Hello all,
I graduated from UCLA, year of 2012. I earned my B.S. in biochemistry with a cGPA of 3.3 and sGPA of 3.0, and as of right now, I currently work full time as a AP chem and AP bio teacher at a tutoring center in a rich neighborhood near Pasadena, CA, making decent but not fantastic money.
I took the MCAT last May and received a 28R (Bio 10, Phys 10, Verb 8) and I already signed up for this May, with the goal of 35+ (which should be in reach, since teaching AP chemistry and AP bio at my workplace REALLY got me familiarized with the material, more than when I was a student! :eek:) I feel like I just need to work on my Verbal and know how to interpret passages the "right" way, if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately I have been having doubts about my path toward mainstream medicine (MD as opposed to DO). I guess it doesn't help since my roommates are all ex-premeds (if there ever is such a word!) and I just wanted to give additional info about my extracurricular experiences and attitude toward other alternatives before suggesting whether I should either give up my unrealistic pursuit of medicine or whether I have a decent chance.
Extracurricular experiences:
-Volunteer tutoring/mentoring in Koreatown near downtown Los Angeles. (4/hrs, week). Was Finance Director my 2nd year, managed money from our student group and provided rides for service.
-Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity. Joined my second year. Unfortunately no leadership experience (bs politics surrounding the UCLA chapter... long story), but plenty of volunteer experience, blood drives, etc. (2-10 hours/week)
-Public Health tutoring/mentoring at a public housing project near Santa Monica, CA. Joined 3rd year, earned position of Site Coordinator my 4th year. Managed the site, the curriculum, interns, and even the snacks we gave to the elementary school kids.
-Other random volunteer via church, dorm events, etc...
After graduation:
-Working as a "teacher" (formally tutor) in San Marino, CA at a predominantly Chinese, and super-rich neighborhood. Make $25/hr. Currently my only active thing that I've got going on for now.
Ethnicity, background, etc:
-Korean-American. Born in Sacramento, CA. Always surrounded by whites, was the only Asian kid in school. Did pretty well in high school, got 2180 SAT,, SAT II Chem 800, SATII bio 770, SAT II Math 780 (idk if my background matters anyway)
Based on the info above, should I even bother applying? To be frank, having a "big boy's" job, as opposed to lab tech, research, McDonalds, has given me A LOT of life lessons that being sheltered by academia would have not offered me (such as boss shortchanging paycheck, office politics, interacting w/ co-workers, etc). Would a personal statement involving my work experiences be enticing to the admissions panel, assuming I make it both interesting and relevant?
Additionally, several of my friends and co-workers have suggested that I either do postbac, earn my Masters, or apply for DO school. I refuse to do any of those choices, due to the fact that it is my personal belief that going to school again just to apply for school again is a very inefficient path (since I'd rather get a M.S. in biochem and try to work my way up in the biotech industry), and that I will always regret being "inferior" to MDs if I ever earn my DO, also to mention that I may not be able to practice medicine in Europe (since it is not certified there), if Obamacare makes it difficult for aspiring MD's to make a decent living. PLEASE PLEASE convince me otherwise... :(
Lemme know if you guys need additional info. I sincerely apologize if my post is not coherent and organized at all, since I am not a frequent OP-er at all.
Best regards,
Discouraged in Los Angeles
I graduated from UCLA, year of 2012. I earned my B.S. in biochemistry with a cGPA of 3.3 and sGPA of 3.0, and as of right now, I currently work full time as a AP chem and AP bio teacher at a tutoring center in a rich neighborhood near Pasadena, CA, making decent but not fantastic money.
I took the MCAT last May and received a 28R (Bio 10, Phys 10, Verb 8) and I already signed up for this May, with the goal of 35+ (which should be in reach, since teaching AP chemistry and AP bio at my workplace REALLY got me familiarized with the material, more than when I was a student! :eek:) I feel like I just need to work on my Verbal and know how to interpret passages the "right" way, if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately I have been having doubts about my path toward mainstream medicine (MD as opposed to DO). I guess it doesn't help since my roommates are all ex-premeds (if there ever is such a word!) and I just wanted to give additional info about my extracurricular experiences and attitude toward other alternatives before suggesting whether I should either give up my unrealistic pursuit of medicine or whether I have a decent chance.
Extracurricular experiences:
-Volunteer tutoring/mentoring in Koreatown near downtown Los Angeles. (4/hrs, week). Was Finance Director my 2nd year, managed money from our student group and provided rides for service.
-Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity. Joined my second year. Unfortunately no leadership experience (bs politics surrounding the UCLA chapter... long story), but plenty of volunteer experience, blood drives, etc. (2-10 hours/week)
-Public Health tutoring/mentoring at a public housing project near Santa Monica, CA. Joined 3rd year, earned position of Site Coordinator my 4th year. Managed the site, the curriculum, interns, and even the snacks we gave to the elementary school kids.
-Other random volunteer via church, dorm events, etc...
After graduation:
-Working as a "teacher" (formally tutor) in San Marino, CA at a predominantly Chinese, and super-rich neighborhood. Make $25/hr. Currently my only active thing that I've got going on for now.
Ethnicity, background, etc:
-Korean-American. Born in Sacramento, CA. Always surrounded by whites, was the only Asian kid in school. Did pretty well in high school, got 2180 SAT,, SAT II Chem 800, SATII bio 770, SAT II Math 780 (idk if my background matters anyway)
Based on the info above, should I even bother applying? To be frank, having a "big boy's" job, as opposed to lab tech, research, McDonalds, has given me A LOT of life lessons that being sheltered by academia would have not offered me (such as boss shortchanging paycheck, office politics, interacting w/ co-workers, etc). Would a personal statement involving my work experiences be enticing to the admissions panel, assuming I make it both interesting and relevant?
Additionally, several of my friends and co-workers have suggested that I either do postbac, earn my Masters, or apply for DO school. I refuse to do any of those choices, due to the fact that it is my personal belief that going to school again just to apply for school again is a very inefficient path (since I'd rather get a M.S. in biochem and try to work my way up in the biotech industry), and that I will always regret being "inferior" to MDs if I ever earn my DO, also to mention that I may not be able to practice medicine in Europe (since it is not certified there), if Obamacare makes it difficult for aspiring MD's to make a decent living. PLEASE PLEASE convince me otherwise... :(
Lemme know if you guys need additional info. I sincerely apologize if my post is not coherent and organized at all, since I am not a frequent OP-er at all.
Best regards,
Discouraged in Los Angeles