question-
should i apply to pitt with 3 LOR from UPMC? pa resident
- one double board certified general/plastic surgeon
- one regional quality director of primary care
- CRNP phlebotomist mentor
3.6 gpa
TBD MCAT, i took it 5/2
double major neuroscience and spanish
hi! i’m posting this to get an honest sense of how to plan out my future, and i’m open to honest criticism. i have true intentions of pursuing surgery and a serious determination to get there. any suggestions on what kind of schools might be looking for experiences and stats that align with mine:
here is my application for the 2026 cycle:
liberal arts education
3.6 cumulative gpa (significant upward trend)
first MCAT : 497 during finals week, 2 jobs
second MCAT: taken today, feeling : hopeful for 505-510 :p
double major in neuroscience and spanish
cum laude
first recipient excellence in neuroscience senior award — granted by NRSC dept
1.3 years neuropharmacology research injecting mice with m!thamphetam!ne and antipsychotics in hopes to prevent neural pathways associated with addition (1 poster, accepted and presented by coauthor at neuroscience conference)
1 bioimaging research poster on spinning disc confocal microscopy and neural pathway mapping
60 hours neuroscience teaching assistant where i was responsible for care, experimental treatment administration, lethal injection, and teaching brain dissections, cardiac perfusions, and ovariectomies on rodent subjects.
989 hours dietary aide during covid— full PPE working directly with nurses in a neurodegenerative unit
100 hours volunteer certified tax preparation in spanish and english at an immigration advocacy nonprofit
15 hours+ citizenship teaching assistant for naturalization class
45 hours spanish consent form translation/EMR registration for covid and flu vax for migrant agricultural workers
400 hours clinical MA reconstructive & plastic surgery assisting on surgical excisions, laceration and animal bite repairs, consults for chronic and cosmetic procedures as well as skin checks.
1200 hours functioning clinical lead MA in primary care (my lead is retiring in october and i’ll take over until i leave for medical school) responsible for 90% Rx prior authorizations, 30 blood draws per week, trained on injections and phlebotomy
350 hours direct care worker for my friend who is functionally quadriplegic and requires round the clock care due to a spinal cord deformity
35 hours shadowing in cardiothoracic surgery, medical directing, neonatology, ob/gyn, interventional cardiology, PEDS cardiology
self taught pianist and guitarist x 3 years
5 months abroad studying in new zealand
>2 yr EPIC experience
certifications:
BLS/AED/CPR
VITA/TCE tax preparation
total clinical hours : 3,200+ by the time i start med school
total volunteer hours : ~200 by the time i start med school
LOR :
committee letter from pre-health dept
PI from neuropharmacology research
surgeon, double boarded in plastics & general surg.
CRNP primary care
immigrant integration and coordination director
thank you for any and every suggestion, and i truly wish the best of luck to you all!!!!!!!