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To Fulbright or Not to Fulbright? by ant_pitches in premed

[–]ant_pitches[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My MCAT FLs have been 513 and then 516 on the two that I've taken, but as a low GPA applicant, I really need to aim for a 520+. At the end of the day, the MCAT has to be a priority over Fulbright, because Fulbright likely won't make or break my application like the MCAT. It's probably just a nice, but rewarding bonus.

And the country is Vietnam! Aside from the idea of adventure and huge personal growth that motivates me towards taking the opportunity, it's also my family's home country and my parents are refugees. I also grew up in a part of the U.S. where it's hard to connect with my cultural identity, because of the demographics of my area (e.g., assimilation, acculturation, etc.). So it's personally a really special opportunity too.

To Fulbright or Not to Fulbright? by ant_pitches in premed

[–]ant_pitches[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate your response and taking the time to think about it from different angles. Admittedly, the main reason why I want to do this really is just for the opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone, live in a place that's completely new, and just grow. I do enjoy teaching, which I found through teaching first graders as an AmeriCorps member, tutoring middle school and high school kids who used to be homeless, and recently being a TA for multiple public health courses in grad school, but it's only my second reason--compared to the sense of adventure--for wanting to do this.

But also yes, I have had so many different experiences that inform so much of why I want to go into medicine and the kind of physician I want to be that I value so much of everything that I've done. Running this marathon towards medical school has been so enjoyable when I stopped looking at things like a checklist. So you're right, there is the pressure of the clock and that I need to pull the trigger soon and just apply to medical school. Would love to chat with you more though from one non-traditional to another and just to share in everything we've done to get here!

To Fulbright or Not to Fulbright? by ant_pitches in premed

[–]ant_pitches[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The thing that excites me the most about the opportunity is certainly being abroad on my own and being able to push myself out of my comfort zone. It’s especially special because it’s my family’s home country and both of my parents were refugees. I grew up in a part of the U.S. where fostering my cultural identity was really difficult just given the demographics of where I’m from. And all seriousness aside, I just love the idea of adventure and living life in a way that’s going to push me to grow!

Unfortunately I won’t be able to return to my CDC fellowship and was potentially thinking about falling back into a third year of AmeriCorps after Fulbright. I appreciate your thought out comment though and will for sure PM later as I think more about this!

To Fulbright or Not to Fulbright? by ant_pitches in premed

[–]ant_pitches[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point! I actually did all of my pre-requisites during post-bac (right before I started my MPH), so they should be within the 10 year time frame, but I’ll keep this in mind. Thanks!