non-trad 36, c3.6, s3.9

[beantowndoc]

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Hello, I'm looking for some help in how to maximize my chances of getting an interview with my late application.

• Top 20 undergrad, major in humanities. Very poor senior year of college due to personal difficulties. Dragged my overall GPA down at least 0.1, likely down 0.15.
  
• Volunteer year with an underserved population
• Demonstrated record of service even before my interest in medicine kicked in
  
• Solid post-bacc in all my sciences
  
• Worked 4+ years in hospital, with direct patient care and significant clinical research experience at a top academic institution + a handful of publications

cGPA = 3.6
sGPA = 3.9
MCAT = 36

Caveats:
-3x MCAT taker (twice a few years ago just a few weeks apart, with scores high 20's and low 30's). Retook it again this year because I knew I could do better.
-Very poor senior year of college (>1 Grade point lower than the next lowest GPA in a year).
-I submitted in late August; already verified.

I am confident I will get into at least one school, but I don't want to be overconfident with my school selections. I just want to get into the best school I can.

What are my chances at a top tier school? With an unadjusted Lizzy M of 72, I have about 15 schools in the top tier ("Hopeful" LizzyM category), 5 schools in my "go for it" and just 1 in my "safety".

If my score is adjusted (LizzyM+1 = 73), then I have 10 in the hopeful, 9 in the "go for it" and 2 in the "safety". But again, my application is late.

I'm trying to be smart about maximizing my chances of getting an interview at a school I really want to go to, without spending tons and tons of money. I'm getting older and really will only apply once.

The question is whether I should add more schools in the "Hopeful", "Go for it" or "safety" category?

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[pink/\floyd]

Very top heavy list like you are explaining.. Even with research experience it could go either way since you applied late like you said + MCAT x 3. I am not saying you won't get calls, but if I were you, my list would be more like:
5-7 ("safety schools") + 10 where you fit perfectly (go for it category) + 5 (reaches). Try to make your list to at least 22-25 schools.

 

[gyngyn]

Consider the likelihood that many schools will end up looking at you as the composite of your scores. As long as a dozen of your schools have median stats that are the average of your MCAT's and accept a significant number of OOS applicants, you may be fine (depending on your state of residence).