Game over - I was just rejected from the USC WL.
Fortunately, I have spent a lot of time working on my AMCAS application and personal statement. I haven't given much thought to a school list, though, and would certainly appreciate some advice.
I intend on applying to the same schools I applied to last cycle - NM, AZ, CA, NV - with the understanding that it is highly unlikely that I will land an acceptance. However, I have improved my application since last year and think that it would be foolish not to throw my hat in the ring one more time.
In addition to those schools, I'm also planning on applying to all the TX schools as well as the schools in OR, CO, and UT. Beyond that, I'm not sure where I would be a good fit. Temple, Drexel, Jefferson, and Tufts are four that are on my radar. I'm open to any other recommendations. The MSAR has been helpful but advice from students, adcoms, and fellow applicants is also quite valuable.
My updated app with new activities in bold:
Academic
Major: Exercise Physiology
GPA: 3.6 (strong upward trend; 4.0 for past two years with straight A's in pre-req courses); slightly higher than last year after taking summer courses
MCAT: 38 (13/13/12)
Volunteering
300 hours as patient companion for MS charity organization
300 hours at community clinic in underserved area of NM
500 hours at hospice
Shadowing
~78 hours - primary care, neurology, anesthesiology, psychiatry, hem/onc
Research
50 hours in exercise physiology lab (funding pulled and lost position midway through project)
Poster presentation at small conference
40 hours in cancer research lab; projected to be 1,000+ hours by August, 2015 (joined recently and committed to 20 hours/week)
Work Experience
1000s of hours as physical therapy aide
1000s of hours as tech support for software company
~400 hours MCAT tutor
(Self-supported throughout college)
Miscellaneous
Hobbies - writing (published in several major magazines); pet fostering
Honors - Dean's List and award for community service
LORs - very strong; knew my professors very well; one new letter from hospice volunteer coordinator
PS - went through 8-10 drafts; one interviewer said that it was one of the best he had seen; made several improvements
Thank you for any feedback! It's a bummer to get rejected, but I'm hopeful about landing an acceptance in round two.