Chances during this upcoming cycle

[illinivirgo]

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1. cGPA: 3.45 and sGPA: 3.40 (very strong upward trend, low GPA explained in my PS)
2. 505 (128/124/127/126), 511 (129/125/130/127)
3. Illinois
4. Middle Eastern
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
6. Opthamology Tech Volunteer: 400 hours, Patient Care Tech: 200 hours
7. Research in Virology Lab: 900+ hours, 2 poster publications, currently working on first author publication
8. Shadowing: 50 hours in neurosurgery
9. Non-clinical volunteering: 300+ hours in food pantry, 100 hours organic chemistry tutor
10. Leadership hours as assistant manager: 1300+ hours, Plan to continue another research project during gap year, and a full time MA job.
11. I have 3 very strong LOR from a DO, a MD, and my research mentor, and 1 not so strong LOR from one of my professors.

My top choices are UIC, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, Rush, St. Louis University. Applying mainly schools in the midwest. Any recommendations would be gladly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Can you be more specific what you did with your full-time MA job? Why does it count under leadership? How does this differ from your PCT or Ophthal Tech work?

Without these details, I would wonder what primary care shadowing you have done. 50 hours in NS is very aspirational but I don't think you have explored the specialties foundational to medicine where there is greatest need.

300+ hours of food pantry work should be sufficient, but Rush and Loyola are pretty clear they like applicants with much more.

I don't know if being around other Middle Eastern students is important to you. Check out the Michigan schools.

I would also consider DO programs, and Chicago now has its share with CCOM and IllinoisCOM, both of which are likely to give you a shot as well.

 

[Faha]

I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
UIC
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Ponce (St. Louis)
St. Louis
Creighton
TCU
Roseman
Alice Walton
Belmont
NOVA MD
Methodist
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Penn State
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
For DO schools I suggest these:
CCOM
MU-COM
DMU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
AZCOM
UIWSOM
CUSOM
WVSOM
NYITCOM
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
Touro-NY