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- Jun 7, 2007
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- Pre-Medical
Hey Ladies and Gents,
I was always intrigued by the MDPhd path but during the last year I've become much more serious about pursuing it. I started doing research about 2 years ago in a Schizophrenia Morphology lab, which I have been really enjoying ever since. I've been familiarized with research through it although I don't have any publications. My interest in this research wasn't the only motivation that sparked my interest in pursuing a MDPHD. About a year and a half ago I experience a sort of cathartic experience that rewrote everything in my life. My little sister, who was only 20 at the time, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. We had been to many doctors before the physician who finally diagnosed her, and by that time two years had passed from the first symptom. At our last visit when she was diagnosed, she had lost feeling in her right foot, and had to limp with her arm wrapped around me as we walked to the doctors office. After over 20 visits to the neurologist with her this last year, I've come to realize how little some doctors know about currently research options in their field. For example we went to two neurologists who had not heard about a phase3 drug that was being developed for MS, which I had read about in over 5 different Neurology Journals. This to me was blasphemous. Ever since, I've been instilled with an insatiable appetite for anything and everything that is related to MS and other Neurodegenerative disease. I've read 100s of papers, looked into Neuroanatomy, and even have tried to come up with some novel ideas on my own on ways that medicine could potentially help people with MS and other autoimmune and CNS disorders. Currently there are almost no significant treatments for MS, and this is just one Neurodegenerative disease. There are handfuls of other diseases of the same nature(ie ALS, Parkinsons) that require doctors and researchers to collaborate and help find effective solutions. I'd like to be able to work in a clinical setting, learning from patient experiences while taking part in research that could potentially treat or cure some of these terrible ailments. I'm so sorry, I went on a rant there.
Here's my main concern, I was told by a lab mate of (he scored a 40R on MCAT) that my chances of getting into a MDPHD program are very low due to the extreme competitive nature of the programs. So I wanted some advice on what your thoughts were, and if I am really an appropriate candidate for MDPHD based on my numbers and ECs.
GPA: 3.9 BCPM: 3.9
Mcat: 33R (12, 10, 11)
*UCLA NeuroSci Lab - 2 years research (no publications, but LOR)
*UCLA MEDICAL CENTER - CE - (Shadowed nurses, doctors. Helped in caring for Patients) - 1 year (250 hours+)
*President of a Chapter of an International Surgery Society at ucla (2 years)
*Founding Member and VP of Pre-Med club (DOT) @ Orange Coast College - 2 years (400 hours+)
*Leadership award (OCC)
*Red Cross CPR instructor - 1 year (100 hours)
*Service Learning - Community Science Night, Honors
*Student Leader Award, Certificate of Excellence
*President's List
*Deans List
[OTHER]
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*Life long Composer/Musician, and Performer. Performed original compositions at two recitals of 300+ attendance for a local Persian Magazine. (Piano and Guitar)
*Avid soccer lover and player. Played for 10 years included AYSO plus, Highschool, College Mini League, and IM League.
*Webdesigner, programming, and freelancer. Worked 5 years as freelancing graphic and webdesigner for income. Started in highschool by taking graphic and computerscience classes and continued to work on it and make a small income on the side. I have created several websites and logos for clients and companies.
Thanks!
I was always intrigued by the MDPhd path but during the last year I've become much more serious about pursuing it. I started doing research about 2 years ago in a Schizophrenia Morphology lab, which I have been really enjoying ever since. I've been familiarized with research through it although I don't have any publications. My interest in this research wasn't the only motivation that sparked my interest in pursuing a MDPHD. About a year and a half ago I experience a sort of cathartic experience that rewrote everything in my life. My little sister, who was only 20 at the time, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. We had been to many doctors before the physician who finally diagnosed her, and by that time two years had passed from the first symptom. At our last visit when she was diagnosed, she had lost feeling in her right foot, and had to limp with her arm wrapped around me as we walked to the doctors office. After over 20 visits to the neurologist with her this last year, I've come to realize how little some doctors know about currently research options in their field. For example we went to two neurologists who had not heard about a phase3 drug that was being developed for MS, which I had read about in over 5 different Neurology Journals. This to me was blasphemous. Ever since, I've been instilled with an insatiable appetite for anything and everything that is related to MS and other Neurodegenerative disease. I've read 100s of papers, looked into Neuroanatomy, and even have tried to come up with some novel ideas on my own on ways that medicine could potentially help people with MS and other autoimmune and CNS disorders. Currently there are almost no significant treatments for MS, and this is just one Neurodegenerative disease. There are handfuls of other diseases of the same nature(ie ALS, Parkinsons) that require doctors and researchers to collaborate and help find effective solutions. I'd like to be able to work in a clinical setting, learning from patient experiences while taking part in research that could potentially treat or cure some of these terrible ailments. I'm so sorry, I went on a rant there.
Here's my main concern, I was told by a lab mate of (he scored a 40R on MCAT) that my chances of getting into a MDPHD program are very low due to the extreme competitive nature of the programs. So I wanted some advice on what your thoughts were, and if I am really an appropriate candidate for MDPHD based on my numbers and ECs.
GPA: 3.9 BCPM: 3.9
Mcat: 33R (12, 10, 11)
*UCLA NeuroSci Lab - 2 years research (no publications, but LOR)
*UCLA MEDICAL CENTER - CE - (Shadowed nurses, doctors. Helped in caring for Patients) - 1 year (250 hours+)
*President of a Chapter of an International Surgery Society at ucla (2 years)
*Founding Member and VP of Pre-Med club (DOT) @ Orange Coast College - 2 years (400 hours+)
*Leadership award (OCC)
*Red Cross CPR instructor - 1 year (100 hours)
*Service Learning - Community Science Night, Honors
*Student Leader Award, Certificate of Excellence
*President's List
*Deans List
[OTHER]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
*Life long Composer/Musician, and Performer. Performed original compositions at two recitals of 300+ attendance for a local Persian Magazine. (Piano and Guitar)
*Avid soccer lover and player. Played for 10 years included AYSO plus, Highschool, College Mini League, and IM League.
*Webdesigner, programming, and freelancer. Worked 5 years as freelancing graphic and webdesigner for income. Started in highschool by taking graphic and computerscience classes and continued to work on it and make a small income on the side. I have created several websites and logos for clients and companies.
Thanks!
