Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:02 Demographic information 03:22 Other impactful experiences/ Disadvantaged statement 04:55 Coursework and grades 07:48 GPA 09:04 MCAT 09:19 PREview 09:41 Work and Activities 25:30 Personal Statement 26:12 School List + Interviews + Acceptances
Finally, someone who didn’t get perfect grades every time in undergrad showing their success! Thank you! Great job getting so many interviews, I’m sure you will get into your top choice (:
Congratulations!! But this was very helpful regarding the application but also your bounce back! I pray the best over you on your way to medical school, and once you reach.
You are literally an inspiration to me. Please upload more videos on tips to getting into med school!! I am so glad I found you here and have someone to look upto!
Although I'm not into medical school, I always find people sharing their AMCAS application so fascinating. Wish the best for you in your medical school journey.
You have a great story. Sorry to hear about your dad but you have persevered through the hardship. And great job trying to help other aspirants. Congrats!
Thank you so much for this! I'm currently a senior at Penn and also fell victim to the disaster of a Pre-Med program that they have. This gives me so much hope!
This channel is fire !! I am about to apply this upcoming cycle. I hope you get a few more acceptances and maybe we will be future classmates :) Also Go BLUE !
It was crazy seeing this video, cause we were in the same place, experiencing similar things academically at the same time. We probably walked by each other on campus. Amazing how small the pre-med world can be. Thank you for the breakdown and video.
thank u for uploading this, i’m a first generation Cuban immigrant and this whole process is super confusing to me. I hope all goes well for you and good luck!! ❤
Thank you for going in depth and explaining your AMCAS application. Could you make a video about how to study and what you did to get better grades? Thanks and keep up the good work
Congrats on your acceptances!!! Are you comfortable sharing which of your As/WLs/schools post-II are your favorite (financial aid notwithstanding)? Just curious, but you don't have to share. Either way, it's great that you're sharing your app as a resource and reference for future applicants.
Thanks for this. As an international student who will be attending undergrad in the fall I’m really concerned about how I will be doing extracurriculars with the Visa restrictions so this helped a bit.
Hello, I subscribed because your video was really helpful. I was wondering if you can make a video about your post bacc experience. The cost, the time it took, how you came to the decision to do a post bacc program.
Yeah of course! So I did my job through work-study and my school had a directory of jobs for us to look through. I sorted by clinical research assistant jobs and applied to a few. If your school doesn’t have a similar work-study directory or if you dont do work-study, there’s a good chance they have a research directory. From there, you can contact professors/doctors and often times they will have paid positions. I recommend applying/emailing several because sometimes the directories arent updated and you might get some duds.
Thank you for sharing this with us pre-meds. Congratulations on your acceptances !!! I also had a question - did you use any paid resources for editing your essays?
I did! I don’t know very many people in medicine or med school so I felt I needed an extra set of eyes. I used MedSchoolCoach’s services and they were great!
Congratulations!! I am just curious if you think going to an ivy also makes a difference. Do you think med schools liked the fact that you went to an ivy; did it help? Also, when did you decide to do a post bacc, first semester of senior year? I am kinda lost cuz I am a junior and and extremely lost what I should do. Currently have a cum 3.5 and 3.35 sgpa
Hi for Stony Brook, they asked for a Casper exam online but I saw that you took the Preview. Could you please elaborate if the two exams are interchangeable?
Congratulations! I can’t begin to explain how helpful this video was! As a pre-med senior with a 3.28 GPA and 8,000 hours of experience as an EMT do you think I need to do a post-bacc? I know it depends on a lot of factors but do you personally feel like this GPA would be acceptable. I still have to do my MCAT in January! I struggled through a lot of personal obstacles too, that I can mention in my personal statement
Thank you so much for this video! I'm applying this summer. Can I ask- how did you build up the stamina to write so many secondaries? What do you think is a good amount of schools to apply to if someone (aka me haha) really does not want to reapply and would be fine with any MD school.
Of course! My main tip is to start early. You can and should pre-write secondaries. I started writing them sometime in April or May. Something else to keep in mind is there’s a lot of writing involved for this process lol bc you have your personal statement, your activities (which you def wanna spend time on!), and secondaries. I started writing my PS around Feb and kept fine tuning until May, then started my activities around March and i think about finished in April, then as I said I started secondaries in April/May and kept working on them through July. Lmk if you have any more questions I know it can be confusing. As for how many schools, I’d have to know a little more about your stats, ECs, state of residence, etc. but in general 25-30 is considered good. Feel free to message me on ig (@amandaparedes_) or email me at amanda28paredes@gmail.com if you want more personalized advice!
So completed hours refers to the amount of hours you have completed of the activity at the time that you submit your application. Anticipated hours are hours that haven’t happened yet but you’re anticipating they will. Let’s say you’re submitting your application in May 2023, but you’re planning on doing a particular activity until May 2024, you would calculate out the amount of hours you plan on contributing and put that under anticipated hours.
Hi Amanda, was the Penn postbac that you did the Specialized Studies one? I was beginning to lose hope because I did extensive research on pretty much every postbac/SMP around the tristate area and connected with many students from each. The outcomes of finishing enhancer-type programs looked so bleak... I would say most that I talked to did not get in anywhere and others switched to PA/nursing. I know the Penn one has like a 70%+ percent admit rate for graduates. Really hoping to get into the Columbia, Penn, or WashU postbac because all other programs seem shady about their students' success
I threw my hands in the air and relocated from that area to Colorado for my post bacc at CU Boulder which has 95% acceptance rate. Got into one of their research labs and got a medical assistant job to keep my pt experience and research hours current. The university has a great volunteer center to so it’s overall great accessibility to the experiences you need for med school and your surrounded by even better mountains lol. Their students get into John Hopkins, San Diego, etc. I’m hoping to get into UColorado Med school so I don’t have to relocate until residency. My family member on the other hand had a business BA and never got a job after college (but did do marketing internships) she just continued education and took the pre-med classes at a state college in New England non-matriculated (no post bacc or specialized masters) right after her BA and got right into a great med school with 2 years of paid research and volunteer EMT experience for her pt experience and volunteer hours. So while you might see bleakness there are many who do it without one too. Best of luck to you in your decision making.
Hi, yes indeed I did the specialized studies one, and I highly recommend it. It was a great experience. The only thing that isn’t great is I think the advising team could do better and be more proactive about helping their students. But, if youre self motivated and you make sure to use online resources and you’re on top of the timeline and stuff like that, you can definitely be successful. My colleagues have also been successful, some have gotten interviews to T10 schools.
@@amandaparedesmedthanks! I remember looking at the program's page a few months ago to see the program outcomes and something that concerned me was that it listed a mid-tier school (T60-70) as their top matriculation for specialized studies students. I can't find it anymore, so it must've been updated. It really felt like even the best postbac programs (that aren't for career changers) were barely able to get their students in anywhere, but hearing that and seeing your success gives me hope. My experiences are strangely identical to yours (even hobbies 🤣) and my GPA is a 3.55 with a sharp upward trend, so I'm hoping that I can get anywhere near a successful cycle as yours after my postbac/MS.
Hello, for the medical assistant job on your application, you only listed the hours you did after you completed the program or when you first started the program to become a medical assistant?
Hi, I did not complete a program to become a medical assistant. In my state, not all MA jobs require certification! I basically just learned on the job
I have my undergraduate in electrical engineering with 3.7gpa and my master’s in biomedical engineering with 3.35gpa. I am almost completing my mba program in healthcare but yet to take my mcat. Do you think this profile is ok ? I am aiming for 520+
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:02 Demographic information
03:22 Other impactful experiences/ Disadvantaged statement
04:55 Coursework and grades
07:48 GPA
09:04 MCAT
09:19 PREview
09:41 Work and Activities
25:30 Personal Statement
26:12 School List + Interviews + Acceptances
Finally, someone who didn’t get perfect grades every time in undergrad showing their success! Thank you! Great job getting so many interviews, I’m sure you will get into your top choice (:
But you are missing the most important and determining piece of the puzzle.
I love your honesty, because most people don't explain their grades in public like that, they assume it is private.
I’m rooting for yah! I subscribed because I want to follow your progress. All the best.
Congratulations!! But this was very helpful regarding the application but also your bounce back! I pray the best over you on your way to medical school, and once you reach.
You are literally an inspiration to me. Please upload more videos on tips to getting into med school!! I am so glad I found you here and have someone to look upto!
Although I'm not into medical school, I always find people sharing their AMCAS application so fascinating. Wish the best for you in your medical school journey.
You have a great story. Sorry to hear about your dad but you have persevered through the hardship. And great job trying to help other aspirants. Congrats!
Thank you so much for this! I'm currently a senior at Penn and also fell victim to the disaster of a Pre-Med program that they have. This gives me so much hope!
Oh man I’m sorry to hear that! Yeah, Penn is…interesting 🥴 😂😂 I wish you the best I am sure you will be successful:)
I Really enjoyed this!!! Your demeanor is very authentic and non imposing
This channel is fire !! I am about to apply this upcoming cycle. I hope you get a few more acceptances and maybe we will be future classmates :)
Also Go BLUE !
Thanks so much!! Best of luck on your cycle. Also hoping for a few more acceptances we’ll see!! :D
Thanks for this walkthrough, very valuable!
It was crazy seeing this video, cause we were in the same place, experiencing similar things academically at the same time. We probably walked by each other on campus. Amazing how small the pre-med world can be. Thank you for the breakdown and video.
Love this!!!
Can you make a video on how you became a medical assistant the certifications or qualifications involved for the job
Thank you! Yes of course, thanks for the vid idea :)
thank u for uploading this, i’m a first generation Cuban immigrant and this whole process is super confusing to me. I hope all goes well for you and good luck!! ❤
roooting for you❤️
You give me hope
Thanks for this!
Thanks for the walk through Amanda! Keep us posted on your progress 📚🎓⚕️
Thank you for going in depth and explaining your AMCAS application. Could you make a video about how to study and what you did to get better grades? Thanks and keep up the good work
Absolutely! Adding that to the list of video ideas :)
Congrats on your acceptances!!! Are you comfortable sharing which of your As/WLs/schools post-II are your favorite (financial aid notwithstanding)? Just curious, but you don't have to share. Either way, it's great that you're sharing your app as a resource and reference for future applicants.
Hi thanks so much! Honestly they almost all gave me great vibes. Emory, BU, Michigan, and Icahn were some of my fave interviews
Your activities are very impressive
thank you!!
Yesss! Latinx in medicine! Congrats! I got in this cycle as well!
Lets gooo!! Love to hear that, congratulations!!
Thanks for this. As an international student who will be attending undergrad in the fall I’m really concerned about how I will be doing extracurriculars with the Visa restrictions so this helped a bit.
Heyy! Great video. I noticed you have a lot of research related ec’s. How did you land these awesome opportunities??
Hello, I subscribed because your video was really helpful. I was wondering if you can make a video about your post bacc experience. The cost, the time it took, how you came to the decision to do a post bacc program.
A 518 on the MCAT? ¡Buen trabajo!
Hello, do you have any tips on landing a clinical research assistant position in undergrad? Or could you share how you got yours?
Yeah of course! So I did my job through work-study and my school had a directory of jobs for us to look through. I sorted by clinical research assistant jobs and applied to a few. If your school doesn’t have a similar work-study directory or if you dont do work-study, there’s a good chance they have a research directory. From there, you can contact professors/doctors and often times they will have paid positions. I recommend applying/emailing several because sometimes the directories arent updated and you might get some duds.
Thank you for sharing this with us pre-meds. Congratulations on your acceptances !!! I also had a question - did you use any paid resources for editing your essays?
I did! I don’t know very many people in medicine or med school so I felt I needed an extra set of eyes. I used MedSchoolCoach’s services and they were great!
Congratulations!! I am just curious if you think going to an ivy also makes a difference. Do you think med schools liked the fact that you went to an ivy; did it help?
Also, when did you decide to do a post bacc, first semester of senior year? I am kinda lost cuz I am a junior and and extremely lost what I should do. Currently have a cum 3.5 and 3.35 sgpa
Hi for Stony Brook, they asked for a Casper exam online but I saw that you took the Preview. Could you please elaborate if the two exams are interchangeable?
Hi, I took both Casper and Preview!
And they are not interchangeable
Hi! For the C- you got in biochem, did you retake that? I have one C- for intro bio :(
Congratulations! I can’t begin to explain how helpful this video was!
As a pre-med senior with a 3.28 GPA and 8,000 hours of experience as an EMT do you think I need to do a post-bacc? I know it depends on a lot of factors but do you personally feel like this GPA would be acceptable. I still have to do my MCAT in January!
I struggled through a lot of personal obstacles too, that I can mention in my personal statement
email me at amanda28paredes@gmail.com!
Thank you so much for sharing this
Thank you so much for this video! I'm applying this summer. Can I ask- how did you build up the stamina to write so many secondaries? What do you think is a good amount of schools to apply to if someone (aka me haha) really does not want to reapply and would be fine with any MD school.
Of course! My main tip is to start early. You can and should pre-write secondaries. I started writing them sometime in April or May. Something else to keep in mind is there’s a lot of writing involved for this process lol bc you have your personal statement, your activities (which you def wanna spend time on!), and secondaries. I started writing my PS around Feb and kept fine tuning until May, then started my activities around March and i think about finished in April, then as I said I started secondaries in April/May and kept working on them through July. Lmk if you have any more questions I know it can be confusing. As for how many schools, I’d have to know a little more about your stats, ECs, state of residence, etc. but in general 25-30 is considered good. Feel free to message me on ig (@amandaparedes_) or email me at amanda28paredes@gmail.com if you want more personalized advice!
What is the difference between completed and anticipated hours for the activities section?
So completed hours refers to the amount of hours you have completed of the activity at the time that you submit your application. Anticipated hours are hours that haven’t happened yet but you’re anticipating they will. Let’s say you’re submitting your application in May 2023, but you’re planning on doing a particular activity until May 2024, you would calculate out the amount of hours you plan on contributing and put that under anticipated hours.
Hi Amanda, was the Penn postbac that you did the Specialized Studies one? I was beginning to lose hope because I did extensive research on pretty much every postbac/SMP around the tristate area and connected with many students from each. The outcomes of finishing enhancer-type programs looked so bleak... I would say most that I talked to did not get in anywhere and others switched to PA/nursing. I know the Penn one has like a 70%+ percent admit rate for graduates. Really hoping to get into the Columbia, Penn, or WashU postbac because all other programs seem shady about their students' success
Also, I think that your writing is amazing. Congrats on your application results so far
I threw my hands in the air and relocated from that area to Colorado for my post bacc at CU Boulder which has 95% acceptance rate. Got into one of their research labs and got a medical assistant job to keep my pt experience and research hours current. The university has a great volunteer center to so it’s overall great accessibility to the experiences you need for med school and your surrounded by even better mountains lol. Their students get into John Hopkins, San Diego, etc. I’m hoping to get into UColorado Med school so I don’t have to relocate until residency. My family member on the other hand had a business BA and never got a job after college (but did do marketing internships) she just continued education and took the pre-med classes at a state college in New England non-matriculated (no post bacc or specialized masters) right after her BA and got right into a great med school with 2 years of paid research and volunteer EMT experience for her pt experience and volunteer hours. So while you might see bleakness there are many who do it without one too. Best of luck to you in your decision making.
Hi, yes indeed I did the specialized studies one, and I highly recommend it. It was a great experience. The only thing that isn’t great is I think the advising team could do better and be more proactive about helping their students. But, if youre self motivated and you make sure to use online resources and you’re on top of the timeline and stuff like that, you can definitely be successful. My colleagues have also been successful, some have gotten interviews to T10 schools.
@@j.l.5836 Thank you thats very kind! :)
@@amandaparedesmedthanks! I remember looking at the program's page a few months ago to see the program outcomes and something that concerned me was that it listed a mid-tier school (T60-70) as their top matriculation for specialized studies students. I can't find it anymore, so it must've been updated. It really felt like even the best postbac programs (that aren't for career changers) were barely able to get their students in anywhere, but hearing that and seeing your success gives me hope. My experiences are strangely identical to yours (even hobbies 🤣) and my GPA is a 3.55 with a sharp upward trend, so I'm hoping that I can get anywhere near a successful cycle as yours after my postbac/MS.
Hello, for the medical assistant job on your application, you only listed the hours you did after you completed the program or when you first started the program to become a medical assistant?
Hi, I did not complete a program to become a medical assistant. In my state, not all MA jobs require certification! I basically just learned on the job
Did you get accepted to University of Miami?
I have my undergraduate in electrical engineering with 3.7gpa and my master’s in biomedical engineering with 3.35gpa. I am almost completing my mba program in healthcare but yet to take my mcat. Do you think this profile is ok ? I am aiming for 520+
You only had one LoR for all those schools?? I thought most wanted 3?
99' club, nice to meet a fellow old young person lol
Did you apply to all of the schools on the application? How many schools did you apply to?
Yes I applied to all the schools listed! It came out to about 47 or 48
Do medical schools contact people like employers from your most meaningful experiences?
They can contact people from any of your activities you list! It’s not common but it happens every now and then
@@amandaparedesmed would they ask me to provide them with their contact information ?
@@DrTorres444 yep!
Perelman better have at least given you an interview!
unfortunately they didn’t 🤣 oh well
Hi, did you take a gap year?
Yes she did a postbac
Marry me