Fireside Chat with Guero: a unique, tattooed, non-trad accepted applicant.

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MrBrightside167 said:
Lunch is dreadful at most schools..
Click to expand...

Where'd y'all interview if this was the case? ...Because either they really dropped the budget for interviewee lunches this year or y'all interviewed in some sh*tty hospital cafeterias.... :laugh:

I recall mine having pretty good food at most all of my interviews and our cafeteria and food carts on campus are all actually quite good. My UG cafeteria, on the other hand..... :barf:
 
UPDATE​



We're hoping to have the broadcast up by April 15th. Thus, time for questions to make it into the chat is running out. Feel free to ask anything, particularly as it relates to AMCAS/TMDSAS/AACOMAS, the application process, interviews, travel, student hosting, coursework, et cetera.

Thanks and see you soon!
 
apologies if this has been asked already: please describe the process you went through in writing/crafting your personal statement and secondary application essays
 
Guero said:
UPDATE​



We're hoping to have the broadcast up by April 15th. Thus, time for questions to make it into the chat is running out. Feel free to ask anything, particularly as it relates to AMCAS/TMDSAS/AACOMAS, the application process, interviews, travel, student hosting, coursework, et cetera.

Thanks and see you soon!
Click to expand...

As a non-trad did you find the interviewers to be particularly focused on your motivations to become a physician? What do you feel adcomms greatest concerns are about career changers, late bloomers, non-trads, etc..., are they concerned about proper motivation, or ability to handle the rigor of med school? and how would one best address those concerns during interviews/ in personal statements?
 
lobo12 said:
👍 I think it would be cool if something like this is done every year with the recent accepted class.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Some people knock SDN and it's true that some of the info/opinions can be somewhat skewed but I'm grateful for the useful info and friendly people here. I hope I can help pay it forward...👍👍👍
 
Tips for MMI,
how to prepare for interviews in general,
What was your rational for the schools you applied.
How to determine if a schools are OOS friendly.
How different is the tmdsas and aacomas from amcas.
What was it in your app that adcoms liked the most.
 
Hey, I remember you from last year. Congrats on this cycle.

When you say tattooed, do you mean like "Birdman" Anderson tattooed?

1336676666_Chris%20Andersen%20getty.jpg
 
For those who applied to Texas schools as OOS, was it was of time and money? (Because they rarely accept people). This might be a silly question though.

How did you deal with app expenses?
Everything on credit card?
How did you deal with the stress of application cycle?
Did you apply to places where one of your stats (GPA or mcat) was in the bottom 10 percentile? If so, did you get interview and/or were accepted?

Again, thanks for doing this🙂
 
Might sound like a dumb question but, Once you apply to a certain school do you automatically get a secondary?
 
lobo12 said:
For those who applied to Texas schools as OOS, was it was of time and money? (Because they rarely accept people). This might be a silly question though.

How did you deal with app expenses?
Everything on credit card?
How did you deal with the stress of application cycle?
Did you apply to places where one of your stats (GPA or mcat) was in the bottom 10 percentile? If so, did you get interview and/or were accepted?

Again, thanks for doing this🙂
Click to expand...

acslater99 said:
Might sound like a dumb question but, Once you apply to a certain school do you automatically get a secondary?
Click to expand...

Great questions, none of which is a dumb question. I can't wait to answer these for you! Keep them coming folks!
 
I can't wait to see this video! So many awesome members answering our questions is just an epic watch.
 
We're taping this weekend. I've compiled a list of all of the questions that made it in thus far. If you'd like to ask a question, this will be your last day. I don't intend to check the thread after tonight.

Thanks to everyone that asked genuine questions. We'll be filming this Sunday evening. I intend to upload it to YouTube while I sleep and will post the video link here on Monday, April 15th.

Cheers.
 
Guero said:
We're taping this weekend. I've compiled a list of all of the questions that made it in thus far. If you'd like to ask a question, this will be your last day. I don't intend to check the thread after tonight.

Thanks to everyone that asked genuine questions. We'll be filming this Sunday evening. I intend to upload it to YouTube while I sleep and will post the video link here on Monday, April 15th.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Alright folks, that's it for questions. We have about a page worth of questions to answer for you. I'll post the final YouTube link here either Sunday evening (4/14) or Monday morning (4/15). Thanks again for the interest.
 
Guero said:
Alright folks, that's it for questions. We have about a page worth of questions to answer for you. I'll post the final YouTube link here either Sunday evening (4/14) or Monday morning (4/15). Thanks again for the interest.
Click to expand...

Can't wait to see the video! So many awesome members... 😍😍
 
I am also a non-trad applicant (29 yrs old). Quick summary. I am from Mexico. Reynosa, yes, the cartel infiltrated Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Mexico. I came to the US. Dropped out of high school, got involved in gangs, drugs and resulted in my home being invaded by men with riffles and robbed. All my friends went to prison, and I luckily survived unscathed. I met my spouse of 10 years. We had a boy, i got my GED and 3 years ago I went hard at University classes. I am now graduating and I applied at only 3 schools (DO). 1 waitlist, i acceptance and 1 interview this Friday. I have no criminal record obviously. I am now a peaceful family man and happy. I have a 3.9 gpa and 24P mcat (9BS, 6VR, 9PS). Research pub at Mayo Clinic and UTHSCSA. I might retake mcat I might not. I might apply MD, I might not. I originally intended to apply to the 2014 cycle, but since i realized I kicked ass in undergraduate at an extreme pace, I became eligible for early graduation this summer. Also I did not realize AACOMAS deadlines are later than AMCAS, so I gave the application a shot in late Feb. I am from Texas so it is in my best interest to apply TMDSAS.


I have always been a bit prudent about my past. But this post has made me realize how many people can be encouraged and or possibly benefit.
 
Lsegura83 said:
I am also a non-trad applicant (29 yrs old). Quick summary. I am from Mexico. Reynosa, yes, the cartel infiltrated Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Mexico. I came to the US. Dropped out of high school, got involved in gangs, drugs and resulted in my home being invaded by men with riffles and robbed. All my friends went to prison, and I luckily survived unscathed. I met my spouse of 10 years. We had a boy, i got my GED and 3 years ago I went hard at University classes. I am now graduating and I applied at only 3 schools (DO). 1 waitlist, i acceptance and 1 interview this Friday. I have no criminal record obviously. I am now a peaceful family man and happy. I have a 3.9 gpa and 24P mcat (9BS, 6VR, 9PS). Research pub at Mayo Clinic and UTHSCSA. I might retake mcat I might not. I might apply MD, I might not. I originally intended to apply to the 2014 cycle, but since i realized I kicked ass in undergraduate at an extreme pace, I became eligible for early graduation this summer. Also I did not realize AACOMAS deadlines are later than AMCAS, so I gave the application a shot in late Feb. I am from Texas so it is in my best interest to apply TMDSAS.


I have always been a bit prudent about my past. But this post has made me realize how many people can be encouraged and or possibly benefit.
Click to expand...
Very similar to my past indeed. (Pero no tengo los cajones explicar mas.) Thank you so much for sharing. Eres un cholo fuerte, esse. :highfive: Mucha suerte con todos!

P.S. ¿Conocía algunas Gueros cholos cuando eras un niño?
 
Lsegura83 said:
I am also a non-trad applicant (29 yrs old). Quick summary. I am from Mexico. Reynosa, yes, the cartel infiltrated Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Mexico. I came to the US. Dropped out of high school, got involved in gangs, drugs and resulted in my home being invaded by men with riffles and robbed. All my friends went to prison, and I luckily survived unscathed. I met my spouse of 10 years. We had a boy, i got my GED and 3 years ago I went hard at University classes. I am now graduating and I applied at only 3 schools (DO). 1 waitlist, i acceptance and 1 interview this Friday. I have no criminal record obviously. I am now a peaceful family man and happy. I have a 3.9 gpa and 24P mcat (9BS, 6VR, 9PS). Research pub at Mayo Clinic and UTHSCSA. I might retake mcat I might not. I might apply MD, I might not. I originally intended to apply to the 2014 cycle, but since i realized I kicked ass in undergraduate at an extreme pace, I became eligible for early graduation this summer. Also I did not realize AACOMAS deadlines are later than AMCAS, so I gave the application a shot in late Feb. I am from Texas so it is in my best interest to apply TMDSAS.


I have always been a bit prudent about my past. But this post has made me realize how many people can be encouraged and or possibly benefit.
Click to expand...


You know I was once in the Bloods. But then I found out the Crips had a better dental plan. 🙄
 
acslater99 said:
You know I was once in the Bloods. But then I found out the Crips had a better dental plan. 🙄
Click to expand...

This is funny and flattering. Don't be hurt. We are only here to help for those who ask for some insight. We are not really here to depreciate your hard knock pre-med life. It's been a tough up hill battle, no doubt. But the street hustle mentality has played a big factor for success. Harder, is the fact that you have to hide a previous life from the adcoms. But the whole medical community has been very receptive to these experiences. I further have looked for inspiration from Dr. Ben Carson and Dr. Alfredo Quinones, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Quinones-Hinojosa






Guero said:
Very similar to my past indeed. (Pero no tengo los cajones explicar mas.) Thank you so much for sharing. Eres un cholo fuerte, esse. :highfive: Mucha suerte con todos!

P.S. ¿Conocía algunas Gueros cholos cuando eras un niño?
Click to expand...


Gracias. Si, various Guero's. Y con los ojos borrados, tenian todas las novias!
 
Lsegura83 said:
I am also a non-trad applicant (29 yrs old). Quick summary. I am from Mexico. Reynosa, yes, the cartel infiltrated Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Mexico. I came to the US. Dropped out of high school, got involved in gangs, drugs and resulted in my home being invaded by men with riffles and robbed. All my friends went to prison, and I luckily survived unscathed. I met my spouse of 10 years. We had a boy, i got my GED and 3 years ago I went hard at University classes. I am now graduating and I applied at only 3 schools (DO). 1 waitlist, i acceptance and 1 interview this Friday. I have no criminal record obviously. I am now a peaceful family man and happy. I have a 3.9 gpa and 24P mcat (9BS, 6VR, 9PS). Research pub at Mayo Clinic and UTHSCSA. I might retake mcat I might not. I might apply MD, I might not. I originally intended to apply to the 2014 cycle, but since i realized I kicked ass in undergraduate at an extreme pace, I became eligible for early graduation this summer. Also I did not realize AACOMAS deadlines are later than AMCAS, so I gave the application a shot in late Feb. I am from Texas so it is in my best interest to apply TMDSAS.


I have always been a bit prudent about my past. But this post has made me realize how many people can be encouraged and or possibly benefit.
Click to expand...

Wow, what an inspirational story! Thanks for sharing. And congrats!!
 
Lsegura83 said:
I am also a non-trad applicant (29 yrs old). Quick summary. I am from Mexico. Reynosa, yes, the cartel infiltrated Reynosa, Tamaulipas in Mexico. I came to the US. Dropped out of high school, got involved in gangs, drugs and resulted in my home being invaded by men with riffles and robbed. All my friends went to prison, and I luckily survived unscathed. I met my spouse of 10 years. We had a boy, i got my GED and 3 years ago I went hard at University classes. I am now graduating and I applied at only 3 schools (DO). 1 waitlist, i acceptance and 1 interview this Friday. I have no criminal record obviously. I am now a peaceful family man and happy. I have a 3.9 gpa and 24P mcat (9BS, 6VR, 9PS). Research pub at Mayo Clinic and UTHSCSA. I might retake mcat I might not. I might apply MD, I might not. I originally intended to apply to the 2014 cycle, but since i realized I kicked ass in undergraduate at an extreme pace, I became eligible for early graduation this summer. Also I did not realize AACOMAS deadlines are later than AMCAS, so I gave the application a shot in late Feb. I am from Texas so it is in my best interest to apply TMDSAS.


I have always been a bit prudent about my past. But this post has made me realize how many people can be encouraged and or possibly benefit.
Click to expand...

Congrats dude. I would definitely take a run at a Texas MD. If you can afford it.
 
Looking forward to the Fireside Chat! Hope it gets posted soon!
Thank you!
 
Doctor Strange said:
🙁

It's okay.


Btw, the chat is now over and should be up soon. Tons of fun. Hope you're both entertained and informed!
Click to expand...
Yes, it takes a while for Google+ to link it to my channel for publishing. I'll have link posted tomorrow. Stay tuned.

And no worries NickNaylor. Thanks for stopping by. We had some questions specifically for you; but I think we managed well enough.
 
Guero said:
Yes, it takes a while for Google+ to link it to my channel for publishing. I'll have link posted tomorrow. Stay tuned.

And no worries NickNaylor. Thanks for stopping by. We had some questions specifically for you; but I think we managed well enough.
Click to expand...

Feels like I'm waiting for the season premiere of GOT.
 
http://youtu.be/RADfw6-DyHo
[YOUTUBE]RADfw6-DyHo[/YOUTUBE]
We've answered your questions from SDN. You'll notice me frequently looking off to the side or below. I'm not crazy, just talking to my gf. She was hiding the entire time until toward the end when she showed her face for all of 2 seconds, lol. Also, unfortunately NickNaylor didn't get a chance to contribute because his ISP lost the connection.

We'll continue to do a fireside chat annually to discuss what we learned during each step of medical school, perhaps throughout residency. We really enjoyed putting this together. Feel free to PM me regarding any clarifications.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question List

Sinombre: What do you know about the process now that you wish you had known before applying?

mmmmd: Do you predict that your experiences growing up in diverse communities will make you a better physician? why?

Goobs: My question would be how do you think you changed as an applicant during your post-college years and what do you think the pros and cons of being a non-trad are?

Doctor Strange: Also, you've been very open about having to take on a significant amount of pre-medical school debt. What have been the ramifications of this decision, and what plans do you have with regards to repayment?

Psychkub: As an older student, how have you changed your approach to studying? Do you do anything in particular to keep your mind sharp? (dsoz is far older)

The Beyonder: Would you apply DO again? What do you feel sets you apart from other applicants?
thesauce: What makes you unique (aside from being an older than average applicant) and what do your tattoos have to do with anything? Congrats on your acceptance.

dsoz: Wanted to hear stories about Guero's tats...

LaPresse: I heard from somewhere that Vandy was lacking in its clinical skills--those taught to medical students in MS3 and MS4. Which schools generally have a reputation for superior clinical skills?
busy general hospital.

ObviouslyTeal: Question about the tattoos -- how extensive are they exactly? And what do you plan to do about cover up (if anything at all!) during med school and beyond? I wonder how much the general perspective on people with tattoos and piercings is changing now, especially in the medical field.

Calvinandhobbs68: How much did all those tats run you (total)?

plumazul: Have you seen the movie and/or read the book "The Illustrated Man", and if yes;
did you think it was a great book/movie, or the greatest book/movie you've ever seen/read? Also has the work of Ray Bradbury had any effect on your life?

mmmmd: please describe the process you went through in writing/crafting your personal statement and secondary application essays

pre-med 2014: As a non-trad did you find the interviewers to be particularly focused on your motivations to become a physician?
What do you feel adcomms greatest concerns are about career changers, late bloomers, non-trads, etc..., are they concerned about proper motivation, or ability to handle the rigor of med school?
and how would one best address those concerns during interviews/ in personal statements?

lobo12: Tips for MMI, how to prepare for interviews in general
What was your rational for the schools you applied.
How to determine if a schools are OOS friendly.
How different is the tmdsas and aacomas from amcas.
What was it in your app that adcoms liked the most.

acslater99: Might sound like a dumb question but, Once you apply to a certain school do you automatically get a secondary?
 
Last edited:
Decided to reopen the thread so people can bump it and discuss what they saw. Hope you all enjoyed the show. (I know, it is a bit long; we'll try to make them shorter in the future.)

Does anyone want me to post the list of questions so you can better fast forward to find what you're looking for? It's not correlated to time. But they are in order...
 
Guero said:
http://youtu.be/RADfw6-DyHo
[YOUTUBE]RADfw6-DyHo[/YOUTUBE]
We've answered your questions from SDN. You'll notice me frequently looking off to the side or below. I'm not crazy, just talking to my gf. She was hiding the entire time until toward the end when she showed her face for all of 2 seconds, lol. Also, unfortunately NickNaylor didn't get a chance to contribute because his ISP lost the connection.

We'll continue to do a fireside chat annually to discuss what we learned during each step of medical school, perhaps throughout residency. We really enjoyed putting this together. Feel free to PM me regarding any clarifications.
Click to expand...

Awesome video. NickNaylor's goatee is awesome and Doctor Strange is lying about his drunkness. Well, good video.
 
Guero said:
Decided to reopen the thread so people can bump it and discuss what they saw. Hope you all enjoyed the show. (I know, it is a bit long; we'll try to make them shorter in the future.)

Does anyone want me to post the list of questions so you can better fast forward to find what you're looking for? It's not correlated to time. But they are in order...
Click to expand...

Excellent idea.

That was way more fun than I had thought it would be. Hopefully it's helpful to fellow future doctors. And sorry for all the laughing guys and gals. What can I say, we're just a fun group! 😉
 
one suggestion would be to have proper introductions so people could put the answers/opinions in context. is everyone an MS-0 except NickNaylor? MD or DO? Which school?
 
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