2nd and 3rd Interviews!

My applications began to be marked complete when my Letters of Recommendation were uploaded to AMCAS two weeks ago. And since then, I’ve gotten two interview invites in addition to the one at Ohio State that I currently hold. First, The Commonwealth Medical College, and second, The George Washington University.

TCMC is the new medical school up in Scranton, PA, near my significant other’s hometown, so I’d likely have a built-in support system should I attend their school. It is, on the other hand, one of the most rural schools I applied to. (Regardless of what The Office may have you believe, Scranton isn’t the most happening place, though it is quaint.)  My interview there is at the end of September, so it’s nice and early in the season.

What can I say about George Washington? I’m ecstatic to be interviewing there. They receive the most applications out of any med school in the country, according to the 2008 numbers, so I’m honored that they’d like to meet me. Washington, DC is a beautiful place to be, and I can only imagine how rich an experience students must have there. Lots to do on the weekends, lots of outdoor places to relax or exercise, and of course, great research and clinical opportunities from being in a major city. I’m heading down to DC just one week after my interview at TCMC, and luckily, it’s also before Oct 15, which is the earliest any school can accept students. That puts me squarely in the earliest set of applicants at these three schools, and what more could I hope for?

Good luck to everyone out there applying with me in this cycle. All the best!

First Interview

What a great morning! The weather is that perfect, sunny but a little chilly, anything-is-possible weather. I got breakfast from my favorite local coffee shop. And I awoke to find an interview invite waiting for me in my email! Ohio State invited me to interview with them next month!

Since I updated last, I’ve received a total of 18 secondary applications, all of which I completed and submitted within 7 days (with one exception, which I completed in just under two weeks). I’m still waiting on Drexel and Stony Brook’s supplemental applications, but everything else is done on my end. My letters of recommendation are about to be uploaded by my prehealth committee to AMCAS, and then I’ll be complete at those 18 schools.

I’m feeling confident about this year!

Columbia-Bassett

Another day, another MD program that has caught my eye. In Columbia’s email delivering its secondary application, they mentioned their new Columbia-Bassett program, and after a few hours of research, I’ve decided to apply!

Unlike Cleveland Clinic, with it’s 5-year program and its focus on clinical research, Columbia-Bassett is a 4-year MD program that emphasizes longitudinal clinical experience, a strong and compassionate relationship between physicians and patients, and the importance of rural health care. The first 18 months of medical school take place at Columbia’s NYC campus, and from there students move to Cooperstown, in Upstate New York, to complete their clerkships at Bassett Healthcare. It seems like students get the best of both worlds: a glimpse into healthcare in the biggest of metropolitan areas, and an extensive view of rural medicine. Also, I’m drawn to the school’s emphasis on relationships, or as they put it, “humanistic patient care.” I love it! Just like Cleveland, their program includes a financial package of yearly $30,000 grants to students to alleviate debt following graduation.

To apply, you answer one additional question on the Columbia secondary specific to C-B. Should I be interviewed, I will interview at both the Cooperstown and NYC campuses. And should C-B not wish to interview me, my application will be considered by Columbia for their traditional MD program.

First Secondaries!

Within a minute of posting my last entry, I got not one but two secondaries in my inbox. George Washington, and Ohio State. Bam!

Cleveland Clinic

I didn’t know anything at all about the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine until yesterday, when I saw it mentioned on another website. And I have to say, I really like what I see. It’s a 5-year, biomedical research-oriented MD program created between Cleveland Clinic and Case Western, with small classes (32 students/year), ample opportunities for student involvement, and experience with some of the top physician investigators around.

Other benefits: not only does each student get a laptop computer, but their tuition is entirely covered by a scholarship. Their philosophy is that students should graduate from Cleveland Clinic so they can fulfill their professional aspirations without being hindered and burdened by debt. If that pragmatic and compassionate attitude extends to their faculty, it sounds like a wonderful and nurturing environment for someone like me who wants to both practice clinically and pursue research.

You apply to CCLCM by choosing Case Western within AMCAS, and then specifying on Case’s secondary whether you’d like to apply for the CCLCM 5-year program, the Case Western traditional 4-year MD program, or both. I’m going to apply for both. This could be the beginning of a great opportunity!

AMCAS Submitted

I’ve been working on my AMCAS for a few months now, but even after all that time I got butterflies in my stomach as I went to submit the application today.  It really hits you that it’s final; you can’t modify your application once you hit “Submit” (at least, the personal statement or your work/activities). But now it’s official, I’ve initiated the application process! All that’s left is to wait for my transcripts to be received by AMCAS.

By the way, it’s pricey.  Running costs so far: $749.

AMCAS Done

I finished filling out the AMCAS application. It’s done! My statement is completed, my activities all have descriptions, and I’ve had my transcript sent in. Now I just have to wait until June when I can actually submit it. Huzzah!

Here we go again

As of Tuesday, the 2010 AMCAS is now open. And I’ve already started filling it out. The long, long process begins…

The Commonwealth Medical College

I’m really trying to solidify my list of schools, and for the most part I’m satisfied with what I’ve come up with, but I just started looking into The Commonwealth Medical Colllege.  It’s a new med school in northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton to be exact.

Pros: it’s close to the family of my significant other, and it’s just as close to my own family as places like Philadelphia are.  They seem to have a good focus on primary care and enhancing rural healthcare.

Cons: it’s a new school, which means it doesn’t come with reputation or wisdom gained by operating within academia for years and years.  Also, they don’t have their own campus yet, and won’t until 2011, so my first year would be spent in temporary facilities.

I’m thinking it’s worth applying.  For me, it’s another opportunity.  Now, do I add TCMC to my list at the expense of another place, or do I just add it and bring my total up to 20?

Briefly: AMCAS, SDN, MDapps

First, I caved and finally joined SDN and MDapplicants.  I’m not sure how often, if ever, I’ll post there, but at least I now have the option.

Second, I met with one of the physicians in my department, and got some really great advice for working on my personal statement.  After that meeting, I spent time updating and editing the essay, and as of yesterday, I have a draft complete enough to send out for feedback.  I was getting discouraged with how slowly it was coming along, but this most recent draft is something I’m proud of.

Now I’ll turn my attention to writing out all the descriptions of my work and activities for the AMCAS.  The application goes live in just a few days, and although the first submission date isn’t until June, I’d like everything to be done well in advance.