School List GPA 3.8, MCAT 35

[turayza]

I am applying with my S/O in hopes that we will get into one or two of the same schools (and if not, at least be in the same region). Both our overviews are posted; if this is too annoying to read I'll split it into two threads.


turayza's overview:
WA resident
University of Washington
Biochemistry, Public Health
3.86 cGPA / 3.78 sGPA
35 MCAT (PS 12 / VR 12 / BS 11) *predicted. This is an average of the 5 practice exams I took. Sat the exam 5/17
Asian-American

Research:
Biology, 3 years, 1st author manuscript in progress.
-1 poster, 1 oral, scholarship, REU

Shadowing: 135 hours
5 specialties over 3 years, including family med

Nonclinical Volunteering:
International Aid Org (VP, president) – 800+ hours, 4 years
Teaching Public Health in high school – 50 hours, 4 months

Clinical Volunteering:
Family Beginnings – 80 hours / 6 months (ongoing)
Hospital in Taiwan – full-time 3 months (400 h)

Employment:
Orientation Leader – full-time 1 summer (450 h)

Leadership Positions in:
Rural healthcare club – 250 hours, 2 years
Sorority – 900 hours, 4 years

Other: taking class for CNA and planning to work in assisted living/nursing home during gap year
I intend to pursue an MD/MPH (simultaneous or MPH during/post-residency)


S/O’s overview:
WA resident
UW Biochemistry
sGPA3.76/GPA3.72
37 MCAT (BS 13/PS 12/ VR 12)
Asian American
*reapplicant

Research
Molecular biology. 20 mo. Presented poster at intramural symposium. Led independent project.

Shadowing
Family - 150
Pediatrics - 6
Geriatrics - 10
Ophthalmology - 12

Med Volunteer
Escort - 40
Histology - 30
E.D. - 80
ICU - 60

Other Volunteer
Christian Fellowship - 40
Underserved Youth Mentor - 40

Leadership
Christian Fellowship - 200

Work
Medical Office Receptionist - 3 wk, ongoing
Restaurant server - 5 mo, ongoing
Coffee shop barista - 4 mo
Retail - 4 mo
Sales - 3 mo


School List
Due to financial constraints, we are planning to apply to 15 schools. The list as it is:

Feinberg/Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Hopkins
Mt. Sinai
U Washington
OHSU
USC
OSU
U Rochester
Einstein
Loyola
Toledo
Jefferson
Albany
Rush
Temple

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[slz1900]

The odds of you both getting into the same school are low, even more so if it's top tier, so I would consider whether it's more important to go to a prestigious school or be closer together. That said, I'd get rid of Vanderbilt (no other schools close by), Hopkins (NY and Philly are far), USC (oos odds are poor), OSU (since you're oos), Rochester (no recorded lectures - probably important if you're both commuting), and add NYU, Cornell, Drexel, Rosalind Franklin, and maybe another school close to NYC.

 

[Banco]

If your MCAT comes out like you say, you will be competitive at pretty much all schools. If your main goal is to attend nearby your SO, you should apply to areas where there are a lot of medical schools. Example, NYC (Sinai, Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Einstein, Downstate), Philadelphia (Jefferson, Temple, Drexel, UPenn), Boston (Boston U, Tufts, Harvard), Chicago (UChicago, NW, U Illinois and others). This way even if you don't get into the same medical schools you will at least have a chance to be nearby. I wish you guys the best of luck!

 

[turayza]

If your MCAT comes out like you say, you will be competitive at pretty much all schools. If your main goal is to attend nearby your SO, you should apply to areas where there are a lot of medical schools. Example, NYC (Sinai, Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Einstein, Downstate), Philadelphia (Jefferson, Temple, Drexel, UPenn), Boston (Boston U, Tufts, Harvard), Chicago (UChicago, NW, U Illinois and others). This way even if you don't get into the same medical schools you will at least have a chance to be nearby. I wish you guys the best of luck!

I was looking at SUNY Downstate and really liked the curriculum, but it looked rather OOS-unfriendly from matriculation and interview stats. You think it is worth applying?
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely comb over the list with this

The odds of you both getting into the same school are low, even more so if it's top tier, so I would consider whether it's more important to go to a prestigious school or be closer together. That said, I'd get rid of Vanderbilt (no other schools close by), Hopkins (NY and Philly are far), USC (oos odds are poor), OSU (since you're oos), Rochester (no recorded lectures - probably important if you're both commuting), and add NYU, Cornell, Drexel, Rosalind Franklin, and maybe another school close to NYC.

...but Vanderbilt is so beautiful
I think we are fully prepared for the possibility of ending up on opposite ends of the country. Thank you for the suggestions!



Overall, would you say that the list is well-balanced for either applicant alone?

 

[No Limits]

If your MCAT comes out like you say, you will be competitive at pretty much all schools. If your main goal is to attend nearby your SO, you should apply to areas where there are a lot of medical schools. Example, NYC (Sinai, Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Einstein, Downstate), Philadelphia (Jefferson, Temple, Drexel, UPenn), Boston (Boston U, Tufts, Harvard), Chicago (UChicago, NW, U Illinois and others). This way even if you don't get into the same medical schools you will at least have a chance to be nearby. I wish you guys the best of luck!

This. You and your s/o both have impressive stats and should do well. However, applying to only 15 schools will limit some of your choices especially since you want to be near each other. I'd target the schools that that are near other schools and accept a decent amount of out of state students. Good luck @turayza

 

[Banco]

I was looking at SUNY Downstate and really liked the curriculum, but it looked rather OOS-unfriendly from matriculation and interview stats. You think it is worth applying?
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely comb over the list with this




Overall, would you say that the list is well-balanced for either applicant alone?

I mentioned Downstate just due to it being in NYC. Its up to you to decide if you want to fill one of your slots with Downstate.

To your overall list, I think it is good because you have a good balance. You guys can afford to add more mid tiers and top tiers if you wanted.