Hey y'all! First time posting here. Wanted to get your thoughts about my school list this upcoming cycle. Open to any feedback!
21-year-old M, CA resident, UCR biology major. Second-generation immigrant from an Arabic-speaking household. Strong ties to Inland Southern California, Orange County service work, and the Rio Grande Valley (grew up as a kid there before moving, frequently visit family when I get the chance). Chronic illness experience with ulcerative colitis soph year diagnosis shaped interest in patient-centered care, primary care, underserved medicine, and patient navigation.
Major
Biology
GPA
cGPA: ~3.90
sGPA/BCPM: ~3.91
MCAT
510, 128/126/128/128
Application Theme
Underserved care, primary care, patient navigation, chronic illness, food insecurity, street medicine, EMS, environmental health, and community advocacy.
Letters of Recommendation
Total letters: 6
1 science/teaching letter from an organic chemistry professor connected to instructional work.
1 non-science academic letter from an ethnic studies professor.
1 research letter from atmospheric chemistry PI.
1 clinical performance letter from EMT supervisor.
1 physician letter from a doctor connected to diagnosis and later shadowing, UCR SOM clinical faculty
1 letter from a street med PA supervisor connected to street medicine, UCR clinical faculty, helped with admissions
Clinical Experience
Total clinical exposure: ~1,600 to 1,900+ hours
EMT: ~1,200 to 1,500 hours
Interfacility transport, emergency response, vitals, documentation, patient assessment, and coordination with paramedics, nurses, and receiving facilities.
Children’s hospital transport EMT: ~300 hours
Pediatric critical care transport, infant/toddler stabilization, parental communication, and pediatric-centered care.
Street medicine/free clinic clinical work: ~70 hours (clinical experience from the volunteer clinic)
Vitals, patient intake, glucose checks, documentation, referrals to medical team, and trust-building with unhoused patients.
Physician shadowing: ~33 hours
GI (LOR) and cardiology.
Nonclinical Service
Total nonclinical service: ~220 to 270 hours
Food bank / food insecurity work: ~100 to 130 hours
Distribution center shifts, farm work, food packing, produce distribution, mobile pantry outreach, and service to food-insecure communities.
Community health advocacy / food bank advocacy: ~50 to 70 hours
Advocacy training, tabling, fundraising, outreach, and a national advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., sharing a food insecurity story with legislators and advocating for nutrition support programs.
Street medicine/free clinic nonclinical work: ~70 hours (nonclinical experience from the volunteer clinic)
Hygiene kit preparation, clothing distribution, food/water support, and direct service for unhoused patients before transitioning into clinical responsibilities.
Research
Total research: ~700
Atmospheric chemistry lab: ~700
Research focused on organic aerosols, environmental pollutants, radical chemistry, and air quality. 400 of those hours came from summer research program where I gave oral prez at our uni symposium.
Publications: 2
1 second-author publication in a major environmental chemistry journal.
1 mid-author publication in an aerosol science journal.
Research theme: environmental health, air quality, pollution exposure, and underserved communities affected by environmental disparities.
Teaching / Tutoring
Total teaching/tutoring: ~200 hours
Organic chemistry supplemental instruction / teaching role: ~200 hours
Led group learning sessions, taught organic chemistry concepts, mentored students struggling with confidence, and built collaborative learning activities.
Leadership
Total leadership: ~240+ hours
Vice president of a campus mental health and cultural identity organization: ~240 hours
Managed executive operations, helped develop mental health programming, and led discussions around identity, emotional vulnerability, and student well-being.
Honors / Awards / Recognition
Total honors/recognitions: 4+
- Magna Cum Laude
- Dean’s List / Chancellor’s List across multiple terms.
- Research award supporting summer research.
- Community Champion recognition from a food bank.
- Featured in a food bank advocacy newsletter for participating in a national advocacy event and representing community members in D.C.
Hobbies
Weightlifting, basketball
Other Impactful Experiences
Grew up with financial insecurity, relied on free lunch programs, helped support family while managing ulcerative colitis, worked through college, and helped care for siblings.
School List Framing
Reach
UCSF
UCLA / UCLA PRIME-LA
UCSD
Keck USC
Kaiser Permanente
UCI
Target
UCR
UTRGV, due to Rio Grande Valley ties
CUSM
Drexel
Temple
Sidney Kimmel
Albany
Medical College of Wisconsin
Penn State
Oakland Beaumont
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Wayne State
Vermont Larner
George Washington
Quinnipiac
TCU
Rosalind Franklin
Wake Forest
Belmont
Alice Walton
Ponce St. Louis
Roseman, if available
Possible DO programs:
Western-COMP
Touro CA
MSUCOM
Thanks again y'all! 😄