Interview at UMC

My interview at UMC was very relaxed. I was so at ease and couldn't believe how little stress I felt.

* Interview with Dr. Case
*Two more interviews as well as an on campus lunch and a tour with a M4
* Q & A wrap up time with Dr. Case
* Finger prints taken on campus

My day went like this...

Interview with Dr. Case.
He explained how the day would proceed.
Dr. Case had already read my AMCAS (open file interview)
Questions I remember (in no order):
1. How big was your graduating high school class?
2. What was your ACT score?
3. If you and a fellow student were going to clinicals, and the other student was "high," what would you do?
4. You are a doctor and have explained an important procedure to your patient. You notice that the patient has a completely dazed look on his face, and you know that he did not comprehend what you have told him. How would you make sure that your patient understood you?
5. Which extra curricular was most meaningful to me? What did I learn from my EC?
6. Are you considering geriatrics? (This is specific to my application)
7. Which people did I find the most difficult to work with?
8. From my secondary application (which asked about where I had lived my whole life) - I was asked about the two times that I had moved to Texas from Mississippi.

Interview #2
Had not read my AMCAS (closed file interview). I found this form to be difficult. I felt like I was repeating the things that I had already said in my application. I wasn't prepared for this.
1. What do I do for fun? What types of books do you like reading?
2. What was my ACT score?
3. What are your weaknesses. How do you overcome them?
4. I was asked about my life during my pre-high school years. He asked what I did after school, and I told him that me and my little brother liked to be adventurers and played in the woods all afternoon. So, he asked "what did you learn from the woods?" WTF? I didn't know how to respond. (This is honestly, the hardest question for me to answer. When I told my mom about it, she said that I should have responded, "Poison ivy itches.")
5. This interviewer is the one that remarked on my low MCAT score. Read what was said here.
6. Do I plan on retaking the MCAT. We talked at length about why it may be beneficial to retake for residency reasons.
7. What would you like for me to tell the admissions committee about you?

Lunch with the 2 other applicants and an M4.
The tour was not planned out. We were shown a little bit of everything. The student answered a lot of questions. I was able to get to know the other applicants. It was enjoyable and relaxed.

Interview #3.
Open File.
The interview was amazing. I felt like I was talking to an old friend that was really interested in every word I had to say.
1. Act score?
2. I was asked about my high school graduating class size and which quarter did I graduate in, and how I moved from the bottom of the class in high school to summa cum laude for my BS.
3. I was asked to explain how I progressed and what I had learned from high school through college, but not to explain it in terms of grades.
4. I was asked a lot about hurricane Katrina and the hospital I worked in.
5. We talked about how hard I have worked in my life, the interviewer told me some things I didn't want to hear. Such as I worked too hard.
6. Who has been most influential in your life.
7. Besides your family, who has been most influential in your life?
8. We talked a lot about my family, and the respect I have for them.
9. What do I do for fun?


Q & A with Dr. Case.
1. He explained how the admission committee meets and gave a little insight as to what actually happens during the meetings. I found this fascinating, and it seemed like a lot of fun. The people on the committee are incredibly dedicated.
2. He gave me a chance to explain things about my grades that I had not otherwise mentioned. I also explained why I had dropped some courses (I never mentioned my course work in my AMCAS personal statement. Mostly because I felt like my academics spoke for themselves, and if anyone wanted an explanation about my shortcoming, I could explain in the interview. I wanted my app to shine out all my good qualities, not explain away the bad ones).

Fingerprinting.
Took place in a small office not far from Dr. Case. You had to have show your ID and sign a few things.

Distinguished Senior Award

The Department recognized 9 of our graduating seniors at our Spring Reception -- students who distinguished themselves not only academically but also through their other achievements while attending Southern Miss.

Back row: Sondra Simpson, Amanda Perkins, Anna Snyder, Ryan Kelly, Dr. Frank Moore, Chair of BiologyFront row: Sarah Hassler, Kristen Lovelady, Amanda Nadolski, Suzanne Wright (not pictured Brandi Sartin)

See the original website.

Editing services for AMCAS

I want to show some examples of how much my AMCAS statements improved with the help of an editor. The before statement is exactly what I sent off, and the after statement is really close to the final product on my AMCAS. If you want to see what I put on my AMCAS click here. I will be the first to admit that writing and creativity are one of my weakest skills.

This is my dad's handiwork. He doesn't guarantee grammatical accuracy (he uses spell check), but for a small fee, he will edit your work. E-mail Bob at SOFRONIN@GMAIL.COM

Before: Personal Statement
“Tree burn” is one of the few reasons that I know that I want to be a doctor, although I have only recently learned about tree burn and my interest in medicine began at a much earlier age. In elementary school, my mother bought a memory book that I was to fill out at the end of every school year. One of the questions in this book was the age old “What do you want to be when you grew up?” There were several boxes that you could check. Of course, doctor was one of the choices. I never picked that one. I always picked “model/actress.” I come from a family of beautiful women, and this seemed the natural choice. I didn’t start thinking of a career in medicine until I went to my pediatrician’s office. It was a magical place. The walls were beautifully painted, toys everywhere, a playground outside. As I grew older, I began to see the service that my doctor provided, her knowledge coupled with the ability to ease minds while still doing her job, and I respected her for the knowledge she possessed and the job she loved. The older I become, the more I realized that I was never going to grow past the five feet that I had achieved, and I was always going to be a little on the chubby size, so I would probably not make a very good model. I have other attributes including patience, intelligence and willingness to serve which has allowed me to know that I would make an excellent doctor.
Back to tree burn, tree burn is like carpet burn except that it occurs after you have hugged a tree through a hurricane in order to survive. I saw too many people with tree burn when I rode out hurricane Katrina at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, MS. I regularly work the hurricane crew, as I am one of the few people in my department that do not have children. I left my home on Sunday with three pairs of scrubs and toiletries, and the biggest worry on mind was the MCAT that I had taken only eight days before (and how I was going to be able to wait for my scores to come out). By the next morning, I was moving patients from their rooms into the hallways as the windows began blowing out of their rooms. I helped nail doors shut, calm fears, and assisted the other medical staff. We waited together. I do not remember feeling scared. I was busy attending to the people who needed my help. When the wind died down enough and the windows were boarded, I began to clean until we could move patients into their rooms again. My assistance was then needed in the emergency department where they wanted any techs that could be of assistance. My first trip outside of the hospital was when a dump truck pulled up to the ambulance bay and the driver let the rear gate down and over twenty people stepped out of the back. I helped to treat minor lacerations to children who had been submerged in the water for long periods of time as they waited to be rescued. Our discharged patients and newly homeless people where beginning to become restless as they waited together in a makeshift shelter. I helped to wrap food to feed them. I passed out colors and stickers and offered kind words. By Wednesday, the hospital was running short of generator fuel. I found myself in a pitch-black hallway at 1AM just having finished taking a shower. Once again I was whisked off to be of assistance to other departments, first ER then ICU, only this time, I was in my pajamas. Wednesday afternoon I was afforded my first opportunity to return to my home. When I arrived, my house looked perfect, but I was only able to push the door open a crack to see that my home was flooded and that most of my belongings would be forever lost. I did not even try to go inside. I shut the door and returned to work. I realized that I was very fortunate to have a job in a hospital that served people, a job that I truly love.

After: Click here.

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Before: Quote from The University of Southern Mississippi’s website: "The Department [of Biological Sciences] recognized 9 or our graduating seniors at our Spring Reception – students who distinguished themselves not only academically but also through their other achievements while attending Southern Miss."

After: I am one of nine graduating seniors to receive the Biological Sciences Distinguished Senior award. The award recognizes students who have distinguished themselves not only academically but also through other achievements while attending the University of Southern Mississippi. The department faculty nominated and voted for the seniors who received this award. I was honored to receive the recognition of my professors reflecting their awareness of my abilities and dedication over the years when I thought it had gone unnoticed.

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Before: (This paragraph had already gone through one edit, but I needed to add more) I tutored elementary school first graders at Grigg's Elementary School where I listened, corrected and encouraged the children as they read stories to me. It was an endeavor requiring focus and patience on my part, and I learned, through teaching, the principles underlying the development of reading skills. My greatest satisfaction came in seeing the glow of happiness and success on their faces when they realized they could actually read. I felt pride in knowing I helped secure a better future for them, as they became better readers.

Some things that you could possibly add to the above paragraph are…
This was part of a college work-study program. I learned that teachers/educators put in a lot of hours outside of the classroom in order to help the children learn. I had to learn to distance myself from the students because you become attached to them and very interested in what happens to them when they are at home. I saw children from abusive homes, children with absentee parents, children who wore dirty clothes to school. I admired the students who were quick learners and wanted my approval, but I enjoyed the slow learners who needed the most help even more. I enjoyed the challenge.

After: I tutored elementary school first graders as part of a college work-study program. My participation in this process took place at Grigg's Elementary School in Mobil ISD. There I listened, corrected and encouraged the children as they read stories to me. It was an endeavor requiring focus and patience on my part, and I learned, through teaching, the principles underlying the development of reading skills. I also learned that teachers/educators put in many hours of preparation outside the classroom preparing lesson plans and materials in order to help the children learn. Perhaps my most telling lesson learned was to distance myself from the students because you become attached to them and very interested in what happens to them when they are at home. I saw children from abusive homes, children with absentee parents, children who wore dirty clothes to school. I admired the students who were quick learners and wanted my approval, but I enjoyed the slow learners who needed the most help even more. I enjoyed the challenge. My greatest satisfaction came in seeing the glow of happiness and success on their faces when they realized they could actually read. I felt pride in knowing I helped secure a better future for them, as they became better readers.

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Before: Biology is a field that presents many challenging, intellectual problems that provides the foundation to be able to study in any area of the life sciences. Every time I arrive in the lecture halls for the Biology Honor Society meetings, I find that I am awaiting a new journey into a world of discovery. I knew that an undergraduate degree would allow me nearly limitless opportunities to continue to study and would provide me the foundation to work in any of the many fields that I feel would satisfy my desire to continue to learn and provide for a lifetime of enjoyment in a field that I always desire to know more.
The Biology Honor Society has given me a chance to grow outside of the classroom. It has opened me to the world of research that my professor’s live in. The honor society helped my own research experiences to blossom, as I have been able to interact with other students who have the same level of research experience.


After: Biology a field presenting many challenging, intellectual problems provides the basic foundation enabling one to study in any area of the life sciences. I knew an undergraduate degree would present me with nearly limitless opportunities for study and research. Biology provides me with the necessary foundation to work, and continue to learn, in any of the many fields I feel would satisfy my desire and passion to become a productive contributing member of society.
Every time I attend a Biology Honor Society meeting, I find myself experiencing a keen sense of expectation knowing I am about to begin another journey into the world of discovery. The Biology Honor Society has provided growth and experience far exceeding my expectations. The higher degree of detail and depth of study introduced me to the world of research my professor’s inhabit, and provided the impetus allowing my own research experiences to blossom. The field of study encompassed by the Biology Honor Society is so broad it fosters a sense of cooperation in the interactions of students with the same general levels of research experience.

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Before: While attending a Biology Honor Society meeting my senior year, I was approached by a professor who was active in the Roots and Shoots program at Hattiesburg High School. She wanted help in moving Roots and Shoots to USM. When she explained to me this was a program that inspired students to make a difference by becoming involved in their community, I was happy to help make Roots and Shoots a part of USM before I graduated. Along with a small group of founding members, I educated other student organizations and held informational meetings. I learned about the application process to charter an organization within the university and with the Roots and Shoots Foundation. This organization allowed me to strengthen my leadership abilities by providing leadership education through tutorials, online learning, and presentations.
Our Mission
To foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment.
Our Goals
To implement positive change through active learning about, caring for, and interacting with the environment
To demonstrate care and concern for all animals
To enhance understanding among individuals of different cultures, ethnic groups, religions, socio-economic levels, and nations through our global communications network
To help young people develop self-respect, confidence in themselves, and hope for the future

After: While attending a Biology Honor Society meeting my senior year, I was approached by a professor, active in the Roots and Shoots program at Hattiesburg High School, seeking help to move Roots and Shoots to USM. Roots and Shoots is a program designed to inspired students to take action and involve themselves in making their community and the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment. I am proud I was able to help make Roots and Shoots a part of USM before I graduated. As one of the founding members, I held informational meetings for other student organizations to garner support for our efforts to implement positive change by actively learning about, caring for, and interacting with the environment. Perhaps the key component was our goal to help young people develop self- respect, confidence in themselves and hope for the future. Bringing Roots and Shoots to USM taught me the processes for making an application to charter an organization at the university and with the Roots and Shoots Foundation. This organization allowed me to strengthen my leadership abilities by providing education through tutorials, online learning, and presentations.

Financial Aid Tips

I just finished the financial aid process. Here are some tips:

Complete your taxes as soon as possible, and you should stress to your parents to do the same. Apply for a pin from FAFSA and have your parents do the same, so you can electronically sign your FAFSA. You can apply for a pin before you ever fill out the FAFSA. Submit the FAFSA as early as possibly. Keep up with all of the rules for your school's financial aid process. Some schools require your parent's tax info even if you are normally considered an independent student by FAFSA standards. Each school requires different paperwork. Make extra copies of your tax form and of your parent's tax forms just in case the school asks for a copy. Then, you already have an extra set ready to mail off.

Low MCAT Score Inspiration

MCAT Score...

Here is some inspiration for low MCAT Scores:

One of my interviewers remarked on my MCAT score, and he told me that it was at the national average. I told him that I thought I could do better, and that it was the first time I had ever taken the test. He asked me if I realized what an accomplishment the national average was. He then explained that worldwide, only a small number of people graduate from high school. In the US, only about 70% of people in the 1990's graduated high school. Only 50% of people currently entering college will ever graduate, and only 30% of the American population hold bachelor's degrees. Very few people ever get invited for a medical school interview. So, the national average says a lot. It made me think of my accomplishment in a different way. When he said it, I didn't think about it much, but now, I realize how important it is.I was looking down on myself and thinking of excuses. I don't know how accurate the percentages are, but it did change the way I think about my score.