MD Applying next cycle (516, 3.88 cGPA, URM)

[TempuraOreos]

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Long time lurker, first time poster. Need some help.

1. 3.88 cGPA, 3.8ish sGPA (based on an AMCAS converter found online)
2. 516 (130,127,127,132)
3. FL
4. Black Male (1st gen if that matters)
5. UMiami (graduated May 2016)
6. Clinical Experience: Working on getting a volunteering position at local hospital
7. Research: 2.5 years (~800 hours) of research in Evolutionary Social Psychology: including a senior thesis and thesis poster, 1 publication (final version of thesis project 3rd author), 1 national conference poster (3rd author); 9 week REU in Psychology at Cincy: worked on two pilot projects in Perceptual-Motor Dynamics and did posters for both projects (1st author on both)
   
8. Shadowing: Ortho Surgeon (~50 hours)
9. Non-clinical volunteering: very little; just scattered things I did throughout undergrad
   
10. Other extracurricular activities:
    • 4 years Taekwondo and Aikido Clubs (e-board for both for 3 years) so I would say 1000+hours for them each, member of minority pre-med club, and inducted into Psi Chi (psych and neuro honor society) junior year.
    • Employment Activity: Undergrad 3 semesters STEM tutor at my school's tutoring center (~6hr/wk) 4 semesters working as a computer lab user assistant (~10-15hr/wk)
    • Gap years: by the time I apply 2+ years (2000+ hours) working in private education teaching kids with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (ex: dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, ASD, etc.) to improve their language processing/comprehension and math skills.

I know the weak point of my app is clinical volunteering which I am trying to fix. For some time during undergrad, I was considering MD/PhD, but I don't think I have the stats or the type of research background for most MSTPs.

Any advice for schools to add or remove is welcome. Finances are a major factor for me so I want to get a solid list so I'm not wasting too much when I apply next year. Hopefully, I can get fee assistance.

School List so far:
Reach Schools- Pritzker and Northwestern*
(*I received emails from their Diversity offices stating they'd waive my secondary fees so I added but not trying to get my hopes up.)

All the FL MDs
Texas MDs
Emory
Cincinnati
Colorado
Rochester
Baylor

 

[Doctor_V]

Hi TempuraOreos,

I have personally enjoyed reading your achievements! You are absolutely right - clinical volunteering/work is a critical component of any application. If you can't find a position - don't worry. You can start-up some initiative or program, be the leader, and this may prove just as valuable.

Be yourself. Be passionate. And everything will be good.

Sincerely,

Doc V

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Get some clinical volunteering and you are good for top 20s or any school you want.

 

[TempuraOreos]

Hi TempuraOreos,

I have personally enjoyed reading your achievements! You are absolutely right - clinical volunteering/work is a critical component of any application. If you can't find a position - don't worry. You can start-up some initiative or program, be the leader, and this may prove just as valuable.

Be yourself. Be passionate. And everything will be good.

Sincerely,

Doc V

Thanks for that encouragement. Next year's cycle hasn't even started and trying to prep early is already starting to up my neuroticism.

 

[TempuraOreos]

Get some clinical volunteering and you are good for top 20s or any school you want.

Dang, you really think so? I have a bad habit of selling myself short, so in my mind I don't really think I have a chance at Top schools. I'm interested getting back into research if/when I get in. Not really interested in bench work though. Anywhere, in particular, you think I should look into?

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

With your stats, research background, and URM status you would probably have a chance at any medical school in the country including the top schools like Columbia, Yale, ect..

 

[CyrusHabs7695]

Pick whatever school you want, honestly

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Get your clinical AND nonclinical up. Try to get 150 hours in each of you can. Other than that you’re set!

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Dang, you really think so? I have a bad habit of selling myself short, so in my mind I don't really think I have a chance at Top schools. I'm interested getting back into research if/when I get in. Not really interested in bench work though. Anywhere, in particular, you think I should look into?

Your stats and ECs are almost Harvard-level, and your URM status puts you over the top.

 

[TempuraOreos]

Your stats and ECs are almost Harvard-level, and your URM status puts you over the top.

Dude, that's crazy. If I can make it work financially, I got to put my best effort into this next cycle.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Dude, that's crazy. If I can make it work financially, I got to put my best effort into this next cycle.

You might want to get a second opinion from guys like Goro or LizzyM - but you're in very, very good shape. Assuming that you get 200 hours or so of clinical volunteering in a hospice or something.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

@Goro
@Faha
@LizzyM
@gyngyn

 

[Goro]

Dang, you really think so? I have a bad habit of selling myself short, so in my mind I don't really think I have a chance at Top schools. I'm interested getting back into research if/when I get in. Not really interested in bench work though. Anywhere, in particular, you think I should look into?

You have to work on the self-esteem!
Get in the clinical volunteering, and then pick any school....it's yours. Start list with WashU and radiate outwards.

 

[TempuraOreos]

You have to work on the self-esteem!
Get in the clinical volunteering, and then pick any school....it's yours. Start list with WashU and radiate outwards.

You're right. I bought the MSAR a few weeks back and when I saw the medians (GPA and MCAT) for some of the top tiers, I discounted myself because I didn't think I had a shot and didn't want to get my hopes up. It's all super daunting. I have my orientation for hospital volunteering next week so should be starting that very soon.

 

[LizzyM]

I'm going to tell you what I told someone who PM'ed me last summer with a very similar application, "If you don't have three offers by March 1, I'll buy you a beer." BTW, I just heard from that guy & he had 3 offers as of last Monday and he'd like to buy me a beer.

So, get that increased clinical exposure and more volunteering over the next year and the world is your oyster.

 

[TempuraOreos]

Thank you all for the encouragement last week. Decided to consider throwing my hat into the ring for some more schools for next cycle. Thoughts on updated list
Still have FL MDs and TX MDs

Emory
Harvard
Hopkins
Keck
NYU
Northwestern
UPenn
Stanford
UCLA
UCSD
UCSF
Pritzker
Cincy
UMich
UNC
Rochester
Cornell
WashU

In total it's about 30+ schools. Is it too top heavy? Should I broaden out more?

Right now, Rochester is my favorite. Their biopsychosocial emphasis would work in my favor (BS in Psych, Minors in Art History, Biology, and Chemistry). They also have a master's in medical humanities dual program that again seems interesting especially with my background.