MD School list help please! :)

[sunflower18]

Hello! Thanks so much for your help! I'm trying to narrow down a list of 33 schools to 25-30 schools that I really have a shot at, and that match my interests. The reason I'm looking at so many is because I have a slight mismatch in my GPA and MCAT, and am not sure where to focus my attention. I would like to know which schools to remove, and if there are some I should add that aren't on this list.

Search criteria:
- Good opportunities for research and medical education involvement
- Radiation oncology home programs (most competitive field I'm interested in; gives me more options)
- Don't require two semesters of math
- Don't require more than two semesters of biology

I don't really care about location. I've looked at all of their curriculums, but I am honestly not sure what kind of curriculum or environment (PBL or lecture) I'd do best in, so that didn't really factor into my list.

Here are my stats:
cGPA: >3.9
sGPA: >3.9
MCAT: 33
ECs (straight from my MDApps):
CLINICAL:
** Emergency Department Scribe
Hospital Volunteer
Shadow
Campus EMS Responder & Leader

RESEARCH:
Summer Research Assistant
Academic Year Research Assistant
1st author poster, 2nd author presentation, 3rd author poster. 2nd author paper to be submitted soon!

EMPLOYMENT:
Tour Guide
** Injury Prevention Program Graphic Design Intern
Pre-Health Intern

TEACHING & TUTORING:
Group Organic Chemistry Tutor
Private General Chemistry Tutor
Private Upper Level Psychology Tutor
Lab TA for Introductory Biology
Lab TA for Organic Chem
Neuroscience teacher

NON-CLINICAL VOLUNTEERING:
Swim instructor aide
** Chemistry Club President

ARTISTIC:
Published poet in several national literary magazines
Editorial Board Member of campus literary magazine

AWARDS:
Organic Chemistry Student of Year
Pre-Medical Scholarship

School list so far:
Temple University
Medical College of Wisconsin
George Washington University
University of Vermont
Michigan State University
Oregon Health & Sciences University
New York Medical College
Rosalind Franklin University
Georgetown University
Jefferson University
Mayo Medical College
University of Southern California
Wake Forest University
Dartmouth University
Boston University
University of Cincinnati
Albany Medical College
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Brown University
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
University of Rochester
University of Pittsburgh
Emory University
Baylor University
Stanford University
Harvard University
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell
New York University
University of Chicago

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[CyberMaxx]

Hey OP, I wouldn't say there is a discrepancy between your MCAT and GPA because both are very good! I would suggest you take a look at @Cambover MDApps since his stats are identical to yours if I recall. Maybe he could offer some advice too, he's been pretty wildly successful this cycle.

 

[487806]

Hello! Thanks so much for your help! I'm trying to narrow down a list of 33 schools to 25-30 schools that I really have a shot at, and that match my interests. The reason I'm looking at so many is because I have a slight mismatch in my GPA and MCAT, and am not sure where to focus my attention. I would like to know which schools to remove, and if there are some I should add that aren't on this list.

Search criteria:
- Good opportunities for research and medical education involvement
- Radiation oncology home programs (most competitive field I'm interested in; gives me more options)
- Don't require two semesters of math
- Don't require more than two semesters of biology

I don't really care about location. I've looked at all of their curriculums, but I am honestly not sure what kind of curriculum or environment (PBL or lecture) I'd do best in, so that didn't really factor into my list.

Here are my stats:
cGPA: >3.9
sGPA: >3.9
MCAT: 33
ECs (straight from my MDApps):
CLINICAL:
Emergency Department Scribe (20-40 hrs/wk; started March 2013)
Hospital Volunteer (~550 hrs total; 2007-2012)
Shadow (~200 hrs with 6 physicians so far)
Campus EMS Responder & Leader (4 hrs/wk during academic year only; January 2012-September 2013)

RESEARCH:
Summer Research Assistant (30 hrs/wk during summer only; summer 2012)
Academic Year Research Assistant (6 hrs/wk during academic year only; started September 2012)
1st author poster, 2nd author presentation, 3rd author poster. 2nd author paper to be submitted soon!

EMPLOYMENT:
Tour Guide (3 hrs/wk during academic year only; September 2012-September 2013)
Injury Prevention Program Graphic Design Intern (10 hrs/wk during summer 2012, 20 hrs/wk during winter break 2012-13)
Pre-Health Intern (15 hrs/wk during academic year only; September 2011-February 2013)

TEACHING & TUTORING:
Group Organic Chemistry Tutor (2 hrs/wk; started September 2013)
Private General Chemistry Tutor (12 hrs/wk; started September 2013)
Private Upper Level Psychology Tutor (2 hrs/wk; started September 2013)
Lab TA for Introductory Biology (8 hrs/wk during spring 2013 semester)
Lab TA for Organic Chem (10 hrs/wk during fall 2013 semester)
Neuroscience teacher (~20 hrs total; fall 2012 semester)

NON-CLINICAL VOLUNTEERING:
Swim instructor aide (4 hrs/wk during academic year only; January 2012-November 2013)
Chemistry Club President (~150 hrs total so far with more to come; started as club member in September 2012, elected as president in May 2012)

ARTISTIC:
Published poet in several national literary magazines (started in 2008)
Editorial Board Member of campus literary magazine (3 hrs/wk during academic year only; January 2012-December 2012)

AWARDS:
Organic Chemistry Student of Year (awarded by school; 2012-13 academic year)
Pre-Medical Scholarship (awarded by school in 2013 for 2013-14 academic year)

School list so far:
Temple University
Medical College of Wisconsin
George Washington University
University of Vermont
Michigan State University
Oregon Health & Sciences University
New York Medical College
Rosalind Franklin University
Georgetown University
Jefferson University
Mayo Medical College
University of Southern California
Wake Forest University
Dartmouth University
Boston University
University of Cincinnati
Albany Medical College
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Brown University
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
University of Rochester
University of Pittsburgh
Emory University
Baylor University
Stanford University
Harvard University
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell
New York University
University of Chicago

What is your state of residence? You seem to have few state schools in different states

 

[sunflower18]

Hey OP, I wouldn't say there is a discrepancy between your MCAT and GPA because both are very good! I would suggest you take a look at @Cambover MDApps since his stats are identical to yours if I recall. Maybe he could offer some advice too, he's been pretty wildly successful this cycle.

Great suggestion!! Thanks!! That gives me a lot of hope. I appreciate your advice!

What is your state of residence? You seem to have few state schools in different states

Oregon. The other state schools seem to be OOS friendly-ish.

 

[487806]

Great suggestion!! Thanks!! That gives me a lot of hope. I appreciate your advice!


Oregon. The other state schools seem to be OOS friendly-ish.

Get rid of Brown (IS-favored, you probably have a chance but you essentially would have to convince them), Georgetown and GWU (the latter are not worth your time and money. Simply too many applications and they can be quite expensive). Boston receives too many applications as well, but I think you may fare well.

 

[alpinism]

Hey OP, I wouldn't say there is a discrepancy between your MCAT and GPA because both are very good! I would suggest you take a look at @Cambover MDApps since his stats are identical to yours if I recall. Maybe he could offer some advice too, he's been pretty wildly successful this cycle.

Agreed. A 33 would be great score even if you had a 4.0 GPA.

Hello! Thanks so much for your help! I'm trying to narrow down a list of 33 schools to 25-30 schools that I really have a shot at, and that match my interests. The reason I'm looking at so many is because I have a slight mismatch in my GPA and MCAT, and am not sure where to focus my attention. I would like to know which schools to remove, and if there are some I should add that aren't on this list.

Search criteria:
- Good opportunities for research and medical education involvement
- Radiation oncology home programs (most competitive field I'm interested in; gives me more options)
- Don't require two semesters of math
- Don't require more than two semesters of biology

I don't really care about location. I've looked at all of their curriculums, but I am honestly not sure what kind of curriculum or environment (PBL or lecture) I'd do best in, so that didn't really factor into my list.

Here are my stats:
cGPA: >3.9
sGPA: >3.9
MCAT: 33
ECs (straight from my MDApps):
CLINICAL:
** Emergency Department Scribe
Hospital Volunteer
Shadow
Campus EMS Responder & Leader

RESEARCH:
Summer Research Assistant
Academic Year Research Assistant
1st author poster, 2nd author presentation, 3rd author poster. 2nd author paper to be submitted soon!

EMPLOYMENT:
Tour Guide
** Injury Prevention Program Graphic Design Intern
Pre-Health Intern

TEACHING & TUTORING:
Group Organic Chemistry Tutor
Private General Chemistry Tutor
Private Upper Level Psychology Tutor
Lab TA for Introductory Biology
Lab TA for Organic Chem
Neuroscience teacher

NON-CLINICAL VOLUNTEERING:
Swim instructor aide
** Chemistry Club President

ARTISTIC:
Published poet in several national literary magazines
Editorial Board Member of campus literary magazine

AWARDS:
Organic Chemistry Student of Year
Pre-Medical Scholarship

School list so far:
Temple University
Medical College of Wisconsin
George Washington University
University of Vermont
Michigan State University
Oregon Health & Sciences University
New York Medical College
Rosalind Franklin University
Georgetown University
Jefferson University
Mayo Medical College
University of Southern California
Wake Forest University
Dartmouth University
Boston University
University of Cincinnati
Albany Medical College
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Brown University
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
University of Rochester
University of Pittsburgh
Emory University
Baylor University
Stanford University
Harvard University
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell
New York University
University of Chicago

In terms of research opportunities, RFU, NYMC, GW, and Vermont will have much less compared to other schools.

I don't think Vermont even has a rad-onc program (although I could be wrong).

Here's a listing of all the rad-onc residency programs from ERAS: https://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/display8.cfm?NAV_ROW=PAR&SPEC_CD=430

I would also take off Brown unless you really like their program and/or want to live in the northeast.

 

[sunflower18]

Get rid of Brown (IS-favored, you probably have a chance but you essentially would have to convince them), Georgetown and GWU (the latter are not worth your time and money. Simply too many applications and they can be quite expensive). Boston receives too many applications as well, but I think you may fare well.

Okay, that makes sense. I had heard that about the two DC schools, but forgot to factor it in. Thanks!

Agreed. A 33 would be great score even if you had a 4.0 GPA.

In terms of research opportunities, RFU, NYMC, GW, and Vermont will have much less compared to other schools.

I don't think Vermont even has a rad-onc program (although I could be wrong).

Here's a listing of all the rad-onc residency programs from ERAS: https://services.aamc.org/eras/erasstats/par/display8.cfm?NAV_ROW=PAR&SPEC_CD=430

I would also take off Brown unless you really like their program and/or want to live in the northeast.

Thanks for the reassurance about my MCAT score; that's definitely a relief to hear. And thanks for the awesome resource too! That is very handy.

Oops, Vermont must have slipped through my radonc scanning. I think I'll consider removing that one, as I really do have zero ties to the state. My thought on RFU and NYMC is that, even if there aren't a ton of research opportunities at the institutions themselves, they are in cities with other medical schools and facilities, so I might be able to do research at a different university. Is that not a feasible idea? Both seem like great schools, which is why I'm hesitant to let them go.

Brown is actually one of my first choices -- I wanted to apply to the PLME when I was in high school, but decided against it because I didn't want to be locked in somewhere for 8 years. I really like the philosophy and opportunities there though. But I will definitely think more about it, being as both you and @Agent B suggested I remove it.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Cambover]

I keep getting notifications! And thanks @cybermaxx12

Sunflower, your list looks good. I'll take a closer look and PM you once I get home.

 

[nemo123]

I'd say your school list (while very long... you might get burnt out from doing all of those secondaries... I wanted to pull my hair out after completing my 17th) is pretty solid given your app.

 

[Cambover]

I'd say your school list (while very long... you might get burnt out from doing all of those secondaries... I wanted to pull my hair out my 17th) is pretty solid given your app.

Plus cost.

 

[sunflower18]

I'd say your school list (while very long... you might get burnt out from doing all of those secondaries... I wanted to pull my hair out after completing my 17th) is pretty solid given your app.

Thanks!! But I agree, it is far too long. I think it should probably be between 25 and 30. So, given this list of 32... which should I cut and why?

Temple University
Medical College of Wisconsin
Michigan State University
Oregon Health & Sciences University
New York Medical College
Rosalind Franklin University
Jefferson University
Mayo Medical College
University of Southern California
Wake Forest University
Dartmouth University
Boston University
University of Cincinnati
Albany Medical College
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Brown University
Tufts University
Stony Brook University
University of Rochester
University of Iowa
University of Pittsburgh
Emory University
Baylor University
Stanford University
Harvard University
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College
Case Western Reserve University
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell
NYU
University of Chicago

 

[nemo123]

I'm not sure, but it looks like there are some schools on your list that seem non-OOS friendly. You might want to get rid of those.

 

[sunflower18]

I'm not sure, but it looks like there are some schools on your list that seem non-OOS friendly. You might want to get rid of those.

I think all of the public schools listed (UMinn, Michigan State, Cincinnati) accept ~20% or more OOS students, based on MSAR numbers. Brown might be lower, but I really like the school. Is 20-30% too low? Would that be considered OOS-unfriendly? If so, you're right-- those might be good ones to cut.

 

[nemo123]

I think all of the public schools listed (UMinn, Michigan State, Cincinnati) accept ~20% or more OOS students, based on MSAR numbers. Brown might be lower, but I really like the school. Is 20-30% too low? Would that be considered OOS-unfriendly? If so, you're right-- those might be good ones to cut.

I guess that's not too bad. I'd maybe suggest getting rid of GWU and/or Georgetown since they get a ton of applicants. It looked like MSU interviews a very small number of OOS applicants (like <5%). You might want to get rid of them from your list.

 

[sunflower18]

Hey everyone,

Sorry to bump this thread, but I have recently started to consider applying for MD/PhD programs. I was interested in pursuing a dual-degree last year, but I decided against it. I'm now reconsidering, and want to know how competitive my application would be for those programs. By the time I apply, I will have completed two years and a summer of research. I am also planning on doing another research internship this summer. I will have two posters (one first author) and two presentations (one first author) by the time I apply -- I don't think my paper will be accepted by that point.

Thoughts? Is this an option worth considering? My MCAT score is a little low and I'm not sure if my research is weak or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cambover]

Hey everyone,

Sorry to bump this thread, but I have recently started to consider applying for MD/PhD programs. I was interested in pursuing a dual-degree last year, but I decided against it. I'm now reconsidering, and want to know how competitive my application would be for those programs. By the time I apply, I will have completed two years and a summer of research. I am also planning on doing another research internship this summer. I will have two posters (one first author) and two presentations (one first author) by the time I apply -- I don't think my paper will be accepted by that point.

Thoughts? Is this an option worth considering? My MCAT score is a little low and I'm not sure if my research is weak or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Are you 100% devoted to spending 4-6 years doing full-time research and pursuing research as a career option?

 

[sunflower18]

Are you 100% devoted to spending 4-6 years doing full-time research and pursuing research as a career option?

I'm not sure. I really enjoy research, and I would like to continue working in science and discovery. I definitely want to incorporate research into my career, along with teaching and clinical medicine. Definitely interested in academia. I don't really know exactly what I see my career becoming, but I am very interested in both research and medicine at the time. I think I want to pursue medical/pediatric oncology or radiation oncology, and I feel that a PhD is likely to be beneficial in either of those fields.

 

[Cambover]

I'm not sure. I really enjoy research, and I would like to continue working in science and discovery. I definitely want to incorporate research into my career, along with teaching and clinical medicine. Definitely interested in academia. I don't really know exactly what I see my career becoming, but I am very interested in both research and medicine at the time. I think I want to pursue medical/pediatric oncology or radiation oncology, and I feel that a PhD is likely to be beneficial in either of those fields.

That sounds a lot like my career goals. I ended up applying MD-only because I wasn't 100% sure and my MCAT(33) was marginally competitive for those programs. Free school and the training are huge benefits, but the time for the PhD can be rough. Have you been reading any of the physician-scientist thread on here? They're pretty doom and gloom. Maybe you could try finding and messaging a few MD/PhD applicants and get their perspective.

 

[The Milkman]

Thanks!! But I agree, it is far too long. I think it should probably be between 25 and 30. So, given this list of 32... which should I cut and why?

So 32 is far too long but 30 is not that many?! I'd say you'd be more than well off with a list <20...

 

[487806]

Hey everyone,

Sorry to bump this thread, but I have recently started to consider applying for MD/PhD programs. I was interested in pursuing a dual-degree last year, but I decided against it. I'm now reconsidering, and want to know how competitive my application would be for those programs. By the time I apply, I will have completed two years and a summer of research. I am also planning on doing another research internship this summer. I will have two posters (one first author) and two presentations (one first author) by the time I apply -- I don't think my paper will be accepted by that point.

Thoughts? Is this an option worth considering? My MCAT score is a little low and I'm not sure if my research is weak or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you are seriously considering MD/PhD, the best bet is to apply to both MD and MD/PhD programs, but in that case, you need to trim the existing school list to around 25 schools or so. If you're planning to apply to 30 or more schools, you'll be doing yourself a disservice with secondary burnout (MD/PhD secondaries are more research-focused so it's just more work for you). Get rid of the schools like Brown and other OOS-hating schools (20% or lower is a bad thing).

I'm not sure. I really enjoy research, and I would like to continue working in science and discovery. I definitely want to incorporate research into my career, along with teaching and clinical medicine. Definitely interested in academia. I don't really know exactly what I see my career becoming, but I am very interested in both research and medicine at the time. I think I want to pursue medical/pediatric oncology or radiation oncology, and I feel that a PhD is likely to be beneficial in either of those fields.

Actually reading this post, I don't recommend you applying to MD/PhD, simply because you can do research and clinical duties as just an MD, especially if you're focused on translational or clinical research. But it's your call at the end. If you believe 4-6 years of training for a PhD is worth it, then go for it. But your rather indecisive feelings makes it seem that MD/PhD isn't best for you, so MD is the better option.

 

[sunflower18]

That sounds a lot like my career goals. I ended up applying MD-only because I wasn't 100% sure and my MCAT(33) was marginally competitive for those programs. Free school and the training are huge benefits, but the time for the PhD can be rough. Have you been reading any of the physician-scientist thread on here? They're pretty doom and gloom. Maybe you could try finding and messaging a few MD/PhD applicants and get their perspective.

Yeah, it does sound kind of doom and gloom. But if it's that awful to get grants and such as an MD/PhD, I could always just work doing clinical and teaching.. I'd miss research but it's not like I have no options if the physician scientist pathway closes down. I feel like since I have interest in getting a PhD and it would be helpful in the fields I'm interested in, I should at least try.... I don't know! My MCAT is the same as yours, so I am concerned about competitive-ness as well.

So 32 is far too long but 30 is not that many?! I'd say you'd be more than well off with a list <20...

I just don't want to cut the one school that would have accepted me haha.

If you are seriously considering MD/PhD, the best bet is to apply to both MD and MD/PhD programs, but in that case, you need to trim the existing school list to around 25 schools or so. If you're planning to apply to 30 or more schools, you'll be doing yourself a disservice with secondary burnout (MD/PhD secondaries are more research-focused so it's just more work for you). Get rid of the schools like Brown and other OOS-hating schools (20% or lower is a bad thing).



Actually reading this post, I don't recommend you applying to MD/PhD, simply because you can do research and clinical duties as just an MD, especially if you're focused on translational or clinical research. But it's your call at the end. If you believe 4-6 years of training for a PhD is worth it, then go for it. But your rather indecisive feelings makes it seem that MD/PhD isn't best for you, so MD is the better option.

Yeah. I'm not entirely sure. I can't decide. I want to get a PhD -- I just don't know if my reasons are valid enough or if I'll regret that.

 

[sunflower18]

Okay.... Sorry to rebump this thread AGAIN, but I didn't want to make a new one and I wanted to get some final advice before submission time I decided against MD/PhD, and will instead pursue research opportunities in medical school -- perhaps a 5th year.
My list is currently:

Temple University
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Vermont
OHSU
Rosalind Franklin University
Jefferson University
Mayo Medical College
University of Southern California
Wake Forest University
Dartmouth University
Boston University
University of Cincinnati
Albany Medical College
Brown University
Tufts University
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Rochester
University of Pittsburgh
Emory University
Baylor University
Stanford University
Harvard University
CCLCM
Case Western Reserve University
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Weill Cornell

Stats: cGPA 3.96, sGPA 3.93; MCAT 33 (11 PS, 10 VR, 12 BS)
My ECs are listed in the first post, but I'd say that I have extensive teaching and clinical experience for a traditional applicant. I also have two years + summer of research, and I won a competitive scholarship to do another research project this summer and next year.
Main things I'm looking for: strong cancer center, emphasis on research, doesn't require >1 sem of math or >2 sem of biology

 

[Cambover]

I would recommend Iowa, Einstein, and UCSD over Jefferson and Temple. Similar stats but they have better reps. None of the schools would be bad choices though.

 

[sunflower18]

I would recommend Iowa, Einstein, and UCSD over Jefferson and Temple. Similar stats but they have better reps. None of the schools would be bad choices though.

Unfortunately, I don't meet the LOR requirement for Einstein nor the pre-requisites for UCSD -- or they would definitely be on my list. After more researching, I have replaced Jefferson and Temple with Iowa, though. Thanks for the suggestion! I had Iowa on my list at one point and I removed it.. not sure why, but it's back on there now!

 

[moop]

Unfortunately, I don't meet the LOR requirement for Einstein nor the pre-requisites for UCSD -- or they would definitely be on my list. After more researching, I have replaced Jefferson and Temple with Iowa, though. Thanks for the suggestion! I had Iowa on my list at one point and I removed it.. not sure why, but it's back on there now!

Prereqs won't preclude your getting in; you can make it up post-acceptance, pre-matriculation. Just a thought.

 

[sunflower18]

Prereqs won't preclude your getting in; you can make it up post-acceptance, pre-matriculation. Just a thought.

True. I really don't want to take statistics though.... But it is probably silly to let one class stand between me and a school I love, huh?

 

[moop]

True. I really don't want to take statistics though.... But it is probably silly to let one class stand between me and a school I love, huh?

Yeah it is. Once you get in you can make your way to a CC during during evenings and get a C+ lol

 

[Cambover]

True. I really don't want to take statistics though.... But it is probably silly to let one class stand between me and a school I love, huh?

What school do you need statistics for?

 

[moop]

What school do you need statistics for?

UCSD

 

[moop]

True. I really don't want to take statistics though.... But it is probably silly to let one class stand between me and a school I love, huh?

Also stats is a good skill to have in med school anyway. Doing any kind of clinical research without some solid stats skills is like trying to shoot pool with one arm

 

[sunflower18]

Also stats is a good skill to have in med school anyway. Doing any kind of clinical research without some solid stats skills is like trying to shoot pool with one arm

One of my chemistry courses taught statistics extensively, and I've used a lot of stats in my research as well. All I mean is that I don't want to take another class that I feel would be redundant when I could instead spend that time taking another upper level bio class or something. I definitely feel that statistics is important to know though!