- Joined
- Feb 2, 2011
- Messages
- 8,147
- Reaction score
- 7,732
Hey everyone,
As I'm applying this year, I figured I'd finally post one of these since my circumstances have my head spinning a bit right now. I'll try formatting this as best as I can.
Quick and dirty:
3.5 GPA with blips, 34 MCAT after retake (30 first time).
2 Health related jobs after school, one which involves significant research. I should have a couple of publications and posters/talks by the time I leave here (already on one manuscript and few accepted posters).
Currently live in MA, but probably a PA resident since MA is insane when it comes to residency requirements.
College
I graduated in 2010 from a well regarded liberal arts school in NE with a degree in biochemistry.
GPA 3.5 essentially even in BCPM and the rest.
-Worked in Uganda doing internships with HIV/AIDS NGO's during summer before college and again summer of frosh year.
Blips:
-1st Semester Freshman year: Had like a 3.16 GPA, but I'll chalk that up to inexperience
-2nd Semester Sophomore year: Had to withdraw from Orgo 2 due to a cycling accident (I raced) that sent me to the hospital and then home for the rest of the year. Had numerous surgeries/etc afterwards. (Got an A- the following year)
-1st Semester Jr year: Still dealing with medical issues, I had a bad semester due to my hardheadedness and refusal to take it easy. Got a C+ in a math class.
-Eventually pulled everything back up and got a 3.5 in the end.
Post-College
-Worked for 2 years coordinating education programs in an HIV/ID clinic. Worked pretty closely with residents, fellows, and attendings, but also had lots of patient contact through shadowing and through work.
-Left the position for to move to Ethiopia and do HIV/TB work but plans fell through after a failed back surgery.
-1 blank year on my resume due to the surgery and needing to have another one.
-Currently doing research at a spine surgery clinic. Work really closely to develop research protocols, recruit patients, and work in the OR.
-At this second job, I'm already on one manuscript that is submitted (not 1st author), I've had 2 poster presentations, got accepted to present a poster for a national conference (2nd author), and I'm currently wrapping up a few papers that should be ready for submission around interview season.
Other Factors
-1st gen immigrant to the US. My family receives state aid and my younger sister is on state sponsored health insurance and gets free school lunches.
-I am getting FAP.
-I don't consider myself disadvantaged. I've heard this is a big deal, but I'd rather not claim it and be wrong.
---------------------------------------------
I'm honestly just trying to figure out a list of schools and I have no idea how to weigh things because my history seems so all over the place.
I'd appreciate any advice. Apologies in advance for the friggin' wall of text.
As I'm applying this year, I figured I'd finally post one of these since my circumstances have my head spinning a bit right now. I'll try formatting this as best as I can.
Quick and dirty:
3.5 GPA with blips, 34 MCAT after retake (30 first time).
2 Health related jobs after school, one which involves significant research. I should have a couple of publications and posters/talks by the time I leave here (already on one manuscript and few accepted posters).
Currently live in MA, but probably a PA resident since MA is insane when it comes to residency requirements.
College
I graduated in 2010 from a well regarded liberal arts school in NE with a degree in biochemistry.
GPA 3.5 essentially even in BCPM and the rest.
-Worked in Uganda doing internships with HIV/AIDS NGO's during summer before college and again summer of frosh year.
Blips:
-1st Semester Freshman year: Had like a 3.16 GPA, but I'll chalk that up to inexperience
-2nd Semester Sophomore year: Had to withdraw from Orgo 2 due to a cycling accident (I raced) that sent me to the hospital and then home for the rest of the year. Had numerous surgeries/etc afterwards. (Got an A- the following year)
-1st Semester Jr year: Still dealing with medical issues, I had a bad semester due to my hardheadedness and refusal to take it easy. Got a C+ in a math class.
-Eventually pulled everything back up and got a 3.5 in the end.
Post-College
-Worked for 2 years coordinating education programs in an HIV/ID clinic. Worked pretty closely with residents, fellows, and attendings, but also had lots of patient contact through shadowing and through work.
-Left the position for to move to Ethiopia and do HIV/TB work but plans fell through after a failed back surgery.
-1 blank year on my resume due to the surgery and needing to have another one.
-Currently doing research at a spine surgery clinic. Work really closely to develop research protocols, recruit patients, and work in the OR.
-At this second job, I'm already on one manuscript that is submitted (not 1st author), I've had 2 poster presentations, got accepted to present a poster for a national conference (2nd author), and I'm currently wrapping up a few papers that should be ready for submission around interview season.
Other Factors
-1st gen immigrant to the US. My family receives state aid and my younger sister is on state sponsored health insurance and gets free school lunches.
-I am getting FAP.
-I don't consider myself disadvantaged. I've heard this is a big deal, but I'd rather not claim it and be wrong.
---------------------------------------------
I'm honestly just trying to figure out a list of schools and I have no idea how to weigh things because my history seems so all over the place.
I'd appreciate any advice. Apologies in advance for the friggin' wall of text.
