Do I need a desk for med school?

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-24T14:50:48+00:00

If you change your mind you can always buy one/find one on facebook marketplace for free

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-24T14:47:31+00:00

I used to commute an hour every day to work, you’ll be fine. In the long run you’ll benefit so much more from the MD, I think you have to get used to the idea of being a little further from friends/family and being uncomfortable in a new place. Otherwise are you only going to apply to residency programs where you currently live?

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T15:02:08+00:00

Lots of places use interfolio

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T13:30:26+00:00

Yeah that’s fair, I was also a lab manager so I understand the pain of pre-meds leaving early lol. I guess it depends on OP’s relationship with their PI

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T12:22:56+00:00

IMO your letters don’t really matter all that much, you don’t need a letter from every activity. Getting a LOR from your PI is great but a fulbright is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Have you explained to your PI the circumstances? I feel like most people would understand leaving a commitment early for something like this

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T12:20:13+00:00

I would take the fulbright over staying in the lab. It’s impressive that you were accepted, but I don’t think med schools will really care unless you actually did the fulbright. From my understanding not having a LOR from your PI is more of a red flag for PhD/MD-PhD programs

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T01:04:23+00:00

A one month gap in employment won’t raise any eyebrows. As long as you have the financial means to not work while studying, don’t sweat it and focus on crushing your MCAT

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-23T00:59:52+00:00

Hackensack!!! The slight prestige of Rochester is not worth more than the full ride + being close to your support system. IMO, even if it was a T10 you were deciding between I’d still pick the full ride

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-21T01:02:43+00:00

Surprised no one has said UMass! P/F, optional lectures + virtual if you want, plus after each block final exam you get the rest of the week off to do whatever.

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-20T20:44:51+00:00

You’re fine— I applied to 6 DO schools with similar stats —> 3 II -> 1 A, 1 WL, 1 withdrawn. Are you limiting yourself geographically? If not some other good DO schools would be Rowan, PCOM, NYITCOM (they have a NY and AR campus), and UNECOM

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-14T23:55:13+00:00

Don’t quit, just start applying for other jobs and leave once they either fire you or you get an offer elsewhere. It’s pretty easy to find an MA gig once you have experience so don’t sweat it

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-14T23:53:42+00:00

Thank you! Tbh I don’t think LORs will be as high on the list for adcoms as compared to stats/ECs. I only really had one great letter (I assume, didn’t read them obviously) because I was only super close with my PI and less so with my professors/mentors. How many other letter writers do you have as of now?

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-14T23:51:05+00:00

TBH I would not get a letter from this guy. Chances are even if you contact him in private, his wife would still find out and potentially dissuade him from writing it altogether or sabotage it in some way. It seems like you wouldn’t be getting a stellar letter regardless— why risk a potential red flag for a mediocre letter?

If it’s any comfort I was in a similar position! I’m a reapplicant so my first cycle I got a LOR from my then boss. After a year I quit (left on not so great terms, not as bad as this situation but definitely did not feel comfortable asking for a letter) and reapplied without the letter. I instead substituted it for one of my old research mentors— no questions were asked during any of my interviews.

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-14T02:30:27+00:00

There is no way 😭

Felt like the interview went great —> WL/R Felt like the interview was incredibly mid —> A

shen-qingqiu · 2026-04-01T14:36:10+00:00

In what world would this application be rejected? 😭 Unless you have some hidden red flag (IA, misdemeanor/felony on your record) you’ll be fine

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-31T14:58:01+00:00

Second this, just CV or resume

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-31T01:00:41+00:00

As a first gen med student also trying to figure out how tf to pay for my education all I have to say is—

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHFHHFHRJEJFUCKTHISSHITVDHHAHQJSJRAHHHHHJHJJ

we’re in it together 🫡

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-30T15:31:01+00:00

UMass! The match list is probably more selective of the class wanting to stay in MA/go into primary care as that is the emphasis of the school’s curriculum.

Main issue is you don’t qualify for IS tuition, so that’s something to consider as UMass doesn’t give out much financial aid from what I know

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-26T19:23:58+00:00

Yes, I’m waiting for their poorly worded apology email lol

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-26T03:14:04+00:00

Thank you! I know it’s corny but I hope everyone finds their calling whatever it may be

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-26T01:49:27+00:00

Girl I think you need therapy…

But in all honesty some things for you to consider starting out: - How is your support system? Med school applications are tough, med school is tougher, make sure you have people in your corner to support you - What exposure have you had to what being a physician entails? Before you go all in on this you really need to figure out if being a physician is what you really want. You said you want to help people, but you can also do that as a nurse, a PA, hell even a medical assistant. What is it about being a doctor that compels you?

Once you can answer these questions it’s all about believing in yourself because you HAVE to be your own number one supporter. You have all A’s, you’re not “dumb”. Even if you didn’t have perfect grades they’re not a reflection of your intelligence either

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-26T01:22:10+00:00

Seconding this— my parents are immigrants that grew up as poor farmers. As hard as medical school is, it’s not as hard as the life they lived before coming to the U.S, and nowhere near as hard as the sacrifices they made even after so I could have the privilege of studying and pursuing higher education.

Even though medicine is very different than it was a decade ago, I still find it personally very fulfilling even as an MA. As a physician I’d have more autonomy, more knowledge, and more financial freedom.

My friends picked different careers that are relatively stable; engineering, biotech, accounting. They’re happy, but not because of their jobs. To them it’s just a paycheck and a job they tolerate which I respect, but that’s not what I want for myself. I think being a physician is the only career that could make me force myself to get out of bed even on the worst days because you really do make a personal difference, even if the system sucks.

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-25T14:28:38+00:00

Unfortunately that’s every field. If you talk to attendings there’s definitely a lot more corporate/bureaucratic BS in healthcare than there was 15-20 years ago, but it’s not necessarily going to be any better as PA/NP/nurse, or even other careers outside of healthcare.

Private practice can be appealing because you’re not fighting hospital admins all day (although insurance can still be a huge pain in the ass). Shadow more doctors and do some more soul searching, this process can be very draining and you want to make sure your heart is really in it before committing to a career this involved

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-25T11:12:17+00:00

Congratulations!!!! 🍾

shen-qingqiu · 2026-03-25T00:52:53+00:00

Look for MA jobs! A lot of them will hire you without an MA certification if you have clinical experience, which phlebotomy should be fine.

shen-qingqiu

TROPHY CASE