Thought's on MD school list?

[Albucasis]

Thoughts on md school list**

I did some research to guide my selection, but I'm no expert. Any thoughts?
GPA: 3.887
sGPA: ~3.86 (not sure where to find this)
MCAT: 37
Major: Molecular Cellular Bio
Minor: History
Undergrad University: California school ranked in the top 10 of the West
State of Residency: Colorado

EC's

• 5 years wilderness trip leader- certifications in wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, and cpr
• gene delivery research: 2 years
• Science instructor for 5-8th graders: 6 months (>30 hours)
• Shadow and Translator for Tijuana medical clinics: 2 weekends
• Shadow for Lima medical clinic: 1 week
• front desk of hospital: ~150 hours
• volunteered 135 hours at a medical non-profit that ships donated medical supplies and equipment to sponsored hospitals in developing countries
  
• volunteered at hostels, farms, and restaurants for a couple months in Peru to learn Spanish
• English tutor for Italian family for a few months in alps to improve Italian and ski
• helped build a library in Nepal and teach English for a month

The List:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
  
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
  
• University of Washington School of Medicine
  
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine

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[chenzt]

The List:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
  
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
  
• University of Washington School of Medicine
  
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine

You need couple more mid tiers.

 

[Albucasis]

The List:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
  
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
  
• University of Washington School of Medicine
  
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine

You need couple more mid tiers.

Cool thanks. What was your rational for the ones you crossed out?

 

[chenzt]

One school was too religious, one interviewed 2% OOS, the rest didn't really have friendly out of state stats. With your GPA + MCAT, there are more OOS friendlier schools.

 

[aspirantmed]

I agree with the previous; while there's no such thing as a "safety school" in medical school admissions, I'd encourage you to add a few more schools where your numbers are close to or above their 90th percentile to be on the safe side. You should get interviews at some of the top schools with your numbers, but there's never a sure thing and your main goal should be to avoid becoming a re-applicant at all costs. What are some characteristics that you're looking for in a school - perhaps I can suggest some mid-tiers to think about?

I'd reason that the previous poster encouraged you to drop those schools because they are public schools with strong in-state preferences. Get a copy of the MSAR and see how many out of state applicants these schools interview and accept. If it's more than ~80-85% or so, you might be better off looking elsewhere unless you have significant reasons (strong interest in a school, a significant other or partner in the vicinity, etc.) to apply anyway.

 

[Albucasis]

You should get interviews at some of the top schools with your numbers, but there's never a sure thing and your main goal should be to avoid becoming a re-applicant at all costs. What are some characteristics that you're looking for in a school - perhaps I can suggest some mid-tiers to think about?
.

That would be great, thanks. I asked my doctor where he thought I should go to med school, and he said "where ever you can get in." As far as location goes, I would prefer to avoid anywhere in the Great Plains and I'm a bit hesitant about the South. Also, I'd prefer to go to a larger school over a smaller one, and equal sex ratios are nice too.

Thank you!

I've since added Drexel and George Washington and removed Loma and USF.

 

[Person0715]

I would not recommend adding Drexel and GW. You might get screened out of Drexel due to your high stats and GW gets ~12K apps. I wouldn't waste the money unless you really really really wanted to go to those schools and have compelling reasons.

 

[mvenus929]

Look at the Virginia schools. I'm a Colorado resident, and VCU and UVA both offered me and several people from my school and other Colorado schools interviews and subsequent acceptances. Not sure about EVMS. Southern culture is present in both, but it's not the Deep South by any stretch of the imagination.

Also, with NYU and Mt. Sinai, you might as well add Einstein, unless there's a particular reason you want to avoid it.

 

[aspirantmed]

That would be great, thanks. I asked my doctor where he thought I should go to med school, and he said "where ever you can get in." As far as location goes, I would prefer to avoid anywhere in the Great Plains and I'm a bit hesitant about the South. Also, I'd prefer to go to a larger school over a smaller one, and equal sex ratios are nice too.

Thank you!

I've since added Drexel and George Washington and removed Loma and USF.

Good idea to add on Einstein and VCU, I'd say those are pretty spot on. In addition, perhaps also think about schools like Loyola, Rochester, or Wake Forest?

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Are you completely ruling out the Midwest? What about Jefferson as a "safe school?"

Edit: I hear Nashville is pretty cosmopolitan. Why not add Vanderbilt?!

 

[Simon Tam]

Definitely Vanderbilt and Emory, two extremely cool towns. You'll find people that are into whatever you are into.

 

[Ismet]

With your GPA, MCAT, and research experience, consider adding Pitt.

Moving to WAMC

 

[Albucasis]

With your GPA, MCAT, and research experience, consider adding Pitt.

Moving to WAMC

Pitt = Pittsburgh?

Anyone else second Jefferson as a good choice for a safety school?

 

[Ismet]

Pitt = Pittsburgh?

Anyone else second Jefferson as a good choice for a safety school?

Yes and yes.

 

[Albucasis]

The List:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
  
• Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
  
• University of Washington School of Medicine
  
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine

You need couple more mid tiers.

So I've cut the 5 you suggested to cut and added

• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ.
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Thoughts? I'm also considering cutting Boston since some of the schools suggested in this thread were better and had higher acceptance rates.

Edit: I've since cut Boston and added UVA

Also considering adding any of the following if they would be a better option than one of the schools on my list.

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago
Brown University
Northwestern University
University of Michigan
Hofstra University
Albany Medical College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Case Western Reserve University
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Rochester
The Ohio State University

 

[Albucasis]

I would not recommend adding Drexel and GW. You might get screened out of Drexel due to your high stats and GW gets ~12K apps. I wouldn't waste the money unless you really really really wanted to go to those schools and have compelling reasons.

Should I cut Georgetown too for the same reasons? 11k applicants (32/3.77)

 

[chenzt]

Going off of memory here, so it might not be the most accurate. Check MSAR to be sure.

Nay
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine - 6k applicants for 32 seats. (Pitt has 1k less applicants and 4.5x more seats)
Brown University - Majority of the class are BS/MD. 6k applicants for just a few more seats than mayo.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute - 42 seats because it's a new school and 3-4k applicants when I applied. Not where where they at now.
Albany Medical College - Pretty established, but not so fantastic medical building.
New York Medical College - Number of applicants is GW/georgetown-esque
University of Rochester - What's the IS/OOS ratio? I don't remember it being too friendly to OOSers. (>50% OOS matriculants)

Maybe
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Chicago - like vanderbilt, they do have a fast turnaround.
Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis
University of Michigan - Do have a slight in-state bias if I remember correctly.
All the schools here are crapshoots. Replace if you like the schools more, but only with schools that have similar "crapshoot-ness".

Yea
Saint Louis University School of Medicine - Could be a replacement for Georgetown. Similar mission (Jesuit), less applicants. (Consider Creighton and Loyola as well)
Case Western Reserve University - Get 2 med schools for the price of one secondary. If you get accepted to Cleveland Clinic's 5 year track, tuition is free. Cleveland is also dirt cheap.
The Ohio State University - In-state tuition after year one, ends up being a 30k saving compared to 4 year private. Do have a monster secondary though.
Northwestern University - Chicago is nice, and plenty of opportunities.
Hofstra University - Relatively new school, not sure how big their class size is, but fantastic buildings I heard.
Medical College of Wisconsin

Other ideas: Vermont, Miami Miller, Tulane, Rush.

 

[Goro]

Nothing wrong with aiming high!

Goro suggests:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• Hofstra
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• MCW or SLU instead of Gtown
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine
• Duke
• Emory
• Vanderbilt
• Pitt
• Rochester
• Einstein
• Northwestern
• U Chicago
• U Penn

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Oh great! You added Vanderbilt! If application fees are a non-factor, I agree that you should add the aforementioned MW schools such as NW, UChicago, Rush (should be a safe school), Case, Wash U, etc.

Edit: Houston is one of the most diverse cities out there. You should add Baylor. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world.

 

[Buckeye222]

Hey OP, I see you have Ohio State on the list...I am not in the medical program here, but as far as the facilities, campus, the city of Columbus and the general attitude on campus..it is all second to none. The largest gym and aquatic center of any college in the U.S. and a beautiful campus. So, if you get accepted, and it comes down to OSU and a few other schools, keep this is mind!

 

[Albucasis]

Nothing wrong with aiming high!

Goro suggests:

• Boston University School of Medicine
  
• Hofstra
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  
• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  
• MCW or SLU instead of Gtown
  
• Harvard Medical School
  
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  
• New York University
  
• Oregon Health and Science University
  
• Stanford University School of Medicine
  
• Tufts University School of Medicine
  
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson
  
• University of California San Diego
  
• University of California San Francisco
  
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
  
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  
• Yale School of Medicine
• Duke
• Emory
• Vanderbilt
• Pitt
• Rochester
• Einstein
• Northwestern
• U Chicago
• U Penn

You would recommend that I apply to 29 medical schools? I suppose I could always just prioritize my secondaries if I had to, but does applying to that many schools look desperate, or decrease the likelihood that I'll accept any particular one, decreasing the chance that they will accept me?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

You would recommend that I apply to 29 medical schools? I suppose I could always just prioritize my secondaries if I had to, but does applying to that many schools look desperate, or decrease the likelihood that I'll accept any particular one, decreasing the chance that they will accept me?

Schools don't see how many others you applied to. The only downside to applying to so many is the cost, the potential burnout from secondaries, and the stress of checking your email/status for 29 schools.

 

[Goro]

Those are my suggestions; you pick and choose.

You would recommend that I apply to 29 medical schools? I suppose I could always just prioritize my secondaries if I had to, but does applying to that many schools look desperate, or decrease the likelihood that I'll accept any particular one, decreasing the chance that they will accept me?