Current Junior App Review for No Gap Year (4.0, 522)

[pushingp_remed]

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[pushingp_remed]

@Goro @Faha @LizzyM @Mr.Smile12 I know you guys see a million of these but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Goro]

Looks like a great app!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Profile-wise looks like solid cannon fodder, maybe a bit better than it depending on how you spin the experiences and your mission fit. Good job!

To that end, "vulnerable communities" needs to be defined. Are you mainly interested in communities that become vulnerable due to acute events (watching that hurricane that could sweep through NC in a few days after Helene hits Florida)? It might help doing more with communities where challenges are more chronic and systemic. Maybe you have something with ARC national positions, but I'm interested in your front-line work and contributions when it comes to your "narrative." I also have to see exactly how you thread this needle with your vision as a physician because the specialty work isn't necessary for you to fill in that narrative or vision. Maybe more EMT work or crisis volunteer/shelter volunteer involvement can complete the picture.

At any rate, every medical school will have "vulnerable populations," so that won't help you stand out by itself IMO.

 

[Faha]

Resident Assistant and MCAT tutoring adds little to your application. Accumulate more clinical and non clinical volunteering hours instead.
I suggest these schools with your stats"
UNC
East Carolina
Duke
Vanderbilt
USF Morsani
U Virginia
Washington University (in St. Louis-almost a guaranteed interview with your stats)
Northwestern
U Michigan
Mayo
Colorado
Case Western
Cincinnati
Georgetown
Johns Hopkins (free tuition)
U Penn
Pittsburgh
Hofstra
Einstein (free tuition)
Mount Sinai
NYU (free tuition)
Columbia
Cornell
Rochester
Harvard
Yale
Dartmouth
Brown
Boston University

 

[pushingp_remed]

Profile-wise looks like solid cannon fodder, maybe a bit better than it depending on how you spin the experiences and your mission fit. Good job!

To that end, "vulnerable communities" needs to be defined. Are you mainly interested in communities that become vulnerable due to acute events (watching that hurricane that could sweep through NC in a few days after Helene hits Florida)? It might help doing more with communities where challenges are more chronic and systemic. Maybe you have something with ARC national positions, but I'm interested in your front-line work and contributions when it comes to your "narrative." I also have to see exactly how you thread this needle with your vision as a physician because the specialty work isn't necessary for you to fill in that narrative or vision. Maybe more EMT work or crisis volunteer/shelter volunteer involvement can complete the picture.

At any rate, every medical school will have "vulnerable populations," so that won't help you stand out by itself IMO.

.

 

[pushingp_remed]

Resident Assistant and MCAT tutoring adds little to your application. Accumulate more clinical and non clinical volunteering hours instead.
I suggest these schools with your stats"
UNC
East Carolina
Duke
Vanderbilt
USF Morsani
U Virginia
Washington University (in St. Louis-almost a guaranteed interview with your stats)
Northwestern
U Michigan
Mayo
Colorado
Case Western
Cincinnati
Georgetown
Johns Hopkins (free tuition)
U Penn
Pittsburgh
Hofstra
Einstein (free tuition)
Mount Sinai
NYU (free tuition)
Columbia
Cornell
Rochester
Harvard
Yale
Dartmouth
Brown
Boston University

.

 

[Faha]

Being an RA provides the equivalent of a $18.000 scholarship yearly for me and I’ve had many meaningful experiences with residents that I’d love to talk about in applications. MCAT tutoring I can understand though. What clinical/non volunteering opportunities should I focus on improving?

More hours at the food bank and hospice would help.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My rough sketch of a vulnerable communities theme would center around advocacy and education for those who feel their voices aren’t being heard.

What are your advocacy activities and accomplishments? What you have written does not suggest much activism that supports this statement. How much have you done regarding LBGTQ+ rights, disability rights, children/women needing protection, climate change, housing rehabilitation/support, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated? Again, you need to define "vulnerable" populations; in some way, we are all vulnerable.

Your next two examples below don't demonstrate standing up for those who feel their voices aren't being heard. Maybe more like storytelling and witnessing, but it falls short of bona fide action/advocacy.

As a hospice volunteer, supporting a 51 year old survivor of childhood brain trauma who is completely nonverbal and communicates through coloring.

As a Urology MA, supporting an elderly patient with incontinence or erectile dysfunction who’s too embarrassed to seek familial support or medical help.

As an RA/OL, mentoring and guiding freshman through the most vulnerable and isolating parts of their college experiences, providing a voice of support on campus when they’re most lacking one.

What have you accomplished to improve this culture of loneliness with your student government or faculty/administration? Are you working with student services about this?

As a Red Cross/food pantry/after-school volunteer, spearheading advocacy programs for underheard and underrepresented populations in NC including the homeless and low SES families/students that come to the pantry/after-school sessions.

And so forth.

I’ve never been involved with EMT or crisis volunteering, do you have any other recommendations?

Food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Look up non-partisan NGOs/NPO's that also advocate to political leadership where you can better amplify your passive "consoling/supporting" role (from what you describe, and that's acceptable for your file). Your Red Cross work sounds like a great launchpad and may address your point. But that's only one point.

Do you feel doctors should be advocates for their patients, especially at risk of getting doxxed or jailed?

 

[pushingp_remed]

What are your advocacy activities and accomplishments? What you have written does not suggest much activism that supports this statement. How much have you done regarding LBGTQ+ rights, disability rights, children/women needing protection, climate change, housing rehabilitation/support, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated? Again, you need to define "vulnerable" populations; in some way, we are all vulnerable.

Your next two examples below don't demonstrate standing up for those who feel their voices aren't being heard. Maybe more like storytelling and witnessing, but it falls short of bona fide action/advocacy.



What have you accomplished to improve this culture of loneliness with your student government or faculty/administration? Are you working with student services about this?

Food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Look up non-partisan NGOs/NPO's that also advocate to political leadership where you can better amplify your passive "consoling/supporting" role (from what you describe, and that's acceptable for your file). Your Red Cross work sounds like a great launchpad and may address your point. But that's only one point.

Do you feel doctors should be advocates for their patients, especially at risk of getting doxxed or jailed?

You're right, advocacy isn't the right word. I'll be leading some housing rehabilitation efforts through the Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign this year, but nothing else in the activism space.

I'm struggling to put my narrative into words – I want to focus on the support/patient education/" shoulder to lean on" side of things but I'm not sure how to frame it. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm struggling to put my narrative into words – I want to focus on the support/patient education/" shoulder to lean on" side of things but I'm not sure how to frame it. Do you have any suggestions?

You could be a patient advocate. Look it up.

National Patient Advocate Foundation

NPAF is dedicated to advancing person-centered care for everyone facing a serious illness. We advocate for accessible, high quality, affordable health care. Learn more by visiting the NPAF website.

www.npaf.org

 

[LizzyM]

RA is great. I wouldn't count the hours you are asleep but otherwise a valuable experience (and the $18K ain't bad either).

You look like a solid candidate for an interview at any school instate and those that accept OOS students.

 

[pushingp_remed]

You could be a patient advocate. Look it up.

National Patient Advocate Foundation

NPAF is dedicated to advancing person-centered care for everyone facing a serious illness. We advocate for accessible, high quality, affordable health care. Learn more by visiting the NPAF website.

www.npaf.org

As in volunteer through the NPAF or center my narrative around patient advocacy?

 

[pushingp_remed]

RA is great. I wouldn't count the hours you are asleep but otherwise a valuable experience (and the $18K ain't bad either).

You look like a solid candidate for an interview at any school instate and those that accept OOS students.

How do I look for T20s if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As in volunteer through the NPAF or center my narrative around patient advocacy?

You could if there is an opportunity near you to be a patient advocate. Definitely read up on what they consider "advocacy" since I think that's where you are going.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Many undergraduate and CC programs have certifications as patient advocates. Also, a few medical schools may train you some fundamentals about being a patient advocate too. You'll have to do the research or ask questions.

How to Become a Patient Advocate | WGU

There are no formal licensing requirements to become a patient advocate currently, but relevant experience, a healthcare degree, and getting certified can help you in your search.

www.wgu.edu

Health Advocacy Master’s and Certificate Programs

The Sarah Lawrence College Health Advocacy master's program was the nation’s first. Today, it continues to be a leader in defining this field and the related field of patient advocacy, and now offers certificate programs for professional development.

www.sarahlawrence.edu

Earn the Board Certified Patient Advocate Credential - BCPA

Learn about the first board certification in professional patient advocacy - the BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate)

www.pacboard.org

Overview of the Profession of Health and Patient Advocacy | The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates

CONTACT US | MEET OUR TEAM | HISTORY | PROFESSION OVERVIEW | DIRECTORY | ADVERTISE WITH US An Overview of the Profession of Health and Patient Advocacy (Updated September 2020)• Private, Independent Patient Advocacy is a fast growing profession.Cited as one of the fastest growing professions of...

aphadvocates.org

Health Equity & Advocacy

www.uclahealth.org

Social Justice Pathway Program | College of Medicine | NEOMED

Patient Advocacy Pathway | Tulane School of Medicine

medicine.tulane.edu

 

[pushingp_remed]

Many undergraduate and CC programs have certifications as patient advocates. Also, a few medical schools may train you some fundamentals about being a patient advocate too. You'll have to do the research or ask questions.

How to Become a Patient Advocate | WGU

There are no formal licensing requirements to become a patient advocate currently, but relevant experience, a healthcare degree, and getting certified can help you in your search.

www.wgu.edu

Health Advocacy Master’s and Certificate Programs

The Sarah Lawrence College Health Advocacy master's program was the nation’s first. Today, it continues to be a leader in defining this field and the related field of patient advocacy, and now offers certificate programs for professional development.

www.sarahlawrence.edu

Earn the Board Certified Patient Advocate Credential - BCPA

Learn about the first board certification in professional patient advocacy - the BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate)

www.pacboard.org

Overview of the Profession of Health and Patient Advocacy | The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates

CONTACT US | MEET OUR TEAM | HISTORY | PROFESSION OVERVIEW | DIRECTORY | ADVERTISE WITH US An Overview of the Profession of Health and Patient Advocacy (Updated September 2020)• Private, Independent Patient Advocacy is a fast growing profession.Cited as one of the fastest growing professions of...

aphadvocates.org

Health Equity & Advocacy

www.uclahealth.org

Social Justice Pathway Program | College of Medicine | NEOMED

Patient Advocacy Pathway | Tulane School of Medicine

medicine.tulane.edu

Thank you for the resources!!

 

[LizzyM]

How do I look for T20s if you don’t mind me asking?

Like a 1,000 other applicants. We'll interview ~700. So will everyone else. You might not get an interview invite from every school but the odds are good that at least a few will interview you and at least one will make you an offer.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Like a 1,000 other applicants. We'll interview ~700. So will everyone else. You might not get an interview invite from every school but the odds are good that at least a few will interview you and at least one will make you an offer.

Pack fodder! Pack fodder at top 20s is a great place to be.

 

[pushingp_remed]

Pack fodder! Pack fodder at top 20s is a great place to be.

Thank you! Anything you’d recommend I focus on in the next year to maximize my chances at T20s?

 

[LizzyM]

Thank you! Anything you’d recommend I focus on in the next year to maximize my chances at T20s?

Apply to all 20 (or 30 depending on who you ask about the T20 list) and be careful to correctly spell the name of the school and to replace the name of the other school if you recycle an essay you'd already sent elsewhere. (Yes, I've seen both of these errors!)

 

[pushingp_remed]

Profile-wise looks like solid cannon fodder, maybe a bit better than it depending on how you spin the experiences and your mission fit. Good job!

To that end, "vulnerable communities" needs to be defined. Are you mainly interested in communities that become vulnerable due to acute events (watching that hurricane that could sweep through NC in a few days after Helene hits Florida)? It might help doing more with communities where challenges are more chronic and systemic. Maybe you have something with ARC national positions, but I'm interested in your front-line work and contributions when it comes to your "narrative." I also have to see exactly how you thread this needle with your vision as a physician because the specialty work isn't necessary for you to fill in that narrative or vision. Maybe more EMT work or crisis volunteer/shelter volunteer involvement can complete the picture.

At any rate, every medical school will have "vulnerable populations," so that won't help you stand out by itself IMO.

.

 

[LunaOri]

Sounds good!

 

[Goro]

I understand the desires you have, but you'll need to walk the walk and not merely talk the talk.

 

[pushingp_remed]

I understand the desires you have, but you'll need to walk the walk and not merely talk the talk.

As in I don't have the activities to support the narrative or I need to actually write the personal statement?

 

[Goro]

As in I don't have the activities to support the narrative

That. As I told my kids when they were little: talking is easy, doing is harder.

 

[pushingp_remed]

That. As I told my kids when they were little: talking is easy, doing is harder.

Every activity/story I mentioned has already been done for over a year so I guess I'm a little confused by that but I will definitely keep working on it and reflecting over the coming months

 

[LizzyM]

You are walking the walk. Just describe it well next spring and tie it up in a bow in your personal statement. Also have at least one "fun" thing in your list of activities so we see that side of you and not an "all work/no play" applicant.

 

[pushingp_remed]

You are walking the walk. Just describe it well next spring and tie it up in a bow in your personal statement. Also have at least one "fun" thing in your list of activities so we see that side of you and not an "all work/no play" applicant.

Acapella! I've been told that it's a unique experience and I'm super excited to talk about it. And probably basketball or lifting as a hobby.

 

[Goro]

Every activity/story I mentioned has already been done for over a year so I guess I'm a little confused by that but I will definitely keep working on it and reflecting over the coming months

All good then! You're good to go! Rockstar should aim high

 

[LizzyM]

I'm convinced that there is almost nothing that is "unique" but it is unusual.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Acapella! I've been told that it's a unique experience and I'm super excited to talk about it. And probably basketball or lifting as a hobby.

Blows more dust off...

Medical Student A Cappella Groups

Anyone know which schools have a cappella groups? Just curious.

forums.studentdoctor.net

Not unique nor unusual, but if it makes you a fun peer to be around...

 

[pushingp_remed]

I guess "unique" is reserved for things like military, Rhodes, etc. I've been told by past acapella members that it came up extensively in their interviews and was received very positively (I will definitely bring up school's acapella groups as well if they have one!)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I guess "unique" is reserved for things like military, Rhodes, etc. I've been told by past acapella members that it came up extensively in their interviews and was received very positively (I will definitely bring up school's acapella groups as well if they have one!)

Finding Your Greatest Common Factors with Successful Students - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Finding Your Greatest Common Factors with Successful Students - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Again, look up a capella groups in medical school. And not everyone likes to sing and perform, so there's that. You're good there. 🙂