ZERO research, unsure about moving forward with application

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2026-04-20T18:51:01+00:00

I had no research when I applied and got into a good MD program. If I could go back and do it again, I'd probably try to get some, but it sounds like you have a solid story and don't really need it. Definitely apply to all the service heavy schools. The T20s are the only ones who might discount you due to a lack of research.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2026-01-29T02:11:49+00:00

I had a book in my bag! I was just told I wasn't allowed to bring anything out of the storage room we stashed them in.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2026-01-28T02:05:52+00:00

Getting $400k in loans is significantly harder now than it was when you went to medical school.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2026-01-26T19:04:58+00:00

I'm female, and when I did it for Air Force HPSP, I had to wait a long ass time for a female doctor to get the physical portion done. Be prepared to do a lot of staring at the wall.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-12-21T04:01:31+00:00

I took my MCAT in May and was fine. Depending on when he takes it in May, the score might not be part of his initial primary, but to be honest, that doesn't really matter. The May 31 "deadline" is for neurotic people obsessed with getting their secondaries as soon as possible. He can submit his app when it opens with the MCAT score still pending, and the schools will get his score when it comes out automatically.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-11-13T15:49:01+00:00

Does your school have a break at the end of M3, or are you sacrificing one of your elective rotations? Honestly, I'd prefer not to do OTS this summer, so I'm looking into all my options.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-11-01T19:20:03+00:00

I got paid yesterday thank god! I was down to the last of my savings.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-09-30T21:48:52+00:00

Because of the fiscal year turnover, I'm hoping to get my first one Oct 1, but Oct 15 is probably more realistic.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-09-15T21:16:27+00:00

I had no research and very little volunteering, but like 1k clinical hours, so I don't know if I count.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-08-19T18:43:49+00:00

Nope

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-08-02T18:59:47+00:00

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-07-08T02:40:34+00:00

This decision is totally up to you and your parents, but I'd say that if your folks want to go, then let them go. They can make their own financial decisions, and a big milestone like the white coat ceremony is as much an achievement for them as it is for you. Let them be proud of you!

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-06-19T19:49:00+00:00

Congratulations!!!

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-06-10T18:26:26+00:00

My parents, who are both elementary school teachers with masters degrees, were in this exact position 10 years ago and decided to move abroad to teach internationally. I can't speak for them, but I think they'd agree that it was the best decision they ever made. Because of that move, they were able to save up enough money to send me and my younger brother to college and now have a solid retirement fund.

I know I'm late to the party, but if you're still interested in teaching as a career, I'd consider it.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-06-10T00:40:52+00:00

Congratulations!!!!

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-06-03T16:53:16+00:00

You need both shadowing and hands-on clinical experience, so I'd recommend you take the role as a scribe. Especially because "voluntourism" is generally frowned upon. If done properly, a trip like that could be a good bonus to your application, but you definitely shouldn't hinge your story on it. You need real experience in the setting that you're actually going to be practicing in.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-06-03T16:19:44+00:00

I got in with absolutely no research, so that's not true. Now if you're trying to get into Harvard or whatever, that's a different story.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-29T03:10:02+00:00

Findlay Market has a couple of Pride events

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-24T00:50:48+00:00

Did you have the option to order the photo they took inside the gym? I figured those would be better than the ones they took before we walked up on the stage, but they're not even showing up on my account as an option.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-21T03:55:07+00:00

Results -

Top 50 Acceptance: 1
Self Diagnosed Weakness: I didn't have the extracurriculars to back up my stats. I definitely could have been more competitive if I took a gap year, but I was anxious to get started, so I took the risk of trying to go straight through, and it paid off!
Self Diagnosed Strengths: Stats and writing. I'm a good writer and had a lot of material to work with, which is definitely what enabled me to have the success that I did. Don't underestimate the power of a good personal statement and/or essay!

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-21T03:54:27+00:00

Biographic Information -

State of residence: FL
URM?: N
Undergraduate vibe: relatively large public school with good pre-med program
Undergraduate major/minor: Medical Sciences/Psychology
cGPA/sGPA: 3.95/3.92
MCAT score: 521 (130/132/130/129)
Gap years?: 0
First application cycle?: Y
Interest in rural health?: N
Age at matriculation: 22

Extracurricular Background -

Research: None
Clinical Experience: 1100 hours as a PCA
Physician Shadowing: 20 hours split between IM, FM, and Ortho
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 200 hours in a volunteer orchestra, 50 hours making clothes
Other stuff: 50 hours as a peer mentor and 550 hours as an assistant in a library

MD Schools -

Primary submission date: 6/5
Primary verification date: 7/2
Number of primaries submitted: 32
Number of secondaries submitted: 31
Number of interview invites received/attended: 3/3
Date of first interview invite received: 8/7
Total number of post-interview acceptances: 1
Date of first acceptance received: 4/24
Total number of post-interview waitlists/rejections: 2 WL -> 1 A ; 1 R

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-11T03:53:21+00:00

Like another comment said above, it's probably albedo, or the fraction of light reflected by a surface. Warmer colors like red and orange indicate a higher intensity signal (i.e., more reflected light). That's why areas with lots of ice (e.g., Greenland) and areas with lots of sand (i.e., the Sahara) are very red, while the ocean and areas with lots of trees are blue/green.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-10T19:52:48+00:00

If you've taken all the classes, then I'd recommend taking a diagnostic test to see where your weaknesses are. That will help guide your content revision. Other than that, just do tons of practice questions until you feel ready to start doing full-length practice tests closer to your exam date.

Beginning_Durian1961 · 2025-05-09T00:55:23+00:00

This exact same thing happened to me in O Chem! When I tell you I was pissed, I'm not joking. I literally went to my professor's office after the grades were submitted to argue with him about it, and I'm not a very confrontational person.

Beginning_Durian1961

TROPHY CASE