how do i make a school list?

[Dr.Forssmann]

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how do i make a school list? please help. E.g. I have 3.73 and 31 mcat. i have MSAR i just don't know how to use it.

 

[Pose]

I generally thought of the states I'd like to live in, and made a list of schools in those states. Then I eliminated schools that strongly favor in state students. Then I went through my list and only applied to schools with median stats around my scores. Annnnd then I read their websites to make sure I met the prerequisite requirements, etc.

There's a sub forum where people will help you discuss your chances, and develop your school list.

 

[ZeaL6]

It depends on how much money you're willing to spend. At minimum I'd say 15 schools, 5-10 lower tier (OOS friendly public/private) and state schools (really depends on state of residence), 5-10 mid tier, and a couple reaches. It really depends on where you want to go though and where you're from. If you're from CA, it's going to be harder. Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, a little easier.

 

[Catalystik]

how do i make a school list? please help. E.g. I have 3.73 and 31 mcat. i have MSAR i just don't know how to use it.

Download this google.doc spreadsheet data (an SDN collaborative effort from 6/2011), so you can fill in your own stats (on the “Your Stats” sheet at the very bottom), and it will tell you for which US med schools you’re competitive. You may need to add in any new schools not yet included.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...Ex2MjlBTDE0bXFXNGFZczZqYTZKb2c&hl=en_US#gid=0

Next look at the sheet's in-state matriculation data before you do further research on each school, removing any from your list that take more than 85% in-state students (or choose your own cutpoint):

Then look up the mission statement of each in the MSAR, and be sure your ECs are a "fit" for the school. If you have one summer of research and no leadership, then consider going light on Top Twenties, for example. If you have no nonmedical community service to the poor, then avoid schools with a humanitarian mission.

Once you have a list, check out other factors that you care about: curriculum type, grading policy, weather, safety of area, rural vs city, cost of living & cost of attending, jobs or schools for significant others, location of clinical sites, proximity to home, etc, and use those to prune the list to a manageable number.

Then come back and post your list in WAMC and someone will point out other factors you didn't notice, like regional bias or a requirement for strong state ties.

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

Download this google.doc spreadsheet data (an SDN collaborative effort from 6/2011), so you can fill in your own stats (on the “Your Stats” sheet at the very bottom), and it will tell you for which US med schools you’re competitive. You may need to add in any new schools not yet included.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...Ex2MjlBTDE0bXFXNGFZczZqYTZKb2c&hl=en_US#gid=0
...
Then come back and post your list in WAMC and someone will point out other factors you didn't notice, like regional bias or a requirement for strong state ties.

thanks! how do you change the GPA and mcat on the excel sheet cause it is arranged according to a gpa and mcat that don't really reflect my scores. Thanks! this seems like a really powerful tool.

i was also wondering How do you use the MSAR to pick schools? cause it gives you the median and the range of people they accept. idk how to interpret these peaces of data in determining whether or not i should apply.

 

[Catalystik]

1) how do you change the GPA and mcat on the excel sheet cause it is arranged according to a gpa and mcat that don't really reflect my scores.

2) i was also wondering How do you use the MSAR to pick schools? cause it gives you the median and the range of people they accept. idk how to interpret these peaces of data in determining whether or not i should apply.

1) To change the default stats, you must download the spreadsheet to your own computer. Also, note that there are other sheets accessible from the bottom of the page. I particlarly like the one that ranks schools by their Lizzy M score.

2) It important to recall that all those accepted (per the MSAR) do not attend a given school. Those with high stats generally get a number of acceptances and can only pick one, yet their acceptance at each school is included in that school's stats. To adjust, it's been suggested that you add +1 to your Lizzy M calculation of MCAT + (GPA*10) before comparing it with a school's.

The spreadsheet uses (publically available) average matriculant data rather than (MSAR) median acceptee figures, so an adjustment isn't necessary.

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

1) To change the default stats, you must download the spreadsheet to your own computer. Also, note that there are other sheets accessible from the bottom of the page. I particlarly like the one that ranks schools by their Lizzy M score.

2) It important to recall that all those accepted (per the MSAR) do not attend a given school. Those with high stats generally get a number of acceptances and can only pick one, yet their acceptance at each school is included in that school's stats. To adjust, it's been suggested that you add +1 to your Lizzy M calculation of MCAT + (GPA*10) before comparing it with a school's.

The spreadsheet uses (publically available) average matriculant data rather than (MSAR) median acceptee figures, so an adjustment isn't necessary.

Nice so i can add 1 point to my lizzy m score? That kinda makes a big difference for me. Where i should apply and stuff. Im planning to prewrite my essays and such so i can apply broadly and early!

 

[missdr10]

Haha I saw your post under chances and I'm basically in the same boat as you as far as stats (32, 3.75 gpa) and being clueless about applications. Thanks for making this thread to clear it up more for me too 🙂

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

What do i do now?

PRELIMINARY SCHOOL LIST BASED ON GPA AND MCAT:

Alabama
south alabama
arkansas
Arizona-Pheonix
Arizona-Tuscon
UC San Diego***
UC Irvine***
UC Davis
Colorado
Connecticut
George Washington
FIU-Wertheim
Florida
South florida
Florida atlantic University- Schmidt
Florida State
MC Georgia
Mercer
Morehouse
Hawaii-Burns
Loyola-Stritch
Rush
Illinois
Chicago Med-Franklin
Southern illinois
Indiana
Kansas
kentucky
Louisville
Tulane
LSU Shreveport
LSU New Orleans
Massachusetts
Tufts
Boston
Maryland
Michigan state (MD)
Wayne State
Oakland Unviersity william beaumont medical school
Missouri columbia
Missouri Kansas City
Mississippi
North Carolina
Wake forest
East Carolina-Brody
North Dakota
Creighton
Nebraska
UMDNJ New Jearsy
UMDNJ-RW Johnson
Rowan University Cooper MEdical school
New mexico
Nevada
Rochester
New York Medical
Buffalo
Hofstra university of north shore- LIJ SOM
Case western
Cincinnati
Toledo
Write State-boon shoft
Northeastern Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon****
Jefferson***
Temple
drexel
commonwealth
Penn state
Brown?
MU South carolina
South carolina-greenville
South dakota-sanford
Tennessee
East Tennessee-quillen
Meharry
UT Houston
UT galveston
Texas A&M
UT HSC san Antonio
Texas tech
Texas tech-Foster
Utah
Virginia tech carillion
Eastern Virginia
Vermont
U Washington
Wisconsin
Marshall edwards
West Virginia

 

[Pose]

I'd start by taking some of the other suggestions in this thread. Research the schools, and see where you might be a good fit.

 

[LizzyM]

Go over that list OP and scratch the schools that don't look favorably on out of state applicants. That will shorten your list quite a bit. Next look at the locations... if there are areas you would not be interested in (too urban, too rural, too cold, too humid, too far from home) and that will shorten the list again. Finally, take a look at the what the schools offer and determine if you would would be happy with that style of learning.

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

Go over that list OP and scratch the schools that don't look favorably on out of state applicants. That will shorten your list quite a bit. Next look at the locations... if there are areas you would not be interested in (too urban, too rural, too cold, too humid, too far from home) and that will shorten the list again. Finally, take a look at the what the schools offer and determine if you would would be happy with that style of learning.

How do i know if they look down on oos.

 

[TurkDorian]

Download this google.doc spreadsheet data (an SDN collaborative effort from 6/2011), so you can fill in your own stats (on the “Your Stats” sheet at the very bottom), and it will tell you for which US med schools you’re competitive. You may need to add in any new schools not yet included.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...Ex2MjlBTDE0bXFXNGFZczZqYTZKb2c&hl=en_US#gid=0

Next look at the sheet's in-state matriculation data before you do further research on each school, removing any from your list that take more than 85% in-state students (or choose your own cutpoint):

Then look up the mission statement of each in the MSAR, and be sure your ECs are a "fit" for the school. If you have one summer of research and no leadership, then consider going light on Top Twenties, for example. If you have no nonmedical community service to the poor, then avoid schools with a humanitarian mission.

Once you have a list, check out other factors that you care about: curriculum type, grading policy, weather, safety of area, rural vs city, cost of living & cost of attending, jobs or schools for significant others, location of clinical sites, proximity to home, etc, and use those to prune the list to a manageable number.

Then come back and post your list in WAMC and someone will point out other factors you didn't notice, like regional bias or a requirement for strong state ties.

Quick question about that chart, what would you put for your state if you were international? (Canada)

 

[gyngyn]

Quick question about that chart, what would you put for your state if you were international? (Canada)

That chart won't work for you. Get the MSAR and look for schools that accept internationals. Count on needing somewhat better stats than the medians listed.

 

[Dbate]

How do i know if they look down on oos.

This chart from the AAMC shows the percent Out of State accepted from each school. A large disparity between in-state and out of state acceptance rates shows their preference. For example, Southern Illinois (which is on your list) accepts 0% of out of state applicants. So if you're not from IL, don't apply there.

https://www.aamc.org/download/161128/data/table1.pdf

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Another way to evaluate whether a public school is open to OOS is to look at the MSAR. Go to the school, then go to Acceptance Information. You'll see data there that can also help decide if they are interested. (It's all about statistics, so compare numbers). Also, be sure to check out each Mission Statement on the home page.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Closing duplicate thread, those who wish the reply may do so here: