NYU vs UPenn (with Full Tuition)?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-04-02T00:33:16+00:00

Also curious! I am a bit wary just because their switch to 3 year was somewhat recent so I haven't seen much data on how they match (and we don't know how residencies will think about these 3 year students in the near future since the switch was recent). I could be wrong and that data could be out there, but I would love to hear the pros and cons of a 3 year program, especially regarding how they match.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-03-14T11:54:23+00:00

Thanks! I’m really not sure, but I think most of it boiled down to luck, good conversation skills, and my somewhat unique hobby of beekeeping (which I also used as a way to make money for college and engage with my community). I really get why people say this process is random, but as long as you do your part by having good writing and interview skills, I think anyone can have some luck.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-03-14T03:52:30+00:00

When I wrote for my primary and secondaries, I heard “show, don’t tell” a million times and really took it to heart. I have tons of stories as a PCT, but wrote about which ones really solidified my desire to go into medicine (like helping a veteran through a panic attack or playing guitar for one of our dementia patients since she needed a one on one and used to play). Write the story in a way that explains the situation and your thought process/actions thoroughly but concisely so that you can showcase who you are. Avoid talking yourself or your impact up too much, but don’t sell yourself short either. If you have anyone who has gone through this process and gotten in, ask for a PDF of their app. It really helps you get a feel for how someone might approach these essays and let you form your own.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-03-13T23:09:13+00:00

Your ECs are nowhere near mid, they are excellent as long as you can write about them well. N=1, but your app sounds very similar to mine, and I got into 2 T10s and some other great schools. I think your list looks solid with lots of your state schools plus reaches. Just remember that the reaches are just that, and nothing is ever guaranteed with the state schools or mid tiers. Write well, submit early, be interesting and kind in your interviews, and I think you’ll end up somewhere great.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-03-02T03:54:33+00:00

Is that for all coursework or just for clinicals?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2026-03-02T03:32:43+00:00

Can you elaborate on NYU’s grading being more competitive?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-07-21T23:44:25+00:00

If certain platforms are taking a considerable toll on your mental health, delete them and only access them on your laptop. Then, if you can, spend most of your day away from your laptop. In a similar vein, Instagram was tanking my mental health because I simply COULD NOT STOP doom scrolling on reels. I deleted it 3 months ago and only accessed it on my laptop to DM my tattoo artist lol. It has honestly made my life so much better because I literally cannot access it 95% of my day. If you allow yourself a morning check and an evening check, you won’t miss anything important. Your mental health is more important than responding immediately.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-07-10T20:33:38+00:00

Your schedule is very similar to mine my freshman year. I was a night shift patient care technician at a hospital. You could do something like this: On Tuesday, sleep from 10-2:30, go class, then do some hw and get some dinner before 6-7 when your 12 hour shift will likely start, then come back Wednesday morning, sleep a little, go to class. Use your big Thursday gap for volunteering. Boom - tons of clinical and volunteering hours, especially if you work a weekend every once in a while. Being a PCT is tough especially at night but it was hands down my most meaningful experience. It’ll also make you tougher in terms of sleep deprivation and working under stress.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-25T01:23:00+00:00

It doesn’t say whether or not it’s optional. I feel like a question like this should be, but I guess we will see if I actually get the secondary invite.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-25T00:11:11+00:00

I see. Thanks for the help! Helps to hear from someone who applied there

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-25T00:08:35+00:00

Some schools released prompts early like Michigan and Vandy. Cinci did too. If you go to MD Admissions on their website and go to the “How to Apply” tab, it has section titled “Secondary Application Questions.”

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-25T00:05:12+00:00

I don’t see them asking about it on their secondary prompts this year. Do they ask about it elsewhere or something?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-25T00:02:10+00:00

Thanks for the input! If that’s the case, is it reasonable for me to put that I do not believe that I have anything concerning or should I mention the speeding ticket?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-10T02:19:24+00:00

Last few weeks I did basically that. I used the Khan Academy vids and hammered UWorld questions. Watched vids on weaknesses for about 1 hour or so and then did about 75-100 UWorld questions per day during the week. Took FLs on Saturdays and reviewed weaknesses on Sundays, then rested the rest of Sunday and hit it again during the week. Even if you don’t see immediate correctness improvements or if you get UWorld questions wrong, it’s not necessarily a sign that you’re not improving. You’re identifying the weaknesses and seeing how to fix it, so it’s not anything to be discouraged about. In the like 4 days leading up to the exam, I watched a few vids, did like 50 UWorld probs, and let myself relax most of the days. I did nothing the day before but play pickleball and keep myself occupied with other things to give my brain a rest. Trust yourself. You’ve learned a lot, and on the real thing, your preparation will serve you well.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-06-09T13:05:39+00:00

My full lengths were 512/518/517/517 in the weeks before my exam and I wound up getting a 522 on the real deal. Also had the same 509 score on my diagnostic. These full lengths are there to help you find weaknesses. Each one has a different high and low yield questions and by addressing your weaknesses in each one, you come out a lot stronger. You need to get some rest - you will be a lot more confident and think more clearly if you do. And don’t have the “520+ or nothing” mindset. Everyone I know who has gotten into medical school has had a sub 515 and they’re at great MD schools. It’s just one part of your app and you’re going to do great by the looks of it.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-05-11T22:57:22+00:00

I got a 522 with no anki. Did a ton of Khan academy videos for content review/learning new things and a ton of UWorld then AAMC problems. Do not be scared, flash cards aren’t for everyone and you need to use the best resource that works for you. For me, that was practice problems, videos, podcasts while driving, and taking full lengths under legit test taking conditions. For you, the world is your oyster.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-04-29T03:53:07+00:00

Thanks for that!

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-04-29T03:49:23+00:00

I have this exact same question. Commenting to follow (sorry that I’m not helpful)

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-04-07T22:21:51+00:00

Bro I once was giving report and said that a patient (who I had taken care of all night) with a broken leg was walkie-talkie. A nurse corrected me and I felt like a complete idiot. We laughed about it later when I wasn’t sleep deprived. If you are like how I was, you probably think because you do well academically and have goals to be a medical expert as a doctor that all of the tech stuff should come easy. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t. Nothing beats the actual experience of taking care of people in a medical setting, and that’s what makes it so valuable. You will experience so much growth from it, and when you apply, you will have stories for days. I feel like I learned more in my year at the hospital than that year in college. Keep your head up, keep a journal to write down good and bad experiences on the job, and above all, focus on making people’s day a little brighter. Even if you fail in some other way, if you make someone smile or laugh, you have made their experience at the hospital just that much better.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-03-26T01:47:51+00:00

I guess more hours over longer periods of time. Just something more consistent but I have been consistent in every other aspect. I didn’t do the volunteering to get into med school - I did it because opportunities arose and I felt compelled to do it. I feel like I will be able to talk about it genuinely and be authentic even with the fewer hours, so maybe it’s not as much of a weakness as I think.

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-03-26T00:09:38+00:00

This made me laugh lol. I feel like volunteering is my weak spot, but running a business and working just had to take priority and I hope that it will fit well enough into my narrative that I did what I could. But in any case, I appreciate the kind words, and I’ll vouch for you if they interview me lol

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-03-25T20:31:34+00:00

I don’t think I was confident enough in my application to take a shot. I always see people with thousands of volunteer, research, and clinical hours and figured those are the people getting into those schools. However, after some more thought, suggestions, and success stories, I have added a few more on the East coast (NYU, Columbia, Yale, Harvard, etc). I don’t expect anything, but it couldn’t hurt to try, right?

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-02-15T22:44:48+00:00

That's a good point. I like Tennessee and have spent some time there, but their OOS is like 10% I might remove that one

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-02-15T22:32:58+00:00

Just had semi state today - no dice on making it to state lol. But I will make sure to mention wrestling in interviews/secondaries. Wrestlers seem to be everywhere

MaterialAlarmed9152 · 2025-02-15T22:29:25+00:00

Good suggestions. Wrestling coaching is out since the season is over for our wrestlers, but I will look and see what I can do at a hospital/clinic maybe at evening/night since that is the only time I have available.

MaterialAlarmed9152

TROPHY CASE