A couple days ago I just started putting filling out the online application. This application is used by most medical schools. One of the most annoying things about the process if that you have to enter the grade of every course you have taken in your college career. We already pay for the service. They could at least enter the data themsevles since they require an official transcript.
And to submit the application to a medical school isn't cheap. I've been reading the book Ultimate Guide to Medical Schools by U.S. News and World Report. The suggest that each applicant apply to around 10-15 schools. The AMCAS fee for one medical school is $160 and then $30 for each additional school.
So, for someone sending the application to 15 schools, that would be $580. I'm not sure if there are additional costs yet or not... Oh well, let the fun times roll...
Looks like I'll be enrolled in the Kaplan MCAT Prep Course this summer. The course is almost $1500. Fortunately I received a certificate to take the entire course for free. The Pre-Med Club here at Walla Walla College conducted a raffle. The certificate expires this summer, so only those who planned on taking the Aug '05 MCAT exam were eligible.
In total there were 6 people and my name was the name that was drawn. I'm eager to see what the class will be like as I've heard both good and bad things about these prep course.
I'll plan on posting updates throughout the summer about how the course is going as well as the application process that I should be beginning in the next month or so.
Well, today I finally had the interview with Dr. Nyirady. If I had to describe it in one word, I would say that it went "unexpectedly." Last week I went to the Walla Walla College career center for an interview workshop. While it was geared towards graduating seniors looking for jobs, I still was able to pick up some great tips. Afterwards I asked the career center director for common questions asked during medical school interviews.
Although the career center director told me that it was just an informal interview, I still expected some of the common questions to come up during the brief 20 or so minutes with the Loma Linda University representative. However, as far as I can remember, there were only two questions asked: (1) What kind of experience do you have in the medical field? (i.e. volunteering or shadowing a physician) and (2) What kind of outreach have you been involved in?
Okay, I'll admit question #1 was expected. But I did expect things like "Tell me about yourself," or "What are you strenghts and weaknesses." Perhaps that comes in the formal interview conducted in the Fall? At least I hope so... I understand that #2 is a valid question for a school whose mission statement is "to continue the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ, 'to make man whole,'" but I was expected more than just the two.
I wonder if my transcript sealed my fate...