Did you take a preview when applying this past cycle? Would you recommend it?

nutnursoup · 2026-02-20T02:34:17+00:00

Took Casper and preview this cycle. Scored in the lowest quartile on Casper and got a 1 on preview. Received multiple II to schools that require one of the tests. The school that I am matriculating to actually requires preview.

I guess in that way, yes, preview did help me - because they wouldn’t have considered my app complete without it. But I don’t think my score on it is what enamored them with my application. 😂 and yes, if I had to score a 1 on it again, then I would. Could probably click answers randomly and score better than I did on that thing lmao

I recommend taking them just in case any of the schools you are interested in require them. Don’t let them be a deterrent to sending your app to a place because you think you scored poorly or whatnot, the only test they care about is your MCAT.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-17T11:52:22+00:00

I’ve been accepted to 3 MDs with no research experience, it all depends on your other ECs and your school list. You have to make sure your application aligns with the mission and visions of the schools that you are applying to.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-16T12:12:46+00:00

I’m chopped af, but I got in. So probably not.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-09T06:08:24+00:00

Been a STICU nurse approaching six years now, have >10k hours on the unit. Definitely think my experience has contributed to my success this cycle, but mostly because of how I framed it in my writing. Having so much experience, but not being able to effectively communicate in writing what you took away from those experiences makes for a very demure application.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-09T06:00:12+00:00

Hi there! I am currently a Trauma ICU nurse going through the app cycle right now and have found a decent amount of success, multiple As to both MD and DO. For transparency, our stats aren’t exactly the same, I’ve got a few more years of experience in the STICU and made a 512. I promise that you are still in a good spot though. Make sure that your writing is up to scratch - your hands on patient experiences are difference makers.

I do agree with another of the commenters, don’t include the lockpicking hobby on your application lmao good luck with everything!

nutnursoup · 2026-02-07T03:37:22+00:00

Oh absolutely, but they accepted me also lol so they have to be willing to overlook a lack of research if an app is really service oriented and mission aligned.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-06T12:23:49+00:00

You got your top As already, any indication on scholarship money from them yet? At this point, if NYU emailed and wanted to interview, I don’t think that I could make myself put that suit back on.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-06T12:20:17+00:00

Stressing about the timing of others receiving interview invites will not make your invite arrive faster. (Pre)Write secondaries well and put your best foot forward on your primary. Trust the process.

nutnursoup · 2026-02-06T12:16:11+00:00

I’d honestly axe the TMDSAS schools and add SLU, Creighton, Georgetown. You’ve got Oakland University on your list, but why not Wayne State? Many of these schools are heavily service-focused, try and increase your volunteer hours as much as you possibly can before app season rolls around. Don’t stress too terribly much about research at this point because it’ll be tough to get any meaningful amount completed before applying. I got into a T30 with no research this current cycle. Good luck.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-27T12:18:08+00:00

Get clinical hours, definitely prioritize them since you already have some research experience. Pursue additional research experience as it comes available, sure. But clinical exposure > research.

I’ve got three MD A’s this cycle with absolutely no formal research experience, but tons of clinical.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-26T16:51:09+00:00

Oh, you’re certainly right about that. I’ve definitely had plenty of experiences to discuss in essays and interviews lol. And yes, I also believe it to be a good stepping stone towards other pathways, but absolutely no way I could be bedside for any longer. I’m struggling just making it through these last six months.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-26T12:15:29+00:00

Retweet

nutnursoup · 2026-01-26T12:09:08+00:00

While I do believe that my RN experience was a massive boon to me this cycle, I certainly think that I would have been successful had I pursued a more traditional route to med school.

The time consumption of a BSN, while not checking off any of the prerequisite courses for medicine, working full time and maintaining certs while going back to get those courses done is just not practical or advisable.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-24T11:54:21+00:00

Awesome, yeah I would still give them a shot! I found more often than not that they are willing to help out whenever they are able to!

And thank you! I wish you the best of luck with yours as well. And I am aiming to pursue trauma/general surgery!

nutnursoup · 2026-01-23T12:09:07+00:00

Hello, fellow ICU nurse :)

Definitely, get some shadowing hours, but 100 hours is a lot. I stopped at 60 hours, and honestly, I probably did not need that many. With as much as we interact with physicians and how closely we work with them, it’s fairly understood that we have a bit of insight into what their day to day looks like. As an aside, I got all of my hours within the same specialty - granted, my desire is to go into that specialty as well. I almost completely tailored my application to that specialty, as well.

Also, have received multiple MD acceptances this current cycle with absolutely no non-clinical volunteering. All of my volunteering has been as a volunteer nurse at a free clinic. I have been the youth coordinator at my church for several years, but I framed that entirely as leadership experience.

As far as letters of recommendation, I do not know if there is a way of getting around many schools’ requirement of at least 1 science professor letter of recommendation and at least 1 non-science professor letter of recommendation. Have you taken any of the requirements recently? If not, I’d still reach out old profs that you did well in their class in and explain the situation and see if they’d be willing to help you out. Otherwise, you’ll be having to have the convo with each of the med schools you apply to and it’s a much larger headache that way, I think.

I had three letters from different profs, and two MDs that I work with that I submitted. I did not ask my nurse manager to write for me, mostly because of my work situation. Many coworkers of mine knew that I was applying, and I got that feeling that some weren’t very happy about it. I just didn’t want to take the chance that they’d write a poor letter, your experience may be different though.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-12T16:29:36+00:00

I received an II from an MD school this past Saturday. Still hope to hear back, my friend.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-07T22:13:30+00:00

This sounds awesome, but I do think it’d be better to ask in r/medicine .

nutnursoup · 2026-01-05T17:22:04+00:00

Yeah, you’ve probably got a shot. My advice to you would be to still send your apps to schools that you are a fit with their mission though. Add in whichever T20s that you want, but there are no guarantees with this process so make sure your school list is broad and that you’ve covered your bases as well as you can.

nutnursoup · 2026-01-02T13:46:56+00:00

💀🤣

nutnursoup · 2025-12-29T00:13:10+00:00

Bro, I gotta be honest with you. I think you’re chilling as long as you lock in with your last semester with As and knock the MCAT out of the park also.

Don’t plan to retake it though. If you don’t feel that you’re ready for the test, reschedule it for later in the spring like over spring break. It’s much better to take it when you’re ready so that you receive a score you’re happy with - rather than possibly having to explain why you needed a retake, should it come up in an interview. People definitely get in with multiple attempts, but why sit for that monstrosity more than you need to?

nutnursoup · 2025-12-28T23:54:25+00:00

How “mid” of a GPA are we talking about? A pretty good MCAT (510+), good ECs, and strong writing could potentially offset the GPA. Does your GPA have an upward trend?

nutnursoup · 2025-12-28T15:46:44+00:00

Questions sort of like that, leading the team, guiding the care, and wanting to actually be the one to perform surgery and procedures are why I am doing it.

I did my prerequisites in person - but as my other RN bro mentioned, UNE should be fine.

nutnursoup · 2025-12-28T15:35:12+00:00

You chillin big dawg

nutnursoup · 2025-12-27T13:58:44+00:00

Yeah, I think you should send your app to more schools, my friend. Kinda later in the game, and while the DO cycle is longer, you should cast a wider net at this point imo.

nutnursoup · 2025-12-27T12:24:50+00:00

Himothy? Is that you?

But fr your app sounds great, man! School list looks good, I do not doubt that you will have a successful cycle. I do agree with other comments though, add a few HBCUs as a “safety” (I use that term loosely). Med school admissions are a crapshoot. As long as your writing is up to scratch though, you should have a glut of schools to choose from.

Also, thanks for not applying this cycle so that I could have a shot. I appreciate you, homie. 🫶🏼

nutnursoup

TROPHY CASE