My first interview was at Boston University in October. BU was a great place. I really liked and felt like I fit in. The schools is very research oriented and focused. I was surprised that they recommended that every student perform some research while they attend medical school at BU. My interviews went very well and the old Dean of Admissions told me that I would be "a good fit" at BU. I lOVE Boston and definitely could live there, so I wouldn't mind living there for 8 some odd years. The only problem with BU is that I don't receive my stipend all my years of school. I don't want to go into debt, especially when I will be starting my career around age 35.
My second interview was at Tufts University in November. It appears that the Boston schools like me and think I'll fit into their program. Tufts was also a great school. I fell in love with one researcher and his research. He is an up and coming researcher who is proving wrong many of the believed concepts of T cell activation. He would help my career go far. Also, Tufts is very keen on mentoring. They constantly have people checking up on the MD/PhDs and helping them through the long process. Another benefit is that I am funded all of my years of school and I receive a stipend. One problem is the push to finish the program in 7 years. I wonder if moving through the program faster could be a disservice to students.
My last interview was at NYU. I absolutely loved NYU! The school is amazing, the people are amazing, the research is amazing, the immunology department is amazing, the facilities are amazing, and NYC is always amazing. Right now, I would consider NYU my topic choice. I was very impressed with their dedication to infectious disease immunology. They are currently expanding the immunology department, which means a lot of new, up and coming researchers will be at NYU. In this expansion, they are building a brand new research building and it will be completed by the time that I'm starting my graduate school years. Also, I felt a strong sense of belonging at NYU. I was well received by all my interviewers and I made friends quickly with students. I took this as a very good sign. I also made a really good friend at NYU who was also an interviewee.
The first round of acceptances for all of these schools is in January, which leaves me a little more time to hear from them. I hope I hear good news from all of them. I am still waiting to hear back from 7 schools and I have another interview at Mount Sinai at the beginning of February. That means that I have had 4 interviews and 9 rejections. I'm pretty sure that at least half of the schools left will send me a rejection.
Here's to hoping I get in at least one of the schools I have interviewed at!
NYU
I interviewed at NYU back in December. They put me up in a very posh hotel in midtown. I would love for my apartment to look like my hotel room. It definitely fit my decorating style. As promised, here are some pictures of my room.
My lovely bed. Notice the lime green double border on the pillow and the great mixing of colors on the throw blanket and bed stool.
TV/Entry way: LOVE the lamp!
I need a green chair like this...
The lovely bathroom.
Best shower I have EVER had in my life! I want one of these real bad!
I definitely approved of this hotel room and NYU! I could definitely see myself going there!
My lovely bed. Notice the lime green double border on the pillow and the great mixing of colors on the throw blanket and bed stool.
TV/Entry way: LOVE the lamp!
I need a green chair like this...
The lovely bathroom.
Best shower I have EVER had in my life! I want one of these real bad!
I definitely approved of this hotel room and NYU! I could definitely see myself going there!
Thanksgiving
I didn't make it home for Thanksgiving this year, but I still had a great celebration with some close friends. Iris, Kevin, Adan, and I made our own dinner. I brought two strawberry rhubarb pies, homemade rolls, green bean casserole, and pumpkin cider. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the pumpkin cider and all of its deliciousness.
Pumpkin Cider Recipe
~2:1 Ratio of Apple Cider to Pumpkin Puree (I originally did 1:1 like the recipe told me, but it was way too thick. I played around with it until I got the consistency I liked)
Nutmeg and Pumpkin Pie Spice to taste
Cinnamon Sticks
Whipped Cream
In a large saucepan, mix together the pumpkin puree and apple cider on medium-low heat. Once the puree and cider have mixed together nicely, add in nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and a cinnamon stick. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for approximately 20 minutes. Serve hot and garnished with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
Pumpkin Cider Recipe
~2:1 Ratio of Apple Cider to Pumpkin Puree (I originally did 1:1 like the recipe told me, but it was way too thick. I played around with it until I got the consistency I liked)
Nutmeg and Pumpkin Pie Spice to taste
Cinnamon Sticks
Whipped Cream
In a large saucepan, mix together the pumpkin puree and apple cider on medium-low heat. Once the puree and cider have mixed together nicely, add in nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and a cinnamon stick. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for approximately 20 minutes. Serve hot and garnished with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
La Roux
La Roux is one of my favorite groups right now. I absolutely lOVE them! I was lucky to be able to go to their concert with Iris back in November. We drove to DC on a work night and had a blast. I was able to touch her! :D It was definitely worth going to on a work night, even though we were both dead tired the next day! haha!
Paint Balling!
For a Chemical Biology Lab party, we went paint balling. It was hilarious to see scientists getting a hold of guns, running around, hiding and trying to shoot one another. I had a lot of fun and was only killed 4 times, but I don't know if I'll do it again. I didn't like the whole idea of pretending we were at war with one another and subsequently trying to kill one another. The following pictures are an aftermath of what happened to me.
Yes, I am wearing underwear in the pictures. I'm not naked. This last mark came form a close shot (1 or 2 feet). The guy who shot me did so illegally.
Yes, I am wearing underwear in the pictures. I'm not naked. This last mark came form a close shot (1 or 2 feet). The guy who shot me did so illegally.
New York, Again!
Also in October, I had another chance to head to New York. This time it was to visit my friend Neil. He was there on business. I also got to see Michael, which was great. We mostly went shopping and ate delicious food, so I didn't get very many pictures. I almost forgot my favorite part of the trip... We were walking around in the meat packing district and found an old, abandoned warehouse that an art show decided to move in to. I recognized the style of the art from Madonna's latest art montage. I came to find out that this artist met Madonna and had worked with her a lot to create some amazing pictures of her, one that was chosen for her recent album. I was jealous of the artist and I want to meet Madonna so badly! It's too bad that I didn't run into her at the art exhibit.
This is me in front of a very cool statue in the financial district. It reminded me of a balloon animal.
This was in the Diesel store. I pretty much loved the pink army men attacking the woman. It reminded me of Gulliver's Travels. Oh, the best part was the man parachuting down to the scene too.
This is Neil hanging out with his best friend Chewbacca at FAO Schwartz. PS That place is pretty much awesome with everything a little kid wants. They had separated gummy bears by flavor. Seriously, who does that?
This is me in front of a very cool statue in the financial district. It reminded me of a balloon animal.
This was in the Diesel store. I pretty much loved the pink army men attacking the woman. It reminded me of Gulliver's Travels. Oh, the best part was the man parachuting down to the scene too.
This is Neil hanging out with his best friend Chewbacca at FAO Schwartz. PS That place is pretty much awesome with everything a little kid wants. They had separated gummy bears by flavor. Seriously, who does that?
Amish Town
Back in October, I went to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania with from friends from BYU. We had a lot of fun exploring Amish country and the food was ever so good! Yum, YUm, YUM!!!!
On our way to the Amish towns, we ran into the Lancaster County Prison that looked like a castle! It was pretty much the coolest prison I have ever seen. If I ever go to jail, I hope I end up in a castle like this one!
We ran into some covered bridges along the way too. This one happened to lead to Target. Who knew that the Amish love Target so much?
When we got into Amish country, we stopped at a lovely general store that made a lot of yummy food. We decided to get sandwiches and ice cream here. I ended up buying 3 bricks of fudge too. This store had a old fashioned drinking fountain. It was so much cooler than our drinking fountains today.
After exploring the country some more and shopping at all of the cool shops, we found a real covered bridge and had to take photos in front of it. This is a picture of the whole gang who came on this adventure with me.
This trip was a blast! I ate so much good food and bought some really cool things. I had homemade apple cider, homemade donuts, delicious fresh sandwiches, fudge, and a lot of other food. I ended up buy more apple cider for home, 3 bricks of fudge, apple butter, a quilted purse for my mother, and some yarn for my mother. Overall, it was a great trip and I'd love to do it again!
Yummy fudge!
On our way to the Amish towns, we ran into the Lancaster County Prison that looked like a castle! It was pretty much the coolest prison I have ever seen. If I ever go to jail, I hope I end up in a castle like this one!
We ran into some covered bridges along the way too. This one happened to lead to Target. Who knew that the Amish love Target so much?
When we got into Amish country, we stopped at a lovely general store that made a lot of yummy food. We decided to get sandwiches and ice cream here. I ended up buying 3 bricks of fudge too. This store had a old fashioned drinking fountain. It was so much cooler than our drinking fountains today.
After exploring the country some more and shopping at all of the cool shops, we found a real covered bridge and had to take photos in front of it. This is a picture of the whole gang who came on this adventure with me.
This trip was a blast! I ate so much good food and bought some really cool things. I had homemade apple cider, homemade donuts, delicious fresh sandwiches, fudge, and a lot of other food. I ended up buy more apple cider for home, 3 bricks of fudge, apple butter, a quilted purse for my mother, and some yarn for my mother. Overall, it was a great trip and I'd love to do it again!
Yummy fudge!
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