Comments on school list appreciated.

[shayk]

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Hello.

I am a long-time lurker, but now that I am applying this admissions cycle, I thought I would ask for a bit of advice on my list of schools.

Relevant Information:
GPA 4.0.
MCAT 37S.
Indiana Resident.
Modest amounts of shadowing and volunteering (very little as compared to most SDN'ers, it seems).
1 Publication, consistent involvement in research.
Chamber music and orchestra are my most time-consuming extracurriculars.

List of schools:
Case Western (w/ CCLCM)
Northwestern
University of Chicago
Indiana University
University of Michigan
University of Cincinnati
The Ohio State University
Mayo Medical School
University of Pittsburgh
UCSF
UCLA
Washington University in St. Louis

As one might deduce, I am rather keen on staying in the Midwest, with some love for the West coast and little (no) love for the East coast. I was thinking about rounding out my application with two or three more lower-tier schools. I feel the list is a bit top heavy and am unsure about how to balance it out. Thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[witness23]

are you from Indiana?

your numbers are great
you have research
you have some artsy stuff
you have some volunteering, modest is okay as long as you can talk a lot about it (what do you consider modest though?)

if you are from Indiana, UCLA and UCSF are still high reaches since they prefer Cali people, might want to replace with stanford and usc

your list is okay. you should apply to more schools. round it out with the other schools from Chicago. UIC, RFU, etc. St Louis Univ is another option.

do not bank on your state school. anything can go wrong, right?


overall, I think you will do well. continue with your medically related activities. reflect and write well.

others will add to the list, i'm sure.

 

[LateBl00meR]

I think your school list is fine and I'm quite jealous of your application. You'll get into one of those schools as long as you can be social in an interview. I wouldn't worry about adding anymore unless the stress of the upcoming cycle is getting to you and you need to put your mind at ease.

 

[JJMrK]

if you are from Indiana, UCLA and UCSF are still high reaches since they prefer Cali people, might want to replace with stanford and usc

UCLA and UCSF actually take a good number of OOSers.

OP, your list seems pretty top heavy to me. On the other hand, you have amazing numbers. If you want to add 3 schools, maybe go with RFU, Creighton, and SLU?

 

[Beta Cell]

UCLA and UCSF actually take a good number of OOSers.

OP, your list seems pretty top heavy to me. On the other hand, you have amazing numbers. If you want to add 3 schools, maybe go with RFU, Creighton, and SLU?

UCLA and UCSF are the only ones that really take OOS in California, right?

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you are an Indiana resident I can say pretty confidently that you are set on safety schools. I'd consider a couple "dreaded" east coast schools just for giggles. Stanford and Vanderbilt would be good for you.

 

[Screwtape]

If you are looking to stay in the midwest, you should look into University of Wisconsin- Madison.

 

[JJMrK]

UCLA and UCSF are the only ones that really take OOS in California, right?

UCLA and UCSF are the only UC's worth applying to if you're OOS. If you just want to be in CA though, you can also apply to USC, Stanford, and Loma Linda from OOS.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you are looking to stay in the midwest, you should look into University of Wisconsin- Madison.

Even with those stats, its pretty rough getting an interview at U of W. I had similar stats and got little love from them or MCW. Unless the OP has a desire to live in Wisconsin specifically, I would apply to more Ohio schools. Wayne State might be worthwhile, though.

 

[shayk]

Thank you for all the feedback so far.

are you from Indiana?

I am an Indiana resident.

you have some volunteering, modest is okay as long as you can talk a lot about it (what do you consider modest though?)

I have less than 100 hours of shadowing, and less than 100 hours of hospital volunteering. I am volunteering at the hospital and shadowing more this summer, though.

I'd consider a couple "dreaded" east coast schools just for giggles.

I have been thinking about schools on the East coast, but am not quite sure where to begin, especially when I am considering schools not in the "top tier" (e.g. Harvard, Columbia).

If you are looking to stay in the midwest, you should look into University of Wisconsin- Madison.

I am considering both UW-M and MCW. However, as another poster has stated, the in-state preference at UW-M (not sure about MCW) makes it difficult to add to my list as a "safety"-type school.

I would apply to more Ohio schools.

As far as allopathic schools in Ohio, does anyone have any comment on Northeastern, Toledo, or Wright State?

Again, thanks for everyone's time.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Thank you for all the feedback so far.

I have been thinking about schools on the East coast, but am not quite sure where to begin, especially when I am considering schools not in the "top tier" (e.g. Harvard, Columbia).


I am considering both UW-M and MCW. However, as another poster has stated, the in-state preference at UW-M (not sure about MCW) makes it difficult to add to my list as a "safety"-type school.

I would not consider MCW and UW-M as safeties. They are very stingy with OOS residents. I had stats like yours and was rejected from UWM and offered an interview for MCW's waitlist. As far as top schools, I would definitely consider Columbia/Cornell/NYU if you have any interest in NYC. UCLA and UCSF you have, maybe Duke or Yale?