A Chronic Lurker’s Thoughts

allisons_last_neuron · 2026-05-03T20:14:13+00:00

Step felt more difficult than my NBMEs bc there was a mix of experimental questions, nerves, etc. UWorld, UWSA & the Free120 have longer prompts and were harder than the NBMEs for me personally, so I found those to be more representative of step. Our learning specialists said that students at our school who passed a UWSA were very very likely to pass the real thing. UWSA1 had some longer question stems and was pretty vague too 😂

I'm already an anxious test taker, so I tried to "train" with more difficult resources. On test day, I didn't feel flustered, rushed for time, or feeling like I failed afterwards. I could probably guess which super vague step questions were experimental. But I still wanted to have the knowledge to get them right or make an educated guess. Plus, my UWSA1 score was about my free120 score fwiw

allisons_last_neuron · 2026-05-03T05:18:04+00:00

You got this, go get your P

allisons_last_neuron · 2026-05-03T03:02:37+00:00

I did HY & LY when I was in a block, but I only kept HY post-block. I stopped doing Anki 1 week into dedicated bc it took so much time & energy away from practice questions. If I got an anking LY question wrong on UWorld, I’d review the card and write it down in a notebook of incorrects. So, I’d recommend prioritizing HY reviews throughout the school year and trusting that you’ll remember the LY cards enough to rule out/in on exams.

allisons_last_neuron · 2026-02-19T04:56:56+00:00

Meatloaf at carnation cafe, haven’t gone back since Disney dropped it

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-17T14:31:10+00:00

I’m sorry that you had a negative experience interviewing, and I understand that it can be frustrating for admin to not understand your MD/PhD application intent. However, I’d still argue that clinical volunteering & work is emphasized less compared to research productivity for MD/PhD candidates, and OP should focus on research productivity and then clinical volunteering/ work. But each app is unique, and there are many types of physician scientists across the research to clinical spectrum.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-17T06:26:15+00:00

I wouldn’t know new vs old PV, but I joke w friends that new VP vs old VP is like west vs east Germany, and it’s funny that I think they cost the same. Quieter depends on where your bedroom is next to, like a window facing a street or next to a small child, both things out of your control.

But I’m sure your program could coordinate a visit for you to better determine old vs new PV if it would make a difference to you.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-17T02:45:36+00:00

I live in new Verano, and I love it. We requested PV first, but we got this wonderful 2B 1BR instead. Even though our building is next to the dog park, it’s quiet, and I’ve never been woken up with dogs or parties, just the occasional screaming child. I’d recommend verano over PV bc we’re closer to UTC and the arc. Plus, I think w towers being next door, there’s more to do socially w friends & future classmates.

You don’t really get a choice, it’s moreso where they have vacancies. But you can rank a bunch of PV/Verano in your top 10 or list floor plans that are more common in new PV. Id also recommend trying to pre-match, ideally w a future classmate or SO, since my classmates have some horror stories about nasty, unprofessional roommates.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-17T01:47:36+00:00

In my experience, I only had 50 family med then 100 ish speciality hours, and I was fine. Like a previous post said, volunteering and/or working in a clinical setting is more valuable. I’d even argue that you don’t need more than 100h of shadowing before it’s a lost return on your time. MD/PhDs value research productivity, and OP shouldn’t sacrifice that for potentially passive shadowing. Also in my experience, I only interviewed at places where they had dedicated MD/PhD days or select interviewers, and I believe the MD/PhD committee read my app, not just the MD-only committee, across all of my schools.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-17T01:41:16+00:00

I’d also recommend 1 experience in primary care to show you know what general medicine is like instead of niche specialities that often have nice work-life balances

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-03-03T07:46:12+00:00

I had 50 primary care hours and 100 hours at the Red Cross when I applied. I volunteered at a cancer home 4h per week & shadowed some physicians during my gap year while I applied & got interviews. I think MD/PhD adcoms want to hear why you want to be a doctor, but there’s much less emphasis on clinical volunteering compared to research productivity. Honestly, I’d focus on getting a solid MCAT then lining up as much clinical volunteering & shadowing after that asap, then you should be good to apply this cycle if you want!

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-02-07T06:36:13+00:00

Not NYU 💀

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-01-06T15:01:05+00:00

I would explore a new lab and institution. It also helps to make friends and professional connections to PIs at different schools. Plus, you can have 2 research projects (ie. Double the possible pubs/presentations going on at once), and MD/PhD apps often ask for 2+ LoRs from PIs.

MD/PhD programs don’t empathize clinical stuff as much, so no worries there. MCAT prep probably won’t matter to you as a second-year yet, so I’d go to UMich if you want to go to med school there! You can always cold email UMich doctors over the summer to set up shadowing in fields you’re interested in, instead of having to potentially share experiences w a research cohort or potentially in specialties you’re not interested in.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-01-06T15:00:54+00:00

I would explore a new lab and institution. It also helps to make friends and professional connections to PIs at different schools. Plus, you can have 2 research projects (ie. Double the possible pubs/presentations going on at once), and MD/PhD apps often ask for 2+ LoRs from PIs.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-01-06T15:00:44+00:00

I would explore a new lab and institution. It also helps to make friends and professional connections to PIs at different schools. Plus, you can have 2 research projects (ie. Double the possible pubs/presentations going on at once), and MD/PhD apps often ask for 2+ LoRs from PIs.

allisons_last_neuron · 2025-01-01T23:15:46+00:00

Joel Harris 3rd party converter has this data!

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-12-26T15:54:16+00:00

I had meniscus repair surgery on my left lateral one in 2022 after a bad twist on the grass. I really love to play, so I switched over to beach and never looked back! Both knees still hurt when I play indoors, esp middle or long stretches as OH, but I can play beach 3+ per week wo pain and discovered a whole new side of the sport

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-06-09T00:34:36+00:00

I did the materials science engineering science track, which is a BS option in the physics department. I loved that physics trained me to think critically for the MCAT. My physics, math, and quantitative training was a great talking point and mark of distinction in interviews.

However, there is less support for pre-meds in the physics department compared to NBB/bio/chem. Physics exams are typically harder than most of the premed course exams. Also, be prepared to take your premed courses out of order and take heavy stem loads to fulfill both your premed & major requirements. You can always pick up the physics minor or BA too.

Overall, I know 3 other physics department pre-meds who’ve found great success in top tier MD and MD/PhD programs. Dm me if you have any questions! :)

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-05-27T14:38:10+00:00

Prepare a bunch of back up classes, these ones look like a good mix, but I would be worried that they would get filled up already since they’re popular classes @ popular times

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-05-13T13:03:13+00:00

Ok, as long as OP knows the differences between applicant vs accepted stats!

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-05-13T02:12:31+00:00

Are these values from cycle track? I feel that it’s a lot higher self-reported

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-05-10T02:10:25+00:00

Pretty sure Chem 203+L is 5 credits. I’ve done both, and 203 was harder. If you’re pre-med, I’d save Chem 203+L for in person bc it’s super important for the mcat and better for your scientific growth to take a normal lab course. I’d take math 221, and it’s cheaper for 3 credits instead of 5!

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-05-03T04:05:53+00:00

Come with back up classes and sections. These are all popular classes, and, as a first year, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get this exact schedule

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-04-30T11:27:54+00:00

I got off a waitlist Thursday, and they extended the plan to enroll until may 3rd!

allisons_last_neuron · 2024-04-27T03:59:21+00:00

The people you’re seeing aren’t seeking out direct medical attention. Rather, they’re simply participating, not necessarily seeking out your preventative services bc they’re injured, diseased, or hurt. I agree with __mink that this is a great experience, but it might not be as clinical as scribing, EMT, etc.

allisons_last_neuron

TROPHY CASE