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[ricardokaka22]

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[erotangos]

I think your chances should be pretty good if your MCAT scores are strong. Your English, when typed, seems to be clear and concise. How would you rate your speaking ability? Also, your personal statement is going to be key. You have a lot of interesting experiences, so just show your ability to communicate in English.

I assume you speak Mandarin fluently? Possibly Taiwanese as well? (I'm from Yungho actually, but I was raised in USA) That is another plus for your applications.

The pre-health adviser at my school always says that you should only get recommendations from supervisors/professors who say they can write a strong recommendation. Ask your supervisor, because a lot of times they will be willing to interview with you and give you a stronger, more personal recommendation based on that interview.

Good luck with your MCAT scores!

 

[ricardokaka22]

Thanks for your reply. My speaking ability is fine, because I was taught in English when I was at international school, and I did take the TOEFL PBT and got 650.

Yes, I do speak Mandarin, and I also speak Taiwanese fluently because I lived with my grandparents since I was just a few years old.

In terms of the recommendations, I am getting one from my PI along with the graduate student with whom I work with. The other two will be from professors with whom I took classes.

Still waiting for my MCAT scores....

 

[ricardokaka22]

MCAT Jan 2009: 37R
Verbal: 10
Physical Sciences: 14
Biological Sciences: 13
Writing: R

 

[sindadel]

Beautiful scores!

 

[Beren]

You're chances of getting into the top schools is still slim. While your numbers are competitive and likely will get you an interview, your description definitely lacks the necessary passion for the field and smacks of egotism that will exude in your interviews. That's the problem with Berkeley pre-meds, who can't understand that getting into medical school isn't about who has the bigger stick/

I usually lurk on this forum, but your post was too embarrassing for Berkeley students like myself that I had to comment on this thread. Someone had to say it, but good luck on applying, you've got to learn that medical school matriculation depends on more than an impressive resume - hope that helps. I will deactivate my account now.

 

[virusgirl]

Wow, that was one nasty and useless post. OP, don't sweat it -- your personal statement and secondaries are where you get to demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm; the "what are my chances" threads on SDN are not intended to evaluate your dedication to medicine!

In terms of your chances, the short answer is... I don't know. Certainly everything about your application seems to be pretty stellar. The only issue is that US medical schools are very competitive for international students, even extremely intelligent and talented ones. Rest assured that for every international slot at a school like Hopkins, there are several international students just as qualified as you who are applying. I can't even think of things I'd recommend for you to improve upon, because really, you seem pretty qualified. Definitely apply, but also apply to some lower and mid-tier schools. Again, this has nothing to do with your qualifications; rather it has everything to do with the extremely limited number of spaces for international students. If attending a US school is truly your goal, you may have to settle for a less prestigious institution.

 

[Spiker]

You're chances of getting into the top schools is still slim. While your numbers are competitive and likely will get you an interview, your description definitely lacks the necessary passion for the field and smacks of egotism that will exude in your interviews. That's the problem with Berkeley pre-meds, who can't understand that getting into medical school isn't about who has the bigger stick/

I usually lurk on this forum, but your post was too embarrassing for Berkeley students like myself that I had to comment on this thread. Someone had to say it, but good luck on applying, you've got to learn that medical school matriculation depends on more than an impressive resume - hope that helps. I will deactivate my account now.

WTF is some one jealous or something?

 

[Ladholyman]

I think you'll do fine. After all, I sit next to your fugly place in cell biology lecture.

 

[ricardokaka22]

You're chances of getting into the top schools is still slim. While your numbers are competitive and likely will get you an interview, your description definitely lacks the necessary passion for the field and smacks of egotism that will exude in your interviews. That's the problem with Berkeley pre-meds, who can't understand that getting into medical school isn't about who has the bigger stick/

I usually lurk on this forum, but your post was too embarrassing for Berkeley students like myself that I had to comment on this thread. Someone had to say it, but good luck on applying, you've got to learn that medical school matriculation depends on more than an impressive resume - hope that helps. I will deactivate my account now.

I appreciate for your response, but maybe you should show me what it takes. Why don't you post what you have? You've posted the problems/criticisms, but you should also post the solution.

 

[Beren]

Sorry, I lied about deactivating my account and for coming off as overly harsh. In short, my stats and research experiences are very similar to yours - no point in being a hypocrite and posting my resume here.

We both know we're gonna get interviews at great medical schools, and what it boils down to is how much time you spend on the personal statement and how well you interview and articulate your research interests. If you're applying this summer, changing certain things late into the game isn't gonna make a huge difference. This is why I think you post this thread only to boast.

Personally, I will be taking two years off and getting more research experience for a top MD/PhD program. That's because I know I don't have what it takes right now, but I know how I can attain it.

EDIT:

Medicine is a competitive profession, and at this level, I hope you could understand that no one can truly understand your candidacy from a post consisting of simply of numbers and accomplishments. There's no dearth of people with 3.9+ GPA or 40+ MCAT or one or two publications. You have to believe that there are intangibles (e.g. maturity in interviews or meaningful personal statements) that ultimately determine who gets into the best medical schools. If you had posted your personal statement as well, people can better assess your candidacy.

 

[Mobius1985]

Note to the OP: This is not the place to post your Personal Statement. It would make you too identifiable and this is meant to be an anonymus forum.

 

[Beren]

Note to the OP: This is not the place to post your Personal Statement. It would make you too identifiable and this is meant to be an anonymus forum.

Ah, I see your point, 😛. My point still stands; I believe this forum should be for ppl who are genuinely concerned and need advice on low GPAs or MCAT scores. When the OP is already qualified in so many ways, it's pointless to list everything. If he needs detailed advice, he should go to ppl who know him (mentors, professors, friends) and ask them to assess his PS or interviewing skills.

 

[ricardokaka22]

Thanks for your input. I know that in terms of US citizen, I would be very qualified for the top medical schools, but I am an international student, so I am trying to get a sense of the chances and people's advice on my position. Anyhow, I have been working on my personal statement, it's almost done, just having it looked over by friends and mentors. I will need to work on my interviewing skills in the months to come.

 

[image187]

With any luck you might be able to get in to an OD school or maybe even an MD program in a state school. You may want to coauthor a few more research papers in order to firmly establish your interest in the medical field. Also, are you fluent in any other foreign languages? Italian is nice, but maybe another one a little more widely spoken. Is there anyway you can raise your MCAT score a bit? Another thing: your EC's don't really indicate anything that distinguishes you as a unique individual. How fast can you sprint the 100 m dash? How many different countries have you volunteered in? These are some things you may want to think about.

 

[AldousHux]

I know you say you would be well qualified for a top tier US school if you were a citizen, but my bf, who is an under-represented minority, graduated with a 3.99, 4.0 is science, did 4 years of research with publications, all the volunteer work, had a 41 MCAT score and who graduated from a top 15 US school STILL didn't get into one top ten US med school. Now he did get into a top 20, but still, you just can't bet on your scores, especially when while yours are great, they're not jaw dropping, and there are enough people who do have completely jaw dropping applications. I say this not because I don't think you can get accepted to somewhere fantastic, I just don't want you or your family to get your hopes up. It hurt my so's family a lot when he didn't do as well as they were expecting, and he still goes to an amazing school, one I would be insanely proud to go to. Good luck, and just remember to be proud of what you've accomplished, even if you don't get into Harvard med, you deserve it! 🙂

 

[UVAbme2009]

Sorry, I lied about deactivating my account and for coming off as overly harsh. In short, my stats and research experiences are very similar to yours - no point in being a hypocrite and posting my resume here.

We both know we're gonna get interviews at great medical schools, and what it boils down to is how much time you spend on the personal statement and how well you interview and articulate your research interests. If you're applying this summer, changing certain things late into the game isn't gonna make a huge difference. This is why I think you post this thread only to boast.

Personally, I will be taking two years off and getting more research experience for a top MD/PhD program. That's because I know I don't have what it takes right now, but I know how I can attain it.

EDIT:

Medicine is a competitive profession, and at this level, I hope you could understand that no one can truly understand your candidacy from a post consisting of simply of numbers and accomplishments. There's no dearth of people with 3.9+ GPA or 40+ MCAT or one or two publications. You have to believe that there are intangibles (e.g. maturity in interviews or meaningful personal statements) that ultimately determine who gets into the best medical schools. If you had posted your personal statement as well, people can better assess your candidacy.

Your posts reek of jealousy. Do you post those last few lines in every thread?

OP, if you weren't an international, you could go wherever you wanted. But since you are, I'm not sure how that plays out. But I do know that Beren doesn't have a clue how you'll do.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Thanks for your input. I know that in terms of US citizen, I would be very qualified for the top medical schools, but I am an international student, so I am trying to get a sense of the chances and people's advice on my position. Anyhow, I have been working on my personal statement, it's almost done, just having it looked over by friends and mentors. I will need to work on my interviewing skills in the months to come.

If you were a US citizen you would be very qualified to get some interviews from top 10 schools. Plenty of 4.0 and 36+ students who don't make a top 10. Personality, non academic activities, and fit are what gets you into the top 10. Just check Mdapps. Search for students with a 4.0 and greater than a 35 or so. Then select to search for students who were rejected from Harvard or another top 10.
Check this out:

I searched for MCAT 35+ GPA 4.0 East Asians. No search function for internationals though..

4 out of 8 got into a top 10. 2 of which had MCATs of 35 and 36. Other two 38 and 39.

Throw in South Asians and you get 9 out of 16.



That being said, you aren't a US citizen and I wish you the best in getting into the school of your dreams. Just because there is one slot for each three uber competitive internationals doesn't mean you can't get that slot!

 

[tastybeef]

What is it with all this animosity towards the OP, especially coming from his fellow Berkeley premeds?

Is it jealousy, envy, or just the typical competitive Berkeley mindset?

 

[metallicsponge]

Yeah srsly, as a Berkeley student myself I wish the best for the OP. Getting ~ 4.0 in MCB is extremely tough!

I have no idea how you'll fare as an international, but if you go to a slightly lower-ranked school, someone of your caliber will definitely succeed in medicine.

So just apply to lower-ranked schools to be safe!

 

[talbo]

To the OP: that is some pretty impressive stats. Anyways to get to the point, some schools are pretty receptive towards international students and most of these are private schools. I know schools like Pitt won't look at int'l students, but there are plenty that do such as Baylor, Vermont, to name a few. I think you'll do great and I am sure you can get the data to which schools are more receptive to int'l students somewhere. I think NYU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai are also receptive to int'l students. Good luck!

 

[Brent8927]

Your stats are incredibly impressive, and I think there's a slight difference between a true international student, and an international student who attended college in the US. You're still considered international, but it's not quite the same as being someone who graduated from the University of Sterling or Tokyo or something like that... Everyone knows UC Berkeley and is familiar with the quality of their education.

I would hope that you should receive plenty of interviews. If there's one thing that I might suggest that might help you out it would be to try and pick-up some EC's that aren't medicine/bio related--art, soccer, sports, etc. I think it could help to round-out your application a bit more.

But overall, I am sure you'll do great!

-Brent

 

[ricardokaka22]

Hey guys, thanks for all your inputs. To clarify/answer a few questions:
For language skills: English: Fluent, Mandarin: Fluent, Taiwanese (dialect of Chinese): Fluent, French: Intermediate, Italian: Elementary.

About publishing papers; I would like to have published more papers, but publishing papers is not easy, especially in basic science research. It may be easier to publish in clinical research, in which you just compile data/stats. My research is in vitro reconstitution, so it is not easy at all. I am glad that I can get my name onto a paper.

Thanks for the tip on private medical schools that accept more international students.

Yes, I know that with good scores and GPA does not guarantee admission into top schools. It would depend on a lot of other things as well as a bit of luck. But I would say at least with good scores and GPA would enhance your chances, since they play a big part in the admissions.

Regarding the differences between international students from colleges outside the US and international students attending US colleges, I will go to the university career center to find out. I hope that there is a difference.

It's not the end of the world if I don't get into Harvard (although my parents would like me too...); there are many other top schools as well. I'm aiming for top 20 schools, but I will still apply to other lower ranked schools. I think I will end up applying to 35 schools all together, just because I am paranoid.

Anyhow, I have finally gotten closer to getting shadowing experience. Next week I will be going to UCSF to watch an aortic valve replacement/repair!!!! I'm not sure how important shadowing is to medical schools, but I feel that I should at least have some. Also, I'm working something out with Stanford, so that I can do some shadowing in their cardiothoracic surgery department right after the semester ends.

I am thinking about graduating in 3.5 yrs, what influence does this have on the admissions? Any suggestions?

Btw, I am getting an interview from UC Davis for their Edmondson Internship Program from their pathology department. I am considering this for summer. I am still waiting from DeBakey Surgery Program at Baylor, Cardiology Program at UT Houston and Harvard Stem Cell Institute for the summer.

 

[Mobius1985]

Most, but not all, schools consider shadowing a physician to be important. Try to follow 2-3 types of pysicians before you apply so you can watch patient interactions, get an idea of required paperwork, and have a feel for the flow of a normal workday. Just watching a surgery isn't enough. Go on rounds with the doc as well, and ask if you can attend his/her office hours as well.

Graduating a semester early is unlikely to influence med schools adversely, as long as you have all the prerequisites, Letters of Reference, and expected ECs, you should be fine.

 

[ricardokaka22]

So far so good, I have have been invited for interviews at UVA, Vanderbilt and Case Western. Got rejected by Mayo, and put on hold by UChicago.

 

[ricardokaka22]

So far, interviewed at: UVa and Vanderbilt
Got interviews from: Yale, Case Western, Boston U and Albert Eiinstein
Got rejected by: UCSF and Mayo
Put on hold by: UChicago

 

[Stratego]

Thanks for the update. We look forward to hearing more.

 

[Mobius1985]

So far, interviewed at: UVa and Vanderbilt
Got interviews from: Yale, Case Western, Boston U and Albert Eiinstein

That's great news.

 

[ricardokaka22]

You're chances of getting into the top schools is still slim. While your numbers are competitive and likely will get you an interview, your description definitely lacks the necessary passion for the field and smacks of egotism that will exude in your interviews. That's the problem with Berkeley pre-meds, who can't understand that getting into medical school isn't about who has the bigger stick/

I usually lurk on this forum, but your post was too embarrassing for Berkeley students like myself that I had to comment on this thread. Someone had to say it, but good luck on applying, you've got to learn that medical school matriculation depends on more than an impressive resume - hope that helps. I will deactivate my account now.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I did get acceptance.

 

[bannie22]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I did get acceptance.

^ dude let it go... this area is for people to ask about their chances, not for you to search for your thread and bump it to tell us about your acceptance... do it elsewhere, and dont use ur acceptance to diss others.

but congratulations!!!

 

[Stratego]

I'm glad you returned to let us know about your acceptance. Great news.

 

[Beren]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I did get acceptance.

Good for you. Why is this disappointing to me?

I told you that your GPA and MCAT qualified you for many schools, but it was worth your time to work on your PS and interview prep.

This would be far more useful than enumerating your godly MCAT, GPA, ECs for SDNers the month before you applied, and asking what your chances are at t10 schools or how you could improve. At that point, there simply wasn't much to gain.

 

[schrizto]

yeah, Beren seems angry about something.

OP, UVA daaang!

 

[randombetch]

You're chances of getting into the top schools is still slim. While your numbers are competitive and likely will get you an interview, your description definitely lacks the necessary passion for the field and smacks of egotism that will exude in your interviews. That's the problem with Berkeley pre-meds, who can't understand that getting into medical school isn't about who has the bigger stick/

I usually lurk on this forum, but your post was too embarrassing for Berkeley students like myself that I had to comment on this thread. Someone had to say it, but good luck on applying, you've got to learn that medical school matriculation depends on more than an impressive resume - hope that helps. I will deactivate my account now.

You're saying you can judge the passion of the OP from one paragraph where he asks about his chances?

Fine example of idiocy and bigotry resulting from "having the smaller stick."

 

[randombetch]

Ah, I see your point, 😛. My point still stands; I believe this forum should be for ppl who are genuinely concerned and need advice on low GPAs or MCAT scores. When the OP is already qualified in so many ways, it's pointless to list everything. If he needs detailed advice, he should go to ppl who know him (mentors, professors, friends) and ask them to assess his PS or interviewing skills.

The OP is an international applicant. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for international applicants to get into medical school? Obviously not.