Looking for school advice: M.S. Comp Sci., 30Q, 3.6 uGPA, 3.94 gGPA

MisterGD · Oct 5, 2010

Hey guys, got my most recent MCAT scores today and want some advice on which schools to apply. Though I do have preferred schools, I am in it to win it in 2011 and will take any program to start realizing my medical goals.

ECs: Clinic volunteering for > 120 hours; Shadowed MD Family Practice Doc, Shadowed DO Plastic Surgeon.

California resident (Have applied to all 5 UCs so far)

Completing an M.S. in Computer Science hopefully this December.

Currently see myself in Primary Care (though not set in stone). Have a slight preference for MD.

So which other schools should I apply to in order to maximize my chances of getting at least one acceptance this next year? I would appreciate if Catalystik could chime in (she seems to have good insight into the process).

Thanks in advance.

Catalystik · Oct 6, 2010

For MD, you have about a 50ish% chance of acceptance (probably less since you don't have any lenient state schools and less still due to lateness in the cycle). With a 3.57/3.6/30, OOS schools to consider that have a good OOS acceptance rate are:

Reaches: UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, Drexel, Temple, Vermont, VCU, Virginia Tech Carilion (new),
Target zone: GWU, FIU, Louisville, Tulane, Arizona, UNevada (from region and [W]WAMI), NYMC, MUSC, SCarolina, EVMS, Rush, Michigan State, Oakland (new), Commonwealth MC in Pa

For a DO acceptance, you're in good shape, and are pretty competitive wherever you'd choose to apply. Look into the two California schools, AZCOM, and Western University NW in Oregon, as a minimum. Possibly CCOM and DCOM and a few others of your choice.

MisterGD · Oct 6, 2010

Thanks so much Catalystik. It really helps to have a plan of attack.

Since all schools can see which schools to which you've applied, does it significantly hurt your chances of admission if you apply to a lot of schools (e.g. all of the ones that are in the "target zone")

Catalystik · Oct 6, 2010

AMCAS schools cannot see where else you've applied. After mid-March, schools can see other schools that accepted you. So apply as you will.

coup de chance · Oct 6, 2010

Catalystik said:
For MD, you have about a 50ish% chance of acceptance (probably less since you don't have any lenient state schools and less still due to lateness in the cycle). With a 3.57/3.6/30, OOS schools to consider that have a good OOS acceptance rate are:

Reaches: UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, Drexel, Temple, Vermont, VCU, Virginia Tech Carilion (new),
Target zone: GWU, FIU, Louisville, Tulane, Arizona, UNevada (from region and [W]WAMI), NYMC, MUSC, SCarolina, EVMS, Rush, Michigan State, Oakland (new), Commonwealth MC in Pa

For a DO acceptance, you're in good shape, and are pretty competitive wherever you'd choose to apply. Look into the two California schools, AZCOM, and Western University NW in Oregon, as a minimum. Possibly CCOM and DCOM and a few others of your choice.

Catalystik gives bomb stellar advice, but in this instance, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree about Rush. In no way is Rush more lenient than U of I. Rush is richer, private, and many of its faculty are bigger name, so it's relatively highly sought-after for residency and med school (which gives you a leg up for staying on as a resident). I would say that Rush is on par with U of I, maybe even marginally higher.

U of I has somewhat bigger name recognition based on sheer size.
Rush is more like a boutique, but its name-recognition is pretty good in the midwest and getting bigger nationally.

BTW, I don't hold any interests in promoting either place, but just giving my assessment of their reputations since I'm applying to residencies all over during this cycle.

Catalystik · Oct 6, 2010

I'd say that Rush has the better reputation, but as far as selectivity goes, last year Rush's median acceptee stats were 3.6/30, whereas UIC's were 3.7/31 (per the MSAR). Interestingly, in the previous year, it was Rush 3.6/31 and UIC 3.6/31.

coup de chance · Oct 6, 2010

Catalystik said:
I'd say that Rush has the better reputation, but as far as selectivity goes, last year Rush's median acceptee stats were 3.6/30, whereas UIC's were 3.7/31 (per the MSAR). Interestingly, in the previous year, it was Rush 3.6/31 and UIC 3.6/31.

Bomb stellar per usual. :bow:

Catalystik · Oct 6, 2010

My private theory is that UIC's stats are inflated by the huge number of high stat California folks they accept. They have become known as very California friendly in recent years.

MisterGD · Oct 6, 2010

Thanks so much for the sound advice, both of you.

By the way, love that cat avatar. Makes it seem like a really wise cat is giving me advice on medical school admissions.

Catalystik · Oct 6, 2010

She is actually my rescued feral kitten, who was very tolerant of having to wear Molly's American Doll glasses for her photo.

pcard · Oct 6, 2010

MisterGD said:
Hey guys, got my most recent MCAT scores today and want some advice on which schools to apply. Though I do have preferred schools, I am in it to win it in 2011 and will take any program to start realizing my medical goals.

ECs: Clinic volunteering for > 120 hours; Shadowed MD Family Practice Doc, Shadowed DO Plastic Surgeon.

California resident (Have applied to all 5 UCs so far)

Completing an M.S. in Computer Science hopefully this December.

Currently see myself in Primary Care (though not set in stone). Have a slight preference for MD.

So which other schools should I apply to in order to maximize my chances of getting at least one acceptance this next year? I would appreciate if Catalystik could chime in (she seems to have good insight into the process).

Thanks in advance.

You are very competetive to D.O. Schools. if primary care is your focus, D.O. is best choice.
Even if you apply now you atre likely to get in.
It is late in cycle now so for MD, apply Instate schools.

Looking for school advice: M.S. Comp Sci., 30Q, 3.6 uGPA, 3.94 gGPA

MisterGD

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