My Journey To Medicine

Hey guys I'm baccccckkkkk. Sorry for the long departure LOL! Man...I had a horrible semester to say the least. I have so much to discuss but I am unsure of where to start. Hmmmmm...I guess I can post the following topics in this order: Insomnia, the island and stress AUA/Issues CAS 1 (exam) Formative (quizzes) CAS 2 (exam ) Repeating the first semester If you guys have any specific questions just drop me an email and I will complete a new post on the topic. As always thanks for reading!  Kay R.

Sorry about that guys the pictures have been added the right way! I tried to take a shortcut and it did not work lololol! :) Kay R.

Outside the Sandals Resort in Dickerson Bay Well lololol! I must say that life on the Island of Antigua is a lot different than I thought it would be. Not only is it ridiculously expensive... it is not as hot as I thought it would be. From what I hear form the locals and other students is that this is Antigua's winter season so even though its 80 degrees outside it is less humid than the summer months.  Anywho...well I am all moved in and I have 95% of my life back in the states situated. I wish that I could have completed certain things prior to leaving such as my tax stuff and car insurance but oh well...So I thought that the best way to provide you guys with an brief overview of my life on the island is to touch on each topic separately instead of typing a long ass page of info so here goes: Apartment: My view from my living room balcony My view from my bedroom balcony I requested to live off campus because I brought my little doggies with me. My a...

Well guys...I have arrived!!! :) I flew in on Saturday, January 27th around 3:00pm. I can remember as we were making our decent into Antigua, I noticed how blue the water was and how peaceful the island looked from high up in the sky... it looked like a little piece of paradise. :) After I get settled in I will post a little more about the island and take a couple of flicks for you guys. If you have any questions, please email me or drop a post below! Outside of my Apartment

This past Saturday my friends planned a farewell dinner/night out on the town for me and it was such a great time. Being celebrated is such an amazing feeling you know? :) Sighhhhh...I'm going to miss these guys.  XOXO #AntiguaBound!! Too Hot 2 Trot Thank You Speech Time Fun Times!!! Fun Times!!!

Countdown: Leave for Antigua : 8 days, 14 hours, 9 minutes, 16 seconds Now let the countdown begin!!!!

Let me start by saying that this process must be started at least 4 months in advance. This importation process has been the most drawn out, stressful process ever! When I say that it is too much to type LOLOL! I mean it is too much to type. LOLOL! From obtaining varies preventative shots, rabies titers, Lyme and Ehrlichia titers, health certificates (plus USDA certification), medication, the cost of flights, flight carrying cases for the pups, this has been very expensive and stressful!! This process has put a $3K dent in my pocket. After 3 months, I finally received my Import License for my dogs a week ago (thank God)! Again start this process early if you can. If you need more info please send me a message or ask below. I also have posted a link for Antigua import requirements for live animals. These requirements could change so make sure that you contact them directly before starting this process (That is not a current email on the form and I believe that the fax machine is out ...

  Happy New Year my friends!!   Kay R.

As the months go by, my excitement is slowly diminishing and my feelings of nervousness has increased tremendously. There are so may loose ends to tie up before I leave. It is truly starting to become overwhelming. Between moving, obtaining funds to pay for the move, working and making sure that the dogs have everything that they need in order to fly; my life is a wreck! :( As I stated before, this process is very expensive and it is not easy. Guys if you haven't listened to nothing else I've said in the past pppppppppppppplease listen to me now when I say...be sure to explore ALL options before taking the leap of going to medial school out of the country. The only thing that's keeping me excited/sane is my future classmates. Corresponding with them daily through telegram has been not only beneficial information wise (a couple of upper classman are in the group) but also a lot of fun. :) Well let me logoff with my ...

Based on what I've spent over the last couple of months to prepare for school in Antigua...my Christmas was canceled LOLOL! Merry Christmas to those that celebrated! LOLOL! Kay R.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!! LOLOLOL!!!

Hello Guys!! I was doing a little Fall cleaning and I forgot that I had another Kaplan MCAT Prep Book set. They are not brand new but they are gently used. This set also includes not only the subject books but also the quicksheet book, the lesson book , and the high yield science solutions and extra practice book. This set is the Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review set 2016 - 3rd edition. Oh and I am also going to throw in the AAMC MCAT flashcard set. If you are interested, please comment below or email me at myjourney2medicine@yahoo.com. At that time we can discuss shipping or even a pick up option if you are in the Atlanta area. :) Thanks! Kay

  For those who are new to my blog, I started this new blog to document my new journey through medical school. You can find my previous premed journey which includes my undergrad classes, grades, mcat info, medical school application process and interview here: http://premedchick.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading! Kay R.

Hey Guys~ So prior to being accepted to AUA they have you setup a user id and password through the AUA application website. This is where you will upload you transcripts, letters of recommendation, MCAT score and etc. After you are accepted, your checklist will change and reflect things that you will need to arrive on the island. After using the system I believe that it's an efficient way to keep up with what you have turned in and whats left to complete. The one thing that I encourage you to get started on is your immunization shots, funds and purchasing your passport. Since I graduated from college in the last couple of years and volunteered at the hospital recently, I was able to use my previous titer blood test. The only shot that I had to have was my TB (Tuberculosis) shot which cost me a whopping $100.00!! Majority of the shots on the list were not covered by my insurance but I believe the hepatitis shot was. My previous passport would have expired while I was on the isl...

 Happy Halloween Folks LOLOL!!!!!!

  Well...when it comes to finding a flight to Antigua, you must do your research. If you didn't know, flying to the island of Antigua can very expensive and timely. So if you can purchase your tickets in advance; DO IT! Majority of the flights through American Airlines, Mesa Airlines, United Airlines and Air Canada and many others were not direct flights. The only direct flight that I found was through Delta Airlines and this direct flight flies out on Saturday's only. The cost of my flight was around $900.00 roughly and this did not include the pet fee of $125.00 (per pet each way) and this fee is to be paid at the airport before you fly. You will also need to reserve a seat for your pet to fly in cabin in advance because only 4 pets can fly in the cabin at a time. You can only fly with one pet and your pet must be in a approved carrying case. The size of your carrying case is be based on the size of the aircraft (pet weight restrictions do apply). You must check with ...

  Let me just put this out here that during the duration of this blog, all thoughts, writings, views and comments will be my mine and mine alone and know that I am not the best speller or writer. So if you are looking for someone who might be grammatically challenged...I am your girl!! LOLOL! Kay R.

Hey my friends! I've finally gotten around to providing you with information regarding the medical school that I will be attending in the Spring. The name of the school is American University of Antigua (AUA) and it is located on the beautiful island of Antigua in the Caribbean. AUA has been around for 13 years which could be considered new when you compare it to other Caribbean and US medical schools. The program and curriculum mirrors US medicals schools seeing that they require the same premedical courses, MCAT test, letters of rec, transcripts and interview. STUDENT BODY AND START TIMES: Majority of the students body at AUA are US citizens and are minorities (super awesome). AUA has 2 different start times (many call it rolling admissions). You can start in February which is when I am starting or in August, which is the traditional start time. AUA PROGRAM: The program itself as I stated before mirrors US medical schools and is also completed in 4 years. You will com...

MCAT REVIEW BOOKS GIVEAWAY Hello Guys!! As I stated in my previous post, I am giving away a Kaplan MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review set (2017 - 4th edition). They are brandddddddd new! I received them from a Kaplan MCAT Prep Course that I took. I signed up for a free retake for this class but clearly I will not be retaking the class (nor the MCAT test again...thank God). If you are interested, please comment below or email me at myjourney2medicine@yahoo.com. At that time we can discuss shipping or even a pick up option if you are in the Atlanta area. :) Chat with you guys later! Kay

Hello!! I thought that I would provide you guys with a quick application update. Welllll...due to the state of the islands of Sint Maarten and Dominica, I have decided to withdraw my applications to both schools (American University of the Caribbean (AUC) and Ross School of Medicine (Ross)). AUC was waiting for my new MCAT score and I had an interview scheduled for this Friday, October 13th with Ross. I was not accepted to neither school but I am sure that I would have been accepted to at least one of the two schools. Since my score was not US medical school worthy, I have decided to also put this path to rest. Soooooo that being said... I am officially a student of American University of Antigua's School of Medicine's spring class of 2018!! YAYYYYYYY LOLOLOLOL!! Recap: US Med Schools: Don't ask lol! AUC: Withdrew Ross: Withdrew AUA: Accepted-Seat Deposit Made!!! YAYYYYY!! I'll update you guys in another post about AUA! :) Kay