Hi, I'm applying this cycle and would appreciate any input/advice for my school list.
CA resident, male, asian
UCLA Physiological Science Major (Class of 2013)
I have a 3.74 Overall GPA, 3.76 Science GPA, MCAT 34Q (11PS, 10 VR, 13 BS).
ECs:
-Research Undergraduate Research Assistant at UCLA medical school(no publications or posters or presentations)- Jan. 2011- July 2012 (1.5 years)
Lab responsibilities for first 5 months was to genotype lab rats and then moved on to subcloning techniques. My project involved subcloning over 150 selected genes to build a cDNA library for our lab. Not too much takeaway from my research experience, other than learning the basic science and work ethic required for research practice. (Cause for concern?)
-Clinical Experience
- Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA (200 hours~ 1 year) Worked alongside UCLA medical students to provide medical attention to the homeless population in West Hollywood. Takeaway: Directed me towards Primary Care (mostly Family Medicine). Centered my personal statement around this involvement and why I'd like to go into primary care.
- Hospital Volunteer (275 hours ~ 1.5 year) Conducted patient surveys directed at evaluating UCLA's Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery residents. Takeaway: Learned through direct interaction with patients what qualities and actions they prefer in a doctor's bedside manner.
- Family Medicine Physician and Physician's Assistant Shadowing (Total 50 hours)
Exposed to both private and public clinic settings. Shadowed P.A's, UCLA Fam.Med residents, and UCLA Fam.Med faculty member
- Volunteer Organizations and Leadership
-Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity (3 years) Leadership position: VP of Recruitment. Worked with new members on how to succeed throughout their undergraduate careers, by holding workshops on interviewing, MCAT, 4 year planning, etc.
-Founder of Scouting Organization: Bruin Scouts (2 years) Leadership position: President
Founded a brand new organization on campus for former Scouts. Planned a College Day for local scouts, as well as reached out to local boy and girl scouts and set up a mentor/mentee buddy system.
-Together Educating and Advocating for Community Health at UCLA (2.5 years) Leadership position: Site Coordinator
Focus on tutoring, mentoring, and health education for at-risk youth in the local community.
-Awards/Honors/Etc
-Mortar Board Senior Honor Society (Community Service Chair)
-Dean's List (5 quarters)
-Studied Abroad in Peru. Took 2 weeks of Medical Spanish courses in Cuzco,Peru. Hiked the Incan trail to Machu Picchu.
Gap Year Plans
Undecided. Applying to various programs (Emergency Department Scribe, Health Navigator for Americorps, or Clinical Research position) Which would be the best experience to work on any weaknesses on my current app?
I'm considering applying to 35-40 programs. So far I'm set on the following schools and would really appreciate any input or suggestions on adding specific schools that would be in reach for my stats/ec's.
CA:
UCLA
UCLA- Drew
UCSD
USC
UC Irvine
UC Davis
UC Riverside
Others:
Albany
Albert Einstein
Boston
Drexel
GWU
Georgetown
Jefferson
Loyola U. Chicago
New York Medical College
Oregon
Rosalind Franklin
SUNY Downstate
Temple
Ohio State
Miami
Vermont
Arizona
Cincinnati
Colorado
Iowa
North Carolina
Rochester
Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Wake Forest
Thanks for reading this far! Best of luck if you're applying this upcoming cycle and for those applying in the future!
CA resident, male, asian
UCLA Physiological Science Major (Class of 2013)
I have a 3.74 Overall GPA, 3.76 Science GPA, MCAT 34Q (11PS, 10 VR, 13 BS).
ECs:
-Research Undergraduate Research Assistant at UCLA medical school(no publications or posters or presentations)- Jan. 2011- July 2012 (1.5 years)
Lab responsibilities for first 5 months was to genotype lab rats and then moved on to subcloning techniques. My project involved subcloning over 150 selected genes to build a cDNA library for our lab. Not too much takeaway from my research experience, other than learning the basic science and work ethic required for research practice. (Cause for concern?)
-Clinical Experience
- Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA (200 hours~ 1 year) Worked alongside UCLA medical students to provide medical attention to the homeless population in West Hollywood. Takeaway: Directed me towards Primary Care (mostly Family Medicine). Centered my personal statement around this involvement and why I'd like to go into primary care.
- Hospital Volunteer (275 hours ~ 1.5 year) Conducted patient surveys directed at evaluating UCLA's Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery residents. Takeaway: Learned through direct interaction with patients what qualities and actions they prefer in a doctor's bedside manner.
- Family Medicine Physician and Physician's Assistant Shadowing (Total 50 hours)
Exposed to both private and public clinic settings. Shadowed P.A's, UCLA Fam.Med residents, and UCLA Fam.Med faculty member
- Volunteer Organizations and Leadership
-Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity (3 years) Leadership position: VP of Recruitment. Worked with new members on how to succeed throughout their undergraduate careers, by holding workshops on interviewing, MCAT, 4 year planning, etc.
-Founder of Scouting Organization: Bruin Scouts (2 years) Leadership position: President
Founded a brand new organization on campus for former Scouts. Planned a College Day for local scouts, as well as reached out to local boy and girl scouts and set up a mentor/mentee buddy system.
-Together Educating and Advocating for Community Health at UCLA (2.5 years) Leadership position: Site Coordinator
Focus on tutoring, mentoring, and health education for at-risk youth in the local community.
-Awards/Honors/Etc
-Mortar Board Senior Honor Society (Community Service Chair)
-Dean's List (5 quarters)
-Studied Abroad in Peru. Took 2 weeks of Medical Spanish courses in Cuzco,Peru. Hiked the Incan trail to Machu Picchu.
Gap Year Plans
Undecided. Applying to various programs (Emergency Department Scribe, Health Navigator for Americorps, or Clinical Research position) Which would be the best experience to work on any weaknesses on my current app?
I'm considering applying to 35-40 programs. So far I'm set on the following schools and would really appreciate any input or suggestions on adding specific schools that would be in reach for my stats/ec's.
CA:
UCLA
UCLA- Drew
UCSD
USC
UC Irvine
UC Davis
UC Riverside
Others:
Albany
Albert Einstein
Boston
Drexel
GWU
Georgetown
Jefferson
Loyola U. Chicago
New York Medical College
Oregon
Rosalind Franklin
SUNY Downstate
Temple
Ohio State
Miami
Vermont
Arizona
Cincinnati
Colorado
Iowa
North Carolina
Rochester
Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Wake Forest
Thanks for reading this far! Best of luck if you're applying this upcoming cycle and for those applying in the future!