Friday, May 22, 2009

I am not my MCAT score...

As I left the exam facility this afternoon, those words were emanating from my being. I am a person that deeply cares about my fellow man. I am a person that has taken great strides to overcome ignorance. I am a person that has heart and determination to achieve great things. I am a person that believes, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I am a person that transcends the boundaries of my physical exterior and soars from deep within my soul with the assurances that ALL THINGS WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD. I am me. Created in the image of my Creator, with limitless capabilities. I am a dreamer, a doer, an acheiver.

"My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate. My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyound measure. It is my light, not my darkness, that most frighten me. I ask myself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabuluous? Actually, who am I not to be? I am a child of GOD. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of GOD that is within us." Nelson Mandela

I am more than my MCAT score. I am more than my GPA. I am a woman of infinite abilities. A woman that looks to the future in hope and expectation of a better tomorrow for me and my family, my friends, and my community.

The song by India Irie, "I am not my hair" is my theme song today. I am not the exterior physical attributes you see, but I am a soul within. I am not your expectations.

I only pray that my complete application is reviewed and the admissions committee members can see who I am as a person. I am not my MCAT score...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

MCAT Studying.....

Why is do much wait put on the MCAT? I really hate that....My goal is to score at least a 30. But, realistically, I have never done well on standardize exams. I have have my nose in my MCAT books, taken practice exams and am believing that on May 22, 2009, I score BIG!!!!

I have answered over 1001 questions on Organic Chemistry, 700 on Physics, 300 Biology, 400 on Chemistry and still feel like I need more help. I guess this is when faith comes in. I wish I had more time to study for the MCAT.

Tomorrow is May 22. I have to drive to Beaumont, TX, a two hour drive. And believe GOD for favor on that exam.

Although a lot of pressure is put on the MCAT, I still believe I have a very strong and competitive application. So, after speaking with the dean of admissions, he saids do not put to much pressure on myself, just do my best. They have accepted scores a lot lower than the mean of 31.

One thing I have going for me this summer is the UT Medical School Summer Research Program. I am very excited about this. It starts May 27. So, I have 5 days after the MCAT to celebrate and relax. Then, the fun really begins. I am looking forward to participating in the program. I pray I will gain insight, LOR from my lab mentor, and get to meet a few of the admissions committee members. I know life is about who you know as well.

LORD, lead me to the correct answers on the MCAT, lead me to make the right connections and proper influence while participating in the search program, govern my steps according to YOUR will for my life. I pray that I will be a huge asset to the research program and am able to make a momentus contribution to the advancement of medical solutions. Make my life impactful and my presence will change lives for the better. AMEN

Spring 2009....

Looking at the Spring schedule, it is impossible for me to take 3 classes at night with labs. The most I can take are 2. So, that's fine. That means my semester should be a bit easier, right? Wrong. Spring 2008 was hetic.

I thought I was scheduling my classes at night so that I can work during the days. But, as it turned out my husband needed me more. He had doctors appointments sometimes 4x per week. The chemo treatments were a lot. He even had to go through radiation. This was tough.

So, going to school 4 nights a week and being with him through all of that, plus volunteering was incredible. I had to schedule everything. As long as I knew where I was suppose to be that day and at what time, it all came together. I took Chem II and Physics II, and managed to make every Chem II class and missed Physics II twice, due to hospital appointment conflicts. My instructors were amazed at my dedication to family and my studies. Although I did not finish this semester with the best GPA as planned it still was acceptable, 3.0. The semester ended May 5.....YEAH!!!

I did manage to get a temporary job at the end of March for about 6 weeks. I worked 40 hrs per week and could not wait until this assignment ended. I needed to start studying for the MCAT. Thank God during this time my husband did not have any appointments and he was recupperating very well.

Spring 2009 had to be the most challenging thus far. Mostly from the aspect of caring for my husband and functioning in the unknown. One thing for sure, during this time my faith in GOD was stregthened and GOD saw me through, us through.....Thank you FATHER FOR YOUR LOVE FOR US...

WOW, A lot has happened..Fall 2008

Wow, a lot has happened since September 2008. Let me reflect back on the past 8 months. I finished my fall semester with a 3.8 GPA, which I was very proud of. Chemistry I, Physics I and Biology II. I was really feeling good about my decision to go for the gold....This semester was a trying one. I had a few obstacles, but with the Grace of GOD I managed them well.

School was moving right along on schedule. I was mastering my subjects and found a few places to volunteer. I was volunteering up to 8hrs per week. One position I loved. The other was so, boring. I really enjoyed working at the health clinic for the homeless. So, I gave up the hospital. My husband and I traveled to Los Angeles for a friends wedding and we had a blast. We visited with my Dad, my sister and cousins. I gave my husband the speedy Gonzales LA tour, we went hiking in the mountains, driving down Sunset Blvd, to walking on the beaches. What a great trip. Later that month in October, my husband started chemotherapy. This was crazy. He was tolerating the treatments pretty well. My academics were moving right along on schedule.

In November, we elected our first African American President. President Barack Obama. That was momentus. It was also Christian and Mrs. Fuller Birthday was on that same day, November 4, 2008. I cooked a prime rib dinner with all the fixin' and used my fine china. We celebrated. Then tradegy struck. Mrs. Fuller passed away that very next Friday. This was a devastating blow to our family. We all were blown away. I could not believe it. Having to make the arrangements with my husband and study for exams, labs practicals, etc was difficult. I missed a few days of school (which is very rare). But, I managed to get caught up and back on track. It was trying but, I finished that semester on target.

Anticipating the Spring semester was consuming for me. I knew in the Spring I had to start preparing for the MCAT, take the MCAT, complete courses at night with all "A", and work at part time job. My husband went out on disability. So, I decided to take classes at night and work during the days.....

I know that sounds like a lot...I knew I could do it. I tenancious and know GOD will see me through to a successful completion.......