29R and 3.67- PLEASE help!

[wannabedoctor19]

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Hey guys!

I could really use some unbiased advice with choosing schools. I know my numbers are very low, and my chance of getting in slim, but please humor me.

Here is the tentative list:
-Hopkins
-Harvard
-Columbia
-Cornell
-UPitt
-Case Western
-Tufts
-BU
-UMD (my state school)
-NYU
-Mt. Sinai
-Einstein
-Jefferson
-Drexel
-GW
-Georgetown
-New York Medical College

Now before you tell me I'm crazy, please consider:
-I do stand out (I hope) outside of numbers. I am a writing major, so my essays should be good, and I am expecting some amazing recs as well as some pretty good ones. I don't want to get too specific, but I have good ECs and assume they would like me a lot if they just interviewed me.
-I went to a difficult and strong undergrad school, so my gpa is somewhat deflated (I know, this probably doesn't matter).
-I guess I am applying to so many reach schools b/c I kind of figure I'll get into MD, and that maybe they'll see something in me that outshines numbers (I mean it is just a test right? *sigh*).

Ok now please help! If you have some good schools to replace schools with I'm more than thriled to hear! This is so stressful; I really tried my hardest on the MCAT and I know I'll make a great doctor despite it!

PS - I have "connections" at Hopkins and Harvard (I know this won't get me in), so that's why they are even under consideration.

 

[AlbaMD]

Adding a few more schools to your list would not hurt. Even if you are a strong applicant - a few more "safety" schools can guarantee you admission.

Just do not try to justify your GPA (which is not bad, btw) by saying that you went to a competitive undergrad - there are many people applying who have gone to competitive undergrad schools and still have stellar stats.

If you don't want to add more safety schools and feel that you can do better on MCAT then re-take it and raise your score. That will definitely increase your chances of acceptance. Writing good essays is crucial, but you have to get past the initial numbers screening as well, which is harsher at the top tier schools you're applying to.

Ahhh... connections... Always felt jealous of people who had them. But I guess if you have them you may as well use them...

 

[abcabc1]

Weaker grades are often 'corrected' for in light of high MCATs. You don't have that, so don't expect much leeway. I agree with the above poster in that the elite schools view people from 'strong' undergrad schools as a dime a dozen, so it makes no difference.

Unless your connections are really powerful, there's no reason for you to be competitive at Hopkins or Harvard. In addition, your MCATs are not competitive for: Columbia, Weill, Pitt, Case, NYU, Sinai, AECOM. They're borderline with G-town, BU and Tufts as well.

I don't like the term 'safety' schools and your application (while strong) is such that there aren't many schools that would fall into this category for you anyways. Unless you have strengths that you're not revealing, your list is too ambitious.

From your list, I'd only recommend: UMD, BU, Tufts, Drexel, GW and NYMC. Jefferson and G-town are possible, but more difficult. Consider: RFUMS, Loyola, Saint Louis, Albany and Tulane.