I thought it would be nice to give back to the community who has done so much for me when I was in HS applying to a bunch of BS/MD programs by answering some questions about the app/interview process. Here are my stats:
SAT I: 2330 (800 CR, 750M, 780W)
SAT II: 780 Bio-M, 770 Math II, 640 French without listening
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/160
AP Biology - 5 (self studied)
Major Awards: National merit Finalist, nothing else that is major.
Extracurriculars (listing the significant ones):
Founding member of mentoring program for disabled children
-Class President of freshman, sophomore, and junior years
-School president senior year
-Founding member/officer of Women’s Service Club
Job/Work Experience: lab assistant at university research facility
Volunteer/Community service: Hospital volunteer and whatever I did through women’s service club
Summer Activities: Shadowing doctors…
Teacher Recommendations:
Bio teacher
History teacher
Club advisor
BS/MD I was accepted to:
Brown PLME
Union/AMC
St. Bonaventure/GW Med
BS/MD I was rejected from:
Penn State/Jefferson (after interview)
BS/MD no interview offer:
University of Rochester
SUNY Stony Brook
BS/MD offered me interview but I rejected:
SUNY Geneseo/SUNY Upstate Med (bc I had already gotten into PLME)
FAQ:
What do I need to do to get into a BS/MD?
By now, I’m sure you know that there are a couple boxes to check off if you want a shot at all at any of these programs.
- Volunteering (in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc)
- Shadowing (although in PLME, some of my classmates never shadowed before college)
- Research
- Initiative (starting a club, performing special research project, being a leader in your HS/community)
** How many programs should I apply to? **
As many as you can afford. Your main goal should be get into ONE, because you are really just trying to avoid applying to 20+ med schools after undergrad and/or avoid the MCAT. Before getting into PLME, I was pretty content with attending SBU/GW since GW is pretty good and no MCAT. PLME was my first choice though, so that’s why I attended.
** What should I write in my “Why do you want to be a doctor essay?”**
Use SPECIFIC stories from your times shadowing/volunteering. Talk about specific patients (but change their names obviously). You want to show that you know what the medical field is about, and you know what you are getting yourself into. The worry of med schools is that the BS/MD kids will not be mature enough by the time they matriculate to med school. You have to demonstrate you have the emotional maturity to survive med school in your early 20s.
** Interviews!! Help!!**
I hope that you do get some interview offers, but just because you get an offer, doesn’t mean you are accepted (case in point: Penn State/Jefferson). Be yourself at the interview, and relax. The admissions people can tell if you are overly anxious (going back to emotional maturity). Show enthusiasm, but don’t be overly loud and obnoxious. Talk to the interviewer as if it was your friend’s parent. At Union/AMC and SBU, we had a group interview. Be polite, don’t take up a lot of space. Answer questions, and let everybody have their turn.
Were you prepared for medical school?
Considering I did the bare minimum in undergrad as far as science classes, I would say yes. I do feel that my traditional classmates are a bit more prepared and have a better work ethic, so first semester was a struggle, but, hey, I’m still enrolled. My classmates have master’s degrees in various science fields, so they already know quite a bit of biology/medicine.
That’s all I can think about for now. If you would rather PM me, go ahead, but I might not reply quickly!
Please no chance mes, I have literally no idea, especially now with the new SAT.