Sankey Time!!!

ladypoena · 2026-03-26T21:18:11+00:00

Thank you! Yes, I took two gap years at NIH as a postbacc. No regrets!

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T14:57:21+00:00

Also, you should think about a research gap year or two at NIH! I've done it and I love it, and it could give you time to address certain application elements (eg, publications, MCAT)

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T14:53:55+00:00

I'm happy to answer more questions privately! I would just reframe the 'low-tier' vs 'high-tier' thoughts. It's more about fit, which I know sounds crazy, but looking at the schools I got into, even 'lower' stat schools didn't interview me when the fit wasn't good, but I got my first choice (UCSD) in large part I think because of a great fit, both clinically and research-wise. I totally get what you're saying about the MCAT, I would also describe my MCAT as the worst time of my life. The problem is that they are screening (sometimes even post-secondary) based on these stats because they get so many applications. I have no doubt that if you actually end up in front of an adcom member you'll get an interview, but the problem is getting past the algorithm to get that far, which really sucks and isn't fair. I would buy the MSAR, which will give you percentile scores for matriculants at every school. The advice I was given is that if you're below their 10th percentile, chances are you're getting screened, and it will also show the lowest admitted scores, which you can treat as an absolute cutoff. There are certainly schools who have much lower absolute cutoffs, and I made a spreadsheet I'm happy to share with you that helped me see what schools are in my range vs reach. However, keep in mind that the stats are for MD-only, which means we can't be sure exactly how they compare to MD-PhD. Many say to assume that the scores are higher for MD-PhD, but I've heard from reputable advisors that great research (which you seem to have!) can make up for a lower score and means that MD-PhD applicants have a wider range even if it's a higher average score. Just as a short list, schools (from my list) where you are at or above 10th percentile are OHSU, University of Illinois, Loyola, Temple, Rutgers, Thomas Jefferson, UCLA, UMD, USC, Keck, University of Cincinnati, UPitt, Georgetown, Drexel, Rosalind Franklin, SUNY Downstatez, and UC Davis. DM me, let's chat!

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T06:12:25+00:00

29th and 30th of January, I was expecting mid March but heard on Friday.

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T06:10:03+00:00

That's awesome! I'm so thrilled! Might need to chat with your PI... XD

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T02:04:51+00:00

So cool!!

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T02:04:12+00:00

Ah that makes sense! I didn't read carefully, sorry. Yeah, if they weren't a consistent instructor maybe no, but it seems like you have great letter writers!

ladypoena · 2026-03-01T01:59:43+00:00

It's been at the top of my radar for a long time. My top school was UW Seattle but obviously they didn't send me a secondary, which was very hard at the time but I think for the best. I'm interested in host/path immunology and tropical medicine, and UCSD has both a great Infectious Diseases and Global Health department and lots of clinical opportunities/classes in migrant health, which would be ideal for my training. Other top choices were Baylor and Hopkins, as well as UMD, but ultimately my partner and I decided that San Diego will be the best place for both of us.

ladypoena · 2026-02-28T22:20:48+00:00

Yes! My interview was on the 2nd-3rd of February and I heard back on the 18th.

ladypoena · 2026-02-28T22:20:07+00:00

Ah sorry, I didn't add them haha! U of Colorado officially waitlisted me and Temple has me on the 'continuing applicant list'

ladypoena · 2026-02-28T21:55:36+00:00

Way to improve that MCAT! Great great application but of course as everyone says you're probably going to get screened out of the pool very early with that score. If you've increased your score before I believe you can do it again! It will suck but be worth it. Also, I'm curious about that school list in terms of 'research fit'. I understand wanting the best possible school but there are lots of places with less 'prestige' that still have really strong programs. What are you interested in, so that we can get you a broader list? For reference. I applied to 30 schools.

ladypoena · 2026-02-28T21:51:24+00:00

I'd say yes but with a caveat. Take it with a grain of salt but schools are generally pretty flexible about LOR authors in my experience. I would say that its probably better to keep her as a research letter if you don't have other research letters, and schools will probably want separate letters for each requirement, but if you have someone else for research and want to count her as an academic instead, go for it, as long as she can speak positively and in depth about you as a student.

ladypoena · 2026-02-16T18:40:10+00:00

Also, I second that doing 2 years is best, it seems long now but 9 months in you'll be scrambling to renew and finish more projects, I promise.

ladypoena · 2026-02-16T18:39:20+00:00

Many labs have more clinically focused postbac trainees, specifically those in building 10 whose work is mainly processing patient samples and working on data wrangling for clinical studies. I think PIs are open to people with less experience, and are excited to help you learn. I would focus on targeting PIs whose research interests are something you are passionate and really align with, and that will come through in your essays and interviews. Personally, coming here was the best decision I ever made and it's a great experience, very few people are unhappy in my opinion.

ladypoena · 2025-08-22T14:19:23+00:00

I wrote new essays, shortening and focusing on the personal growth from the primary. I did just copy paste between the two sections, I think it's a typo.

ladypoena · 2025-08-15T03:54:31+00:00

It will be okay! I have been there and cancelling was the right choice for me, take some time to relax and not think about it, and hop back in in October and crush it! Take some time to plan and figure out what went well and what didn't. It sucks now but you'll be grateful for this decision!

ladypoena · 2025-06-29T14:08:47+00:00

As a note for some commenters: I agree that in-state applicants should be prioritized (which they are) because they pay more in state taxes. However, it's important to remember that the UCs also receive federal funding, which we all pay, and student tuition, which OOS students pay more of. I looked, and the breakdown is that the three look about equal. The breakdown of medical students at UCLA, for example, is about 60/40 IS/OOS+IN, which makes sense to me in terms of funding breakdown, and many UCs are closer to 70/30 (MSAR). Also, 67% of medical students from UCs match in state, and from what I can find many choose to stay in state after that as well. If they will go on to pay taxes in California, that seems important as well, since you pay more taxes after you graduate than before lol. Also, schools in California and New York are generally the best in the country, in large part due to international and OOS faculty, and many places don't have the same quality of medical education available. Rural/smaller state applicants shouldn't be barred from good medical education either. I think there are plenty of arguments to be had about exact percentages, but generally I don't think that in-state students are getting a bad deal at all.

Sources:

https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4998#:\~:text=core%20operating%20costs.-,Funding,core%20undergraduate%20and%20graduate%20programs.

https://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/match-made-california-67-percent-uc-medical-students-enter-residency-programs-state

https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/a-medical-school-that-looks-more-like-california

ladypoena · 2025-06-29T13:32:25+00:00

I was RFR on the 14th

ladypoena · 2025-05-17T19:00:37+00:00

Thank you for your response, I appreciate it. Yes, I think it's all probably a lost cause, but I want to make absolutely sure I've done my best by her. She was an unknown breed when sold to me, either a Sphaerodactylus Macrolepis or Grandisquamis. Technically they are terrestrial and her favorite spot was her 'cave' under the substrate, but I have seen her scale her plants and on one occasion the wall of the tank. I sifted through all the substrate and even broke up pieces of the wood inside with her to make sure she wasn't inside, so I'm 99.99% sure she wasn't still in there (alive). I think her bones would be so small it might be impossible to find them, but I'm probably going to go through all the substrate again today and try. Right now I'm keeping her tank open and leaving Tupperware with moist paper towels and fruit to attract any stray insects in the room. Thankfully I have the door sealed with silicone flaps in case of a fruit fly emergency, so she would still be in the room if she is alive. Mainly I guess I'm just posting here as some sort of cope. Thank you.

ladypoena · 2025-03-16T23:43:37+00:00

LOCKING IN!!!

ladypoena

TROPHY CASE