4.0 GPA/ 523 MCAT but no name school???

[MD1012]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all,
So I am pretty worried at the moment. I visited HMS and Stanford a couple of years back and absolutely fell in love with their programs, opportunities, communities, etc. I have worked hard during undergrad and done research and many other activities I found interesting but my I'm afraid the fact that I go to a not very prestigious school could make me a not competitive applicant for these schools? My school never gave out any awards or had any pre-med clubs and activities (I started one but that was it). I was looking at MD students profiles for Stanford Med and pretty much 90% were from IVY schools...What should I do??

 

[watermelon master]

Hello all,
So I am pretty worried at the moment. I visited HMS and Stanford a couple of years back and absolutely fell in love with their programs, opportunities, communities, etc. I have worked hard during undergrad and done research and many other activities I found interesting but my I'm afraid the fact that I go to a not very prestigious school could make me a not competitive applicant for these schools? My school never gave out any awards or had any pre-med clubs and activities (I started one but that was it). I was looking at MD students profiles for Stanford Med and pretty much 90% were from IVY schools...What should I do??

You'll be fine. Good luck OP!

 

[Luka75]

You're alright!

 

[Endoxifen]

Hello all,
So I am pretty worried at the moment. I visited HMS and Stanford a couple of years back and absolutely fell in love with their programs, opportunities, communities, etc. I have worked hard during undergrad and done research and many other activities I found interesting but my I'm afraid the fact that I go to a not very prestigious school could make me a not competitive applicant for these schools? My school never gave out any awards or had any pre-med clubs and activities (I started one but that was it). I was looking at MD students profiles for Stanford Med and pretty much 90% were from IVY schools...What should I do??

This is the classic "do med schools have a preference for ivy students or are the students at ivy schools more likely to get into top med schools." The answer is, don't worry about it. You seem like you've done everything in your power to stand out. Even then, there is no guarantee that you'll get into any top 20, but you see to have as good a chance as any. Keep working on your application in the last few months before you apply. Good luck!

 

[LizzyM]

Hello all,
So I am pretty worried at the moment. I visited HMS and Stanford a couple of years back and absolutely fell in love with their programs, opportunities, communities, etc. I have worked hard during undergrad and done research and many other activities I found interesting but my I'm afraid the fact that I go to a not very prestigious school could make me a not competitive applicant for these schools? My school never gave out any awards or had any pre-med clubs and activities (I started one but that was it). I was looking at MD students profiles for Stanford Med and pretty much 90% were from IVY schools...What should I do??

You won't get in on MCAT, GRE and good looks, you need to have engaged in experiences as well. Even if your school did not have any pre-med clubs or activities, you won't get admitted without clinical exposure and almost all admitted applicants to the schools you've named have had some research experience either in school, at a summer program at another school, or outside of school. In addition, volunteering to help the poor is highly valued. Come back and tell us how things worked out for you.

 

[efle]

The good news is, school name alone will not rule you out from anywhere, not even top 5-10s

The bad news is, even a 4.0/39 from an Ivy type school will not guarantee you interviews to these places, either. Keep expectations grounded, having your heart set on a couple top schools is dangerous! Apply to your dream schools but don't get yourself too hyped on individual places - much better to be pleasantly surprised than heartbroken and disappointed.

 

[flapjack3d]

Oh you fell in love with the most prestigious schools' programs?? Its ok you can admit youre a prestige ***** like most others here. Its a valid concern in academic med where name means so much. Long story short, youll do fine. But you have to be attractive beyond your high scores. See my mdapps for results of someone who was in your shoes.

 

[Dr.Kat]

Oh you fell in love with the most prestigious schools' programs?? Its ok you can admit youre a prestige *****

LOL. this made me laugh at work.

 

[AnotherLawyer]

Hello all,
So I am pretty worried at the moment. I visited HMS and Stanford a couple of years back and absolutely fell in love with their programs, opportunities, communities, etc. I have worked hard during undergrad and done research and many other activities I found interesting but my I'm afraid the fact that I go to a not very prestigious school could make me a not competitive applicant for these schools? My school never gave out any awards or had any pre-med clubs and activities (I started one but that was it). I was looking at MD students profiles for Stanford Med and pretty much 90% were from IVY schools...What should I do??

Stock up on sunscreen.

 

[MareNostrummm]

The high MCAT just validates the high GPA, no matter what school you went to. Ex: If you have a 4.0 gpa and a 500 MCAT adcoms will think your gpa is heavily inflated.

 

[SubliminalNeuralgia]

Oh you fell in love with the most prestigious schools' programs?? Its ok you can admit youre a prestige ***** like most others here. Its a valid concern in academic med where name means so much. Long story short, youll do fine. But you have to be attractive beyond your high scores. See my mdapps for results of someone who was in your shoes.

As someone from a no-name school who found some success this cycle, I can confirm that the bolded is essential.

 

[efle]

As someone from a no-name school who found some success this cycle, I can confirm that the bolded is essential.

Dude you didn't go to a "no-name school"! That would be like calling NYU or Case Western a no-name school!

Or maybe I just have a very different understanding than SDN does, I was thinking from the OP that they were at a Directional State University

 

[coffeeandcodeine]

As someone from a no-name school who found some success this cycle, I can confirm that the bolded is essential.

I thought you went to an excellent undergrad! Also, you changed your SDN handle?? Had no idea that was even possible, is that a donor thing?

 

[SubliminalNeuralgia]

Dude you didn't go to a "no-name school"! That would be like calling NYU or Case Western a no-name school!

Or maybe I just have a very different understanding than SDN does, I was thinking from the OP that they were at a Directional State University

I thought you went to an excellent undergrad! Also, you changed your SDN handle?? Had no idea that was even possible, is that a donor thing?

Guys! You are betraying my mysterious exterior!

But to address the questions: I'd say my school was about average in terms of prestige (maybe slightly below Case, slightly above Directional State). And yes SDN handle changes are a donor thing, I'm flattered that you noticed.