Chances/Changes to school list?

[DoogieHows3r]

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First post, so be easy.

I have a 30-35S MCAT (well-balanced) with and 3.8-3.9 GPA for both science and cum.
Biochemistry major, history and biology minor. Graduating from Honors Program.
I have two summers and winters of full-time research in a biochemistry lab (no pubs, 4 presentations), a pharmaceutical company internship for a full summer, peer tutoring, and a prestigious scholarship to undergrad. My pre-health committee gave me the highest recommendation, and I believe my LORs are fairly strong, including one from my PI. Some weaknesses are that I only have around 80 hours of volunteer work, which included shadowing ER doctors. I will be going in for at least 4 hours a week throughout the next year. I also have limited clubs/leadership.

Here's my school list:
NYMC
Albany
SUNY Downstate, Upstate, Buffalo, and Stony Brook
Mount Sinai
NYU
Columbia
Cornell
Yale
Hopkins
UVA
UNC
Jefferson
UPenn
Mayo
Rochester
Northwestern.

AMCAS should be verified soon. I am trying to get all the secondaries done before verification, and if not, before the end of August at the very latest.

My list is top heavy because I received MUCH higher practice MCAT scores, but its too late/risky to retake with a 30+ score, as disappointing as it may be. I am a NY resident with ties to PA, MD, and NC. I will most likely withdraw from Hopkins, Mayo, and possibly Yale and UVA. I will add Drexel, Temple, UMass. Any other suggestions to my school list? Any to drop/add? Also, what are my chances at the big-daddy schools like Columbia and Cornell? Thanks for any feedback!

 

[glasshalfMD]

I have a 30-35S MCAT (well-balanced) with and 3.8-3.9 GPA for both science and cum.

I don't really understand how you have a range for your MCAT score. Please explain?

 

[DoogieHows3r]

I didn't want to give the exact number. It's over a 30, so I have a fighting chance, but its not a stellar score above a 35.

 

[Catalystik]

You'll have to give more precision about your stats if you want good advice. I'd suggest/critique schools very differently if you have an MCAT of 30 vs a 34.

With less than 2 years of research (from what you said it sounds like 4-semesters worth?), those "research-giant"-type schools would likely have been a long shot for you anyway, even with your intended MCAT score.

Only 80 hours of clinical experience+shadowing is indeed skimpy and may well impair your chances. Do you have plans to augment this over the next year for the sake of update letters and interview conversations, to give yourself a better chance?

Clubs don't help much except as they offer leadership or community service opportunities, but at least you have some leadership and teaching, which help you. Do you have any nonmedical, noncampus community service? If not, you might get that going for the sake of those update letters.

UMass only takes MD/PhD from OOS, BTW. I'd take out Columbia and Cornell too.

 

[DoogieHows3r]

You'll have to give more precision about your stats if you want good advice. I'd suggest/critique schools very differently if you have an MCAT of 30 vs a 34.

With less than 2 years of research (from what you said it sounds like 4-semesters worth?), those "research-giant"-type schools would likely have been a long shot for you anyway, even with your intended MCAT score.

Only 80 hours of clinical experience+shadowing is indeed skimpy and may well impair your chances. Do you have plans to augment this over the next year for the sake of update letters and interview conversations, to give yourself a better chance?

Clubs don't help much except as they offer leadership or community service opportunities, but at least you have some leadership and teaching, which help you. Do you have any nonmedical, noncampus community service? If not, you might get that going for the sake of those update letters.

UMass only takes MD/PhD from OOS, BTW. I'd take out Columbia and Cornell too.

Catalystik, thanks for your response. I've noticed you helping out many other people in these forums and we all appreciate it.

My research is pretty extensive despite not having publications. I researched for 3 school semesters (5 hours/week), 2 full summers (~60 hours/week), and two winters (~20 hours/week for 5 weeks), all on top of a pretty good internship freshman year at a pharmaceutical company where I had my own project. All in all, I probably have about 1500 hours or more of research (not including internship).

I plan to work at least 4 hours/week at the hospital during the next year so my hours should build up. I will be shadowing an orthopedic surgeon for three full days or more in about a week. I will get an update letter from my hospital, as well as at least one letter from a physician I have been shadowing.

Does this help your critique or change any of your suggestions?

 

[Catalystik]

I appreciate the specific details about the research. My worries are put to rest.

 

[Catalystik]

Here's my school list:
NYMC
Albany
SUNY Downstate, Upstate, Buffalo, and Stony Brook
Mount Sinai
NYU
Columbia
Cornell
Yale
Hopkins
UVA
UNC
Jefferson
UPenn
Mayo
Rochester
Northwestern.


I will most likely withdraw from Hopkins, Mayo, and possibly Yale and UVA. I will add Drexel, Temple, UMass. Any other suggestions to my school list? Any to drop/add? Also, what are my chances at the big-daddy schools like Columbia and Cornell?

I think any of these schools are in range and could be considered if they suit your criteria: Emory, Dartmouth, NYU, OhioState, UCSF, UCF, USCal, Boston, Tufts, SLU, Einstein, Rochester, UNC, Colorado, UConn, Georgetown, Miami, Iowa, Maryland, UMinn, Stony Brook, Wake, Cincinnati, PennState,

These are good safeties: Albany, SUNYs, Buffalo, Jeff, Drexel, Temple.

From those previously listed, these are only a slight reach, so I'd continue with the application process here for sure: Mayo, Case, UVirginia, UPennsylvania


Columbia, Cornell, Mt Sinai are more of a reach for you, but I think that including three dream schools would be reasonable if you have the cash for the secondaries, since you have the expected intensity of research background.

 

[DoogieHows3r]

Thanks for your help Catalystik. Again, it's appreciated greatly.

Did you take geography and OOS into account when listing the " in range" schools? Do I really have a chance at UCSF and Maryland OOS? I actually have UCSF on my primary, but didn't mention it in the previous lists because I was almost certain I would withdraw here due to it being too much of a reach OOS for me.

 

[Catalystik]

I did take OOS into account, and all those mentioned have a >15% OOS matriculant population. This is my cut point for what's worth applying to, but risk tolerance varies.

For example:
UCSF=20%
Maryland=23%