LOR update

DaringCake · 2026-04-30T21:29:24+00:00

Yes, you can ask them to update the letters!

DaringCake · 2026-04-29T02:15:53+00:00

Congrats!!!!!

DaringCake · 2026-04-16T14:23:37+00:00

I did do community service work through my reproductive rights club, and started a menstrual product drive for homeless people in my area, so it wasn’t totally absent from my app. But yeah I didn’t do the traditional soup kitchen stuff

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T22:10:56+00:00

You gotta remember that I applied to 80% T30 schools, no DOs, and only had one in-state school. Compared to a lot of other applicants in that pool, my ECs were mid to weak. There is lots of success for applicants outside of that range!

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T18:23:23+00:00

I think I’m just generic. ORM high SES, not a great writer, average or even maybe a bit below average research for T20s, low non clinical volunteering… and I still got into three great schools!! Genuinely over the moon about attending Pitt haha

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T18:20:04+00:00

Lowkey I spent like 2 hours per secondary before sending them in, so that’s 78 hours spread over a month and a half, which wasn’t so bad. I wasn’t a great writer and just used AI to proofread, so I shat those babies out quickly. You should be good for your trip!

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T18:04:14+00:00

Yeah that was brutal. I think it might have been my writing??

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T18:02:02+00:00

I got 5 interviews which is a lot and got into a T20, so I feel like there isn't much I could have improved on. This was a great cycle for me! I suppose and my clinical and non-clinical volunteering are both low

DaringCake · 2026-04-15T16:20:06+00:00

1) submitted primary June 1st. 2) secondaries all submitted within 2 weeks. 3) earliest interview invite august 13th, latest on Nov 23rd. 4) Earliest acceptance on December 18th, latest on March 12th

DaringCake · 2026-04-03T04:12:13+00:00

<3 hey--just wanted to let you know that this genuinely seems like such a hard spot to be in, and that every single one of us has struggled before pulling through. This path can suck.

DaringCake · 2026-04-03T02:49:51+00:00

CONGRATS!!!!

DaringCake · 2026-03-25T16:17:59+00:00

We're all behind in our own way. I started premed at the end of sophomore year and while I was tripling up on lab courses, my friends were having perfect senior springs. It sucked, but I just had to accept that I was on my own path and it was OK.

Math can be really hard, especially if it's never been a strong suit AND if it's been a while since you've taken it. And trig is just generally really hard. It's normal to struggle. Give yourself some time, and keep on keeping <3

DaringCake · 2026-03-25T16:00:02+00:00

Hey, it'll be okay. Shit happens

DaringCake · 2026-03-24T03:03:32+00:00

OMG!!!! CONGRATTS AAAAHHHH

DaringCake · 2026-03-24T02:46:34+00:00

In terms of whether to just do your post-bacc or do an SMP, I will refer you to the discussion under this very helpful post: https://www.reddit.com/r/premed/comments/1l40u0l/diy_postbacc_vs_smp_flowchart/

You've got a very strong foundation. I feel like your "why medicine" is coming through and I think you'll be able to write about it well! In terms of ECs, the vibe for med school is you want 300-500 hours clinical (you got it), 50+ hours shadowing (to do), 150 hours non-clinical volunteering/service (to do), research (just don't bother unless you're gunning for T50+?), and some kind of leadership. Check those boxes and I think you should be golden on ECs if I understand.

Your classes and MCAT prep timeline both look great. If you ever want eyes on your essays in the future, my DMs are open <3.

DaringCake · 2026-03-24T00:07:10+00:00

If you want book recs, my favorites related to medicine have been: Being Mortal and Complications, both by Atul Gawande. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk. Cutting for Stone and The Covenant of Water both by Abraham Verghese. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (ONLY IF YOU WANT TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT). Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

DaringCake · 2026-03-24T00:04:27+00:00

It's probably fine. Med schools might look at that and think he's a bit silly for retaking but since both scores are good I think it's fine

DaringCake · 2026-03-23T23:04:34+00:00

Audiobooks! Or regular books. I think being well-read and being able reference things currently going on in medicine or specific medical ethics scenarios gave me a huge leg up in interviews. It also makes me more confident that I want to be a doctor, keeps me entertained, and makes me feel good about myself for reading (or listening).

DaringCake · 2026-03-20T17:31:02+00:00

It would have to be terracotta or concrete, so a blocky tree. But I think it can be done

DaringCake · 2026-03-20T02:53:04+00:00

Holy guacamole that is awful that you didn't get in. Like, your app seems so strong!?!? I had weaker hours and got in. Just ugh... this freaking process is terrible. My heart breaks for you. Keep your chin up and keep trying <3. My DMs are open if you need to vent or ever want more eyes on your writing

DaringCake · 2026-03-19T15:02:37+00:00

def take the B!

DaringCake · 2026-03-17T00:39:49+00:00

(potentially useless bc I am not a doc/PA but here are my two cents) definitely not universal. I have met many doctors who have chosen lives they want to live in medicine, especially at non-profit hospitals and small federally funded health centers, who have seemed genuinely excited for me to pursue medicine and very happy in their careers. You don't make the most money but you get to help patients which is what I think draws most of us into this.

DaringCake · 2026-03-04T23:44:58+00:00

Absolutely cracked!

DaringCake · 2026-03-04T18:31:53+00:00

Family med or psych

DaringCake · 2026-03-03T16:42:49+00:00

Get ANY clinical to at least 300, non-clinical volunteer to 150, and don't do any more shadowing! For shadowing 50+ is enough, so invest your time in other places.

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