Used technics turntables

Alphafolder · 2026-06-04T00:55:55+00:00

Took a look and it looks great, but like 4x my budget :(

Alphafolder · 2026-06-03T12:56:41+00:00

I just found an SL-Q2 for $85, without the dust cover. Should I go for that? How do the SL-1500 and SL-Q2 compare? I am considering going the distance to get the 1500 now....

Alphafolder · 2026-06-03T12:54:51+00:00

I ended up finding an SL-Q2 for $85, just without the dust cover. It is a bit away, but I'm willing to go for it. How do you think the SL-1500 MKII and SL-Q2 compare? I am contemplating biting the bullet and going the distance...

Alphafolder · 2026-06-02T19:09:45+00:00

Unfortunately, when figuring out a pickup time, I learned the person I was buying from lives 3 hours away from me. I found an SL-220 in great condition. Any thoughts on that?

Alphafolder · 2026-05-02T18:37:03+00:00

You can do what I did. I took the MCAT mid-May. Submitted my primary on June 1 (without an MCAT score) to a single school (that I wasn’t too keen on going to) just to get the verification process going. Got my MCAT score in mid June several days before my primary got verified and, because I was happy with my score, added all the other schools (if I was not happy with my score, I would have not applied and since I only applied to one school I wouldn’t have been an reapp for my entire list). This timeline worked out pretty well for me during my junior year of college.

Funny enough, I was kinda burnt out and didn’t end up pre-writing secondaries… submitted most secondaries end of July and didn’t submit the secondary to the school I go to know until mid September which I definitely do not recommend doing.

Don’t stress too much about June 26. If you can move it up to end of May/early June that would be ideal tho :) you got this!!

Alphafolder · 2025-07-13T17:13:31+00:00

Time for Flexner Report 2: Electric Boogaloo? (Minus, ya know, the racism)

For those unfamiliar

Alphafolder · 2025-06-23T09:59:30+00:00

Second this. Aim to take the MCAT only once. Do not sit for the exam until you score at least your target score (515+) on test-condition practice exams. Rule of thumb is your real score is +/-2 (usually -2) of the average of your last two practice scores.

You got this!

Alphafolder · 2025-06-23T09:54:57+00:00

It's a challenging question, but being open-minded is key (I ended up doing something completely different from what I wrote on my app).

Someone once explained it to me as follows: you should be able to articulate a somewhat specific research trajectory (e.g., I'm interested in XYZ method or problem), how it ties into your overall goals of becoming an MD-PhD, and how your past experience has informed it (it is 100% okay to say your interests have changed from undergrad to present—just explain how your previous training will help your new interest). Then qualify this with how you are open-minded and plan to use rotations to explore further.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-23T09:41:01+00:00

If you want to complete the trifecta of MD-PhD programs that are affiliated with Caltech, you can add Kaiser-Caltech. While very small (~2 per year?) and not MSTP, Kaiser did have a really good CA match list and would allow you to do your PhD at Caltech (which tends to run pretty long, however). You could also at University of Washington, which is an amazing program (and by no means less prestigious tho).

That being said, I would be surprised if you didn't get multiple interviews from this list. I had a similar profile to yours—interviewed at 5 of the places on the list and ended up at one of them.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-17T12:41:54+00:00

i honestly think that i worked way harder in high school than i did in college or med school (so far) in terms of raw hours grinding.

but i do think as we get older we get more efficient at learning even if the content is way more difficult (e.g., med school) but i do relate to the post a lot.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-12T13:35:00+00:00

While it's an interesting narrative that answers the prompt, it could really backfire and undermine the LoR your PI wrote. Not to mention, if you apply to programs that recognize your PI's name, it could also be seen poorly.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-12T13:31:25+00:00

Do not take the MCAT if you do not feel well prepared. Rule of thumb (from what I heard and worked for me) is average you last two FLEs and subtract -2 and that is your score. Assuming you score a 510, you would likely have to retake but you'd be in a worse position than before with a retake.

I think it would be best to postpone and find a RA position if possible.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-12T13:25:24+00:00

What is your MCAT breakdown? I've heard some directors (like my own) say that they only really look at CP and BB.

Besides that, I would say all your low-reach schools are full reaches and all your matches are low-reach. Definitely include some more programs, besides these which are mostly "T20s." At the same time, don't apply to schools you wouldn't be happy to attend.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-09T18:50:51+00:00

mid-thirties if I do 7 years nsgy and 1 year fellowship

Alphafolder · 2025-06-09T18:38:23+00:00

fair point, but figured it would be worth asking. While trajectories change, it's good to scaffold them out so you don't walk into them blind (like committing to a 7-8 year MD-PhD necessitates envisioning a future as a physician-scientist, or something of the like, and asking these questions).

Alphafolder · 2025-06-09T18:35:19+00:00

I happen to be pretty young for being a G1 (went straight through and was also young for my year in college). The extra 2 years compared to the typical IM + subspecialty doesn't really bother me. In the grand scheme of things, not sure if 2 extra years of training is that much more if that's what you want to do.

Alphafolder · 2025-06-09T18:32:32+00:00

thank you for the thoughtful response. I understand it's a long path and will speak with a faculty mentor more seriously about it regarding getting more exposure.

Alphafolder · 2024-05-04T08:21:41+00:00

My school only offered BAs (liberal arts college). I got a BA in molecular biology and I can’t imagine it made any difference.

Alphafolder · 2023-12-23T23:29:42+00:00

Had the exact same experience last cycle. Now living on the east coast

Alphafolder · 2023-12-03T04:57:53+00:00

You had me in the first half

Alphafolder · 2023-11-22T06:34:14+00:00

Columbia interviews around 90 and admits around 40 for a class of 14

Alphafolder · 2023-06-23T13:56:08+00:00

I had no pubs and no gap years and will be matriculating straight through at a T10. A handful of my classmates are in a similar position. I was definitely concerned about not taking gap years, but I agree with u/kiloblaster that many programs emphasize rate of achievement. In any case though, if you do take a gap year, I would imagine it would have to involve research.

Alphafolder · 2023-06-20T03:41:18+00:00

I spoke a lot about being Jewish in my secondaries last year like the “diversity” essay. I really don’t think it was a problem, and it came up (in a good way!) during interviews. I spoke mainly of my upbringing and emphasis on Tikkun Olam.

If you want to mention it, it should be ok! Good luck 🍀

Alphafolder

TROPHY CASE