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BU Medical Sciences
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MDorKMS said:
I'm a CA resident who's thinking about applying this upcoming cycle, but am also worried about my sGPA and lack of research publications. Could I reasonably apply to middle-tier MD schools or do I need an SMP? I'd also like some suggestions about my school list and current state of EC's and clinical experience.

Demographics: CA Resident, Asian Male/ORM

Stats:
  • cGPA: 3.71, sGPA: 3.52. Took a couple of community college courses over the summer that are boosting my GPA, does this matter?
  • MCAT: 520 (131/128/129/132) - one take
  • School: T20

Research:
  • ~500 hours in a basic science research lab, no posters or pubs
  • ~150 hours, independent research project in a lab run by undergraduates. Would this count as research experience?
Clinical experience:
  • 300 hours volunteering/scribing at a clinic for the underserved
  • 70 hours shadowing various doctors through premedical internship program
  • 30 hours shadowing MD at another clinic
ECs:
  • ~800 hours tutoring foreign language students in English
  • ~300 hours significant leadership role in student organization, raised money for donating to medical cause
  • ~250 hours tutoring middle school children through another student organization
  • ~60 hours as a teaching assistant for BCPM course
  • President of school branch of nationally recognized org for 2 years, focusing on professional development
  • Premedical internship program over the summer
  • Freelance programmer for mobile applications and websites
School list:

UCSD
UCLA
UCI
UC Davis
UCSF
USC
UC Riverside
California Northstate
Florida Atlantic University
Florida International University
UCF
University of South Florida
U of Iowa
U of Illinois at Chicago
Oakland University
Indiana University
University of Michigan
Wayne State
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Upstate
Stony Brook
Ohio State
U of Cincinnati
Oregon Health & Science
Eastern Virginia
U of Virginia
U of Vermont
NYMC
Drexel
Temple
GW
Tufts
Emory
Case Western
Rochester
Hofstra
Einstein
Wake Forest
Toledo
Quinnipac
SLU
Click to expand...
You don't need a SMP. I'll let others make lists for you but you are right that your GPA and BCPM should be considered for your list. It also will depend on your descriptions of your activities and insight on the health care system.

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You are applying to far too many schools. Some schools on your list will yield protect (your MCAT of 520 is far above their usual accepted students so they assume you will attend elsewhere). You also have state public schools on your list that accept few non residents with no connection to the state.I suggest these schools from your list:
UCSD
UCLA
UCI
UC Davis
UCSF
USC
UC Riverside
California Northstate
University of South Florida
U of Illinois at Chicago
Indiana University
University of Michigan
Ohio State
U of Cincinnati
Eastern Virginia
U of Virginia
U of Vermont
Tufts
Emory
Case Western
Rochester
Hofstra
Einstein
SLU
You could add these schools:
Kaiser
California University
Washington University
Pittsburgh
Mount Sinai
Boston University
Jefferson
Tulane
Western Michigan
 
I would apply to mid-tier schools and a few reach schools! Your GPA is not low. I know someone who got accepted in November with a 3.2 GPA and 516 MCAT. It’s all about how you describe your activities and convey your passion.
 
Your GPA is only low by top-20 standards. By midtier standards, you're good. Apply to your California schools, 5-8 top 20 schools that interest you, and fill out the rest of the list with midtiers...especially those that like high MCATs. You clearly have an MD-or-bust mentality, judging by your username; @Goro might be able to provide you with a list that could help you get where you want to be.

Also: don't apply to CNU!
 
MDor*** said:
@Goro @LizzyM @gyngyn Bump, just graduated this semester with a 3.73 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA. Same EC's/MCAT as those listed before. Would it be reasonable to add some T20's to my current list? If so, which ones would be within reach?
Click to expand...
Invest in MSAR online, and rule out those schools where you were gpas are less than the 10th percentile for except he's at the schools.

When Looking at out-of-state Public Schools, pay very careful attention to the in-state and out-of-state ratios. These schools tend to favor the home team. University of Vermont, VCU, and East Virginia medical school should be on your list
 
If you have an upward trend you can add a couple schools where your GPAs are below the 10th percentile, if you really want them.
 
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