutored me and he has never done that for anyone before and the other had helped me devise a great study plan in which works wonderfully. After last semester ended, I had aced both of their finals and I had received emails from them giving me my final grades and mentioning how happy they were for me to have ended up doing so well and encouraging me to continue to do so for this semester. They're both wonderful professors and I'm thinking I may definitely choose them. I am also debating about a PI/Professor in which I have published under - I have a publication under him and have worked for him for a while, but he tends to shove my needs aside and has not been of any help. I'm also considering my newer PI - he has seen how much I actually know about the "ins-and-outs" of how a lab works and had promoted me to doing actual experiments instead of the lab chores (but I still help with that when needed) and will soon be publishing under him. And I'm also debating between another professor in which I have had for two years for different classes and who has seen my grades improve and has seen me mature. I am also debating between the doctors in which I have shadowed - the one has even known me my whole life. However, I have been suggested by medical students not to have physicians write letters of rec?

 

[I'm No Superman]

Y However, I have been suggested by medical students not to have physicians write letters of rec?

Depends on the situation. School specific letters from physicians you shadowed that went to that school are definitely helpful.

 

[deoxyribonucleicacid]

Depends on the situation. School specific letters from physicians you shadowed that went to that school are definitely helpful.

ehh...neither of the two had went to my school of choice. However, one had gone to one of the schools in which I will be applying.

 

[moop]

Depends on the situation. School specific letters from physicians you shadowed that went to that school are definitely helpful.

Only if they say anything substantial. I wouldn't really know what the physicians I shadowed would write about me ("Uh, he showed up on time, didn't get in my way, asked some questions that were cool to talk about, all of a sudden I know he'll make a great doc based on 30 hours of total interaction?") Always seemed like a last choice LOR because of how fluff it'd sound

 

[I'm No Superman]

Only if they say anything substantial. I wouldn't really know what the physicians I shadowed would write about me ("Uh, he showed up on time, didn't get in my way, asked some questions that were cool to talk about, all of a sudden I know he'll make a great doc based on 30 hours of total interaction?") Always seemed like a last choice LOR because of how fluff it'd sound

Very true. An average letter is damaging to your app.

However, if it's a doctor you have connections to (via work, parents, known him/her for a while), you go out of your way to show you care (ask good questions during appropriate times, act very professionally, treat everyone with respect, etc.), and if they say yes, it could be pretty helpful, especially if they have any pull at a school you're applying to.

 

[tea guzzling traveler]

Hi all, I guess I'm one of the class of 2020 (very much assuming that I get in). And piping up on this, I agree with moop, unless there is something substantial that the doctor you shadowed can say, than it might not be worth it. I feel like adcoms can tell the difference between a recommendation where the recommender knew the person, and the template letter they send to everyone.

One question on the committee letter... does that count as one of the required letters of rec? Is that sent in lieu of the other letters or in addition?

 

[I'm No Superman]

Hi all, I guess I'm one of the class of 2020 (very much assuming that I get in). And piping up on this, I agree with moop, unless there is something substantial that the doctor you shadowed can say, than it might not be worth it. I feel like adcoms can tell the difference between a recommendation where the recommender knew the person, and the template letter they send to everyone.

One question on the committee letter... does that count as one of the required letters of rec? Is that sent in lieu of the other letters or in addition?

I think that a committee letter is more or less "required" if your school offers it.

 

[Dr. Retractor]

Hi all, I guess I'm one of the class of 2020 (very much assuming that I get in). And piping up on this, I agree with moop, unless there is something substantial that the doctor you shadowed can say, than it might not be worth it. I feel like adcoms can tell the difference between a recommendation where the recommender knew the person, and the template letter they send to everyone.

One question on the committee letter... does that count as one of the required letters of rec? Is that sent in lieu of the other letters or in addition?

Yes it's in lieu of the required letters. That is, if the committee letter uses LORs from professors/whoever they require to construct a longer, more holistic letter, then it will take the place of individual letters required by med schools. Although you can still send in separate letters if you want.

 

[moop]

Yes it's in lieu of the required letters. That is, if the committee letter uses LORs from professors/whoever they require to construct a longer, more holistic letter, then it will take the place of individual letters required by med schools. Although you can still send in separate letters if you want.

Many schools (including mine) use the LORs to construct a holistic letter while explaining personal circumstances, academic courseload rigor, etc., and then forward all the individual LORs along with the committee letter. Which makes me wonder if anyone actually reads all 4-5 individual pieces + committee letter lol