Applying to 31 schools, can you look at them?

[Medikit]

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Here is my list of schools, please if you could, tell me if it looks good, if I should add some, or if I should take some away.

California Schools
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Keck Sch. Of Med.University of Southern California
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
University of California San Diego
University of California San Francisco
University of California, Davis School of Medicine
University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine

Reach Schools
Columbia University College of P & S
Mayo Medical School
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Yale

Out of state schools
Albany Medical College
Boston University School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine
Dartmouth Medical School
Drexel University College of Medicine
George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ.
University of Michigan Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Den
The University of Vermont College of Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

This is going to cost $1060 for this part alone 🙁

I'm an interesting case, two years ago I had a 2.9 GPA and had just finished my sophomore year. I had dropped out of college twice already, and was just beginning to get over a severe depression.


I'm a double major in Biology and Chemistry(Emphasis: Biochemistry)
Here is my GPA breakdown:

Total: 31 hours, 2.62
BCPM: 15 hours, 3.09
Others: 16 hours, 2.18

Sophomore:
Total: 30 hours, 3.23
BCPM: 15 hours, 2.78
Other: 15 hours, 3.68

Junior:
Total: 34 hours, 3.86
BCPM: 25 hours, 3.88
Other: 9 hours, 3.8

Senior:
Total: 32 hours, 4.0
BCPM: 25 hours, 4.0
Other: 7 hours, 4.0

I now have a 3.44 and a 3.56 BCPM (or around there)

I got a D in Anatomy my first semester after I dropped out the first time and a C that same semester in Psychology. I also have two C+'s one in introductory honors and another in Calc the semester after the D. I ended up taking the next two calc classes two and a half years after the C+ and got A's in both. I go to a small state school here in California.

My MCAT is a 36N, 10V, 12B, 14PS.

As for EC's I have about 40 hours in a hospital, 10 hours of shadowing, and a semester of research that I'm finishing up during the summer. I'm also the treasurer of the Chem club and I've done about 2.5 years of tutoring for cash, plus a year of tutoring as a volunteer. This summer I'm going to work tutoring underprivileged High Schoolers and I'm trying to find a better volunteer job at a clinic.

Should I kill some of the reachies?

Thanks!

 

[IndyZX]

looks like a good list to me

 

[Medikit]

looks like a good list to me

It's huge. I'm considering crossing out nearly all of my reaches.

 

[Kazema]

You can't get in if you don't apply!

Keep the reaches, unless you have financial limitations on the number of schools you can apply to.

Other than that, your list looks good to me.

 

[Kazema]

It's huge. I'm considering crossing out nearly all of my reaches.

What are your criteria for choosing schools? That might help you decide which schools to take off.

 

[Medikit]

What are your criteria for choosing schools? That might help you decide which schools to take off.

My main focus is on primary care. I desire to be a pediatrician but I want to make the final decision after I've had a chance to experience all of the fields first hand. The smaller the class size the better for me as I come from a small school and I definitely prefer a high prof/student ratio where the profs are accessible to the students. I want to get involved in clinics as soon as I can. I want an involved 3rd year where I'm not just shadowing. I don't want to be limited in choosing my residencies if I can help it. I'd prefer to stay out of larger cities if possible and the closer to a running location (with about 6-8 miles of trail) the better. But mostly I just want to apply to good schools that will give consideration to California students.

 

[dankev]

If you really want to be a clinician and not do research, some of those reach schools may not be the best matches for you anyway. I'm sure others can tell you which ones specifically. The only other comment I have is about Loma Linda. I don't know if your religious, but they seem much more into religion than other religious schools. My premed advisor suggested it, and I dropped it from my list after I learned ablut the weekly religion class. Not my bag.

Your numbers, by the way, are beautiful. Most schools will see the trend and MCAT and be very impressed. Just make sure you write a kickin' PS, and have fun with the flood of interview invites.

 

[Medikit]

If you really want to be a clinician and not do research, some of those reach schools may not be the best matches for you anyway. I'm sure others can tell you which ones specifically. The only other comment I have is about Loma Linda. I don't know if your religious, but they seem much more into religion than other religious schools. My premed advisor suggested it, and I dropped it from my list after I learned ablut the weekly religion class. Not my bag.

Your numbers, by the way, are beautiful. Most schools will see the trend and MCAT and be very impressed. Just make sure you write a kickin' PS, and have fun with the flood of interview invites.

I never really thought of my numbers as beautiful before, thank you. I have a friend who is going to Loma Linda and I'm a Christian but not a seventh day adventist. I'm going to visit her in August to see what it's like 🙂.

 

[babyface]

Like the previous poster said, great trends! and a wonderful MCAT performance! Way to go! I like the list, I'd definitely keep the reach schools around, you just never know what'll happen. I did and I'm pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Remember, always leave your options open: you may want to be a pediatrician right now, but you may change your mind later, and these reach schools will then open up some doors for you.

Some suggestions: I'd add Vanderbilt to the list -- it has small class size (104), treats its students like kings and queens, has wonderful practice facilities, great teaching clinicians, and perhaps the most friendly environment among US med schools. It also has a brand new children's hospital and tremendous research opportunities in every field. It accepts a great number of Californians as well. They do like high MCAT scores, it appears, and your performance may be right up their alley. Take a look, you won't regret, I promise.

Similarly, UPitt might be worth taking another look at. Personally, I didn't apply there but heard amazing things about it from fellow Californians.

Good luck!

 

[bigdan]

What about SUNY Upstate? Your GPA is in the neighborhood, and your MCAT is way above.

They have a VERY active 3rd year program in which you can choose to go to community programs in Binghamton, and get to do real hands on things. At least check it out on their website.

dc

 

[CaptainZero]

If you really want to be a clinician and not do research, some of those reach schools may not be the best matches for you anyway. I'm sure others can tell you which ones specifically.

This is a good point...I'll just add that if you're really interested in Peds, keep yale - they, for some reason, place a lot of people in really good Peds residencies. Good luck.

 

[samurai_lincoln]

One quibble I have with the list is that you state that you'd prefer to stay out of larger cities, but then a significant portion of your list consists of schools in New York, Philly, and DC. By my count, you are applying to three schools in NYC alone. I am just trying to understand your thought process here... have you ever spent any significant time in NYC (or Philly or DC), and if so, do you honestly think you would enjoy four years of living there?

I realize that many of the private schools in the nation are concentrated in the northeastern corridor, so other options are limited, but maybe you could look into places like Duke, Emory, Vandy, Tulane, Ohio State (significant # of nonres), Cincy, Virginia, Oregon, Pitt, etc. Might be a better alternative and fit, particularly given the avalanche of apps that places like BU, GW, and GT receive.

 

[Medikit]

What about SUNY Upstate? Your GPA is in the neighborhood, and your MCAT is way above.

SUNY has 90-95 percent NY residents. I automatically threw out any school that had that high of a percentage of non-residents.

One quibble I have with the list is that you state that you'd prefer to stay out of larger cities, but then a significant portion of your list consists of schools in New York, Philly, and DC. By my count, you are applying to three schools in NYC alone. I am just trying to understand your thought process here... have you ever spent any significant time in NYC (or Philly or DC), and if so, do you honestly think you would enjoy four years of living there?

I realize that many of the private schools in the nation are concentrated in the northeastern corridor, so other options are limited, but maybe you could look into places like Duke, Emory, Vandy, Tulane, Ohio State (significant # of nonres), Cincy, Virginia, Oregon, Pitt, etc. Might be a better alternative and fit, particularly given the avalanche of apps that places like BU, GW, and GT receive.

That's a good point. I liked the schools I applied to in NYC, but when I applying to them I was thinking about the school more than the area.

Cincinatti has 76% Ohio residents
Duke is a reach school with really high numbers. But now that you mention it, I'll consider exchanging it for a different reach school.

Vanderbilt also looks pretty difficult to get into, but I'm really thinking about putting it on the list, the school sounds nice.

Oregon has a large number of Oregon residents and gives preference to certain states as well. Portland is a beautiful area though, so I'll think about it, I don't think I'll add it though.

Tulane looks like a place I should definitely apply to. I passed over it as I've never been to the South and I guess I just don't know what to expect. I'm definitely adding it to the list, somehow.

Ohio State has about 81% Ohio residents so I left it out.

Emory doesn't have much information in my book, so I'll have to look it up in some of my other resources later.

Pitt (this is the university of pittsburgh right?) again looks like it should be on my list.


Ok, and schools that I'm thinking about dropping off now:
Boston U: Large number of apps/big city
George Washington: "
Georgetown: "
Case Western: 60% Ohio residents, more research orientated than primary care.

 

[exmike]

SUNY has 90-95 percent NY residents. I automatically threw out any school that had that high of a percentage of non-residents.



That's a good point. I liked the schools I applied to in NYC, but when I applying to them I was thinking about the school more than the area.

Cincinatti has 76% Ohio residents
Duke is a reach school with really high numbers. But now that you mention it, I'll consider exchanging it for a different reach school.

Vanderbilt also looks pretty difficult to get into, but I'm really thinking about putting it on the list, the school sounds nice.

Oregon has a large number of Oregon residents and gives preference to certain states as well. Portland is a beautiful area though, so I'll think about it, I don't think I'll add it though.

Tulane looks like a place I should definitely apply to. I passed over it as I've never been to the South and I guess I just don't know what to expect. I'm definitely adding it to the list, somehow.

Ohio State has about 81% Ohio residents so I left it out.

Emory doesn't have much information in my book, so I'll have to look it up in some of my other resources later.

Pitt (this is the university of pittsburgh right?) again looks like it should be on my list.


Ok, and schools that I'm thinking about dropping off now:
Boston U: Large number of apps/big city
George Washington: "
Georgetown: "
Case Western: 60% Ohio residents, more research orientated than primary care.

I would leave OSU and Case on; both are moving towards more out of state students. Last year Case became 50/50 in out, and it should rise even more this year to majority out of state. BTW, case is ranked for primary care as well as family practice, and they have a primary care tract. They are very strong in primary care should you choose to go that route. I think they are one of eight schools with a federally funded primary care tract educational program.

OSU is also moving towards more out of state. they took 70 last year out of 210, it should increase this year. If they took me they'll definitely consider you. Its a great school too so I wouldnt miss out on the opportunity.

I would DEFINITELY drop BU and Georgetown, and leave on GW. From my experience GW is less fickle than the other two.

 

[Medikit]

I would leave OSU and Case on; both are moving towards more out of state students. Last year Case became 50/50 in out, and it should rise even more this year to majority out of state. BTW, case is ranked for primary care as well as family practice, and they have a primary care tract. They are very strong in primary care should you choose to go that route. I think they are one of eight schools with a federally funded primary care tract educational program.

OSU is also moving towards more out of state. they took 70 last year out of 210, it should increase this year. If they took me they'll definitely consider you. Its a great school too so I wouldnt miss out on the opportunity.

I would DEFINITELY drop BU and Georgetown, and leave on GW. From my experience GW is less fickle than the other two.

Ok, I'll consider that, I haven't really changed anything on my AMCAS app yet, it's all pending the advice I get in this thread.

I really need some more schools to drop from the list. I'm going to be taking some difficult courses next semester (Pchem, virology, Grammar for eng majors, 3rd semester Organic, chem lit) so I'm a bit worried about keeping up with all the secondaries. More importantly my parents are supporting me financially and aren't exactly convinced I NEED to apply to more than 15 schools. I have their support whatever I decide to do, though.

 

[Medikit]

Any advice on some more to remove?

 

[idq1i]

I would save some money on those Reach schools. I am not trying to be mean, but given your stats, your chances are low. Your volunteer activities are not that impressive either.

Some of those Out of state schools should go into your reach list (ie Dartmouth, Baylor, Wake, etc)

 

[VCMM414]

I would save some money on those Reach schools. I am not trying to be mean, but given your stats, your chances are low. Your volunteer activities are not that impressive either.

Some of those Out of state schools should go into your reach list (ie Dartmouth, Baylor, Wake, etc)

Baylor is quite tough for out of state applicants. Even though it is a private school, Texans have a distinct advantage here.

I think the OP has a decent shot at Wake. It is by no means a reach school. Not sure about Dartmouth.

 

[Medikit]

I would save some money on those Reach schools. I am not trying to be mean, but given your stats, your chances are low. Your volunteer activities are not that impressive either.

Some of those Out of state schools should go into your reach list (ie Dartmouth, Baylor, Wake, etc)

I'm in agreement, I'm thinking about pulling nearly all of them out. I'm going to keep Dartmouth, Baylor, and Wake. Baylor has good peds I hear... actually I might drop darthmouth, I'll read up on it some more.

 

[niceguy2004]

you should be fine

I know you can do it 👍

 

[willthatsall]

You will probably get interviews to a good number of those schools. Which ones will you probably decline to attend?

 

[Medikit]

You will probably get interviews to a good number of those schools. Which ones will you probably decline to attend?

It depends on where I get accepted. Let's say I get accepted to a UC. I'm most definitely attending a UC if I get in one so I'd probably withdraw my app from every school.

Let's say I get into a cheaper school out of state with a decent reputation, then I would definitely cancel out these schools:

Albany,GW,Pitt and Tulane(not on list),case,USC, - Too much cash


How long does it take to establish in-state residency? If too long probably these too:
Vermont, maybe penn - too much cash






Let's say I get into a cheaper small city school out of state with a decent reputation.

Then I'd probably drop every big city school on there.



Good question. Wow this would really be easy if I got a quick response from a UC.

 

[Csv321]

That looks exactly like my list...I mean, EXACTLY...except for Mayo...

You'll get into one of those before they even look at my application though. My MCAT sucks so don't worry, I'm not competition.... 👍

 

[Medikit]

Here is my new list, I think it's at an acceptable level. I removed some of the schools that were just plain costly, but left Vermont on there just in case I was rejected everywhere else:

I'll leave the Cali schools off the list this time.

Out of State
Baylor Baritone College of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Hipsters
Creighton University School of Medicine in California
Dartmouth Medical School and Used Cars
Drexel University College of Medicine for Nerds
Georgetown University School of Dog Shows
Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ. of the Mark
Medical College of Wisconsin Now with 100% Real Cheese
Mount Sinai School of Moses
Pennsylvania State University College of Chocolate Doctors
The University of Vermont Elite College of Awesome Medicine
University of Michigan Medical School of Democrats
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dental Coolness
Vanderbilt University School of Fake Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Cosmetology and Also Medicine

Reach
Yale University School of Whales
Mayo Medical Cool Whip
Johns Hopkins University School of John Hopkins International certified by John Hopkins and John Hopkins look-alikes
Harvard Medical School the Worst Medical School In the Entire World

The total is 27, I think that's a good number. I still have 4 reachies, or 5 if you count Dartmouth, but I want to try and I don't think they give you secondaries unless you have a chance. Thank you all for your help, you guys are awesome and mostly cool if not rad 👍

 

[samurai_lincoln]

I like that list, and think it is more in line with your goals and personal needs and interests. Unfortunately as a Californicator you are stuck applying to a boatload of schools, but with your numbers (I think your meteoric rise in GPA makes for a great story) you will get in to some solid schools. We'll all just keep our fingers crossed for you and hope you gain a UC acceptance early in the cycle so you can save on secondary and interview expenses!

 

[Yogi Bear]

Here is my list of schools, please if you could, tell me if it looks good, if I should add some, or if I should take some away.

California Schools
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Keck Sch. Of Med.University of Southern California
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
University of California San Diego
University of California San Francisco
University of California, Davis School of Medicine
University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine

Reach Schools
Columbia University College of P & S
Mayo Medical School
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Yale

Out of state schools
Albany Medical College
Boston University School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine
Dartmouth Medical School
Drexel University College of Medicine
George Washington University Sch of Med & Hlth Sci
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ.
University of Michigan Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Den
The University of Vermont College of Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

Thanks!

-take out Loma Linda if u're not SDA.
-take out darthmouth...unlikely to accept cali students/small school
-take out wake forest
-take out mt sanai
-take out BU--they just ask u to send $100 and send u a rejection letter.
-add nymc
-add vanderbilt
-add finch
-add albert einstein
-add Tufts
-Mayo isn't a reach school....it's less esteemed than umich.

 

[Medikit]

-take out Loma Linda if u're not SDA.
-take out darthmouth...unlikely to accept cali students/small school
-take out wake forest
-take out mt sanai
-take out BU--they just ask u to send $100 and send u a rejection letter.
-add nymc
-add vanderbilt
-add finch
-add albert einstein
-add Tufts
-Mayo isn't a reach school....it's less esteemed than umich.

Why take out wake and mt sinai?

Loma Linda is a California school and my friend is going there. She's also not SDA. Her combined MCAT score was 29.

I only left one 40k school on there, Vermont is going to be my 40k safety school.

Einstein is in the Bronx in New York. Finch is in Chicago. I'm shying away from big cities when I can.

What's the scoop on NYMC and Valhalla? Isn't that where Vikings go when they die?

I used reach as in difficult to get into rather than esteem. It's less esteemed than umich? Really? Mayo sounds so dreamy to me, honestly.

I'll consider Dartmouth, someone else told me to make Dartmouth a reach, so now I might want to just consider saving the $30 and not applying. I'm not sure about it.

The other adjustments I've already made, you can check out my updated list if you scroll up a bit.

Thanks for looking at my list 🙂 I really appreciate it. You had to look on the second page to do so 🙂

 

[DMBUGA34]

My main focus is on primary care. I desire to be a pediatrician but I want to make the final decision after I've had a chance to experience all of the fields first hand. The smaller the class size the better for me as I come from a small school and I definitely prefer a high prof/student ratio where the profs are accessible to the students. I want to get involved in clinics as soon as I can. I want an involved 3rd year where I'm not just shadowing. I don't want to be limited in choosing my residencies if I can help it. I'd prefer to stay out of larger cities if possible and the closer to a running location (with about 6-8 miles of trail) the better. But mostly I just want to apply to good schools that will give consideration to California students.

If your feelings haven't changed, then don't drop Dartmouth. Small class (85 that goes down to 60), high prof/student ratio, you'll spend an afternoon at a clinic every two weeks your first 2 years, matches very well, definitely not a large city, and plenty of places to run. If you like hiking, the appalachian trail goes through Hanover and there are plenty of other trails in the area. FYI, my student host was from Cali. Also, they usually give good fin aid so it might become cheaper than a Cali school.

It is fairly hard to get into because around 5K apply to the small class. Some apply to the Dartmouth-Brown program (15 spots), and of the remaining 60 spots, 5 are saved for applicants from Maine, and New Hampshire applicants (all 5 of 'em 🙂 )get special consideration for the remaining 55 spots. However, considering what you're looking for and what DMS offers, I'd say it's definitely worth the $30 bucks. They read every single application so you'll get a fair shot.

 

[Medikit]

If your feelings haven't changed, then don't drop Dartmouth. Small class (85 that goes down to 60), high prof/student ratio, you'll spend an afternoon at a clinic every two weeks your first 2 years, matches well, definitely not a large city, and plenty of places to run. If you like hiking, the appalachian trail goes through Hanover and there are plenty of other trails in the area. FYI, my student host was from Cali. Also, they usually give good fin aid so it might become cheaper than a Cali school.

It is fairly hard to get into because around 5K apply to the small class. Some apply to the Dartmouth-Brown program (15 spots), and of the remaining 60 spots, 5 are saved for applicants from Maine, and New Hampshire applicants (all 5 of 'em 🙂 )get special consideration for the remaining 55 spots. However, considering what you're looking for and what DMS offers, I'd say it's definitely worth the $30 bucks. They read every single application so you'll get a fair shot.

Awesome, thanks.

 

[hy2026]

Apply to all schools that you want, do not listen to other people.

What is the worst thing that can happen to you? They reject you, that is it.

Perpetual optimism is force multiplier

 

[mcjay]

Great list of schools! Good luck.