Help with School List, 3.55c, 3.45s, 31 MCAT

[simplyseema]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to get some input on my school list. My overall GPA is 3.55, and science GPA is 3.45, with an upward trend. I also have a 31 (11/10/10) MCAT. I have solid volunteering experience (400+ hrs) and some research with 1 abstract publication. I know I'm not a very competitive applicant, so I'm planning to apply to mid/low tier schools that are OOS friendly (I'm a CA resident). I'm also planning to apply to DO schools, but I was wondering if I could get feedback on my MD school list.

Albany
Albert Einstein (reach)
Boston University (reach)
Commonwealth
Creighton
Drexel
East Virginia
George Washington University
Georgetown (reach?)
Hofstra
Jefferson
Loyola
Medical College of Wisconsin
Marshall
Michigan State
Morehouse
New York Medical College
Oakland
Penn State
Rosalind Franklin
Rush Medical College
Stony Brook
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Upstate
Saint Louis (reach?)
Temple
Tulane
Toledo
Tufts (reach?)
USC (reach)
UC Riverside
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Miami
University of Missouri, Kansas City
University of Rochester (reach?)
University of Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth
Virginia Tech
Wayne State
Wake Forest
West Michigan
Quinnipiac


I know there are a lot of schools on the list, but I wanted to make sure to apply anywhere I might have a chance of getting in. Does anyone know if any of these schools are NOT OOS friendly? Are there any schools listed here that might be a reach for me that I didn't catch? Are there any schools that I could add?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bajastapler]

i had similar stats i'd recommend getting the MSAR and seeing how many OOS seats are offered by each school and how many applicants applied for those spots. That will give you a much better idea of what you're shots are at each school.

Not sure what your financial situation is, but I would take off your "reach schools" and invest that money in applying to more DO schools. Also, try throwing in a few UCs. I was surprised by the positive responses I got from them.

 

[huskydock]

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to get some input on my school list. My overall GPA is 3.55, and science GPA is 3.45, with an upward trend. I also have a 31 (11/10/10) MCAT. I have solid volunteering experience (400+ hrs) and some research with 1 abstract publication. I know I'm not a very competitive applicant, so I'm planning to apply to mid/low tier schools that are OOS friendly (I'm a CA resident). I'm also planning to apply to DO schools, but I was wondering if I could get feedback on my MD school list.

Albany
Albert Einstein (reach)
Boston University (reach)
Commonwealth
Creighton
Drexel
East Virginia
George Washington University
Georgetown (reach?)
Hofstra
Jefferson
Loyola
Medical College of Wisconsin
Marshall
Michigan State
Morehouse
New York Medical College
Oakland
Penn State
Rosalind Franklin
Rush Medical College
Stony Brook
SUNY Downstate
SUNY Upstate
Saint Louis (reach?)
Temple
Tulane
Toledo
Tufts (reach?)
USC (reach)
UC Riverside
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Miami
University of Missouri, Kansas City
University of Rochester (reach?)
University of Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth
Virginia Tech
Wayne State
Wake Forest
West Michigan
Quinnipiac


I know there are a lot of schools on the list, but I wanted to make sure to apply anywhere I might have a chance of getting in. Does anyone know if any of these schools are NOT OOS friendly? Are there any schools listed here that might be a reach for me that I didn't catch? Are there any schools that I could add?

Thanks in advance!

I also have somewhat similar stats (lower GPA though) and am a CA resident. I would take off those OOS state schools. Usually the out of state student they'll take have really good numbers that would compel them to take them over an in-state student. Add in more UCs. I think UCI and UC Davis may give you a decent shot.

As for DO schools, I suggest you look into PCOM, KCUMB, and KCOM. You're very competitive for DO with your MCAT score (and your GPA is on-point).

 

[nBeeDee]

Add in more UCs. I think UCI and UC Davis may give you a decent shot.

+1 for UCI and UCD

Michigan state, Wayne State, and U Illinois all have ridiculously high OOS tuition, and I’m uncertain if you can earn residency in those states to get IS tuition for years 2-4.

From what I understand Marshall is very IS/regionally biased and has a small class size on top of that, so it probably isn’t worth applying there as a Cali resident either. I think all of the other state schools on your list are relatively OOS friendly and are worth taking a shot at.

If you’re looking to add schools, maybe Cincinnati or SLU.

 

[simplyseema]

Thanks for all the advice! I was initially under the impression that I really didn't have a shot at UCs, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to add UCI and UCD. I'm definitely going to add a few DO schools as well, which is what I'd originally planned to do.

If you’re looking to add schools, maybe Cincinnati or SLU.

By SLU do you mean St Louis? I think I included that one 🙂

 

[huskydock]

Thanks for all the advice! I was initially under the impression that I really didn't have a shot at UCs, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to add UCI and UCD. I'm definitely going to add a few DO schools as well, which is what I'd originally planned to do.



By SLU do you mean St Louis? I think I included that one 🙂

Do you have the MSAR? Your GPA and MCAT is around the 10th percentile and average for a lot of the UCs, even UCLA. Does it mean you have a strong chance? No. Does it mean you have a decent chance? That depends on your research and clinical experiences, how compelling of a picture you paint yourself as an applicant, and your "fit" for their school's mission and culture.

 

[nBeeDee]

Thanks for all the advice! I was initially under the impression that I really didn't have a shot at UCs, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to add UCI and UCD. I'm definitely going to add a few DO schools as well, which is what I'd originally planned to do.

By SLU do you mean St Louis? I think I included that one 🙂

Whoops. Yep same school, looks like I read right over it on your list.

As for DO schools to apply to, I'd say definitely include ones on the west coast that you could drive to for interviews, because that will save you money in the process. I know nothing about any of those schools though, the closest one to Cali I interviewed at was CCOM, which has a pretty great program and I'd recommend applying there. The DO CIB is good for specifics about programs if you aren't already familiar: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2014cib/2014 CIB Complete Small.pdf

 

[simplyseema]

Do you have the MSAR? Your GPA and MCAT is around the 10th percentile and average for a lot of the UCs, even UCLA. Does it mean you have a strong chance? No. Does it mean you have a decent chance? That depends on your research and clinical experiences, how compelling of a picture you paint yourself as an applicant, and your "fit" for their school's mission and culture.

I do have the MSAR, and I definitely agree with what you're saying. I guess I was too focused on finding OOS friendly schools that I forgot to actually look at the acceptance data for UCs. I've also been talking to a few medical students who convinced me that I shouldn't waste my money on UCs unless I had a 35+ MCAT, especially since I don't have URM status. But I think I'll go ahead and replace some of my reach schools with UCs. Thanks!

 

[ZeaL6]

My personal opinion is that Miami and Wake Forest are way more "reachy" than slu or georgetown. But what do I know, I'm just a lowly premed. But go ahead and apply to them anyway, because the process is a crap shoot, and you might get lucky!

 

[simplyseema]

My personal opinion is that Miami and Wake Forest are way more "reachy" than slu or georgetown. But what do I know, I'm just a lowly premed. But go ahead and apply to them anyway, because the process is a crap shoot, and you might get lucky!

Haha thanks! I was considering removing Miami.

I was wondering if I should also remove some of the NY public schools, like SUNY Upstate, Downstate, and Stonybrook? Looking through the MSAR it seems that these schools are not very OOS friendly.