So during my community college years I was with a performing band and was also working about 30 hours a week, so I was a mix between A's and B's for my courses. Some of them were really tough as they integrated labs and lectures together. But I've had an upward trend since transferring to UCSD and its helped my GPA a lot. I am taking the MCAT either this Sept. or Jan 2015 depending on how studies go this summer. Would like some input to better strengthen my application for the 2014-2015 cycle. What are some aspects I can/should work on? Thank you!
Research: UCSD School of Medicine, Div. of Gastroenterology, immunological pathogensis of IBD (4 hours per week, started 04/13)
Cuyamaca Community College, Protocol Testing and Optimization- mtDNA Sequencing (6 hours per week, Spring semester 2012)
Clinical Shadow: Gastroenterologist attending. (3 hours per week, started 04/13)
MD/PhD Director of NeuroAIDs though Health Professional Mentor Menteer Program (~ 10 hours, busy guy but I learned much about the difference between MD to MD/ PhD program as well as admissions information to MSTP's)
Medical Student Shadow: MS-I at LECOM Bradenton via email and phone. (1 hour per week, started 08/12)
Clinical Non-Paid:
UCSD Hillcrest, Emergency Department. Prospective ER Research Associate. (4 hours per week, started: 04/13) (Note at the bottom about this)
150 hours Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Pharmacy (freshman-junior during high school)
Non-Clinical Non-Paid:
1500 hours of musical performance, training, tutoring, independent study. (active)*
200 hours of academic private tutoring (active)
50 hours TA at Cuyamaca College for Lower Division Biology.
150 hours of long distance running/ training (half marathons, mountain running)
Leadership:
Founder for Students for High School outreach- inspiring students in underprivileged areas of SD about the pre-professional sciences of UCSD
Composer for multiple bands (2009-present)
Train new baristas (2010) on drink procedure, policy, oversee their growth and development while in training
Memberships:
Transfer Committee- Biological Sciences Student Association
Review Board- Saltman Quarterly Masters' Publication Journal
Awards:
Thurgood Marshall College Honors (maintain 3.8 cGPA for 12+units as transfer student; maintain 3.5 through UG)
Dean's List- Cuyamaca College/ Grossmont College (3.5 cGPA all 3 years)
Employment:
Starbucks Coffee Company- Barista, weekend job of being up 330am for my 4am-1230pm shifts. In all honesty it's hard having to readjust my body clock every weekend for this, but I've really learned a great deal of customer service through this job, which I feel is so important when listening to a patient. (2009-present)
Future: Potential contiguous BS/MS in the lab that I am in right now. So I will be completing my masters thesis during the 2014 cycle. By '15 should have my MS and (HOPEFULLY) be matriculating somewhere that fall.
Note- About 80% of the patients who come here are homeless, I have a great appreciation for being able to help them in just getting them food, water, moving there beds, asking how they are doing just seems to comfort them. I also learn a great deal listening to how the residents converse, how the attending teaches the MS-III. I also am able to talk to them every once in a while as well.
*-(most memorable)
Research: UCSD School of Medicine, Div. of Gastroenterology, immunological pathogensis of IBD (4 hours per week, started 04/13)
Cuyamaca Community College, Protocol Testing and Optimization- mtDNA Sequencing (6 hours per week, Spring semester 2012)
Clinical Shadow: Gastroenterologist attending. (3 hours per week, started 04/13)
MD/PhD Director of NeuroAIDs though Health Professional Mentor Menteer Program (~ 10 hours, busy guy but I learned much about the difference between MD to MD/ PhD program as well as admissions information to MSTP's)
Medical Student Shadow: MS-I at LECOM Bradenton via email and phone. (1 hour per week, started 08/12)
Clinical Non-Paid:
UCSD Hillcrest, Emergency Department. Prospective ER Research Associate. (4 hours per week, started: 04/13) (Note at the bottom about this)
150 hours Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Pharmacy (freshman-junior during high school)
Non-Clinical Non-Paid:
1500 hours of musical performance, training, tutoring, independent study. (active)*
200 hours of academic private tutoring (active)
50 hours TA at Cuyamaca College for Lower Division Biology.
150 hours of long distance running/ training (half marathons, mountain running)
Leadership:
Founder for Students for High School outreach- inspiring students in underprivileged areas of SD about the pre-professional sciences of UCSD
Composer for multiple bands (2009-present)
Train new baristas (2010) on drink procedure, policy, oversee their growth and development while in training
Memberships:
Transfer Committee- Biological Sciences Student Association
Review Board- Saltman Quarterly Masters' Publication Journal
Awards:
Thurgood Marshall College Honors (maintain 3.8 cGPA for 12+units as transfer student; maintain 3.5 through UG)
Dean's List- Cuyamaca College/ Grossmont College (3.5 cGPA all 3 years)
Employment:
Starbucks Coffee Company- Barista, weekend job of being up 330am for my 4am-1230pm shifts. In all honesty it's hard having to readjust my body clock every weekend for this, but I've really learned a great deal of customer service through this job, which I feel is so important when listening to a patient. (2009-present)
Future: Potential contiguous BS/MS in the lab that I am in right now. So I will be completing my masters thesis during the 2014 cycle. By '15 should have my MS and (HOPEFULLY) be matriculating somewhere that fall.
Note- About 80% of the patients who come here are homeless, I have a great appreciation for being able to help them in just getting them food, water, moving there beds, asking how they are doing just seems to comfort them. I also learn a great deal listening to how the residents converse, how the attending teaches the MS-III. I also am able to talk to them every once in a while as well.
*-(most memorable)