Finalizing my list

[Tiss229]

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Hey guys,

I posted about my list a few months ago but I've been narrowing it down and I'd like some advice.

Science GPA- 3.33
Overall- 3.50
MCAT- PS/BS/VR= 12/8/11- 31M

I've been an active EMT for 3 years now. I have been very involved in my college town's local fire dept as both a firefighter and an EMT. I am involved in behavioral health research and we are currently working towards both attending the APA conference in Toronto and 2 publications. I work as an AOP tutor in biology, physics, and chemistry and was a university police dispatcher for 3 years. I will be shadowing an ED physician (who also happens to be the medical director of the county) come January as well as an Orthopaedic surgeon.

I am a New York resident.

MD-

GW
UMDNJ
Albany
NYMC
Buffalo
SUNY Upstate
Stonybrook
U of Rochester
Jefferson
Temple
Virginia Commonwealth
EVMS
Rosalind Franklin

DO

LECOM
PCOM
UMDNJ-SOM

I hope this is enough schools considering my GPA is kinda low. I do not want to go to school in NYC, thats why no schools are in the boroughs.
Any suggestions at all would be very much appreciated.

 

[Lukkie]

overall looks good but i see one gaping hole - you need some HANDS ON clinical experience. answering phones, making beds, restocking towels in a hospital. the usual.

 

[Mobius1985]

I think that being an active EMT is as hands on as you can get. OP, if you are a volunteer firefighter/EMT, that covers the humanistic endeavor requirement in your application also. If you are paid, you still need to demonstrate your altruism via another form of volunteerism to have a well-rounded application.

 

[Dr Lyss]

your list looks good. SUNY Downstate is another option that seems to focus less on the numbers & more on the whole app (if you are interested in Brooklyn)

 

[Tiss229]

thanks for the replies. I have worked both as a paid EMT and a volunteer EMT/firefighter... I thought that was pretty "hands-on."

 

[Lukkie]

whoops - i missed the EMT bit (even though that was your first sentence), sorry. overall looks real good. good luck on your process!

 

[HrryUpNwait]

.

 

[Tiss229]

One more question- do you guys think this is enough schools?

 

[Mobius1985]

I'd have said aim for 15-20. The list above has 16, but you may have reformulated it by now.

 

[bluesmd]

yeah i would say more schools 20 is good. but you're app looks fine, apply early!

 

[ar2388]

what about:
einstein
downstate
drexel
?

 

[Tiss229]

As far as Einstein and Downstate I really don't want to live in NYC. I'm originally from Queens and I just couldn't see myself being another 4 years in the city.

As far as Drexel goes, I'll look into it.

Thanks

 

[flip26]

Hey guys,


MD-

GW
UMDNJ
Albany
NYMC
Buffalo
SUNY Upstate
Stonybrook
U of Rochester
Jefferson
Temple
Virginia Commonwealth
EVMS
Rosalind Franklin

DO

LECOM
PCOM
UMDNJ-SOM

Drop RFU - they favor greater Chicago / upper midwest area students to begin with, much tougher for an out of area applicant with marginal stats like yours...since you are willing to look in the Midwest, add SLU and Creighton, just in case you need a couple more invites...

Otherwise, a very good and realistic list. Good luck!

 

[Mobius1985]

Drop RFU - they favor greater Chicago / upper midwest area students to begin with

Illinoisan here. Actually, more than 50% of RFU's students are from OOS and many are Californians.

 

[rama kandra]

I think as a NY resident you SHOULD apply downstate. It may be that youve lived in Queens but it also is a state school and you live here. Some people don't even get that much choice - do it.

I certainly don't want to go to SUNY Upstate but I am applying just b/c i am a resident and it would be like throwing away an opportunity to get in someplace. Einstein is private but again, NY residents will have an easier time with visiting, checking it out, and possibly getting interviewed.

 

[flip26]

Illinoisan here. Actually, more than 50% of RFU's students are from OOS and many are Californians.

There are some older threads on RFU worth reading - I have read that it is considered a school of last resort for many Chicago area applicants because it is uber expensive, and evidently not very generous with grants and scholarships. Avg scholarship/grant = $6500; avg indebtedness = $177k. Ouch.

For the OP, the inclusion of RFU on his list looked like a random stab for a geographically different "safety" school based on stats or something, but maybe I am wrong and there is something in the RFU mission that appeals to him. My advice was not so much anti RFU and was really more towards suggesting schools outside of the NE where he may have a better chance in the midwest, SLU and Creighton.

Roughly estimating from the MSAR, Creighton takes 90 percent OOS and SLU takes 80 percent, so there is no huge bias towards instate applicants.

Mobius, can you comment more on how Illinoisians view RFU - where does it fit into the picture for instaters - is it as I have heard the "school of last resort" for people who want to be in the Chicago area? Is RFU a "first choice" school for anybody, really? This is not an attempt to bash RFU, but I have always gotten a strange vibe when reading comments about this school...

 

[Tiss229]

Thanks for all the replies. My final list is:

GW
UMDNJ
Albany
NYMC
Buffalo
SUNY Upstate
SUNY Donwstate
Stonybrook
U of Rochester
Jefferson
Albert Einstein
Drexel
Temple
Virginia Commonwealth
EVMS
LECOM
PCOM
UMDNJ-SOM

 

[Mobius1985]

Mobius, can you comment more on how Illinoisians view RFU - where does it fit into the picture for instaters -

Curiously, thinking on it, I don't personally know anyone who has applied there, nor do I recall any conversation about RFU among my premed friends. My source of information is primarily SDN.