This weekend a few friends from the summer camp I used to work at and I rented a condo in the mountains to have a few days away from the hustle and bustle of life. It was awesome! We lounged in the condo (I still can't ski because of my knee), did puzzles, played Settlers, and laughed our butts off.
I had an absolute blast, but as soon as I got back home I began thinking of all the MCAT studying I should have done this weekend and then I got sad. If I don't get into the local medical school, all these friends will no longer be a part of my life and that's depressing. And this thinking just exacerbates the problem I have with leaving my brother.
In short, I have so many reasons to stay here and that stresses me out because now, I have to get into this medical school! And to do that, I need to do really well on the MCAT. No pressure.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Going back to my old ways
I skipped class today because I couldn't find parking. Seriously. And instead of being productive during that extra hour, I watched last night's episode of "Parenthood", read all my usual websites and blogs, and am now updating the blogs that I write for myself. And that's three hours gone that I could've been studying for the MCAT, doing biochem homework, or working. Oops.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Plans for the "Gap Year"
Because I'm a planner, I'm already thinking of ways to spend the year between the time I submit my medical school application in early June and the day I (hopefully) matriculate in August of the following year. And right now I'm torn.
Part of me wants to do something clinical or medical just because. But another part of me wants to say "Screw it!" and mess around during that time. I'm already planning a month-long trip abroad for next February or March, but I'm also thinking of extending that and making it more of a 6-month trip. All of this is obviously dependent on the success of my application cycle, but for once I'm leaning towards the optimistic side of things and thinking I'll get in somewhere and won't have to spend the year building up my application for another cycle.
For example, if I don't get into my local medical school, I am less likely to move abroad for the 6 months that I'm dreaming of. Even though I haven't hung out with my brother much lately (and by that I mean, at all), I still would like to maximize the time I see him if I have to move. And that means hanging around here until I go away to school elsewhere.
I love where I live and life is becoming pretty awesome lately, so this wouldn't be too bad of an option, but I still would like to get away if I'm going to be bogged down with school come late summer. I need a vacation like crazy and this would be the perfect time.
But, if I were to have an acceptance to the school here, I could go away for a long time and not feel guilty about missing out on bonding time with family. Most likely, though, I will have to make this decision in a year's time when more of these things are clear. And that means having plenty of back-up options and multiple planned vacations so once I know what's going on, I can get on with whichever idea sounds the best.
Part of me wants to do something clinical or medical just because. But another part of me wants to say "Screw it!" and mess around during that time. I'm already planning a month-long trip abroad for next February or March, but I'm also thinking of extending that and making it more of a 6-month trip. All of this is obviously dependent on the success of my application cycle, but for once I'm leaning towards the optimistic side of things and thinking I'll get in somewhere and won't have to spend the year building up my application for another cycle.
For example, if I don't get into my local medical school, I am less likely to move abroad for the 6 months that I'm dreaming of. Even though I haven't hung out with my brother much lately (and by that I mean, at all), I still would like to maximize the time I see him if I have to move. And that means hanging around here until I go away to school elsewhere.
I love where I live and life is becoming pretty awesome lately, so this wouldn't be too bad of an option, but I still would like to get away if I'm going to be bogged down with school come late summer. I need a vacation like crazy and this would be the perfect time.
But, if I were to have an acceptance to the school here, I could go away for a long time and not feel guilty about missing out on bonding time with family. Most likely, though, I will have to make this decision in a year's time when more of these things are clear. And that means having plenty of back-up options and multiple planned vacations so once I know what's going on, I can get on with whichever idea sounds the best.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A collection of BROOMBALL! photos
There's so much medical school talk on this blog that I feel the need to add in some photos of my other passion: BROOMBALL!!! It's what gets me through the winter and it keeps me feeling young.
With the regular season wrapping up, it's time to post an assortment of photos from my teams. Yes, you read that right, it's plural.
There is plenty more where this came from, so I'll keep adding when I need the study break. Stay young, people!
With the regular season wrapping up, it's time to post an assortment of photos from my teams. Yes, you read that right, it's plural.
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| Onesies. |
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| Camouflage theme, complete with face paint. |
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| A close-up of our awesome face-painting skillz. |
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| Tooth fairies. |
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| Face-off at center ice. That's our (male) captain on the left. |
There is plenty more where this came from, so I'll keep adding when I need the study break. Stay young, people!
Letters of recommendation
Our committee letter packets are due in two weeks and with those I need to have at least two letters of recommendation submitted. I asked my boss from the summer camp I used to work at to write me a letter, focusing mostly on my position of leadership and I'm starting to stress a little bit about it.
I never did the whole "Can you write me a good letter?" bit, but instead just asked him to write me one. He's a very honest and straightforward guy, so I know that he would've declined to write me one if it wasn't going to be any good, but that doesn't prevent the stress. And this email from him makes me think I made a good decision asking him to write me one:
From the camp perspective, I didn't do anything special that summer. Everything I instituted or applied or taught was part of the job description (they really made use of the "other duties as assigned" clause of our contracts), but if you look at it from an outsider's point of view, I did a lot. It's just weird to tell him normal things are my greatest accomplishments since he used to have my job and knows exactly what the position entails.
So I'm racking my brain trying to make myself sound good leadership-wise, and also thinking of ways to suggest what he should write without expressly stating them. Ay ay ay!
I never did the whole "Can you write me a good letter?" bit, but instead just asked him to write me one. He's a very honest and straightforward guy, so I know that he would've declined to write me one if it wasn't going to be any good, but that doesn't prevent the stress. And this email from him makes me think I made a good decision asking him to write me one:
For now what would be most helpful would be for you to tell me what you would like me to focus on in terms of your tenure. Don't be bashful, lay out your most significant achievements and I'll color in from there.Now, this is awesome. Well, it would be nice if I didn't have to tell him what I did but it's good to hear that he'll be putting me in the best light possible. But still, I'm stuck.
From the camp perspective, I didn't do anything special that summer. Everything I instituted or applied or taught was part of the job description (they really made use of the "other duties as assigned" clause of our contracts), but if you look at it from an outsider's point of view, I did a lot. It's just weird to tell him normal things are my greatest accomplishments since he used to have my job and knows exactly what the position entails.
So I'm racking my brain trying to make myself sound good leadership-wise, and also thinking of ways to suggest what he should write without expressly stating them. Ay ay ay!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Regret
From a thread about being angry with yourself for being a non-trad...this is exactly how I feel about my life:
That great anger you're experiencing is called regret, and it's probably one of the worst things to ever cope with in life. However, when there's a will, there's a way - channel that anger into something that will help you achieve your goal.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Next semester
I'm registered for 9 credits next semester, which is a huge step down from the 19 I took in the fall. But even with only three classes, I just realized I'm going to be super busy with work, MCAT studying, and AMCAS application writing.
So I'm thinking of dropping one of my classes because it won't really change my GPA significantly any more but taking it might prevent me from keeping my sanity. In such a case, I would like to audit Biochem II because I heard the professor is a really hard grader, but given the fact that I got a B last semester in Biochem I, I don't think it would look good on my application. So that leaves me with dropping Biology of the Cancer Cell, which I've heard really good things about and kind of want to take. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
In bullet-point form, one thing has got to give this semester out of the following:
And I really don't want it to be rugby. I tried that this semester and I was miserable. I need some sort of social interaction, but it would be the easiest to cut (again). The other option is to go back to racquetball instead, which is still physical exercise on a team with a much shorter commute but also a little less fun.
I think for now I've decided on sticking with my three classes for the first two weeks of the semester to feel them out and see how the course load will be for me, and make the decision then. If I do have to drop a class, then it'll have to be the Cancer Cell because it's the one I don't necessarily NEED, but would like to have to increase my GPA.
Oh, and even though I swear I'm over that B from biochem, I'm still kind of worried about not having straight As, considering my undergrad grades. But LizzyM somewhat allayed my fears with this comment:
So I'm thinking of dropping one of my classes because it won't really change my GPA significantly any more but taking it might prevent me from keeping my sanity. In such a case, I would like to audit Biochem II because I heard the professor is a really hard grader, but given the fact that I got a B last semester in Biochem I, I don't think it would look good on my application. So that leaves me with dropping Biology of the Cancer Cell, which I've heard really good things about and kind of want to take. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
In bullet-point form, one thing has got to give this semester out of the following:
- Work
- Three classes
- MCAT studying
- AMCAS application writing
- Rugby
And I really don't want it to be rugby. I tried that this semester and I was miserable. I need some sort of social interaction, but it would be the easiest to cut (again). The other option is to go back to racquetball instead, which is still physical exercise on a team with a much shorter commute but also a little less fun.
I think for now I've decided on sticking with my three classes for the first two weeks of the semester to feel them out and see how the course load will be for me, and make the decision then. If I do have to drop a class, then it'll have to be the Cancer Cell because it's the one I don't necessarily NEED, but would like to have to increase my GPA.
Oh, and even though I swear I'm over that B from biochem, I'm still kind of worried about not having straight As, considering my undergrad grades. But LizzyM somewhat allayed my fears with this comment:
Granted, I'm not even close to his GPA and I should be perfect from now on, but one B won't kill me. That, and there's nothing I can do about it now, so I need to STOP FRETTING!!!It makes you look human. No worries.Quote:
If I'm shooting for a top-tier med school, how concerning would a B in biochem 1 look to an adcom when my overall GPA is a 3.80 and sGPA is a 3.75+ and I've earned A's in both genetics and cell biology? Will an A in biochem 2 make up for this?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
MCAT studying
The MCAT and I have a love-hate relationship. On the one hand, I REALLY like doing problems about science, but on the other hand I don't like having to know something. So I look forward to doing physics passages in my free time (I'm a freak, I know) but if I have to do them then I procrastinate like whoa. It's a weird dynamic between me and the MCAT...
Also, I haven't taken or done physics since my freshman year of college over 8 years ago and I still remember a good chunk of it (helps to be physics/logical-minded). Although I appreciate remembering a lot of what I need to know about gravity, forces, projectiles, etc, I've found that MCAT prep will have to involve working through the entire physics textbook in the next three months. Ay ay ay! Every 4th day just a got a bit more busy. But really, I don't mind. I kind of liked physics anyway.
Also, I haven't taken or done physics since my freshman year of college over 8 years ago and I still remember a good chunk of it (helps to be physics/logical-minded). Although I appreciate remembering a lot of what I need to know about gravity, forces, projectiles, etc, I've found that MCAT prep will have to involve working through the entire physics textbook in the next three months. Ay ay ay! Every 4th day just a got a bit more busy. But really, I don't mind. I kind of liked physics anyway.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Reminder to write to LizzyM, and her response
On SDN (Student Doctor Network) there's a thread going around where LizzyM, an adcom at a top tier private university, is answering anyone and everyone's questions. Unfortunately, she's gone for the holidays just as I was about to ask her a question, so I'm posting it here so I don't forget to email her when she comes back.
In response to this:
I want to write this:
And here is her response:
While I no longer have the 4.0, I do expect to score about this high on the MCAT so I think I should be OK. I'm aiming for a 3.93 for the whole post-bacc experience, which is high enough according to another member of an admissions committee board (anything 3.8 or higher is awesome). Phew!
In response to this:
Quote:
If you address weaknesses in your application, you might not get an interview. You might get an interview and be asked about your weaknesses or you might not be asked about your weaknesses.
Frankly, I think that weaknesses are like zits. Almost everyone has one at one time or another. You can call attention to it or you can do something to take attention away from it. The reader/interviewer can see it and might be curious about it and might mention it or might look to see if it is addressed in your LOR.
I want to write this:
It seems like you stated that weaknesses shouldn't be addressed in the application because they are so common, but shouldn't a very spotty undergrad GPA that was somewhat fixed a few years later by an almost-perfect post-bacc be addressed since it's the elephant in the room? Should I not mention it in the app at all and explain myself in interviews if it comes up? If addressed, should that be in the personal statement or elsewhere? I have no good explanation for my bad grades except I wasn't mature enough to take school seriously and didn't consider my future at the time, choosing to live in the moment instead. No extenuating circumstances or anything. So addressing it would be limited to that comment.
And here is her response:
A small blemish is what I call a zit. Awhile back I got a PM from an applicant who had a college gpa <3.0 and post bac of 4.0 and MCAT >38. Here's what I wrote in response:
Your situation is not a zit, it is a scar that runs from your earlobe to your chin. The adcom will be begging to know what happened and how you survived.
The story is not so much how you got slashed but how you turned things around and came back against overwhelming odds and triumphed. It could be a great story and I hope you'll write it.
Congrats on the great performance on the MCAT and in the post-bac. Some post-bac schools will send great committee letters that will tell your story in a very sympathetic way (based on your interview with your advisor).
I recently got a nice thank you note from the applicant to tell me of great success this cycle.
While I no longer have the 4.0, I do expect to score about this high on the MCAT so I think I should be OK. I'm aiming for a 3.93 for the whole post-bacc experience, which is high enough according to another member of an admissions committee board (anything 3.8 or higher is awesome). Phew!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
And the Bs start pouring in
Grades are starting to trickle in and I just broke my 4.0 from post-bacc classes. Sadness. I've been preparing myself for this for the past week so I'm not too upset about it, but I didn't expect a solid B in biochem. I had a pretty decent chance at the A, so I must've really bombed the final to drop myself all the way down to a B, even though I thought I had totally killed it. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.
Since I'm pretty convinced I got the B in physio (grades aren't up yet so no proof), my post-bacc is going to go down to 3.88, which is dangerously close to not having a 3.8+ post-bacc GPA. And apparently that's the ultimate goal.
With Biochem II grading being harder and more intense than Biochem I, I'm kind of worried I will drop below that threshold. Ay, the stress!
But, what I have learned this semester is to keep up with the work and not leave it to the last minute. Duh, right? But I've managed to get by every other semester, and this time just bit me in the butt. So lesson learned.
Only way to go is up!
Edit: I caved and looked to see the breakdown of finals for all my classes. I managed to squeak by with an A in physiology (!), and did indeed bomb the biochem final (a whopping 68%). I have no idea how I did so poorly in biochem, as I came out of that exam feeling awesome. But since I know I studied my butt off and felt like I couldn't study any more than I already had, I'm ok with the B because I gave it my all. If I had gotten a B in physio or bio, I would've been pissed because the only reason for that grade would've been burnout and complete laziness. So although I'm still mourning the loss of my 4.0, I'm totally okay with it and will probably sleep better tonight knowing all my grades from this semester are finally decided.
Since I'm pretty convinced I got the B in physio (grades aren't up yet so no proof), my post-bacc is going to go down to 3.88, which is dangerously close to not having a 3.8+ post-bacc GPA. And apparently that's the ultimate goal.
With Biochem II grading being harder and more intense than Biochem I, I'm kind of worried I will drop below that threshold. Ay, the stress!
But, what I have learned this semester is to keep up with the work and not leave it to the last minute. Duh, right? But I've managed to get by every other semester, and this time just bit me in the butt. So lesson learned.
Only way to go is up!
Edit: I caved and looked to see the breakdown of finals for all my classes. I managed to squeak by with an A in physiology (!), and did indeed bomb the biochem final (a whopping 68%). I have no idea how I did so poorly in biochem, as I came out of that exam feeling awesome. But since I know I studied my butt off and felt like I couldn't study any more than I already had, I'm ok with the B because I gave it my all. If I had gotten a B in physio or bio, I would've been pissed because the only reason for that grade would've been burnout and complete laziness. So although I'm still mourning the loss of my 4.0, I'm totally okay with it and will probably sleep better tonight knowing all my grades from this semester are finally decided.
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