How I Got into Medical School (GPA, MCAT, PS, Interviews!)

[@tevanluong1978]

You're so well-rounded, composed, incredibly articulate, and dedicated! Keep up the great work :D

[@sydneyvdong]

such kind words! thank you for always supporting, Tevan! I'm excited to hear about the good news coming your way :')

[@xplicitgoofy1015]

@@sydneyvdongI have a question is it true grades is what gets you the interview but personality gets you the acceptance?

[@chaithanyaannaluru5347]

Omg first doctor in your family! U GO SYDNEYYYYYYY Rooting for you🎉

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw thanks girl! :-) I can always count on you for the hype ❤️ I'm rooting for you too!!

[@johnkevin1104]

Mad respect for being able to articulate all the good points! I feel that I have things to share from my experience applying to med school but not quite sure how to express/share my thoughts in an organized manner

[@sydneyvdong]

Thank you! I'm sure you'd be able to do the same with your unique insights and experiences :)

[@mitalisarkar5472]

I've been watching your videos since May and I cannot emphasize how much they have helped me this cycle!! Thank you for this invaluable information on writing personal statements, secondaries, and just navigating the application process! Yesterday I actually got an interview invite to my top choice MD school this cycle!!! Thank you so so so much for all your help, Sydney!!

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw, Mitali! That's AMAZING!!!! Gah I'm so happy for you :') I'm grateful to have been of any help in any way - please please please keep me updated!!

[@GoblinMixes]

You're lit af! Congrats! I'll be taking the MCAT next May. Thank you for the tips and goodluck to you in medical school!

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw thank you! Of course, and good luck to you too :-)

[@samanthapedersen7212]

I’m a rising sophomore at UCLA on the premed track, and I struggle with negative self talk and putting a lot of stress on myself for grades too. I’m so glad to hear you overcame that and got accepted to medical school! Best of luck at UCSD! :)

[@sydneyvdong]

I definitely had to learn the hard way, but balance is oh so very key! Keep on grinding and being kind to yourself, and you'll be reminiscing on the good ol' college days as a med student soon :')

[@loreleicharmaine614]

Never in my life have I felt so relaxed and eager to pursue this path. Watching other videos like this-I felt anxious, uneasy, and it made me lack confidence in myself. Thank you for making me feel as if I will be okay!

[@elizainesse5521]

Okay but like your videos bring light to my dark days as a premed, I've been thinking of giving up maybe try something different but haven't brought myself to make that decision because medicine has always been my passion and with some personal things that happened, it just made it clear that medicine was the right choice. I haven't taken ochem or biochem and I'm already feeling like a failure. It's hard because most of my friends are business majors and they do try to help with whatever info they can gather from friends who are in the same boat as me. They try to remind me why I decided this journey and I not I can always walk out. Your videos always encourage me to not give up and keep on fighting. So Thank you so much. I take my MCAT some time in 2022 and will be applying in 2023 fingers crossed. I will start writing my personal essay soon so that I can just polish it when I apply so I will be rewatching all your videos and amazing tips you have. You make it so easy to understand and its not BORING thank god for that lol.

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw thank you for comment, Eliza! I'm so glad these videos help you keep pushing, and it's great how you have such supportive friends. You know your story and your 'why' well. As long as you're grounded in that and continue work hard in everything you set your mind to, you'll be where you're meant to be!! Being premed is tough, but you got this ❤️

[@cate3048]

You are such an inspiration! You’re going to be a great doctor. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!!

[@bhumipatel221]

Thank you for putting in so much work to inform us on this crazy process! Planning on applying the 2021-2022 cycle and am incredibly nervous!

[@sydneyvdong]

Of course, Bhumi! It definitely brought me back to applying, but I'm so glad I was able to help.. anyone really! haha and ahh! You're going to be great :-)

[@adrianaramirez2574]

I'm so so glad KZbin recommended me your videos! It's so amazing that you are doing this and I'm so so grateful. I'll be going through your videos soon. Thank you so much, and good luck in medical school, you definitely got this!!! :D

[@sydneyvdong]

Daw, thanks Adriana! I'm glad YT recommended you to me too hehe. Best of luck on whichever step you're currently on applying!!

[@benchill2164]

taking my MCAT in 2 days! My stats aren't like yours but I'm doing my best, and I will definitely be going to watch all of the videos you referenced throughout this video!

[@sydneyvdong]

Ahhh you got this!!

[@Element7099]

Were u accepted ?

[@benchill2164]

@@Element7099 hi! Omg thanks for asking! Yes I’ve been accepted to an MD school in my home state! My stats are actually kinda close to hers but still not as good. I did spend a ton of time on my primary app and secondaries tho, so I think that really helped! Gl to you in your cycle friend!

[@deyanavelazquez1884]

@@benchill2164 if you don’t mind me asking what we’re your stats?

[@thandosilinda2590]

Heya- starting in the fall as a music production and therapy major! It’s not gonna be an easy journey with my degree choice but I am so excited✨

[@paulvincentmedina4270]

Omg hey Sydney, it’s Paul from the Pajonk Lab @ UCLA! Your video came up on my explore page and im so happy to hear that you got into medical school!!!! Congrats sis 🙌🏽

[@sydneyvdong]

Hey dude, of course I remember ya! Thank you so so much, and I hope life's been treating you well since grad!! :-)

[@oddessyzhane]

just wanna say you’re awesome! I love your videos!!

[@WriteYourAcceptance]

Thank you for sharing your excel organizational tips and being so candid on your dates of your app cycle. Such a great resource for students. Going to share with my students!!

[@sydneyvdong]

I'm so happy that it was helpful! Thank you for sharing :)

[@CCC93772]

I was putting myself down due to a bad grade for the very first time in Math. I thought it was the end of the world for me and my major. Thanks to your video I feel better and I recovered my hopes!

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw Chavely, thank you for sharing. I was in your shoes too with my first C in calc during my first quarter. It was hard to see how I could 'recover' (facepalming my past self), but with determination, hard work and grit - anything is possible! Stoked for your journey :-)

[@meaganl3464]

thank you so much for breaking down each section of your application. Great work and good luck in med school! You’ll be very successful! :)

[@sydneyvdong]

Of course, Meagan! and thank you so so much :-) I'm excited and touched by your kind words

[@angel4eva1823]

Thanks so much for posting these videos! This has been very helpful as I'm applying this cycle. I love the subtitle comments haha

[@sydneyvdong]

Of course :-) and thank you! They definitely help get through editing my stutters and brain farts 😆

[@juliexomartinez]

thank you so much for providing your application cycle template, such an incredible resource!!!

[@sydneyvdong]

Of course, Julie! I'm happy to help :-)

[@coolio3823]

Your videos are insanely helpful, thank you!!

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw, thank you Haleema! :-) I'm happy they're helpful

[@santygudino_]

This is definitely going to help a lot of people. Congrats and great video!

[@sydneyvdong]

Thank you, Santiago! :-) and congrats to you!!! I felt so happy seeing your acceptance reaction. I'm excited to follow your journey!

[@spencerthespartan9166]

You're awesome. This is such a helpful vid and can't wait to check out the rest. Good luck!

[@sydneyvdong]

Thanks Spencer!! And best of luck to you during your cycle :-)

[@BagelsRbreakfastFood]

I know I'm a little late to this video, but thanks for sharing. That excel sheet is badass. I think I'll do something similar for this cycle. Grats on the acceptances :)

[@sydneyvdong]

Yes, organization is the new ~cool~ hehe best of luck to you and thank you!

[@blackheartgaming6121]

im planning on going into biology pre-med this spring in college in 2021 CONGRATS

[@sydneyvdong]

GAH! That's so exciting!!!! Best of luck to you :-)

[@blackheartgaming6121]

@@sydneyvdong thanks i wanted to start this year but i missed the deadline unfortunately

[@mcathabitat7729]

You’re gonna be a great Doctor Syd!! 🩺

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw thank you!

[@izzybitsyspider03]

Wow! This was wonderful! Thank you so much

[@sydneyvdong]

Of course, Izzy! :-)

[@chickengirlslyrics]

I’m going to be a freshman in college next month and I’m excited but nervous for medical school! Let me just get through college first!! 😭

[@sydneyvdong]

The unknown can be scary, but you got this!!!

[@angenotline8117]

u literally motivate me to continue doing well as premed at ucla 😭

[@sydneyvdong]

Ooo girl, YOU GOT THIS! UCLA was tough for me, but it's def doable with the right mindset, support group, and habits :-) Good luck this upcoming school year!

[@lilliampumpernickle4655]

Heard UCLA for undergrad, and immediately knew you probably had some high ass stats

[@sydneyvdong]

UCLA was tough, but I def tried my hardest!

[@Dr.TsheringVlogsSince2020]

Wonderful talk on your way to MED school 😍😍😍

[@sydneyvdong]

Thank you!

[@anastasiafetisova7698]

You are sooo cool!!!! Thank you for all info)))

[@sydneyvdong]

Haha thorough is the new cool 😎 Thank you, Anastasia!

[@thanhquang6549]

Can you help me with the method of studying for MCAT to get a good score,Thanks

[@serenalovesmakeup123]

sooo helpful - thank you

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw of course, Serena!

[@Syrianp4pi]

Can you please make a video on how you improved your CARS?

[@sydneyvdong]

Hi Karm! This was a super tough section for me but I outlined my CARS strategy and review process in these videos CARS strategy (5:28): kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqUkJ5nbddrm6c Review process (7:27): kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKWWZqylaKmojdU I hope these help! Best of luck :-)

[@nawshadnasreen6825]

Can you tell me about the process and how to really do well in MCAT.

[@sydneyvdong]

Hi Nawshad! I made 4 videos on the MCAT you can watch on my pre-med playlist (kzbin.info/aero/PL7T5pmYjIBrMfLBmCxPK0n-CrK24DyzE6) In general, my biggest advice is to create a realistic, steady plan (more practice than content review) up to your test date, do lots of practice problems with representative material, and stimulate testing conditions/build test endurance any opportunity you can. Best of luck!

[@sarlapandey1713]

Hii I am from India...if get low grade in high school in class 12...then can i get into the med school.. please reply

[@phatjollyvn]

Yay Sydney!

[@sydneyvdong]

Hi Phat!!! Congrats on this week :-)

[@phatjollyvn]

@@sydneyvdong same to you!

[@isabellamansour726]

Thank you.

[@nayelytorres-cano7172]

Did you do any research? Besides volunteer work?

[@HannahTran1]

Every doctor or upcoming doc I look at went to some of the top or really competitive schools for ungrad and I’m was unmotivated cause my school is not competitive at all , it’s the university of delaware 😩and I also want to go to a top medical school... or one that’s just really really good which will probably be competitive and even more competitive for me cause of my school

[@sydneyvdong]

Hi Hannah! Thank you for sharing :-) There are lots of factors that go into someone's admission, like MCAT, letters of rec, extracurriculars, and personal statement/secondaries/interviews that aren't as dependent on where you went for undergrad. Being in-state for the school you're applying to is also another big factor. So even if you feel discouraged coming from a smaller school, you may be able to make that into an advantage! I was honestly scrambling to find LORs because my profs didn't know me from such a big pre-med filled school haha, and I found that there wasn't a lot of pre-med advisor support. A lot of med school admits come from smaller schools, so as long as you work hard and keep trying - you'll be at the school that best suits you and your strengths!

[@hyejiannashin9997]

Hi Sydney! Congratulations and good luck in med school! Just wondering, was there a reason why you retook a 510? Was it because you live in california or were you a reapplicant?

[@sydneyvdong]

Thank you, Shinann :-) I chose to retake because I thought I had a little more in me! My first practice exam without prep was a 510, and I knew I didn't study very well with life factors at the time. I wanted to try my best to stay in CA for sure! I wasn't a reapplicant but extended my gap years to have time to squeeze in another attempt!

[@amariahrobertson1734]

what college did you attend?

[@jingchen2378]

How do recommendations from professors work? Since you took a gap year did you ask for them before you graduated or after?

[@sydneyvdong]

I personally asked after graduating through email, but if you can, try to ask them right after you take their class! It's easier logistically, and it's also easier for them to remember who you are haha. I helped my profs with a little packet of info with my ask!

[@abbym9756]

I’m two years away but still wanna be prepared 👀

[@sydneyvdong]

we luuuuuuuv a prepared sister! hehe that's awesome that you're on it :-)

[@jamievaughan4807]

Girl why are you me tho??? 😂 like same with that negative self talk haha

[@sydneyvdong]

all in good (self-deprecating) humor 😂 but as long as you're also your biggest fan, we goooood!

[@winstonzhenhaoliu4386]

I am also at UCSD, but just a junior😂

[@sydneyvdong]

Haha it's an awesome school for sure!

[@mooclearly9787]

you are soooo sweet!

[@sydneyvdong]

Aw thank you for stopping by!

[@allissxs5980]

you are really cute ! thankss