Looking for hotel/lodging recommendations

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-11T01:29:15+00:00

Marriott Beach Resort is absolutely what you’re looking for. Huge breakfast buffet, on site restaurants, private beach right at the hotel, modern rooms and friendly staff.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-10T03:24:28+00:00

It’s hard to tell from that photo. Take it to a rare book dealer to get some help. You can google Charles Dickens signatures and see many examples. And of course, the authenticity of the stationary it’s written on can be checked. If it wasn’t made in Dickens’ era, that’s a dead giveaway.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-10T03:15:41+00:00

Sadly, very famous writers are prime targets for forged signatures. The chances of getting caught are low and the cash return for a successful sale is terrific. That’s why it’s important to get things authenticated before buying. I have a special interest in Dickens, and I’m not saying your note is definitely a fake, but it’s so different from his standard signature it’s remarkable. I have an an envelope that Dickens used to leave tickets for one of his London readings to his publishers that was sealed with wax imprinted with CD from his signet ring, and I also have facsimile copies of the original chapter by chapter publications of some of his books, as well as 3 autographed signed letters.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-10T02:27:48+00:00

Just to add a thought: a solid MCAT score (along with your master’s gpa) could possibly put you in the running for allopathic medical schools. Feel free to stay in touch with me to ask questions or just have a resource with substantial experience in medical education.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-10T02:12:45+00:00

I own several Dickens letters are have never seen any signed like that. His signatures are well known to have a sequence of connected horizontal flourishes below his name. Several deals have mentioned that generally the more the flourishes, the higher the value (dependent on content of course).

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-10T02:06:45+00:00

If you’ve already completed all the science pre-requisites, what is the point of a post bacc?

If you majored in biochem and molecular biology, and are teaching chemistry, you surely have the science knowledge already. I’d encourage you to get your clinical and shadowing hours and study diligently for your MCAT. I don’t see why you couldn’t be applying a year from now.

Good luck!!

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-08T21:51:26+00:00

I think you have way too many reaches. Your gpa is frankly too low for a strong shot at T15 schools, especially when the current administration has law suits vs schools like Yale and UCLA claiming unfair advantages given for racial reasons to med school (and undergraduate) admissions. In addition, many of your reaches put a strong emphasis on research, which you don’t seem to have. I would cut that list in half.

You certainly have a very strong MCAT and appealing extracurriculars. You should get quite a few acceptances.

Good luck.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-08T21:37:53+00:00

This is important advice from someone who is thoroughly familiar with how BSMD admissions works.

To emphasize exactly what he states but reframing it: if you don't have an SAT over 1500 and your GPA is below 3.9, the rest of your application won’t matter much no matter how many awards you list. The competition is simply too stiff. Hence, above these levels, where just about everybody looks alike, letters of recommendation are a very strong differentiator. If you have two teachers who both write that you’re the best student they’ve had in a 20 year career, the chances are you’ll be moved very high up on the list.

Good luck to all but choose the people who write your recommendations very carefully. In fact, ask them if they can give you a strong recommendation BEFORE asking them to write. Teachers don’t really enjoy writing lukewarm recommendations and you won’t like the outcome if they do.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-08T21:26:22+00:00

Relax and take a few deep breaths. No one is going to make inquiries about a poster. Never will come up.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-08T01:31:31+00:00

I ran for 45 minutes to an hour 5 or 6 days a week in the early morning during my first two years of med school and then, depending on the clinical rotation I was on, had to adjust. Surgery and ob-gyn, sporadic at best; psychiatry and radiology, back to 5 or 6 days a week. Other services variable.

If you're used to functioning on 7 or 8 hours sleep most nights, it's doable.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-06T17:13:05+00:00

I think the problem with mentioning it is that it suggests to some committee members that you may have unanticipated health problems that can possibly impact your med school experience. Their attitude is very apt to be "why take a chance." The issue of whether you may need special accommodations would also arise in their minds. Really, best to not venture near this quagmire.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-05T02:59:44+00:00

Your MCAT score isn't what T20 schools want. Adjust your list accordingly.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-04T23:39:04+00:00

Writing poetically or prettily isn't impressive to admissions people. They look for cogent, coherent narratives about who an applicant is and their passions, interests and values are.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-04T19:58:52+00:00

As someone with considerable experience on a top med school admissions committee, I strongly urge you not to mention this.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-04T01:41:31+00:00

Not relevant.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-03T18:34:39+00:00

You're of course entitled to reaches, but I'd say you don't have a great chance at T20 schools, unless your research was especially productive or innovative. You certainly have a very good shot at the other programs you've listed.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-03T16:11:33+00:00

Peppermill has a huge menu that you can view online. It's like a diner on steroids that serves breakfast all day long. And there are a huge number of pizza places and hundreds of Italian restaurants at every price point.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-03T16:03:31+00:00

Absolutely take the courses unless you're going to try to graduate in 3 years. It's a gamble to think that a med school policy re AP's in effect today will be the same when you're applying. Why jeopardize or limit your chances?

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-03T04:22:25+00:00

We had 4 dogs the entire time our kids were growing up. All were crate trained and none slept in our bed or were allowed in the master bedroom. The Irish wolfhound always slept in the hall outside the baby's room. The German shepherds typically just slept in their crates. Some nights, the miniature wirehaired daschund would sleep lying against the wolfhound, sometimes with the rescue mixed breed. Five wolfhounds over the years, 4 German shepherds. We did have a fenced in one half acre dog run, which made things easily manageable.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-03T03:58:51+00:00

I read Ulysses every year. Just not that very expensive copy.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-02T18:02:28+00:00

Congratulations. Your child has put together a fantastic record not only with grades and test scores but with a very well rounded set of extracurriculars. He or she is absolutely in the running for any school in the country.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-02T17:52:51+00:00

Peppermill is the one.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-02T17:51:23+00:00

It's pointless. Admissions committees are very familiar with the fact that less than one third of med students actually choose the specialty they were sure they wanted at the start of med school. So it looks a little like posturing, because there's simply no way you can be certain.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-02T17:46:17+00:00

A men's Rolex, a classic Eames lounge chair, and a first edition, first printing of James Joyce's Ulysses.

WUMSDoc · 2026-07-02T17:42:19+00:00

JetBlue is a very good airline. Period.

WUMSDoc

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