I participated in research, volunteered, and worked to maintain my grades. So, when I was filling out my application, I asked myself, 'What makes me different?
What makes my story unique? She initiated the scheduling of regular appointments with me to discuss her plans and her preparation starting early on in her undergraduate career. In retrospect, Nadia would have financially invested in appropriate MCAT prep material since the exam score is a vital component on medical school applications.
Catherine Dayton, formerly Director of Admissions at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, now Director of Admissions at the University of Houston, said that while the MCAT VR subsection was less strong, given her science-heavy undergraduate curriculum, and the strength of every other aspect of her academic portfolio, the committee felt completely comfortable that Nadia was more than adequately prepared to excel as a medical student.
All of her work paid off as Nadia is now able to make connections between what she learned as an undergraduate and what she is studying while in medical school. Because of the skills I gained as an undergraduate, I am a better student today. Nadia began college as a biochemistry major, and almost switched to nursing at the end of her freshman year to gain more clinical exposure.
However, she decided to continue in her studies of molecular sciences, enjoying the new topics and challenges the major posed. At the VA Medical Center, Nadia worked as an inpatient transporter for the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation department and often assisted in physical therapy sessions.
