MD Disadvantaged - 3.38 cGPA, 3.33 sGPA, 35 MCAT - PLEASE help

[The Boatox]

Hey friends, I realize my GPA is low, and this is not meant to be perceived as a form of excuse, but I would like for you to hear my story before you cast your judgement. I also would like to note that I will also be applying to the (2) Florida DO schools.

I was born in a medically undeserved community, it wasn't until after the age of 10 that my family and I moved to America where I grew up in a household of 6 with a net income of $25,000-$30,000. I received government aid throughout high school(reduced lunch) and when I graduated high school I could not afford tuition at a university(even worse my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during this time). I worked for 2 years while attending a community college and when my family had enough, I was able to attend a university where I also worked ~20-30 hours/week to further financially support myself. I do not wish to use my hardships as a reason to justify a low GPA; however, I did my best with what I was given in life.

If you could please advise me on the list I have compiled in regards to adding and/or removing schools based on my numbers/circumstances, I would highly appreciate it.

Stats:

Disadvantaged
Florida resident
B.S. in Biomedical Sciences; Psychology minor.
3.38 cumulative GPA
3.33 science GPA
35 MCAT

Paid Employment:

-2 years(2009-2011) working as a waiter (~25 hours/week)
-3 years(2011-2014) working as an arms sales associate (~20-30 hours/week)

Clinical/Research ECs:

~100 hours physician shadowing
~100 hours hospital volunteer
~200 hours community service(Non-medical)
~40 hours clinical research(started in February, committed until December)

Other ECs:

-2 years(reelected) as an SGA College of Medicine senator
-2 years on the board of Operation Review Committee
-Accepted/completed Student Leadership Council
-Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence
-Member of Pre-Professional Medical Society (PPMS)
-Biology/Physics/Chemistry tutor

Letters of Recommendation:

Likely good to very good(I will be using my school's letter packet)
-2 from science professors
-1 from non-science professor
-1 from research supervisor
-2 from MD physicians

School List:

FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida State University
The University of Miami School of Medicine
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
University of Central Florida COM
University of Florida

OOS:

Temple University School of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Quinnipiac University SOM
Meharry Medical College
The Commonwealth Medical College
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine
The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Tulane University School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
New York Medical College
Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
RUSH Medical College
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Thanks guys, I appreciate you and these forums.

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[talinnlove]

Your summary looks great. As for your schools, add Rosalind Franklin. Maybe remove Toledo if you have to make a switch, since they have some definite IS preference. Also note that Miller is private, and thus won't afford you preference as a FL resident.

 

[lifeswatumakeit]

I'm impressed

 

[Goro]

Goro suggests

NovaCom
LECOM-Bradenton
Any other DO school, inclduing mine.
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida State University
University of Central Florida COM
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Quinnipiac University SOM
The Commonwealth Medical College
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Tulane University School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
New York Medical College
Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

 

[The Boatox]

Your summary looks great. As for your schools, add Rosalind Franklin. Maybe remove Toledo if you have to make a switch, since they have some definite IS preference. Also note that Miller is private, and thus won't afford you preference as a FL resident.

Thanks for the input, I added Rosalind.

Goro suggests

NovaCom
LECOM-Bradenton
Any other DO school, inclduing mine.
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida State University
University of Central Florida COM
Drexel University College of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Quinnipiac University SOM
The Commonwealth Medical College
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Tulane University School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
New York Medical College
Western Michigan University School of Medicine
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

You're the man, Goro. What is your DO school?

While on the subject, which DO schools do you think I should apply to and how many should I apply to for safety?

 

[gyngyn]

Thanks for the input, I added Rosalind.



You're the man, Goro. What is your DO school?

While on the subject, which DO schools do you think I should apply to and how many should I apply to for safety?

In order for us to speak frankly it's important to retain anonymity. He's faculty in a school west of the Mississippi.

 

[Goro]

Let's see, there are 33 schools nationwide, you're lock for any of them, but given your FL residency, here's my list:

NovaCom
LECOM-Br
LMU-DeBusk
CCOM
Both PCOMs
ACOM
Both VCOMs
CampbellCOM
Pikesville
WmCarey
MUCOM
OH-COM
AT Still
NYCOM
TUCOM-NY
KCUMB
Western (both)
TUCOM-NV
TUCOM-CA
AZCOM
DMU
PacNW


While on the subject, which DO schools do you think I should apply to and how many should I apply to for safety?[/QUOTE]

 

[The Boatox]

In order for us to speak frankly it's important to retain anonymity. He's faculty in a school west of the Mississippi.

In that case, my apologies.

Let's see, there are 33 schools nationwide, you're lock for any of them, but given your FL residency, here's my list:

NovaCom
LECOM-Br
LMU-DeBusk
CCOM
Both PCOMs
ACOM
Both VCOMs
CampbellCOM
Pikesville
WmCarey
MUCOM
OH-COM
AT Still
NYCOM
TUCOM-NY
KCUMB
Western (both)
TUCOM-NV
TUCOM-CA
AZCOM
DMU
PacNW


While on the subject, which DO schools do you think I should apply to and how many should I apply to for safety?

You = awesome. Me = grateful.