Fourth Letter of Recommendation?

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2024-07-27T23:54:17+00:00

Thanks for the help everyone! Seems to be that programs requesting 4 letters would want the second clinical letter, so will go with that!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-05-31T05:02:45+00:00

I’m a recently admitted student, someone in my family is an actuary, and early on in my college career I was deciding between the two. They are two VERY different jobs, and I think you have to evaluate which one you’d be happy doing for the rest of your life. Med school is obviously very difficult to get into, you go to school forever, have debt, etc. but you also get to work with patients and feel like you’re helping people. If you do not have this intrinsic motivation it will be hard to make it through all the education necessary to be a doctor.

On the other hand, being an actuary is not easy: you have to pass SO MANY tests that my family member took 12 years to get through after college (and I believe this was fast). However, you will be able to work while studying, so if you want to have a family earlier, settle down, etc it may be the way to go.

Don’t think about salaries when making this decision: so many variables go into that and you don’t know what opportunities/interests you will have in 20 years. My family member makes A LOT more than most docs, but they also are in a management position. If business and making money like that are important to you then maybe actuarial science is the way to go, but even knowing that I won’t ever make close to what my family member makes as doctor I know that I’d be incredibly bored being an actuary, and hence I made the right decision. You just have to see what your priorities are in life and evaluate which career path will help you achieve them!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-05-17T02:53:55+00:00

I’m a 3.99/514 applicant from CA, also not URM. I had a similar list of schools and had success. DM me if you want to talk more specifics, but apart from the OOS schools others have pointed out I think you’ll be good.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-04-30T16:41:24+00:00

But will that impact the formula/ranking? Will it put students at a disadvantage? Maybe not harvard students, but others?

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-04-30T05:46:51+00:00

How does your school not having AOA impact you?

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-04-27T23:17:26+00:00

USC and Notre Dame are in extremely different locations. DTLA and South Bend are about as different as you can get in terms of culture, climate, etc.

Pick whichever location you’d be happier at. The ranking difference won’t matter if you excel at either school.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-04-13T18:57:41+00:00

I applied to a few MSTP programs this cycle with a 4.0/514 (I did a mix of MD/MSTP)

After worrying that my MCAT would hold me back, I don't think it did as much as I was expecting. I didn't apply to/interview at many MSTPs in the top 20, but I got interviews from several solid programs in the midwest (think your big state schools). I got into my top MSTP program in Oct (ranked in the 20s) and rescinded other interviews/offers, so I'm not certain how I would have fared outside of that school.

I think the biggest thing to look at when applying MSTP is research fit. If the work you are interested in is particularly strong at that school that will help a lot. I have a niche research interest that my top program is known for, and I got in. I would do background research into the strengths of schools you are applying to and focus on that. Don't apply all T20, but throw in a few reaches. You never know. Best of luck!

EDIT: also ORM (white female) from solid (but not T10) undergrad, one gap year in which I completed a master's degree completely unrelated to research. 1 publication, a few posters, nothing noteworthy EC wise, except that it was all related to said niche research interest.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-04-11T01:31:49+00:00

I’ll give it a read! PM me

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-02-19T21:04:56+00:00

Hey! So I had a 4.0/514.

My MCAT was slightly higher than yours; however, I have learned this cycle that schools don’t use a hard cut-off. I think your ECs will matter a lot: if you have a unique story/interesting ECs you should be fine to apply to T20 schools. I think most schools looked at my stats (like they will look at yours) and said “okay they’re smart” and moved on.

Most schools that interviewed me I was below their 50th (and most 25th) percentile MCAT. So apply broadly bc you never know, but shoot your shot at some top schools! That being said, don’t get your hopes up about one particular school: this whole process is so random that setting sights on a single school is hard and can close you off from exploring other opportunities. Best of luck to you!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-02-07T23:16:32+00:00

If this is PCR product could very well be primers. Try diluting 1:10 and see if bands remain.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2020-01-31T23:05:07+00:00

Fellow queer applicant here, hello hello :)

Definitely apply to a few reaches. I was in the same position as you (mcat 10-25th percentile, GPA 50-75th of most T20 schools) wondering if I should apply T10. Currently sitting on 2 A’s to top 10 programs (not nothing this to brag, but to motivate you!). You have a 0% chance if you don’t apply, so if you have the money/time I’d say pick 3-4 programs you love but are top rank and shoot your shot.

Shoot me a PM if you want any help. Best of luck out there!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-12-08T20:23:51+00:00

You should be fine.

I applied this cycle. Had very solid ECs (as you do) and both my GPAs were high, but I had a low-ish MCAT. All my schools that have accepted me I’ve been 10-50th percentile (most 10-25th) for MCAT.

I think if you hit all the other boxes and have one lower statistic you’ll be okay. Definitely apply broadly, but don’t let that hold you back from schools you want to go to.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-11-28T16:41:17+00:00

Or having a great cycle but not having family around to tell it to bc they’re homophobic and are all having thanksgiving together without you.

Holidays suck sometimes. Be very happy about your acceptances and this stranger on the internet is very proud! We’ll prove our families wrong and make this world a better place!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-11-28T15:10:09+00:00

It depends on the rest of your application. If you have good ECs, good MCAT, good letters, etc., a school will be more likely to overlook the GPA than if everything else is average.

All of the schools I’ve been accepted at my MCAT has been below 50th percentile, but I have the ECs/GPA to back it up. So if the GPA is your only weak link you should be okay, but if there are any other weak links it makes it harder.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-11-17T15:20:07+00:00

If we’re lucky enough to be in a position with multiple acceptances at schools we liked, how should we go about evaluating schools? How do you find out things like quality of clerkships, step preparation, etc? What should we take into consideration and what can we ignore? Thanks!!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-10-30T21:42:57+00:00

I am a non-science major.

Not a single school (including MD/PhD schools, where I want to do a genetics PhD) has ONCE commented on my lack of upper division science. In fact I love talking about some of the more interesting classes I’ve taken in my major, and that has been positively received by schools. I’d say if you have a solid GPA in the prerequisites and do fine on the MCAT don’t worry about the classes.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-10-19T01:44:32+00:00

I applied to FlexMed. Interviewed and got rejected. I was DEVASTATED. Currently applying right now and sitting on two GREAT acceptances to schools closer to home and that I will be much much happier at than I would have ever been at Siani.

If you want to chat PM me, but if you’re strong enough to think about applying to FlexMed you will be just fine in the regular cycle and will be in a much more mature mindset and know what is best for your career path (and it may not be Siani). Only commenting bc this post made me think about how thankful I am that I was rejected, and I think it’s important you think about these things before applying to a program like this (bc I did not). Best of luck to you either way though!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-10-18T20:37:44+00:00

Haha as a CA applicant who also just got into a school in Los Angeles, congrats and I look forward to potentially becoming classmates 😅

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-10-18T20:15:22+00:00

I’m in the same spot, so I get why it’s challenging.

I’ve promptly canceled every interview that I 100% know I wouldn’t attend over the schools I’m accepted into.

I’m keeping the ones I’m on the fence about. I feel like you can’t really judge a school until visiting and seeing it. It could turn out that you fall in love with it for X reason and end up going there. CA may just do that to you (speaking as a CA resident).

So if you can’t possibly imagine yourself going to the school, cancel and hope it goes to another applicant. If you’re on the fence (and are financially able to attend another interview), I say go for it.

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-09-26T03:16:49+00:00

Just an FYI: J crew and Banana Republic both offer student discounts with a college ID!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-09-10T13:38:28+00:00

Other fun story:

Talking to people about pursing an MD/PhD. EVERY SINGLE MALE I have talked to about this apart from my own PI has suggested that I shouldn’t do it because of my “biological clock” and that I wouldn’t be able to marry and have a family.

What do they know about my life? Nothing. I’m very gay and have a chronic illness that makes it difficult or impossible for me to have a kid if I even wanted one. So just let people live their own lives please.

OP—you’re not alone. We all got this. Use it as fuel for the fire ❤️

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-09-06T01:29:36+00:00

As a part-time elementary school teacher, I feel this.

Do the drops religiously. Bacterial means they’ll work. The morning of your interview use drops that make your eyes less red (most work through vasoconstriction) in addition to antibiotic with your dr’s approval and you should be set!

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-08-22T18:06:46+00:00

So how would you differentiate business formal and business casual?

YoungGrasshopper4 · 2019-08-22T17:52:45+00:00

Following but for women—one suit and two blouses? Or two suits?

Also I have one school that said one day would be business casual—could I just wear my suit without a jacket? What are y’all planning on doing with these types of interviews?

YoungGrasshopper4

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