FReunion

Well, Christmas is over, and our house looks like Toys-R-Us, but that story will have to wait because I have much bigger news. "WE'RE GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!!" This weekend marks the date of the beginning of False Reality's comeback tour also known as the FReunion. After a 9 year break the band has decided to tour one last time and I will most definitely be there. I'm pumped, more details later.

Recurring Theme?

OK, so it seems like I'm creating a pattern here. Every post I do these days seems to be a longer overdue update ending with a soon to be unfulfilled promise of staying up to date in the future. So in keeping with tradition this post is no different. Hopefully though this time I will keep my promise to post on a more regular basis.

So, a lot has happened since I last posted in August. In fact so much I don't think I should disclose all of it in one post. So I'll start with filling in the gaps of what happened during the application process.

After receiving my MCAT score of 25M I continued with my plan to apply to both allopathic and osteopathic schools. I knew that getting into an allo with that was a long shot but my main goal in applying to both was to see where we fit in the best. Since a 25 would grant me an interview at UAB I would have the opportunity and if I decided it was the right that then I would take it even if that meant reapplying. I applied to UAB, and USA on the allopathic side and Pikeville, Edward Via-CC, LMU-DCOM, and Ga-PCOM on the osteopathic side. I completed secondaries to LMU-DCOM and Ga-PCOM first and received interview offers to both places within a month. As the application process progressed, Brooke and I both began to feel an overwhelming feeling that osteopathic medicine was really the path I should take. So I withdrew my applications to the allopathic school without sending in the secondary applications.

I was offered an interview at Ga-PCOM on Nov 2 and one at LMU-DCOM on Dec 7. HOWEVER, I was told by the coordinator at LMU-DCOM that if I wanted to interview earlier I should call back every few days to check for cancellations. Sure enough a call just three days later landed me an interview on November 15 a full three weeks earlier and on a Monday so we missed one less day of work.

That's a good update for now. Next Time... The interviews!

Back in the Saddle

Ok, so one the reason I started this blog was to show that it is possible to balance medical school with life. For the last few months I guess I have been off balance because I have totally neglected this blog. My hiatus first began about one month prior to my first MCAT in May. After that I attempted to resume, but about 15 minutes into a post my comp turned off and I lost it, so I stayed away for another 2 months. So here is a quick update. When I took the MCAT in May I ran out of time on the Physical sections and then freaked. Realizing I couldn't have tied my shoes if asked at that point, I knew that getting a successful score was not possible so I voided the exam. I then continued to study for 6 more weeks and retook on July 8. Different day similar story. I ran out of time on physical again, but felt confident until that point and was able to keep my focus. I continued with the test and had it scored knowing that it would be a couple points lower than if I had finished. One agonizing month later I received my scores. While it wasn't what I was hoping for it was still good enough to barely keep all of my options open. My score will make it difficult to be accepted to the state MD schools, but that is close to the average for the southeastern DO schools. Since I am very interested in DO schools anyway I am content with where I am and will be submitting applications to both services shortly. I am disappointed with my score because I feel like I had the knowledge to do better, but couldn't overcome my speed issues. So, given the circumstance of putting C on almost 10% of the test I am pleased with my 25 and think it will help get me into school this year. I will begin posting regularly again now and won't take such a long absence again. Goodnight.

Goal Met

One of my study goals for this week was to retake a Biology section of one of the AAMC Practice Tests and make a scaled score of 10 or better. I retook the Bio section of test 4 tonight and got 41 out of 52 questions correct for a scaled score of 10. What's crazy is that's 8 more correct than I got on test 6 and had a scaled score of 9. I guess this test was easier, but you think that 8 more right would be worth more than 1 measly scaled point. Oh well I guess that's apples to oranges. But to compare apples I got 11 more questions right this time than last on test 4 and had a scaled score of 3 points higher. I also feel like I was very close to making even better. I only got one right that I plain guessed and all of the others I really knew. I think I also missed about 5 stand alone questions that were not too hard, but I just don't have all of the stand alone knowledge down yet. Anyway it was a good night and I feel like I am doing all of the right things to set me up for making a 30+ come May. MCAT is being officially put on hold until my next Organic test is over, so the rest of the week will be devoted almost completely to Organic.

Goodnight

Study Log 4/12 - 4/18/2010

Week Goals: Study 2-3 hours of MCAT everyday. Finish MCAT Biology Notes Lectures 3. Take MCAT 8 and score 30.

Monday: 1 Hour MCAT, 1 Hour Organic
Tuesday: 3 hours MCAT Homework and Notes, 1 Hour Organic
Wednesday: 2.5 Hours MCAT Homework and Notes
Thursday: 2 Hours MCAT Notes, 1 Hour Organic
Friday: 3.5 Hours - Practice Test 8 T=26, P-9, V-9, B-8
Saturday: 1 Hour MCAT
Sunday: 1Hour MCAT

Total Organic - 3 Hour
Total MCAT - 13 Hours

Total - 16 Hours

Study Log 4/4 - 4/10/2010

Week Goals: Study 2-3 hours of MCAT everyday. Finish MCAT Biology Notes Lectures 3. Retake MCAT 3 and score 30+.
Monday: 1 Hour MCAT (Lecture 2 Notes)
Tuesday: 3 hours MCAT Homework and Notes
Wednesday: 2.5 Hours MCAT Homework and Notes
Thursday: 2 Hours MCAT Notes
Friday: 3.5 Hours - Practice Test 3 Retake T=28, P-10, V-10, B-8
Saturday: 1 Hour MCAT
Sunday: 1Hour MCAT

Total Organic - 1 Hour
Total MCAT - 13 Hours

Total - 14 Hours

MCAT Update

So I thought that since today was a retake it would be much easier and I would have a falsely inflated score. Boy was I wrong. I think I got about 3 maybe 4 questions correct simply because I remembered the answer. All of the others seemed like a brand new test. After all it had been three full months since I had taken this test, so it's not like it was fresh on my mind. That being said I actually feel much better about my score. I don't think it is overinflated at all. I think that is a fair representation of the type of score I could expect to get right now. The good news is I still have 6 weeks until the big day, so I have plenty of time to improve both my base of knowledge and test taking skills. My goal score is still over 30 and I think I am setting to have a legitimate shot at that in May.
Don't worry I wasn't going to forget. Battle of the Buffalo was pretty awesome. There were about 8 different Wing vendors and three non wings vendors (pizza, burritos, and crayfish). Tim's Cajun Kitchen won first prize for best wings and I couldn't agree more. They had a very smoky flavor with mild spice. We met Brooke's family and Mader there and they enjoyed getting to see O. He did really well. He was so happy although he wanted a sip of my coke. So after after about 10 wings, a slice of pizza, a burrito, celery, and some good conversation we came home to watch the Master's. (I watched the Master's. Brooke Facebooked. Yes that's a verb.) Go Phil! Well I'm off to bed because we are going to the Chic-fil-A 5k in the morning. Prizes you ask? Food for a year. I'm giving all I got for free food. Even wearing racing flats to run about 20 minutes. Good night.

MCAT and WINGS

This weekend marks the 6 six week point from my official MCAT. Tomorrow I am going to take my 8th practice test, even though it is one that I have already taken. It is AAMC test 3 which was the first AAMC test I took about three months ago. That day I made a 21 and I feel quite sure I will make much better tomorrow. Not better because I have memorized the answers but because I have learned so much in the last three months. However, while I am excited about taking the test, I am really excited about The Battle of the Buffalo. That's the second annual ATO benefit fundraiser at UAH that offers all-u-can eat wings from all of the local wing places for only 5 dollars! That's right, all the wings you can eat for 5 bucks. Lets hope for no rain as it is set to take place atop the UAH parking deck. Ok well I still need to go study biology so I'm out. Good night. I'll post my score tomorrow as well as my vote for best wings in town.

Study Log 3/29/10 - 4/4/10

Week Goals: Study :30 for Organic Each day and 2-3 hours of MCAT. Finish MCAT Biology Notes Lectures 2 and 3.

Monday: :30 Organic, 2 Hours MCAT (Lecture 2 Notes)
Tuesday: :30 Organic, 2 hours MCAT (Old Exam Review)
Wednesday: 2.5 Hours MCAT
Thursday: 2 Hours MCAT
Friday: 2 Hours MCAT 60 MCAT Practice Problems
Saturday: 4 Hours MCAT Practice test P-7, V-8, B-9, Total - 24 (Oh well) had an off day
Sunday: 1 Hour - MCAT Test Review

Total Organic - 2 Hours
Total MCAT - 15.5 Hours

Total - 17.5 Hours

Study Log 2?

Week Goals: Study 1 hour for Organic Each day and 2-3 hours of MCAT. Finish MCAT Gen Chem and Physics Notes

Monday: 2 Hrs Organic, 1 Hour MCAT
Tuesday: 1 Hour Organic, 2 hours MCAT
Wednesday: 2 Hours Organic 1.5 Hours MCAT

Excited

This is going to be short because I need to get back to studying, but I just wanted to write quick note about my upcoming practice MCAT this Friday. This will be the first full one I've taken in 6 weeks, and I really think I have made a lot of progress in that time. My goal this week is to make at least a 24 although I'm really hoping for about 26. I want a minimum 10 on Verbal 8 (but 9 really) on Physical and whatever on Biology. I think that Biology will be the easiest to pull up quickly since I do have almost have a Master's degree in that field so I have not done any studying for it at all yet. I am studying to get my Physical above 9 and then I will switch focus to biological. I am also excited about this week because it will be the first afternoon exam I have taken. If I feel alert and do well on it then I am going to complete registration for the real deal. If this test goes well I will be signing up for the May 27th test administration which is at 1:00PM. Well that's all for now. I'll update how it goes after the test.

-Back to the books

Back in the Saddle

Well, I have not posted a blog other than a study log in a month. While I don't want to get into details the UAHuntsville shooting did have quite an effect on me. I did know almost everyone involved and was pretty close with a few of them. That reall knocked me off of my study schedule for a little more than two weeks. I got my focus back on studying last week and this week I will be returning to this blog. I will be updating daily and getting prepared for another practice test this coming Friday afternoon. Ok I have to go now and take some MCAT notes. Good night.

Study Log (3/1/10 - 3/7/10)

Week Goals: Study 5 hours for Organic Monday and Tuesday, and 2 hours on Wed. Study :30 for MCAT Monday and Tuesday and 1:00 on Wedenesday. Study 4 hours MCAT on Thursday and Friday.

Monday: 4 Organic
Tuesday: 4 Organic
Wednesday: 3 Organic
Thursday: 2 MCAT (Physics Sub test - 10)
Friday: 1 MCAT
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Rest

Total Organic - 11 Hours
Total MCAT - 3 Hours

Total - 14 Hours

Study Log 2/8/10 - 2/14/10

Week Goals: Study MCAT for at least 3 hours on Tues., Wed., and Thurs. Finish Notes on GC Lecture 6, and Physcs Lecture 7 and 8.

Monday: 2 hours MCAT
Tuesday: 1 hour MCAT
Wednesday: 1 Hour MCAT
Thursday: 1 Hour MCAT
Friday: 1 Hour MCAT
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 2 Hours

Total MCAT - 8 Hours
Total Organic - > 1 Hour

TOTAL - 8-9 Hours

Weeknight Out

Well let me tell you that's something that does not happen very often with a 7 month old but last night we did it. We actually went out on a date on a weeknight (thanks to Cindy or keeping O). We started off the night with good conversations and a fruity wine sample at Olive Garden even though the host quickly removed the glasses from the table as we were seated. Good thing Owen wasn't with us or the guy would have been asking all the waitresses if we were on "Teen Mom". Anyway, after having a good dinner using nothing but gift cards as payment we met my friend Will and his girlfriend Jessica at Humphries to see Sonia Leigh and Levi Lowry. We saw them open for ZBB in December and they were good enough to see again. I am happy to say the show did not disappoint. The only downside is that Sonia didn't start till 8:30 and by the time Levi took the stage just after 10 the ladies were past ready to go. Not because of the show but because they had both had to deal with little kids all day and were pretty exhausted. Will and I on the other hand could have stayed all night long, but we conceded after Levi's third song and left. We then came straight home, went to bed, and were not woken up all night by a baby. We were woken up by a dog instead. But I put him in his room and quickly resumed my sleep. I had a very good time and hope that Brooke did too. Stay tuned! Can you believe it, we have another exciting date planned for this weekend. THE CIRCUS. (Is it weird that we are actually getting a babysitter (mimi) while we go to the circus) Oh well, what can I say. We like the circus. Studying is done for the night. Just logged on hour of physics. Goodnight.

Study Log 1/25 - 1/31

Week Goals: Study Organic for at least 4 hours on Mon., Tues., and 2 on Wed. Make an A on first
Test. Finish Notes on GC Lecture 6.

Monday: 4 hours Organic- Chpt 15 & 16. Mechanisms and reagents of aromaitic reactions Tuesday: 4 hours Organic- Chpt 15 & 16. Mechanisms and reagents of aromaitic reactions Wednesday: 2+ hours Organic- Chpt 15 & 16. Mechanisms and reagents of aromaitic reactions
and Test
Thursday: 30 minutes MCAT reading. Recovery.
Friday: 1.5 hours MCAT - 40 Physics problems
Saturday: 3.5 hours MCAT Practice Test #5
Sunday: Rest Day

Total Organic - 10+ hours
Total MCAT - 5.5 plus listening to CDs in car

TOTAL - 15.5 hours

Study Log 1/18/10 - 1/24/10

Week Goals: Finish Notes on GC Lecture 5.

Monday: 1:30 Organic & :30 MCAT
Tuesday: 2 hours Organic, 1 hour MCAT
Wednesday: 1 hour Organic, 1:15 MCAT (finished notes on GC L5 CD)
Thursday: 1 Organic
Friday: 2 hours Organic :30 MCAT
Saturday: 1 hour Organic
Sunday: 1:30 Organic

Total Organic - 9 hours 30 min
Total MCAT - 3 hours 15 min

TOTAL - 12 hours 45

Practice Test Recap

Well this is the long awaited and much anticipated practice test recap. I took two practice tests in only seven days and I made significant improvements in just one week. This quick improvement gives me confidence in my methodical approach to improving my score. I made a 21 on the first test with sub-scores of 5, 10, and 6 in Physical, Verbal, and Biological. I spent two days reviewing the physical science section and identifying/reviewing the my "problem areas" in the subject matter. I currently have many problem areas. However, I was able to brush up enough to answer nine more questions correctly and score 2 points higher on just that one sub section. I also moved quicker actually getting to about 41 or 42 of the 52 questions. On the first test I only got to about 35 of the questions. I also moved quicker on the Verbal although my score was worse. I was doing well until the end, but since I had moved quicker I thought I could quickly read and answer the last two passages. However, I ended up half assing both of them and actually half of the questions I missed came from those 2 passages (seven total). Hopefully next time I will finish all of the passages and questions but if not I will not rush through again. I will just finish out what I can and my pace and spend the last minute marking C for the ones I have not yet read. I didn't really study the biological sciences at all, but that section improved also. I really think learning the physical sciences and becoming familiar with the MCAT format helped that score improve. To recap, 2 tests in seven days and I answered 61% of all of the questions correctly on the second test, compared to 55% on the first. My studying is paying off and I know in four months I will be ready. Thank to my wife Brooke for being so supportive of my dream.

Goodnight,
Justin

Weekly Wrap Up

It seems like all I type these days is the weekly wrap up. Oh well it's not like anyone reads this anyway. We had a good week. The two most notable events of course revolved around Owen. On Monday we took him for his 6 months photos at Bookout Studios and on Saturday he used "Sillytown" as a much need pillar of support and then stood right up. Granted he only made it made it up enough to make it look like he was ready to be potty trained, but he did make it there on his own and we were very proud of him.
The photos on Monday went really well. That kid might be an actor. He is photogenic and loves the camera. He smiles even bigger after the flash goes off. He seemed to be posing throughout the entire shoot and was very cooperative. However, it seems that Jackson has been sharing with Owen the importance of staking your claim so Owen "claimed" the rug used during the last set. But I guess we all deserved it. We are the ones that made him go comando for the last round of pics.
Finally, also on Saturday I took my second AAMC practice MCAT and made a 23 which was one point higher than my goal. I promise this time I will add a full test summary in the next day or two.
Again it's been another nice week, and now I'm going to bed. It feels like midnight (It's only 10)
'Night

Study Log - 1/11 - 1/17

Week Goals: Finish Notes on GC and Physics Lecture 4. Make 22 on MCAT 6, 6, 10 (minimums).

Monday: 3 hrs 30 minutes MCAT - 50 Gen Chem problems (atoms, molecules, quantum mechanics, gases). Material Review, Notes on half of gen chem L4. Plus first organic class.
Tuesday: 2+ hours Organic, 1+ hour MCAT
Wednesday: 1 hour Organic, 1 hour MCAT (finished notes on L4 CD)
Thursday: 1 hr - 20 gen chem problems. 20 minute review
Friday: 2 hours MCAT review
Saturday: 3 hr 45 min MCAT - Practice Test and Review
Sunday: 1 hr MCAT PT Review

Total Organic - 3+ hours
Total MCAT - 13 hours 15 min

TOTAL - 16 + hours

MCAT Log 1/4/10 - 1/10/10

Monday: 2 hrs 20 min - Two Verbal passages, Reviewed MCAT Physics outline, Chemistry problems
Tuesday: 1 hour 45 min. - Reviewed MCAT Physical Science Outline, Took notes on Exam Krackers Thermodynamics sections of gen chem.
Wednesday: 3+ hrs - Worked 70 Chem problems (Exam Krackers book), reviewed weaknesses, finished taking notes on EK Thermodynamics Lecture
Thursday: 1hour 30 min - Worked about 30 EK Gen Chem problems, reviewed
Friday: Only 1 hour - Reviewed Notes from EK Gen. Chem and Physics Lessons 1-3.
Saturday: 3hrs 30 min - Practice MCAT # 3.
Sunday: 1hour: Reviewed Practice MCAT. Listened to EK Physics L1 (vectors, translational motion)

Total Organic - None
Total MCAT - Just over 14 hours

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well I am officially a nerd. When I was running in college I would keep a log of how much I ran each day with notes about how I felt. Now I am doing the same thing with studying ( I bet most people don;t do this) It sort of makes me feel all statistical and anal. Very engineerish. which is alright I guess. I know it will help me with my studies.
So this week was highlighted by snow, A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, and my first AAMC practice MCAT (3rd overall). It began to snow on Thursday morning and I left work early to pick up Owen. On the way home we stopped by Lowe's to by a bow saw so I could cut up some firewood from behind our house. I'm not sure that Owen really new what the big deal was but we dressed him up in his new dog 'boggin and mittens and took him outside for pictures in the snow. We also made a very impressive miniature snowman in a flower port filled with frozen water (ice). Again he didn't seem to know what was going on but he was a good sport. When we got in his cheeks got really red but that didn't last too long. Oh yea Jackson played fetched with some snowballs and we video taped it. We had a good day.
Thursday night was the game and we watched it at Jennifer and JRs house. I know Bama fans have a reputation for being obnoxious red necks so I won't say much except welcome to the SEC; where people actually hit harder than they did in middle school. Side note, look for Tubberville to have some success at Tech bringing SEC style football to the Big 12.
Finally, yesterday was my third practice MCAT, but my first that was an actual retired MCAT exam. It was hard, yet in ways I thought it was easier than the others I had taken. I was hoping to make a 20 or 21 and I did in fact make a 21. I was very excited for two reasons. First, because my first two were a 18 and 17. Secondly, because I preformed the way I thought I would for this stage in the game. Granted if I make a 21 in May it will be a disaster, but for now I am right on track. I will be taking nine or ten more before the real deal and I hope to improve by one point every time. That at least put me in position to make a 30+, depending on how well I perform on the actual day.
I will give full report of the exam tomorrow but for now I am going to read my new Bible that Brooke got me for Christmas and then go to bed. Again it was a great week with snow, football, and standardized tests.
Good Day.

Week Wrap Up

It's a day late but every Sunday I am planning on summarizing how the previous week's studying has gone. Last week was my first official week of "THE FINAL PUSH". However, that push will last 5 months, so don't think I'm cramming. I spent at leat 1:15 minutes studying last week and spent most of my time on physics Chemistry and Verbal Reasoning. Over the next couple weeks I hope to gain a better understanding of what I need to work on and develop a plan to improve my weaknesses. The practice test I'm taking this Saturday should help clarify the direction my future studying should take. This will be the first practice MCAT I've taken that is actually an old real MCAT. The two I've previously taken have been from an MCAT prep book company, so I am pretty excited about it.

In other news Boise State beat TCU tonight which is pretty cool since they were the underdogs. However, I won't using that line of thinking in picking my team for the Nat. Championship game. ROLL TIDE.

Ok, well school starts back tomorrow so I need to go to bed.
Goodnight.

Productive Day!

The past two days have been really nice. Undoubtedly that is in part because I haven't been working, but mostly it's because I made a conscious effort to focus on my wife and son and did not worry about school for once. I still did the studying (1:15 hour MCAT yesterday, 1:30 MCAT today) but I didn't stress or worry about it, I just did it. I'm going to try to do this for the next five months leading up to the MCAT. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I can't let that take me away from my family. I have to fully devote myself to studying for a few hours a day and then let it go and enjoy B and O.
Not only have the first two days of this year contain two good study sessions, but I also finished decorating O's room, made a ginormous grocery run, watched a bunch of football (GO SEC), and most importantly finished restoring O's high chair. This was special because it is the same high chair that first my dad and then I used. Before my dad passed away in late 2006 he had begun stripping the old finish off in hopes that one day my child would use it. Over the past month I completed the preparation, and finally yesterday and today I applied two coats of stain/polyurethane to complete the project. Once its dry I will reattach the hardware and Owen will get to eat in it tomorrow. I'm really excited about it. I thought a lot about dad while working on the chair and I think he would be really proud of how good it looks and relieved that I actually finished it.
Well the Alamo bowl is over, so I'm going to bed. Tomorrow will consist of some physics practice problems and taking notes on half of a general chem chapter in my Kaplan prep book. So far it's been a great 2010.

Goodnight