Feeling small yet invigorated

[reluctantoptimism]

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The long and short of it is that I could have gone to a more reputable undergraduate institution. Now that I'm a junior with a good(and rising ) G.P.A. I feel the sudden urge to apply to only top 20 medical schools in the future. When I applied to undergrad I was severely limited in my choices but I now have a chance to apply to schools I may appreciate to a greater degree. Has anyone else ever felt this need to redeem oneself after entering a less competitive undergraduate institution?

Despite having a good G.P.A. and scores, what do top 20's look for in applicants (I have research with a looming possible publication and EC's with leadership experience, yet I still feel inadequate)? In addition, I'm going to be taking the 2015 MCAT and I'm wondering how Adcoms will interpret the new scores and, more importantly, how should we study for the new exam?

Thanks for listening guys!

 

[Boolean]

I got into some nice schools for U-Grad. Didn't have financial backing to attend, and did not want to take out any loans. I'd certainly like to go somewhere with a bit more prestige for med school, but that really isn't what I'm personally striving for. I figure you really get out what you put in. As you said, you've got research and publications with decent GPA and scores. That's good. That'll get you somewhere.

In regards to what I've heard about medical school admissions at Top 20's, I refer to the admissions committee at MIT. Everyone applying is qualified. In our case, everyone applying has a high MCAT, high GPA, research, volunteering, hospital volunteering, you name it. You're going to see that from everyone.

So what sets them apart? Passion. Find something you like. Be good at it. No, not even. Be great at it. Excel at it. Become the best in your school at it. Become the best in your state at it. Be known for something. What sets you apart from everyone else is excelling at something. Doesn't matter what it is. If it shows dedication, passion, drive, and enthusiasm, it'll do nothing but help you (assuming your hobby stands within decent moral ground, but you know this already).


In regards to the 2015 MCAT, I wouldn't know, but we certainly have some learned admissions committee members on here that could answer that (or point you towards who could)

 

[mcloaf]

I feel the sudden urge to apply to only top 20 medical schools in the future.

Yeah this is pretty much terrible. You're gonna have a much better time if you control your urge and apply broadly.

 

[Chipster.]

The long and short of it is that I could have gone to a more reputable undergraduate institution. Now that I'm a junior with a good(and rising ) G.P.A. I feel the sudden urge to apply to only top 20 medical schools in the future. When I applied to undergrad I was severely limited in my choices but I now have a chance to apply to schools I may appreciate to a greater degree. Has anyone else ever felt this need to redeem oneself after entering a less competitive undergraduate institution?

Despite having a good G.P.A. and scores, what do top 20's look for in applicants (I have research with a looming possible publication and EC's with leadership experience, yet I still feel inadequate)? In addition, I'm going to be taking the 2015 MCAT and I'm wondering how Adcoms will interpret the new scores and, more importantly, how should we study for the new exam?

Thanks for listening guys!

Ever heard of this guy?

Hint: You share a complex.

 

[Boolean]

Ever heard of this guy?

View attachment 179361

Hint: You share a complex.

I spent a good thirty seconds wondering how this related to the horse.... I think studying has gotten to me. I wouldn't go as far to say OP has a napoleon complex, but I'd certainly say that perhaps they should refine this positive energy into positive action. This means taking an ounce of realism for every half ounce of motivation.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

The long and short of it is that I could have gone to a more reputable undergraduate institution. [/quote]

I don't know anything about so-called "Top 20s" but this has to be the opening sentence of your personal statement.

 

[lalax]

I got into some nice schools for U-Grad. Didn't have financial backing to attend, and did not want to take out any loans. I'd certainly like to go somewhere with a bit more prestige for med school, but that really isn't what I'm personally striving for. I figure you really get out what you put in. As you said, you've got research and publications with decent GPA and scores. That's good. That'll get you somewhere.

In regards to what I've heard about medical school admissions at Top 20's, I refer to the admissions committee at MIT. Everyone applying is qualified. In our case, everyone applying has a high MCAT, high GPA, research, volunteering, hospital volunteering, you name it. You're going to see that from everyone.

So what sets them apart? Passion. Find something you like. Be good at it. No, not even. Be great at it. Excel at it. Become the best in your school at it. Become the best in your state at it. Be known for something. What sets you apart from everyone else is excelling at something. Doesn't matter what it is. If it shows dedication, passion, drive, and enthusiasm, it'll do nothing but help you (assuming your hobby stands within decent moral ground, but you know this already).


In regards to the 2015 MCAT, I wouldn't know, but we certainly have some learned admissions committee members on here that could answer that (or point you towards who could)

Admissions committee at MIT? wut?

 

[Boolean]

Admissions committee at MIT? wut?

Yeah. Admissions committee at MIT knows that everyone applying is qualified (valedictorian, high SAT, all that jazz). They look for the ones that stand out, the ones that truly show that they're the best at what they do.

 

[Oso]

Now that I'm a junior with a good(and rising ) G.P.A. I feel the sudden urge to apply to only top 20 medical schools in the future.

Bad idea. Bad!

Plenty of people with nice gpa/mcat/EC's are rejected from top 20's. Apply broadly and wisely and hope for the best, maybe you'll get top 20 and maybe you won't. But apply broadly and at least you'll go somewhere. Good luck.

 

[LizzyM]

After you take the MCAT and get your score, multiply your GPA by 10 and add it to your MCAT. If the sum is 80 or higher apply to only top 20s and have fun. For every point below 80, apply to a school not in the top 20. If the sum is <70, do not apply to any top 20s.

What do top 20s look for? First and foremost, grades and scores. If you don't have that, you should keep on walking. If you've got the grades & scores you need personality and passion for the activities you've chosen to engage in beyond the work you put in to get the grades and scores that got your foot in the door.

 

[xroc]

When I applied for undergrad, I was actually very misinformed. I applied to a not-so-reputable state school and just banked on getting a full-ride there (which I did). Stupid decision in hindsight to limit myself this greatly, but it worked out for me and I graduated undergrad debt free.

I worked very hard in undergrad and was a competitive applicant for med school. However, I learned my lesson, and this time around I applied very broadly given my stats. (went in with the mentality that you only apply for med school once hopefully, right?). I aimed as high as possible (plenty of top 10's, top 20's) but also applied to many, I guess you could say, less reputable med schools because I couldn't bear to have to reapply the following year. I consider myself fortunate to have been accepted to a "top tier" medical institution, but I don't think the whole entitlement mentality is healthy in terms of seeking a good outcome out of an application cycle.

Apply broadly, hope for the best, and be satisfied with any and every acceptance.

 

[Optimus-Prime]

It just depends on if your willing to risk another year off, Top 20 is certainly achievable given the right numbers and ECs. Networking early should be another goal if you are serious.

 

[Ace-Co-A]

When I applied for undergrad, I was actually very misinformed. I applied to a not-so-reputable state school and just banked on getting a full-ride there (which I did). Stupid decision in hindsight to limit myself this greatly, but it worked out for me and I graduated undergrad debt free.

I worked very hard in undergrad and was a competitive applicant for med school. However, I learned my lesson, and this time around I applied very broadly given my stats. (went in with the mentality that you only apply for med school once hopefully, right?). I aimed as high as possible (plenty of top 10's, top 20's) but also applied to many, I guess you could say, less reputable med schools because I couldn't bear to have to reapply the following year. I consider myself fortunate to have been accepted to a "top tier" medical institution, but I don't think the whole entitlement mentality is healthy in terms of seeking a good outcome out of an application cycle.

Apply broadly, hope for the best, and be satisfied with any and every acceptance.

This is almost exactly my life story sans the full ride in undergrad bit.

The long and short of it is that I could have gone to a more reputable undergraduate institution. Now that I'm a junior with a good(and rising ) G.P.A. I feel the sudden urge to apply to only top 20 medical schools in the future. When I applied to undergrad I was severely limited in my choices but I now have a chance to apply to schools I may appreciate to a greater degree. Has anyone else ever felt this need to redeem oneself after entering a less competitive undergraduate institution?

OP @reluctantoptimism ... I certainly felt the need to redeem myself when it came time to applying for medical schools after realizing what a mistake I had made by settling for my state school for undergrad. My game plan has become to use undergrad to work my a** off and do as well as I could when it came time to apply for medical schools just like @xroc . Use the MCAT as your chance to show off. Tell people at prestigious schools (or most of them 😉) to shove it when you put up a high MCAT score.

That said, after all of this, it would be very foolish to limit yourself to the Top 20. Apply broadly. Don't make the mistake of thinking that your accomplishments as an undergraduate entitle you to a place at a Top 20 medical school, or the top 22, or the top 27, or the top 50 for that matter.

Despite having a good G.P.A. and scores, what do top 20's look for in applicants (I have research with a looming possible publication and EC's with leadership experience, yet I still feel inadequate)? In addition, I'm going to be taking the 2015 MCAT and I'm wondering how Adcoms will interpret the new scores and, more importantly, how should we study for the new exam?

Thanks for listening guys!

You can probably get more focused advice about MCAT preparation in the MCAT forum.