Can't narrow my decisions for applying...

[millepora]

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I not sure where or how to post this, so here it goes...

I have tried to greatly narrow my list down, but I still have not got far enough.

Factors I have took in consideration so far...
MCAT Scores
Tuition Rate
Minority ratio (I am a URM)
Applicant/Matriculate Ratio

------------------------------------------ MCAT Applicants Matriculates IN/OUT
1. University of St. Louis (Missouri) ---30.3------6k---------173-------24/76
2. University of Toledo (Ohio)------------30-------3k---------176-------64/36
3. Meharry Medical College------------23.1------ 5k-----------100--------10/90
4. East Virgina---------------------------30-------5k-----------115--------62/38
5.Virgina commonwealth----------------30-------6k---------- 200---------57/42
6. Medical College of Wisconsin---------30------=6k----------- 212--------34/65
7. West Virginia University 27.9 6k 110 60/40

My only definite is ECU. I want to narrow it 5, because I have a list compiled of seven DO schools too.

I am NC resident, so I would be an out-of-state resident for these schools. If there is anything I about these schools that will help me narrow my decisions, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any other suggestions, that I may have narrowed out to early, I am open to suggestions.

My Stats: 3.79 GPA or 3.87 GPA (counting a grade replacement, but I think only DO schools take this into consideration).

Take the MCAT May 28th, I am getting practices between a 24-28, so I feel this should be my only inhibiting factor. *Please to not tell me that it will not cut it with a sub-30* I already know what I am up against.

I have pretty strong extracurricular... patient contact, shadowing, honor clubs, research...etc.

 

[Appless]

Well first off what is your GPA w/o grade replacement? If its above a 3.5 my first piece of advice would be drop the DO schools unless you score <28MCAT or really want to be a DO. You are a URM you are allowed to have a sub 30 mcat use it to your advantage. If you got at least a 28, hell maybe a 27 i would still apply to mostly MD and maybe a few DO. If your GPA is more in the <3.3 range, the i think the more DO schools is defiantly a good idea. As for the schools

mehary is a mostly black school, im not sure if you are black but just something to think about for admission purposes.

You are out of state (OOS) for WV meaning tuition is 43,960 dollars.. and they dont take a lot of OOS students.

Also if you are black have you thought about howard and moorhouse? They might be good options for you.

 

[millepora]

Not black, I realized that Meharry is majority black, but for some reason they seem to give some preference of the remaining of their slots to other minorities. I had two friends two friends that claimed American Indian got into Meharry, so this that is what made me second guess them....


Without grade replacement my GPA is a 3.79.

 

[ygree001]

I don't know much about URM and how that affects your chances, but isn't 12 schools total a little low with an MCAT under 30?
I could be totally off here...

 

[sarahg]

I'd narrow based on location. I'd cut out all schools in locations I didn't love unless they had amazing programs.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

APply to UNC since you are IS....a 28 and 3.8? it might be worth a shot...they definitely look at more then grades.

 

[scarletgirl777]

I don't know much about URM and how that affects your chances, but isn't 12 schools total a little low with an MCAT under 30?
I could be totally off here...

I agree. Your list is already too short; you should not be cutting schools.

 

[millepora]

I am definitely going to apply to UNC if I get 27+. I just figured I would leave if off, unless I get that. When I was up there this summer, I came to realize just how picky they were about MCAT, can't blame them though, they got a hella of a reputation for a public school.

I don't know much about URM and how that affects your chances, but isn't 12 schools total a little low with an MCAT under 30?
I could be totally off here...

That is why I am applying to ratio of DO schools. After I shaved down my list, it wasn't much longer than that though. I feel somewhat confident applying to school with an average of 30, because that probably means they pull at least a third of their applicants sub 30. But, if they got an average of 32-33, the majority of their "lower end" is probably thirty, with just a few in the sub 30 category.

I agree. Your list is already too short; you should not be cutting schools.

Since most schools send out secondaries, it hard for me to imagine the time and cost of doing 12+ secondaries. If I can't get my options narrowed down, I may do 14, but beyond that...from what I heard it doesn't seem that feasble to get them done, and return them within the week timeline they are sent.

 

[WaterBird]

Since most schools send out secondaries, it hard for me to imagine the time and cost of doing 12+ secondaries. If I can't get my options narrowed down, I may do 14, but beyond that...from what I heard it doesn't seem that feasble to get them done, and return them within the week timeline they are sent.

Most people manage the time/cost of doing 12+ secondaries. Sure, it takes some time, but there is also a lot of redundancy. Most schools give you two weeks to a month to return your secondary. A few secondaries took way more time than others, so if you are really concerned, take a look at the secondaries from last year - although they may not be exactly the same, I would guess that schools that had long secondaries last year will this year too.

What about Howard?

If you are submitting your AMCAS before you have your MCAT, you should add more schools - there is too much uncertainty in not knowing your numbers. You can always not fill out the secondaries later. Or you can wait to submit until you get your scores at the end of June - it's not really that reasonable to cut your list down MORE before you have your scores. If anythingk you should be researching more schools to add, and then refining your list post MCAT score.

 

[scarletgirl777]

I am definitely going to apply to UNC if I get 27+. I just figured I would leave if off, unless I get that. When I was up there this summer, I came to realize just how picky they were about MCAT, can't blame them though, they got a hella of a reputation for a public school.



That is why I am applying to ratio of DO schools. After I shaved down my list, it wasn't much longer than that though. I feel somewhat confident applying to school with an average of 30, because that probably means they pull at least a third of their applicants sub 30. But, if they got an average of 32-33, the majority of their "lower end" is probably thirty, with just a few in the sub 30 category.




Since most schools send out secondaries, it hard for me to imagine the time and cost of doing 12+ secondaries. If I can't get my options narrowed down, I may do 14, but beyond that...from what I heard it doesn't seem that feasble to get them done, and return them within the week timeline they are sent.

You absolutely don't need to get your secondaries done in a week. Two weeks is a good goal. Sending them in a month will probably turn out fine, assuming you passed in your primary early. Of course the earlier the better, but it is manageable. And some of those secondaries are not going to have essays, in fact, you can select for ones without essays if you'd like. As for cost, the cost of applying is nothing compared to the cost of losing a year of a doctor's salary because you had to apply again.

 

[JJMrK]

If you don't get a 30 on the MCAT I'd apply to at least 25 schools.

 

[millepora]

Bump...

Anyone have any advice on those schools?

 

[Dr Lyss]

Bump...

Anyone have any advice on those schools?

Two weeks is a great goal, but it is no way a requirement! You have plenty of time to finish your secondaries, especially if you are applying early in the cycle.

If you wanna avoid having to re-apply I would not cut your list down anymore.

 

[millepora]

Two weeks is a great goal, but it is no way a requirement! You have plenty of time to finish your secondaries, especially if you are applying early in the cycle.

If you wanna avoid having to re-apply I would not cut your list down anymore.

That is why I have DO schools on my list. It really doesn't matter to me where I end up, the only difference is the residency match rate (IMO). Unless I get a 27+, I want to make most of the schools I apply to, DO schools; that is why I want to cut this list down.

I have heard that in order to keep on normal time scale, and get your interviews fairly early in the cycle, secondaries should be sent out no later than two weeks (one week preferably).



Medical college of Wisconsin says on their site, they generally don't accept applicants right out of their undergraduate year? I would assume then, that they like non-traditional students. But, it says right next to it their average age is 23. This seems like a contradicting statement....

West Virgina is other school I am trying to figure out... it says they prefer instate applicants (because it seems they are public school), yet their ratio of out-of-state is 40%...