..."backup schools"?

[lispiz86]

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Okay, so I'm currently leafing through the U.S. News "'Ultimate Guide to Med. Schools" hoping to get a clearer idea of where I want to apply when I stumble across the fact that all the schools I've bookmarked are stellarly competitive schools. Don't get me wrong; I'll still apply in high hopes, but I was wondering how one goes about looking for "back up" med. schools? I hesitate to say this because I do know that there is less of a difference between med. schools. I'm from California, so I have to take out-of-state costs vs. quality of education into consideration. Also, there will definitely be a certain point where if I don't get into a certain level of schools, I'll reapply later. Any suggestions, please? Thanks!

 

[jsnuka]

Get a copy of the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) from the AAMC.

The US News and World Reports does nothing to help you in terms of deciding where to go.

http://www.aamc.org and go to the publications section.

 

[pjl2505]

what are your stats? tell us about yourself a little, and we can give you a better idea of what you should aim for.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm from California,

Because of the competitive nature of California's state schools, few residents of that state have true back-ups. But you want to pick us MSAR, and apply to a bunch of schools for which your stats equal or exceed those of the average matriculant at such schools. Apply broadly, but only to schools you think you would attend if that was your only option.

 

[Misfit!]

My advice: be realistic

High hopes are good and all, but judging from what I've seen and the experiences of my friends who have applied in the past (most of whom were pretty amazing all around), don't kill yourself if you don't get into a top 10 school, because most people don't. Even "second tier" med schools are a stretch for most. This isn't like applying to undergrad, or even most grad schools, where every good student is expected to get into a big name school. Apply to a wide range, keeping their average scores in mind, but remember that nothing is guaranteed.

 

[mikeinsd]

I am from california too, so I know the situation you are in... I picked a bunch of schools to apply to (aside from the UC's and USC) that were out of state, ranging from high to low on the spectrum. Dont bother applying to most other state schools* because they give strong in state prefereance. Def get the MSAR, it breaks down every school by number of in state and OOS acceptances.

*Apply to Ohio state, it has high looking numbers, but they let in a lot of out of state and have a huge class size (204 i think). Pretty sure that besides ohio residents california is most represented state. Also I was extremely impressed by the facilities and the school in general - if i had not got in state acceptance, i would have gone there in a second!

 

[Depakote]

There are a few schools that SDN'ers will post that are traditionally labeled back-up or "Safety" schools... This far from gurantees you an acceptance.

You'll want to look at the MSAR and see what schools your stats make you competitive at. Find as many schools as possible where your numbers are above their numbers. If you're blessed with an abundance, look for programs that fit you.

As you are a California resident, your statehood does you no good. Apply to the UCs, but don't expect any help there. Apply to any states that are friendly to Cali residents (I don't know if there are any, but worth looking into.)

Apply to state schools that will let you gain state residency immediately or after 1 year. (New Jersey, New York... I know there are others). Apply to State Schools with large portions of their class coming from out of state. (Check the MSAR for this). And Apply to the Private schools. You'll figure out who they are.

Find a nice diverse application profile and apply broadly. Good luck.


EDIT: A note on the schools SDN considers "Safety Schools" they tend to get so loaded with back-up applications that sometimes it isn't worth applying unless you 1.) Really want to go there. 2.) you have some clear connection to the school or 3.) you really do stand out in a unique way because these schools can smell a "Safety School" application a mile away and you won't be interviewed.

 

[swtiepie711]

My 2 Cents as a fellow Californian:

I applied to quite a few schools, scattered across the country, primarily Top 50 schools and some that were unranked etc.

The outcome has been unpredictable. For example, I got interviews at UCSF, UCLA, WashU, & UChicago, but was put on a pre-interview hold at George Washington, UC Davis & Loyola University Chicago. And I haven't heard a peep (post-secondary) from some schools like BU.

What I gather from my experience is that you can't know what schools are looking for and so you can't predict how they will select applicants. Consequently, there basically is no such thing as a "safety" school. I wouldn't have guessed in 100 years that I would be accepted to WashU and rejected pre-interview from Georgetown. If you can, apply broadly - by rank & location - and do the best you can - at least one will hopefully pan out.

 

[sunset823]

I am from california too, so I know the situation you are in... I picked a bunch of schools to apply to (aside from the UC's and USC) that were out of state, ranging from high to low on the spectrum. Dont bother applying to most other state schools* because they give strong in state prefereance. Def get the MSAR, it breaks down every school by number of in state and OOS acceptances.

*Apply to Ohio state, it has high looking numbers, but they let in a lot of out of state and have a huge class size (204 i think). Pretty sure that besides ohio residents california is most represented state. Also I was extremely impressed by the facilities and the school in general - if i had not got in state acceptance, i would have gone there in a second!

another good thing about Ohio State is that you can become in-state after the first year, so you actually don't end up paying nearly as much for private schools...plus, great football (this comes from a Wolverine who grew up in Ohio and now hates USC with a passion)

 

[lispiz86]

haha! 🙂 thanks guys! this is really enlightening and i will definitely take all your advice into consideration. as for my stats, they're pretty banal. i'm a second year pre-mcat student with a 3.63 gpa. human bio. major and theatre minor. right now, i'm definitely working on beefing up my ec's and research. also, when would be the earliest mcat that one should take? the beginning of my junior year? i'm going to finish orgo, bio., and physics this year (but will probably take metabolic biochem., mammalian physiology, and orgo lab before taking the mcats). thanks!

 

[applyingsucks]

NYMC accepts about 40% of their class straight out of California. At an interview last month I was the only student from the east coast.

That said, NYMC is not a backup, but if you have decent stats you should be fine.