Hello!
Yesterday (8/9) I finally finished my AMCAS and received my MCAT scores. I submitted my primary app to Iowa (my in-state school) to get verification started -- I know I'm kind of late in the cycle but I plan to aggressively pre-write secondaries over the next month to hopefully be decently close to the Labor Day guideline for completion.
However, after a pleasant surprise on the MCAT, I'm starting to rethink my school list. I would be interested in top programs now that I know my stats, but question if my EC's (particularly clinical experience/shadowing) will make the cut. On the converse, I worry that some of the frequently recommended mid/lower tiers won't like my high stats. How would you recommend I balance this?
GPA: 3.92 cumulative, 3.9 BCPM
MCAT: 520 (129,131,130,130)
Major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Undergrad: Large public
Demographics: Iowa, White
Letters:
4 that should be super strong from science teacher/PI, another PI who is also an MD I shadowed, a non-science teacher, and the advisor for many of my extracurriculars and leadership positions, with 1 more that will just be an alright academic recommendation from a science teacher
Clinical:
-20 hrs shadowing (emergency, neurology and neonatology)
~150 hrs hospital volunteering (most "clinical" aspect was visiting patients and giving flowers/chatting)
-Unfortunately both the shadowing and volunteer experiences were during the summers and not in the same city where I go to school -- should I be looking to find a new place to add some more hours once I get back to school to be able to be able to talk about in interviews/update letters? All of you posters with 500+ hours of clincial experience have me paranoid
Research:
~130 hrs in a plant physiology lab (received small research grant from honors program)
~1000 hrs in biochemical research on neurological proteins (got a departmental research fellowship)
~400 hrs in a neurology lab (not sure if it's relevant but I did a lot of mouse brain surgeries that I loved and mentioned in my personal statement)
~I have done a poster from all three labs and a best poster award from the biochem lab.
Other volunteering:
~130 hrs giving campus tours and student panels
~35 hrs helping Spanish speakers practice English during a semester in Spain
Leadership/Involvement:
-Biochemistry club president
-Co-chair of a research symposium planning committee
-Vice President of Campus Visits (coordinating the tour/panel volunteers mentioned above)
-Academic chair on honors house council
-Orientation leader
-Learning community peer mentor
-Private spanish tutor
Initial School List:
Iowa (in-state)
Illinois
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Nebraska
Kansas
Indiana
(could I be competitive for limited OOS spots at these schools?)
MCW
Rosalind Franklin
Creighton
Loyola
Saint Louis
Wash U St Louis (DREAM school)
Mayo
Northwestern
Michigan
As you can see, I was originally leaning towards midwest schools, but now I could be lured away if I stood a realistic chance at some top 20's. I'd also be curious about any mid-tier places where I might be a good fit, but I can probably only apply to about 15-20 schools total. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have on schools I should consider adding or removing from the list! Thanks so much in advance!
Yesterday (8/9) I finally finished my AMCAS and received my MCAT scores. I submitted my primary app to Iowa (my in-state school) to get verification started -- I know I'm kind of late in the cycle but I plan to aggressively pre-write secondaries over the next month to hopefully be decently close to the Labor Day guideline for completion.
However, after a pleasant surprise on the MCAT, I'm starting to rethink my school list. I would be interested in top programs now that I know my stats, but question if my EC's (particularly clinical experience/shadowing) will make the cut. On the converse, I worry that some of the frequently recommended mid/lower tiers won't like my high stats. How would you recommend I balance this?
GPA: 3.92 cumulative, 3.9 BCPM
MCAT: 520 (129,131,130,130)
Major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Undergrad: Large public
Demographics: Iowa, White
Letters:
4 that should be super strong from science teacher/PI, another PI who is also an MD I shadowed, a non-science teacher, and the advisor for many of my extracurriculars and leadership positions, with 1 more that will just be an alright academic recommendation from a science teacher
Clinical:
-20 hrs shadowing (emergency, neurology and neonatology)
~150 hrs hospital volunteering (most "clinical" aspect was visiting patients and giving flowers/chatting)
-Unfortunately both the shadowing and volunteer experiences were during the summers and not in the same city where I go to school -- should I be looking to find a new place to add some more hours once I get back to school to be able to be able to talk about in interviews/update letters? All of you posters with 500+ hours of clincial experience have me paranoid
Research:
~130 hrs in a plant physiology lab (received small research grant from honors program)
~1000 hrs in biochemical research on neurological proteins (got a departmental research fellowship)
~400 hrs in a neurology lab (not sure if it's relevant but I did a lot of mouse brain surgeries that I loved and mentioned in my personal statement)
~I have done a poster from all three labs and a best poster award from the biochem lab.
Other volunteering:
~130 hrs giving campus tours and student panels
~35 hrs helping Spanish speakers practice English during a semester in Spain
Leadership/Involvement:
-Biochemistry club president
-Co-chair of a research symposium planning committee
-Vice President of Campus Visits (coordinating the tour/panel volunteers mentioned above)
-Academic chair on honors house council
-Orientation leader
-Learning community peer mentor
-Private spanish tutor
Initial School List:
Iowa (in-state)
Illinois
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Nebraska
Kansas
Indiana
(could I be competitive for limited OOS spots at these schools?)
MCW
Rosalind Franklin
Creighton
Loyola
Saint Louis
Wash U St Louis (DREAM school)
Mayo
Northwestern
Michigan
As you can see, I was originally leaning towards midwest schools, but now I could be lured away if I stood a realistic chance at some top 20's. I'd also be curious about any mid-tier places where I might be a good fit, but I can probably only apply to about 15-20 schools total. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have on schools I should consider adding or removing from the list! Thanks so much in advance!
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