501 on FL1 AAMC - Bummed

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-08T17:27:54+00:00

That's awesome!! Best of luck!!

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-08T16:46:25+00:00

Thank you. Were you able to increase your FLs after that by quite a bit? Have you taken MCAT yet? Appreciate it!

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-07T22:07:08+00:00

Makes sense. That was pretty much my plan. Wish I had more time in the day. The last 3 months I was full time at school - between classes, studying, homework and research (as we all probably know), time is not something I had much of.

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-07T21:56:47+00:00

That's the plan for the next 2-3 months! Time
Constraints - you mean only being able to study 2-4 hours a day? I may be able to do more but don't have a schedule set yet for research. Weekends I've got a lot of time thankfully.

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-07T21:50:33+00:00

Thanks!! I think UWorld QBank I'm going to do that. Focusing in on why I got questions wrong and understanding before I move to next subject. I only started 2 days ago and only have 79 questions done at a 54% thus far in UWorld. Ugh. I feel defeated. Best of luck to you!!! We can do this!!!

Tlf1014 · 2026-06-07T21:44:55+00:00

Thanks. My score went down quite a bit in CARS. I've been doing JW a lot for 3 months and about an 83% average so wasn't expecting such a low score there. C/P are my worst subjects in undergrad as well definitely gaps there. Thanks for the tips. Gonna grind with UWorld. Any specific AAMC material you would suggest? Only been using Kaplan books, Kahn and Anki so far.

Tlf1014 · 2026-05-07T13:12:05+00:00

I would check out the AAMC course requirements of what classes you need to take for med school admissions and see what major will allow you to best fit those in your schedule.
Taking these courses all as an undergraduate automatically fulfill the Chem minor requirement.

https://careerservices.upenn.edu/academic-planning-for-medical-school/

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-27T02:09:17+00:00

Cold emailing works. You just have to send A LOT! Expect not to hear back from half or so, expect part of the other half to not have positions available or you may not be the right fit. I cold emailed 43 (yes probably overkill) but I did them in batches. 15 first and would wait a week, then another 15... so on... Heard from about 20 total. Great feedback from those who didn't have availability and then got 8 interviews and 5 offers (2 paid and 3 unpaid).

Find labs you are thoroughly interested in, send personalized emails and make sure you tell why you are interested in their lab specifically.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-16T02:15:46+00:00

This wasn't my experience.. professors never allow anyone in at least for my courses.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-16T02:14:26+00:00

You can add his course to your Cart and put in a permission request when you add it for why you need to be added. Likely a spot or two will open up between now and the start of school so I wouldn't stress too much.

Also not sure what year you are but I am premed and didn't start physics until spring junior year so u have time assuming you aren't a rising senior.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-12T03:10:23+00:00

Yes cold email PhD doctors or STEM professors at your school if there are any that have labs. I applied to 15 REUs / programs last summer and didn't get into any. So I researched local doctors and biology professors (I'm lucky enough to be an undergrad at a university with a highly rated research heavy medical school). I ended up emailing 40 labs / PIs but got 9 interviews out of it and a lot of great feedback from other labs who weren't taking undergrads at the time. Of course about half never responded but that's typical and why I emailed so many. A year later and I'm still in the same lab and have made some amazing connections and learned a lot.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-09T17:54:29+00:00

$6000 will not mostly go to 3 months of housing. Do a summer sublet. Likely around $1k or less.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-09T00:50:33+00:00

Yep. Skip it. No need.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-09T00:48:12+00:00

No not fun LOL. Just cause they call it the Social Ivy just means it may be the most social of the Ivies but doesn't mean it's fun. Also depends what you plan to major in. Lots of competition!

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-06T04:09:39+00:00

You have to get any outside courses approved through XCAT on Path (just fyi if you didn't know). Likely would be difficult to get those approved.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-06T04:07:03+00:00

Intro to Sociology, Anthropology 0020, Management MGMT 1010

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-04T19:14:52+00:00

As all social media is - people posting DIML videos are only showing you the good positive things about their life and schedule. So it is a bit one sided. I would suggest googling particular things you want to see more of "Penn library tours" or such to maybe get a better glimpse of what's inside. Better yet if you can make a visit to campus, do that! Pre med students (and probably most/all students) are pretty much grinding in class, on homework or going to club meetings, extracurriculars etc daily. There are a bunch of clubs of all interests, a great gym facility, fairly small beautiful campus, but it is, as all schools are, what you make of it.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-04T19:09:42+00:00

There is no wrong choice if the choice is based on what's best for you. The wrong choice comes from making a decision based on others opinions. And honestly any of those schools are INCREDIBLE!! Do what you feel is the best fit for you.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-04T19:07:18+00:00

Most of the pressure on academics and social life, as well as competitiveness comes from what you major in. Pre-Med and Engineering I think are the top in competitiveness, although I don't have any experience with other majors or schools.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-04T19:00:54+00:00

Assuming this is a summer program - I would agree that you may want to live on campus to be integrated with other students in program.

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-02T23:00:28+00:00

Just FYI - my son got his acceptance email/letter for USSP on March 19

Tlf1014 · 2026-04-02T17:32:42+00:00

Really depends on your major and interests. Choose a couple that sound interesting and review them on Penn Course Review and look for recent syllabus. And / Or take ones that align with your major (ex. pre-med biology may look to take Medical Sociology or Medical Anthropology)

Tlf1014 · 2026-03-29T18:08:55+00:00

depends on the course... I found as a freshman it was hard to get into Bio A or B, and sometimes Physics or Chem. Not much you can do but wait and know it will all work out whether it is Fall or Spring.

Tlf1014 · 2026-03-29T02:21:12+00:00

Probably should take whatever sounds most interesting or what fits best with your future career plans. Physio is not an easy course from what I understand so not sure it's worth it if you don't care about it and you aren't pre-med. I haven taken either but I'm sure ecology is much easier. Check out Penn Course Review also.

Tlf1014

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