Almost done with Apps!

I am finished filling out my medical school applications except for two things. Figuring out which schools I am going to apply to first (am I doing early decision somewhere or not) and including my personal statement.

I have written my personal statement, but I sent it to my friend's mother for review (and she is very busy). So, as soon as I hear from her I can make the necessary changes and hit submit!

I am very excited about this.

The next step is writing my intent to do the Early Decsion Program (if that is what I decide to do) at Virginia Tech.

This past weekend I visited West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. I like both programs, but was more impressed by Wake Forest. However, in order to have a more competitive application at Wake Forest I should retake the MCAT (I really don't want to do this at this point.) If I do not get in to any medical school, then I will retake the MCATs and reapply for the following year. If I can get into medical school without having to retake the MCATs then I will be very happy.

I do not like the PBL (small group learning) ciriculum at WVSOM, but I might be interested in their normal lecture based learning program. I think the small group method is a good idea, but they have set it up so you are almost completely on your own learning everything you need to know in your first two years of medical school.

Wake Forest has a similar program; however, theirs is integrated with lecture, and the "clinical sessions" are only one week long. So you have the advantage of the program WVSOM is using, as well as professor interaction and your success is not quite as dependent on you.

I am excited about my next trip to visit UNECOM, PCOM, and George Washington Univ School of Medicine and Health Sciences mid July. However, I will have already submitted applications by that point, so it will just help me to know if I am interested in filling out the secondaries if I receive them.

Transcript Submitted

Yesterday, I turned in the transcript request form to Registrations and Records and they printed it and sealed the envelope while I was there. It was supposed to go out in the mail today, so hopefully that will be checked off very soon.

I think this process would be going much more quickly if I were not taking the EMT class right now, and if I were not constantly at work. However, I am glad I am doing both of these things because it is great experience.

This weekend I will be going to visit WVSOM and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. I am very exciting about being able to speak with representatives of both of these schools.


I also recently contacted one of the members of the HealthPAC review committee about how to write the letter of intent (for the Early Decision Program) that I am most likely going to be sending to VCOM. Hopefully, I will hear back about that very shortly.

That's all for now. I have to study for my final EMT test that I am taking tomorrow morning, then the certification test and everything will be official. (Stay clear of the Raleigh/Cary area for a while. LOL)

one step down.... so many more to go...

Wow, I really am bad about keeping up with this.

Well, I have finished and turned in all of the components that were due to HealthPAC and all of my recommendation letters were turned sumbitted on time! I felt like I was pestering the people a bit, but I had to make sure everything was completed.

I am still working on editing my personal statement though. I talked with Mrs. Hartwell about it and she had a lot of great suggestions. I plan on trying to finish that Wednesday and sending it to her again.

I have begun the application process with AMCAS and ACOMAS, but have been busy the last several days, and because I have not completed my personal statement I did not make my goal of submitting on June 1 (the first possible day). However, my new goal is June 21 (though I hope to sumbit sooner) and it will be met.

I am also in the process of planning several trips to visit schools. I am going to WVSOM Open House on June 20 and will go to Wake Forest that following Monday if I can get it arranged. Also, I am planning a trip to UNECOM, PCOM, Georgetown, and George Washington sometime in July (though, Georgetown and George Washington might make it with the WVSOM trip). Finally, I am going to Iowa with Rebecca and Joel to visit University of Iowa. I don't have a date for that yet, but I should know by the end of the week I hope.

The next thing is to find an Osteopathic Doctor so that I can have a letter of recommendation from him or her (a necessity if I want to become a DO). And I also have to decide if I definitely want to do the early decision program at VCOM. If I do not want to do this, then I have to refine my list of schools to which I plan to apply.

This is all very exciting, but extremely nerve-racking at the same time. I really am beginning to feel like I have no idea what I am doing and there is no way I am going to figure it out on my own.

Lord, please help me to make the right decisions so that I can follow in the path you have planned for me. I need your strength and support.



As for my EMT class, I am almost finished with that. I am beginning to become more confident as I have time again to study properly and work on patient assessment. Hopefully, I will be able to do a ride-along soon. I am excited about the possibilities this will give me, too.