Cali - 3.67 - 35Q - School List Help

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OGMD

OGMD

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*I had this posted before, but I have revised my school list and was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback before I submit in June?

THANKS!

I applied for the 2010 cycle with these stats:


  • 3.67 c/sGPA (had a 3.3ish average 1st year but have maintained 3.7-3.85 every quarter since)
  • 35Q (lowest score of 11, so fairly balanced)
  • CA Undergrad (UCLA)/CA resident
  • Almost 2 years research (two different projects) with grant
  • Long term Executive Leadership positions in multiple on campus orgs
  • 200 hours clinical volunteering (1 full year)
  • 150 hours shadowing
  • Work near full-time for last 5 years straight
  • LOR’s I know 2 were strong, 1 I didn’t get to read but I can't think of any reason it would be bad.
  • PS was decent, but probably not amazing.
Primary was verified 8/10/2010 and secondaries were in within 1-4 weeks for each school. I applied to about 23-24 schools, probably 10 top 25 and 10 mid-low.

Results: two interviews and waitlists, one at a UC and one at top tier private school.

For this years app, I have reworked and added the following:

  • Personal statement is MUCH better
  • Additional LOR
  • 6 months of both Tutoring and mentorship
  • 1 year non-medical volunteering/community service
  • 50 more shadowing hours
  • Publication in undergraduate journal (reviewed by honors committee)
  • 2 poster presentations
  • All other activities have continued for the most part.
Is this enough change/consistency for reapplication? I will be graduating this June, and I don't really want to wait a year to reapply. I will be submitting June 1st for sure this year.

REVISED SCHOOL LIST (in no particular order)

  1. Case Western Reserve University
  2. Columbia University
  3. Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  4. Ohio State University
  5. Stanford University
  6. University of California--San Francisco
  7. U of Iowa
  8. Albany Medical College
  9. Boston University
  10. MC of Wisconsin
  11. Jefferson Medical College
  12. Loyola University Chicago
  13. New York Medical College
  14. Pennsylvania State University
  15. Rosalind Franklin University
  16. Tulane
  17. Saint Louis University
  18. Creighton
  19. Tufts University
  20. University of California--Davis
  21. University of California--Irvine
  22. University of Cincinnati
  23. University of Miami
  24. University of Rochester
  25. University of Southern California
  26. University of Vermont
  27. SUNY Upstate
  28. Wake Forest University
  29. Yeshiva University
  30. U of Toledo
  31. New York University
  32. University of California--Los Angeles
  33. University of California--San Diego

 
Last edited:
Well first off.. I would ask yourself what went wrong the first time. Were you able to speak with adcoms at either of the schools to see if they had advice for reapplying? I know some schools give you this opportunity, and look specifically for improvement in the areas they identify for you.
 
I dont think I articulated my reasoning for "why medicine" or showed enough maturity last cycle in both my secondaries and just the overall attitude of me application. Other than that, I've talked to a few deans and they just suggested minor fine tuning.

Evergrey said:
Well first off.. I would ask yourself what went wrong the first time. Were you able to speak with adcoms at either of the schools to see if they had advice for reapplying? I know some schools give you this opportunity, and look specifically for improvement in the areas they identify for you.
Click to expand...
 
I think it's your school selection. That excel spreadsheet is such a dumb and pointless thing, I don't even know why people bother posting it. Out of the schools you listed, most are private, and several are UCs. All those schools are either seriously competitive or have tons of applications (Rosalind Franklin, etc). I really think you should apply to some Florida schools, a bunch of the SUNYs - apply to state schools in other states. I think you have a better shot at those than say Case, Stanford or MT.Sinai. I'm not saying DON'T apply to any of the top tier / UC schools (you obviously are good enough to interview there), but definitely add some lower tier schools.
 
Thanks FOOD, the only reason I didn't choose other ones were due to low OOS.
 
Yeah, I thought the same way my first time. I was a re-applicant this year and got an interview at a SUNY and interviews only at 2 / 6 of my state (Florida) schools. It's really hard to predict anything with admissions, even if you are OOS.
 
Food said:
Yeah, I thought the same way my first time. I was a re-applicant this year and got an interview at a SUNY and interviews only at 2 / 6 of my state (Florida) schools. It's really hard to predict anything with admissions, even if you are OOS.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know what you mean. If I wanted to cut my school list down to say 25 (it's at 35 now), which ones would you recommend removing?
 
I like the thirds approach:

1/3: Reach
1/3: Competitive
1/3: Safeties

You're too top heavy IMHO. Your first goal is to get in, then the luxury of choice follows.

Goodluck...
 
Bernoull said:
I like the thirds approach:

1/3: Reach
1/3: Competitive
1/3: Safeties

You're too top heavy IMHO. Your first goal is to get in, then the luxury of choice follows.

Goodluck...
Click to expand...

Did you have any I should specifically remove or add?
 
The list is too top-heavy. Apply to all the CA schools mentioned, then just pick 1 or 2 out of those New York and Chicago schools, then seriously look at applying some less picky places. You want to get accepted, then if you get multiple acceptances you can then choose among them. First, you have to get in.
 
dragonfly99 said:
The list is too top-heavy. Apply to all the CA schools mentioned, then just pick 1 or 2 out of those New York and Chicago schools, then seriously look at applying some less picky places. You want to get accepted, then if you get multiple acceptances you can then choose among them. First, you have to get in.
Click to expand...

Alright, I was having a hard time finding schools that are less selective that still accept a good amount of OOS. Any suggestions?
 
Edited school list, feedback much appreciated! 🙂

Do I have a decent chance at these schools. About half are schools I applied to last cycle and half are new.
 
Last edited:
What would you suggest for safety schools for the OP? My stats are similar and I need some more safeties, but it's somewhat hard to judge for me.

To the OP: You seem to have really good stats (GPA isn't great, but decent) and great ECs so I have no idea why you had trouble getting in last cycle. Maybe with a revamped PS and an earlier submission you will do much better this year. Your school list seems decent, maybe a little top-heavy like others said, but not nearly as top-heavy as some other lists I've seen on here.
 
AH3 said:
What would you suggest for safety schools for the OP? My stats are similar and I need some more safeties, but it's somewhat hard to judge for me.

To the OP: You seem to have really good stats (GPA isn't great, but decent) and great ECs so I have no idea why you had trouble getting in last cycle. Maybe with a revamped PS and an earlier submission you will do much better this year. Your school list seems decent, maybe a little top-heavy like others said, but not nearly as top-heavy as some other lists I've seen on here.
Click to expand...

OP: I think your stats should get you in. Those are decent stats and maybe not top 20 but into one for sure.

People underestimate how important it is to #1) sell and package yourself in the best possible manner and #2) have a convincing story / passion that ties everything together.

Way too many PS I have read basically list out 5 activities and describe how each one teaches him/her something about medicine. There's no underlying theme that separates him/her from all the other 30,000 applicants that do the same activities.
 
NotAsking4Much said:
OP: I think your stats should get you in. Those are decent stats and maybe not top 20 but into one for sure.

People underestimate how important it is to #1) sell and package yourself in the best possible manner and #2) have a convincing story / passion that ties everything together.

Way too many PS I have read basically list out 5 activities and describe how each one teaches him/her something about medicine. There's no underlying theme that separates him/her from all the other 30,000 applicants that do the same activities.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I realized from last cycle. I have a lot of unique attributes that I completely failed to highlight and probably came off as trying too hard to say what I thought they wanted me to say. Applying is definitely a learning experience, whether you get in or not.
 
OGMD said:
Pretty much what I realized from last cycle. I have a lot of unique attributes that I completely failed to highlight and probably came off as trying too hard to say what I thought they wanted me to say. Applying is definitely a learning experience, whether you get in or not.
Click to expand...

Good job on realizing that!

It's all about how you sell yourself, and if you don't think you can, then trust / find someone who can help you out with it. If there's a secret to getting into medical school, it's that.
 
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