31Q MCAT and 3.78 GPA

[DocAti]

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Hey everyone!

I just got my MCAT score back recently and am looking to get some feedback from people about my application.

31 Q MCAT - 11 PS, 10 VR, 10 BS
University of Maryland - University Honors Program
Overall GPA - 3.78 (4.0 in my last two years)
Science GPA - 3.68

ECs
Research - 3 different research positions at NIH
1. Year and a half as a volunteer undergraduate research assistant
2. Summer biomedical research intern
3. Currently doing a 2 year postbacc IRTA fellowship - So far I have one abstract accepted for oral presentation at a conference, likely I can have at least one publication by the time I submit my apps, possibly two. This is also a very clinically oriented research protocol so I am getting excellent clinical exposure here as well as research experience

Clinical shadowing
1. Shadowed an OBGYN for ~150 hours
2. Shadowed a plastic surgeon for ~100 hours

Volunteering
1. Patient care volunteer at Childrens Hospital ~200 hours
2. So Others Might Eat ~100 hours
3. Partnership for Animal Welfare ~100 hours

Leadership
1. School University Student Judiciary
2. Peer mentor for College of Chemical and Life Sciences at UMD
3. Teaching Assistant for introductory freshman seminar at UMD
4. Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Service for my sorority - Won award for outstanding community service programming and planned a campus wide even that raised over $3000 for our charity

Employed work - Have had two different jobs during college

Very strong letters of recommendation from my current PI at NIH, previous mentor at NIH, one of the doctors I shadowed, and professors

Doing my best to write a great personal statement

I know this is a very detailed list, but I know my numbers are pretty average and am hoping that I stand out somewhat with my ECs and LORs. I also plan to have my AMCAS submitted as soon as possible and get my secondaries in ASAP. I'm a Maryland state resident, so will certainly be applying to UMD Med. Wondering what people think my chances would be at some more competitve/upper tier schools, so I would really appreciate any feedback or suggestions anyone has--Thanks!

 

[aSagacious]

...I know my numbers are pretty average and am hoping that I stand out somewhat with my ECs...

You nailed it, your ECs will augment your statistics (not that they're poor to begin with). Your GPA/MCAT are right in line with the average matriculant, and your ECs are above average. The north-east can be a pretty competitive area (but then again, where is a non-competitive area?) so I suggest not limiting yourself to a specific region when applying.

 

[Catalystik]

Wondering what people think my chances would be at some more competitve/upper tier schools, so I would really appreciate any feedback or suggestions anyone has--Thanks!

With a 3.78/31, schools to consider with a good OOS matriculation rate might be:

Reaches:
Emory, Dartmouth, NYU, Ohio State, UCSF,
UCF, USCal, Boston, Tufts, SLU, Einstein, Rochester,

Targets:
UConn, Georgetown, Miami, Iowa, UMinn, Stony Brook, Wake, Cincinnati, Penn State, UWisconsin,
Loyola, RFU, UKentucky, Creighton, Albany, SUNY Downstate, Hofstra (new), Jefferson, MCW,

Safer:
UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, UNebraska, Drexel, Temple, Vermont, VCU, Virginia Tech Carilion (new).

Adding a few dream schools is fine too.

 

[DocAti]

Thanks for the feedback guys, really appreciate it. Anyone else have any input??

A few dream schools that I feel may be pretty out there at this point because of my MCAT score are Pitt, UChicago and Northwestern. Do you think I would even have a shot at any of these schools with my app?

 

[SoyRicoSuave]

Thanks for the feedback guys, really appreciate it. Anyone else have any input??

A few dream schools that I feel may be pretty out there at this point because of my MCAT score are Pitt, UChicago and Northwestern. Do you think I would even have a shot at any of these schools with my app?

A decent portion of the med school process is pretty random, so without a doubt apply to your dream schools. You never know unless you try, and you will really regret the decision if you don't.