Apply to more schools?

[kermitthefrog]

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I've gotten secondaries from 12 out of the 13 schools that I applied to, but my GPA/MCAT is either right on the school averages or below them (3.5 and 33). Should I apply to some more schools that are closer to my stats, or should I wait and see what happens with these applications (I've already sent them out)?

 

[tristate]

Well, what types of schools did you apply to exactly (names would help too)?

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And the blessings just keep coming!

 

[kermitthefrog]

UC-Davis, UC-Irvine, UCSD, UCLA, UCSF, Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Wash U at St. Louis, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Columbia, and Tufts...so I'm a little worried...

 

[asta-disasta]

I hate to tell you, but while you may be well within the range reported for these schools, you have put yourself into a potentially bad position by chosing all difficult schools to apply to (esp. since you are not a CA resident). If you are only willing to go to one of the schools that you listed, power to you and you can apply again next year if you don't get in. However, if you apply to a few "safety" schools (I know, I know, there is really no such thing...)you will be certain to attend at least some med school once fall comes.

 

[kermitthefrog]

Luckily, I am a CA resident.

But regardless, I am worried about the odds. Now I just need to FIND those safety schools...any suggestions for schools in the northeastern US?

 

[lilycat]

Hmmm... interesting predicament. First off, I will just say that I heard on NPR yesterday that JAMA has announced that med school applications were down 7% this year, and thus the odds of acceptance have gone up to 1/2 from 1/3. So, there's the good news. I guess what you really have to ask yourself is would you only go to one of the schools you have already applied to (which all pretty much considered to be "top tier") or are you willing to go anywhere? Also, while it's hard to identify a "safety" school, the more schools you apply to, the greater your chances are of getting in somewhere. I'm in a fairly similar situation as yours, so feel free to email me if you want to discuss more in depth. Good luck!

 

[Mango]

You could check out Albany, George Washington, Case Western, Boston U, or other private schools like those. I'm not suggesting that any of these schools are easy to get into, but they are probably easier on average than the schools you applied to (other than a couple of the UCs). You may also want to try some state schools, but (as I'm sure you know), you will be at a huge disadvantage. It is always a good idea to have at least one school that you are pretty sure you can get into. That way, if lightning strikes, and you get rejected everywhere, you'll be safe. Good luck!