Hello everyone. I'm writing on my anon account cause the account I usually use has my name in it (I wasn't thinking when I made it hahah). Anyways, I've been a long time lurker on this thread and it really helped me get through the process and I just got accepted to my top choice med school and I wanted to share my story and everything in hopes to help someone in the future. Quick summary, applied 3 times (0 II, 2II, 4II + 2As) and took the new MCAT 4 times (yikes) but did get into a T20.... there is hope. I changed some facts around for anonymity sake, but I hope you enjoy my journey
Background: started as a non-science major, at a not so well known school. I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life, and I was really into social activities (who wasn't at 18?). Anyways, as you can guess, my freshman and sophomore year did not go as planned and I essentially had a sub 2.0 GPA going into my junior year. I had a really long summer where I thought about my life and what I wanted to do and after some introspection, I decided to go down medicine (something I've always wanted, didn't know I was capable of it, long family hx of doctors, etc.). Junior, senior, and super senior year, I tried to do the best I could, didn't get a semester under a 3.3, but still ended college with a business degree and a sub 3.0 gpa (after doing AMCAS gpa, it was like a 2.67 (yikes). I decided to finish with a non-science degree because it was cheaper then starting all over, I already did half of it, and I was learning some really good skills. So obviously my grades weren't the highlight of my college experience, but what was the highlight were my extracurriculars. I was super involved in multiple organizations (mainly philanthropic), played a sport, had a job, did a ton of community service, and held multiple e-board positions. Also, I got some volunteering in, shadowing, etc. So that's cool, but my grades still sucked.
Right after graduating college, I started working at a research lab in 2013 and did a post-bac for my pre-reqs. During this time, it was all studying and getting research experience. I was lucky to be paid so that was nice. Once I finished my classes, I did the mcat (it sucked and was my first of four times) and retook again 3 months later (also, not a great score). So 2 MCATS down, and I hit submit. Applied to like 30 schools (only MD --> I was stupid and didn't know anything). I got 16 IIs and ... no, jk, I got nothing. Not a single thing. Because I wasn't ready to apply, even though in my mind I was awesome. So, during that cycle, I took a full-time research job that was offered to me and I started working my app up with research. I took the MCAT again, only did 2 points better, and thought I was ready. LMAO. So, yea, again, applied to like 40ish schools, (MD and DO) and got 2II, but nothing came about it afterwards.
Okay, so during this the year prior to this application cycle, I decided to get outside help. I paid an adviser who was on the admissions committee at a T10 schools, who now just does application help. This person helped with secondaries, school lists, interviewing, etc. Was s/he worth the $$? Maybe, maybe not. But the most important thing I learned was to be UNBIASED (if you are thinking of getting help from here, it may not be worth the money... you get a lot of great advice on SDN/reddit. The thing is you just need to someone who is experienced in med school admissions, so not a pre-med adviser). So I looked at myself, my app, and thought, where can I improve. GRADES. And more extracurriculars. So this is what I did. In research, I worked my butt off, was super lucky with a position I was offered (it was solely to publish) and I took advantage of it. I got double digits pubs, and a ton of abstracts accepted. For grades, I did a masters at an SMP. I did more non-med volunteering, and more shadowing (my job gave me some, but I did as much as possible). I took the MCAT again, after my masters, and got a 90+ percentile score (finally). I learned how to actually study, how to actually take the exam, how to not be emotional during it, and do it right. Also, I learned how to write effectively (mainly from my job, which helped with secondaries). You can learn this way of writing, by reading journal articles (the point was to have a strong point, with using minimal words. Of course with secondaries, you want to tell a story, but it was the being concise that was important). Anyways, I applied again. 32 MD, 8DOs. Got 3 MD IIs and 1 DO II. Got an A for the DO, 2 defers and one WL for the MDs and after a ton of updates and intent letters, got the A for the MD (my favorite school and the one I dreamed of).
This whole process of reinventing didn't happen in one year, two years, or three years. It took many years. I graduated college in '13 and I'm starting in Aug. It sucked as a whole, but I wouldn't have changed any part of it. I learned so much throughout the years. I've had attendings tell me that I'm better with patients than most of their senior residents, that I have more experience with manuscripts, and what not. Taking time off to build yourself up is crucial and it WILL pay you back immensely. I know a lot of people are afraid of being too old or "wasting" a year or so in a gap year job. If it is productive on multiple levels, IT. IS. NOT. A. WASTE.
Okay so that was a lot, but to summarize things I've learned and how to improve, the big thing is don't be biased. Yes we all think we deserve to be here (and we do) but you have to take emotions out of it. This was huge when it came to the MCAT and the process of critiquing my application. Really take a look at what you have going for you and how you can tie it into your story. Most importantly, be confident. You are a great person, you will make a great physician, and you need to be your biggest advocate. This comes in handy with update letters and intent letters.
This post wasn't meant to be braggy or anything. I just wanted to share my story with a community that has given me so much hope and motivation. I hope this helps someone else who, (like me) was at their breaking point, and rejuvenates their motivation to achieve their goal. I'm happy to answer questions. Most importantly, thank you for all for helping me and being so supportive over the years. Y'all are the real MVPs. I can't wait to read your own success stories in the near future!
