School list impossible/too top heavy?

[Pawn E4]

Thanks for taking time to read over my school list!

Background: Virginia Resident, Phi Beta Kappa

cGPA/sGPA: 3.79/3.74

MCAT: first attempt = 31; second attempt = 34 (12/10/12)

Clinical volunteering: 300+ hours over four years in a variety of hospital environments including (ICU, outpatient surgery, OR, and ER)

Physician shadowing: 30 hours neurosurgery; 8 hours neurology-ICU

Research experience: 4 years research in microbiology and neuroimmunology
- 2 poster presentations at regional conferences; 1 at a school conference
- Finalist for poster presentations awards
- Awarded prestigious university research grant
- Thesis in neuroimmunology

Leadership experience: executive member of student governance organization (2 yrs)
- student director for medical volunteering unit (1 yr)

Bridge year plan: scribing at an orthopedic office

School list: A major concern I have is my MCAT is 1 - 3 points below the average MCAT of a large portion of the schools listed.

1. Duke
2. Columbia
3. Michigan
4. Vanderbilt
5. Cornell
6. UPitt
7. Mt. Sinai
8. NYU
9. Case
10. Emory
11. Mayo
12. UVA
13. Boston University
14. Einstein Yeshiva
15. Dartmouth
16. Georgetown (aware they have a lot of applicants)
17. Tufts
18. Wake Forest
19. Temple
20. George Washington (aware they have a lot of applicants)
21. VCU
22. Drexel
23. EVMS
24. Tulane

Overall is the list too top heavy? Are there any schools that are absolutely ridiculous/should be removed? I am open to replacing the Georges with other viable suggestions. Any potential schools I am missing? I removed Jefferson (didn't seem to need another PA school) and Albany (didn't like the location).

Thanks again!

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[unnumzaan]

Why did you remove Jefferson? Most people are of the opinion that Jefferson > Temple > Drexel. Out of your list, I see 9-10 reaches and 10-12 targets, which should be fine. You can always add some of the new MD schools and some Midwest schools if you can swing the cost. Are you packing your app with a strong emphasis on an interest in the neurosciences?

 

[Pawn E4]

I was unaware of that! Thanks for the advice, I'll replace Drexel with Jefferson then instead. I majored in Neuroscience and shadowed mostly physicians centered on neurology. I figured scribing at an orthopedic office during my bridge year would provide a glimpse into other another speciality and avoid appearing to be only focused on neuro to adcom as well.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Goro]

I suggest that you get in some non-clinical volunteering, and get off campus , out of your comfort zone.

1. Case
2. Emory
3. Boston University
4. Einstein Yeshiva
5. Georgetown (aware they have a lot of applicants)
6. Tufts
7. Wake Forest
8. Temple
9. VCU
10. Drexel
11. EVMS
12. Tulane
13. Hofstra
14. Jefferson
15. Duke OR Pitt
16. U Miami
17. Albany
18. Va Tech
19. MCW
20. SLU
21. Rush
22. Rosy Franklin
23. Any DO school
24. U VM
25. U AZ

 

[Pawn E4]

Thank you, Goro. I'll take a look into those schools you suggested!