MD Advice on School List!

[squirrelfoot]

Hey everyone,
I'm going to be applying this cycle, and I was a little unsure about what other schools to have on my list, or what to add/remove, this is what I have so far.
3.75 cGPA
3.63 sGPA
41S MCAT
MI Resident
Asian (Indian)

Clinical Experience
First Medical Responder
volunteering at aphasia clinic (540 hours)
volunteering at hospice (700 hours)
300 hours shadowing neurosurgeon, was a fellowship program
80 hours shadowing anesthesiologist
120 hours shadowing pediatric cardiologist
120 hours shadowing orthopedic surgeon
child life practicum and internship (700 hours)
hospital internship- soph. year
120 hours- emergency department shadowing
11 months- ED scribe

Research
1000+ hours of research
2 poster presentations from psycholinguistics lab, attended psychology conference at Stanford
1 poster presentation from pharmaceutical company research
current publication submission for psychology journal

Awards
awards for competitive rowing and erging, competed in HOTC twice
Beckman Scholar
university psychology award
university spanish minor award
dean's list (5 semesters)
presidential volunteer service award
phi beta kappa induction

Hobbies/Interests
licensed pilot
kayaking, rowing, or basically any activity requiring a boat

ECs
community service fraternity- treasurer
kayaking club
instructor at organization that helps to promote healthier eating and living habits in children k-12
captain in dance marathon organization
university choir- 2 years
phi delta epsilon vp of external communications, member for 2 years
pre medical organization- secretary
spring break trips to Dominican Republic- 2 years
long- term volunteer at a rabbit sanctuary
science competition coach for elementary school students

Other
ACT instructor at princeton review
work study position for 3 years

So far for schools I have:
Columbia
UMich
MSU
Wayne State
Northwestern
Duke
Boston U.
UChicago
Baylor
Johns Hopkins
Oakland
Wash U
Penn
UNC
Dartmouth

I'm a little nervous applying to the top tier schools, because I feel that most of their applicants have a unique "hook", which I don't really see myself having. I know I don't have many school yet, but I don't want to apply to more than 25 schools. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[squirrelfoot]

bump
please help

 

[Lambda Phage]

State of residence?

 

[gyngyn]

State of residence?

MI

 

[gyngyn]

How old is that MCAT? Are you a re-applicant?

 

[Goro]

Everything looks great...aim high!

Hey everyone,
I'm going to be applying this cycle, and I was a little unsure about what other schools to have on my list, or what to add/remove, this is what I have so far.
3.75 cGPA
3.63 sGPA
41S MCAT
MI Resident
Asian (Indian)

Clinical Experience
First Medical Responder
volunteering at aphasia clinic (540 hours)
volunteering at hospice (700 hours)
300 hours shadowing neurosurgeon, was a fellowship program
80 hours shadowing anesthesiologist
120 hours shadowing pediatric cardiologist
120 hours shadowing orthopedic surgeon
child life practicum and internship (700 hours)
hospital internship- soph. year
120 hours- emergency department shadowing
11 months- ED scribe

Research
1000+ hours of research
2 poster presentations from psycholinguistics lab, attended psychology conference at Stanford
1 poster presentation from pharmaceutical company research
current publication submission for psychology journal

Awards
awards for competitive rowing and erging, competed in HOTC twice
Beckman Scholar
university psychology award
university spanish minor award
dean's list (5 semesters)
presidential volunteer service award
phi beta kappa induction

Hobbies/Interests
licensed pilot
kayaking, rowing, or basically any activity requiring a boat

ECs
community service fraternity- treasurer
kayaking club
instructor at organization that helps to promote healthier eating and living habits in children k-12
captain in dance marathon organization
university choir- 2 years
phi delta epsilon vp of external communications, member for 2 years
pre medical organization- secretary
spring break trips to Dominican Republic- 2 years
long- term volunteer at a rabbit sanctuary
science competition coach for elementary school students

Other
ACT instructor at princeton review
work study position for 3 years

So far for schools I have:
Columbia
UMich
MSU
Wayne State
Northwestern
Duke
Boston U.
UChicago
Baylor
Johns Hopkins
Oakland
Wash U
Penn
UNC
Dartmouth

I'm a little nervous applying to the top tier schools, because I feel that most of their applicants have a unique "hook", which I don't really see myself having. I know I don't have many school yet, but I don't want to apply to more than 25 schools. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

 

[squirrelfoot]

Nope, this will be my first time applying. I took the MCAT late this January .

 

[squirrelfoot]

Thanks Goro! Do you think my cumulative GPA is a little low for some of the higher schools, like Harvard? It seems like everyone who applies there has a 3.8+. I feel like I have strong ECs, but do you think it's enough to out balance the GPA?

 

[gyngyn]

Nope, this will be my first time applying. I took the MCAT late this January .

You have an essay grade (S). That's why I ask. There was no essay in January this year...

 

[Goro]

A tad lower, but still competitive. A mix of the right high tiers and some mid tiers and you'll be fine.

Thanks Goro! Do you think my cumulative GPA is a little low for some of the higher schools, like Harvard? It seems like everyone who applies there has a 3.8+. I feel like I have strong ECs, but do you think it's enough to out balance the GPA?