NursingMedical School
Self-attested. The author confirmed their identity to us. The content itself is unchecked.Starting conditions
- Institution
- State University
- Major
- Nursing
- GPA band
- 3.8-4.0
- Graduated
- 2017
- Location
- New York, United States
- Caregiving responsibilities
Limited exposure to the destination field at the start.
The sequence7 steps
- Job2 yr 3 mo
Worked as a floor nurse while completing prerequisites
Worked as a floor nurse while completing prerequisites. This took 27 months and was harder than expected.
- Coursework10 mo
Completed physics and organic chemistry prerequisites
Completed physics and organic chemistry prerequisites. This took 10 months and was slower than expected.
- Exam5 mo
MCAT preparation and first attempt
MCAT preparation and first attempt. This took 5 months and was harder than expected.
- Setback2 moPivotal
MCAT score below target range
MCAT score below target range. This took 2 months and was harder than expected.
Obstacle
The plan stalled here, and it was not obvious it would recover.
How it was resolved
Asked the people who rejected me what the specific disqualifier was, then fixed exactly that instead of everything at once.
- Exam4 mo
MCAT retake
MCAT retake. This took 4 months and was harder than expected.
- Research10 mo
Joined a clinical research project for application strength
Joined a clinical research project for application strength. This took 10 months and was harder than expected.
Evidence for this step - Application9 moPivotal
Application cycle
Outcome
Accepted to medical school (DO)
Reflection
Would repeat
- Starting the outreach earlier than felt comfortable.
Would skip
- The first application cycle, which I entered underprepared.
Biggest obstacle
Underestimating how long the prerequisite work would take alongside everything else.
What was luck
- One person answered a cold email who did not have to.