Am I too top-heavy? Do I have a good narrative?

[661874]

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Hey all! I have posted on SDN a few times, but now I'm looking to see a) if my school list is appropriate and b) what kind of narrative would be best for the types of schools I should aim for based on my experiences/ECs thus far.

Year in school: Senior, top 10 school, non-ivy
Country/state of residence: United States/Kentucky
Schools to which you are applying: About 15/20 of the top 20 schools, all Kentucky state schools and all Tennessee state schools (I live on the border of the two so I'm eligible to apply for both, fortunately). Not sure which mid-tiers I should target.
Cumulative GPA:3.98
Science GPA:4.0
MCAT Scores:522 (131/128/132/131)
Research – Close to 3000 hours of research for five years in 4 different labs, one first-author publication, another to be submitted that probably won't be published until I'm done with the process. No super big presentations/posters. All of it is in computational biology and evolution, no clinical research experience. Not sure if medical schools will scoff at my background in evolutionary medicine since most of my friends work in like cancer lab/health policy/clinical research labs.
Non-clinical volunteering: I work at my local garden, which donates produce to needy families (200hrs). I volunteer for a crisis line (one of my favorite experiences), close to 300 hours by the time of application. I'm also planning an AmeriCorps gap year (1700 hours), although I have no idea whether it'll be at an urban or rural center. But I do know that I want to work with an elderly population, though I doubt it'll be in a healthcare capacity.
Physician shadowing – include hours/specialties:, 40 hours shadowing an allergy doc, 40 hours shadowing a general surgeon, 100 hours shadowing two primary care doc.
Extracurricular activities: My friends at school say that this is the weakest part of my app since I've only stuck with one activity past freshman year, but I think it might be the strongest? Senior editor at the campus newspaper, department-level editor the year before. About 1500 hours total here. Significant leadership involved. I'm an advocate of sticking to one thing and excelling at it.
Employment history (non-clinical): Was an IT specialist at my school's medical school (150 hours), am also an MCAT tutor but I don't think anyone cares about that lol.
Employment history (clinical): Medical scribe in primary care for 300 hours over a summer. Definitively the reason I want to be a doctor.
Major interest in rural health. Which is what makes me so nervous. Top 20 schools are more about producing academic physicians, so I'm worried that discussing this interest might make them think that I'm more suited for my state institutions which are tailored to rural practice.

Possible narratives for PS and general application:

1. Rural medicine: interest in community-based initiatives and becoming a leader here. Newspaper is a good activity here since it emphasizes my goal to become a strong communicator and connect with the community I serve.
   
   
2. Personalized medicine and social disparities: Evolutionary genomics is incredibly important here, and I'm certain that advances in personalized medicine might heighten disparities as is often the case when medical technology advances. Also have tons of experience in computational biology so it wont sound like I'm pulling this out of my ass.
   
   
3. Interest in geriatrics: this is a bit specific, but I've steadily become more interested in geriatric medicine over the years. I've had a close family member with dementia which is cliche, but experiences like the hospice and scribing have also reinforced my interest there.

Any thoughts?

 

[catmullclark]

You should ease your worries about rural medicine. Top 20 schools tend to produce physicians who are indeed involved in academic medicine, but these physicians can also be involved in advocating for patient communities that are underrepresented. Also, you have a first-author publication - chill a bit 🙂. To them, you are a great applicant who can clearly handle a lot of responsibilities while also serving to represent his/her own community. Your credentials are nothing to scoff at, and I think you're pretty unique for your interest in rural health.

1) and 2) sound like compelling personal statements. I'm leaning towards the first as it connects your message together pretty well. You mentioned sticking to one thing and excelling at it. Show that here with passion.

I'm currently interviewing at 8 top-20 schools (with lower stats than you and I'm ORM) and can say for sure that you have great chances across the board. If you'd like to talk more, PM me!

 

[661874]

Thanks so much for the response @catmullclark! That's a very fair point. And I am also a fan of the first narrative, since I agree that it's unique. I think a large part of my struggle in college was reconciling how my identity fit in with those of everyone at my university, most of whom were from big cities or the suburbs.

Would you say applying to mostly Top 20s + a swath of state schools is the best strategy, or should I throw in some mid tiers?

 

[mydogmolly]

Thanks so much for the response @catmullclark! That's a very fair point. And I am also a fan of the first narrative, since I agree that it's unique. I think a large part of my struggle in college was reconciling how my identity fit in with those of everyone at my university, most of whom were from big cities or the suburbs.

Would you say applying to mostly Top 20s + a swath of state schools is the best strategy, or should I throw in some mid tiers?

Your strategy is perfect imo. Pick 15/20 of the top 20s, include Vandy and Duke (if you're a blue devil) for sure, and then 13 more of your choice. Then all your state schools. Honestly I think applying to mid tiers would be a waste of your money unless you find some schools that are known to routinely throw money at high stat applicants.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

You are a rock star for sure and your application plan sounds very good. Throw in a few mid-tiers if you're nervous, but your stats are north of Harvard's medians, your ECs are very good, and you've got a first-author paper. Most matriculants at top 20s don't have any publications, let alone first author! Clinical volunteering is OK and your other ECs are excellent.

 

[878956]

We will see you at Harvard (or Hopkins if you are feeling frisky).

 

[Chromium Surfer]

If that is your only MCAT then you are good to apply anywhere! If you have taken it multiple times, then applying a tad more conservatively might be helpful.

 

[878956]

If that is your only MCAT then you are good to apply anywhere! If you have taken it multiple times, then applying a tad more conservatively might be helpful.

I respectfully disagree, a 527 regardless of how many times it was taken will raise heads at any institution. A 527 literally means the OP probably missed 1-5 questions the entire exam. 225-229 out of 230 is insane. Especially in a test where most test takers are relatively smart to their peers.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

I respectfully disagree, a 527 regardless of how many times it was taken will raise heads at any institution. A 527 literally means the OP probably missed 1-5 questions the entire exam. 225-229 out of 230 is insane. Especially in a test where most test takers are relatively smart to their peers.

OP got a 522, but yes that is a fantastic score! However say they got approx 510 give or take a few points then jumped to their current score. They won't be evaluated the same as the people who got 522 on their first shot.

 

[661874]

Thanks @Chromium Surfer and @H20_Jay! First time taking it, so I think I'll be following the strategy I outlined in the beginning as others have suggested.

 

[Goro]

I suggest more patient contact experience, and skipping AmeriCorps, unless sit's truly what you want to do.

Then aim for these schools:

Wash U
U Chicago
NYU
U Penn
Vanderbilt
Columbia
Sinai
Cornell
Northwestern
Case
Harvard
Yale
Stanford
JHU
U VA
U MI
U VM
U Cincy
Ohio State
U IA
UCSF
UCLA,
UCSD,
Miami
Tulane
Albert Einstein
Emory
BU
USC/Keck
Mayo
Rochester
Dartmouth
Duke
Pitt
Hofstra
U Louisville
U KY

Hey all! I have posted on SDN a few times, but now I'm looking to see a) if my school list is appropriate and b) what kind of narrative would be best for the types of schools I should aim for based on my experiences/ECs thus far.

Year in school: Senior, top 10 school, non-ivy
Country/state of residence: United States/Kentucky
Schools to which you are applying: About 15/20 of the top 20 schools, all Kentucky state schools and all Tennessee state schools (I live on the border of the two so I'm eligible to apply for both, fortunately). Not sure which mid-tiers I should target.
Cumulative GPA:3.98
Science GPA:4.0
MCAT Scores:522 (131/128/132/131)
Research – Close to 3000 hours of research for five years in 4 different labs, one first-author publication, another to be submitted that probably won't be published until I'm done with the process. No super big presentations/posters. All of it is in computational biology and evolution, no clinical research experience. Not sure if medical schools will scoff at my background in evolutionary medicine since most of my friends work in like cancer lab/health policy/clinical research labs.
Volunteering (clinical) – Volunteered at a rural hospice, rural psychiatric facility, rural primary care clinic for the uninsured. These were all short stints during summers since I live at an urban university. About 40-60 hours in each experience.
Non-clinical volunteering: I work at my local garden, which donates produce to needy families (200hrs). I volunteer for a crisis line (one of my favorite experiences), close to 300 hours by the time of application. I'm also planning an AmeriCorps gap year (1700 hours), although I have no idea whether it'll be at an urban or rural center. But I do know that I want to work with an elderly population, though I doubt it'll be in a healthcare capacity.
Physician shadowing – include hours/specialties:, 40 hours shadowing an allergy doc, 40 hours shadowing a general surgeon, 25 hours shadowing primary care doc.
Extracurricular activities: My friends at school say that this is the weakest part of my app since I've only stuck with one activity past freshman year, but I think it might be the strongest? Senior editor at the campus newspaper, department-level editor the year before. About 1500 hours total here. Significant leadership involved. I'm an advocate of sticking to one thing and excelling at it.
Employment history (non-clinical): Was an IT specialist at my school's medical school (300 hours), am also an MCAT tutor but I don't think anyone cares about that lol.
Employment history (clinical): Medical scribe in primary care for 300 hours over a summer. Definitively the reason I want to be a doctor.

Major interest in rural health. Which is what makes me so nervous. Top 20 schools are more about producing academic physicians, so I'm worried that discussing this interest might make them think that I'm more suited for my state institutions which are tailored to rural practice.

Possible narratives for PS and general application:

1. Rural medicine: interest in community-based iniatives and becoming a leader here. Newspaper is a good activity here since it emphasizes my goal to become a strong communicator and connect with the community I serve.
   
   
2. Personalized medicine and social disparities: Evolutionary genomics is incredibly important here, and I'm certain that advances in personalized medicine might heigten disparities as is often the case when medical technology advances. Also have tons of experience in computational biology so it wont sound like I'm pulling this out of my ass.
   
   
3. Interest in geriatrics: this is a bit specific, but I've steadily become more intereted in geriatric medicine over the years. I've had a close family member with dementia which is cliche, but experiences like the hospice and scribing have also reinforced my interest there.

Any thoughts?

 

[661874]

Thanks for the input, @Goro ! I'm looking at lifesharing programs where I'd live in a community of adults with developmental disabilities. Not exactly clinical experience since it isn't a hospital setting, but an incredibly immersive experience where I'd go above and beyond getting a superficial understanding of the community I would join. And I'm very sure that it's what I want to do next year.

Is my clinical experience weak? I was originally worried about doing only 300 hours over one summer, but everyone I've talked to assured me that this is perfectly fine, especially since I scribed with only one doctor in a primary care setting and thus got an incredible longitudinal experience (I asked WASHU admissions about it during their AMA on Reddit). I've also done some work with the hospice and our psychiatric hospital, as I mentioned. You're the expert, of course—not the people I've talked to—so I'd love your opinion.

 

[•Syzygy•]

Thanks for the input, @Goro ! I'm looking at lifesharing programs where I'd live in a community of adults with developmental disabilities. Not exactly clinical experience since it isn't a hospital setting, but an incredibly immersive experience where I'd go above and beyond getting a superficial understanding of the community I would join. And I'm very sure that it's what I want to do next year.

Is my clinical experience weak? I was originally worried about doing only 300 hours over one summer, but everyone I've talked to assured me that this is perfectly fine, especially since I scribed with only one doctor in a primary care setting and thus got an incredible longitudinal experience (I asked WASHU admissions about it during their AMA on Reddit). I've also done some work with the hospice and our psychiatric hospital, as I mentioned. You're the expert, of course—not the people I've talked to—so I'd love your opinion.

doesnt sound weak to me....
scribing is great and much less superficial than “shadowing”