Adding Schools, would like some ideas

[Abby_Normal]

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So far I've applied to twelve schools. I intended to apply to more but sort of freaked out while filling out my primary and only applied to 12 (so far, I've gotten secondaries from nine). I would like to add a few more to be on the safe side.
My MCAT is 32S and my GPA is between 3.76 and 3.79. I am a European Studies major, spent a year abroad at a prominent European university, and received at least a B+ in all of my prereqs. I have involvement in school-related ECs, leadership experience, volunteering (mostly clinical, some nonclinical), and shadowing. As of the end of last May, I am a Maine resident. Before that I lived in New Jersey.

So far, I have applied to Drexel, Case Western, Tufts, VCU, George Washington, Georgetown, UConn, UVT, NYU, Mt. Sinai, U Rochester, and Temple.

Schools I am thinking of adding:
Jefferson--I wanted to apply here to begin with, but can't get a letter of rec from a physics professor (took physics summer after freshman year at a state school...). However, I've heard they are flexible on this requirement.
SUNY Upstate
Northwestern
Cornell (recommended by my premed adviser)
BU

I am open to other ideas as well. Any thoughts on these/other possibilities?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Catalystik]

These have a good OOS matriculation rate and are within the range of a 32/3.7ish. Perhaps consider them for "fit" with what you're looking for:

Colorado, Miami, Iowa, Maryland, UMinn, Stony Brook, Wake, Cincinnati, Penn State, UWisconsin
Loma Linda, Loyola, RFU, UKentucky, Creighton, Albany, SUNY Downstate, Hofstra (new), MCW, USCarolina
UIllinois, Wayne, Buffalo, Toledo, Virginia Tech Carilion (new),

 

[sphun65]

I would add Dartmouth as a possibility. Your baseline stats aren't too far off for them, your application seems well-rounded (research?), and they may throw you a bone because you are fairly local and have no state school. This is just a guess, but its worth a shot.

However, if you do not have research, I would recommend removing your upper tiers / Ivies from your list, but that's up to you. Your chances of acceptance would be quite low if this is the case.

Maine is a great place to be, by the way.. Vacation there every summer. 👍

 

[Abby_Normal]

No, no research, at least of the kind that matters here.

So you are suggesting that I do not apply to Cornell and Northwestern? I was a bit uncertain about these, also, but my premed advisor thought they were good possible additions. But he might have been going off of where his advisees had been accepted in the past and not factoring in my lack of research.

This might qualify as a school-specific question, and consequently not belong here, but does anyone know how insistent Jefferson is on requiring a LOR from a physics professor? I've heard that they are flexible--and it should be obvious on my transcript why there is no physics letter (course taken summer after freshman year, not at my regular college)--so I am thinking it might be worth a try. (I might end up applying anyway. A relative of mine taught there for years, so I'm under a little family pressure...)

Also, are some of the SUNYs more friendly to OOS applicants than others?

 

[Catalystik]

All NY schools have at least 30% OOS matriculating.

 

[sphun65]

No, no research, at least of the kind that matters here.

So you are suggesting that I do not apply to Cornell and Northwestern? I was a bit uncertain about these, also, but my premed advisor thought they were good possible additions. But he might have been going off of where his advisees had been accepted in the past and not factoring in my lack of research.

This might qualify as a school-specific question, and consequently not belong here, but does anyone know how insistent Jefferson is on requiring a LOR from a physics professor? I've heard that they are flexible--and it should be obvious on my transcript why there is no physics letter (course taken summer after freshman year, not at my regular college)--so I am thinking it might be worth a try. (I might end up applying anyway. A relative of mine taught there for years, so I'm under a little family pressure...)

Also, are some of the SUNYs more friendly to OOS applicants than others?

Your list is dominated by reach schools. I would consider replacing some, but that's just me. I say this because you are a strong applicant and it would be a shame for you to not get in anywhere.

Don't get rid of all your dream (low-chance) schools if you don't want to, but you need to add in a few more safeties / matches. Take a look at NYMC, MCW, RFU, Creighton, Toledo... See what you think. We all apply to a few dream schools, but you really need to focus on getting accepted first.

 

[Abby_Normal]

I see no reason to remove schools to which I have already applied/gotten secondaries from. At this stage, I am more looking for what to add than what to remove. My list does worry me a bit because the only reach school I really like on the list is Case. Tufts is there because I live in Maine. I was advised to add Mt. Sinai and NYU because they look favorably upon humanities majors. Still, seeing as I've already begun the process of applying to them, withdrawing seems stupid.


As to adding schools, how do these four sound?
Penn State
U Maryland
SUNY Upstate
Boston University (I'm not sure about this one. It was originally on my list but I dropped it after hearing a lot of negative things about the admissions process).

*Edit* What about UVA? I wouldn't call it a safety, so I sort of doubt it's a worthwhile addition. But, as with Jefferson, for family reasons I should at least go through the motions of considering it...)

 

[sphun65]

I see no reason to remove schools to which I have already applied/gotten secondaries from. At this stage, I am more looking for what to add than what to remove. My list does worry me a bit because the only reach school I really like on the list is Case. Tufts is there because I live in Maine. I was advised to add Mt. Sinai and NYU because they look favorably upon humanities majors. Still, seeing as I've already begun the process of applying to them, withdrawing seems stupid.


As to adding schools, how do these four sound?
Penn State
U Maryland
SUNY Upstate
Boston University (I'm not sure about this one. It was originally on my list but I dropped it after hearing a lot of negative things about the admissions process).

*Edit* What about UVA? I wouldn't call it a safety, so I sort of doubt it's a worthwhile addition. But, as with Jefferson, for family reasons I should at least go through the motions of considering it...)

lol sorry didn't remember from your original post that you had already applied and sent secondaries. Dumb advice, clearly. I wouldn't suggest withdrawing.

UVA is a nice school, and their 50th percentile GPA / MCAT combo is 3.8 / 34. They do admit a decent amount of OOS applicants, but still prefer in-state. I also wouldn't call it a safety, but feel free to call it whatever you like!