3.73cGPA 30MCAT

[pj77]

Here are the basics:
PA Resident
Major: Bio
Minor: Spanish

• 3.73 cGPA 30 MCAT (11BS, 10PS, 9VR)
• 900 hours working for a clinical geneticist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• 400 hours genomics research (same hospital)
• 400+ hours molecular bio lab work and research
• 2 study abroad trips:1- Ecology/environemtal science study abroad in Central Africa 2- Central America healthcare program (Volunteered at a foundation for kids with down syndrome and mental disabilities + took spanish medical terminology course)
• 40 hours ED research + 40 hours shadowing (Jefferson)
• Volunteering for after school tutoring program for Latino children
• 300+ hours working at my university's Writing Center
• 200+ Lifeguarding
• Flunet in Polish, advanced Spanish
• Current employed at pharmeceutical marketing agency fact checking medical content (expected to work 900 hours by September)

My application is complete and waiting for school to send transcript.
Planning on submitting app first week of June

Schools I'm applying to:

• Albany Medical College
• Boston University School of
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Duke University School of Medicine
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Geisel School of Medicine at
• George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
• Georgetown University School of
• Harvard Medical
• Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ
• Johns Hopkins University School of
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of
• Mayo Medical School
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• New York Medical College
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicin
• Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien
• Rush Medical College
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• Temple University School of Medicine
• The University of Miami School of Medicine
• The University of Vermont College of Medicine
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Chicago - Pritzker
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• University of Rochester School of Medicine and Den
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicin
• Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Any thoughts regarding the list? Suggestions? Tips? Any schools I should 100% take off and not waste $?

I realize there are many reaches on this list but I've always been a risk taker and so far it's been working out for me :]

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[ciestar]

I would very much recommend investing in the MSAR.

For example, you only scored a 30 on the mcat. The 10th percentile mcat score for Pritzker is a 33. (For Penn it's a 34!) Find schools that fall within your stat range!

 

[pj77]

I do have the MSAR so I am familiar that the bottom 10th percentile scores. But, percentile also means that people still get accepted with scores that are lower than that (albeit there are very few of them).

I think I have a few good match/fit schools so why not try my chances and apply to the ones that are more selective also? Unless you suggest that there's a 0% chance for some of them...

 

[gyngyn]

I do have the MSAR so I am familiar that the bottom 10th percentile scores. But, percentile also means that people still get accepted with scores that are lower than that (albeit there are very few of them).

I think I have a few good match/fit schools so why not try my chances and apply to the ones that are more selective also? Unless you suggest that there's a 0% chance for some of them...

I count 11 schools on your list where you have a fair to good chance of an interview if that is your first MCAT score.
That's usually enough.
The number of donations does appear a bit excessive, but that is up to you!

 

[Goro]

You might be a risk taker, but it will be a lot faster to flash your money down the toilet than apply to some of the schools on your list. Heed the learned gyngyn's advice.

Goro suggests:

Albany Medical College

• Drexel University College of Medicine
• George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
• Georgetown University School of
• Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ
• Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California (maybe)
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• New York Medical College
• Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
• Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien
• Rush Medical College
• Saint Louis University School of Medicine
• Temple University School of Medicine
• The University of Miami School of Medicine
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicin
• EVMS
• Wake Forest
• Creighton
• U WV (maybe, if you're from a rural area, and like Primary Care)
• Loma Linda (but read their policies)
• All new MD schools, especially TCMC
• Any DO school (including mine)

 

[gyngyn]

You might be a risk taker, but it will be a lot faster to flash your money down the toilet than apply to some of the schools on your list. Heed the learned gyngyn's advice.

Your list is way higher yield than OP's!

 

[pj77]

Thanks, I did some research on Creighton and Wake Forest; seem like good schools so I added them to the list. I guess I'll take out the majority of the "reaches" since the concensus appears to be that it's a waste of money applying to them.

 

[pj77]

Anyone know anything about Western Michigan University School of Medicine?

 

[Heplayer92]

I'm a Michigan resident, and Western Michigan is entering their first class this fall I believe.

My stats are very similar to yours (3.7/30) and the general consensus that I have received is to apply but be cautious. You will essentially be the guinea pig, and though the accreditation process is mighty difficult, it probably does not have the networking/infrastructure that established schools have. However, I would still attend Western if it was the only school that I got into =P

Who knows, perhaps you'll interview there and love it! Worth a shot.

 

[pj77]

Thanks for the feedback!

Since it's such a new school I can see how it would be difficult to find research opportunities or find rotations at some places, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to apply and see what the place is like for myself. I imagine their match rates will be better than those of Carribean schools.