Heyyyy,
I apologize for the delay in posts, a lot has happened in the past couple months. I have completed the MCAT, applied to jobs and accepted a position as a server/bartender, started babysitting, and started volunteering at a Kaiser hospital. I am really excited to have a full schedule now that the MCAT and studying are over. I like keeping busy!
Let’s talk MCAT: Overall, I achieved a score of 30. PS 11/ VR 7/ BS 12. I am really disappointed with my verbal score because my verbal practice tests averaged around the 10 range — but I knew I messed up in the exam. Even with all my practice, I was anxious during the test and spent too long on the first passage and messed up my timing for the rest, which only increased my anxiety. I was calm and focused for the science sections though, which will hopefully make up for verbal reasoning.
PLEASE, for all you out there studying for the MCAT, realize that so many things go into doing well on the real exam. Prepare with practice tests as much as you can and don’t waste too much time on one section.
Additionally, it is that time when the pre-health committee at Hamilton is asking for my resume, self-assessment, and first draft of my personal statement. The good news is, I was hired to be a server at a new restaurant in the beginning of February! I have worked at many different places (a coffee shop, a cafe, a law firm, dental offices, etc). I’ve really enjoyed working in a restaurant setting and I am starting to take on additional shifts as a bartender — so that’s exciting (trying to pay for med school soon).
Currently, I am going through an internal debate on whether I should apply now, for Fall 2016, or wait yet another year for Fall 2017. Going to school in Fall 2016 is ideal because I am so excited to go back to school and start learning, that waiting until 2017 feels impossible. On the other hand, because I was previously pre-dental, my internships and shadowing experience are not relevant for medical school. I just started volunteering at a nearby Kaiser hospital and I will start to shadow a DO there soon. My concern is that it will be cutting it too close to when I need to apply to schools if I want to be at the top of the application pool.
Let me know your thoughts/advice, working through this process is not easy.
Best,
Erin
DOctor Dogma 