How To Choose Where to Apply!

[spazz911]

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A little about myself:
University of Oregon -Psychology major
GPA: ~3.7
1st MCAT: 25
2nd MCAT: taking on July 29th -- expecting 28 - 31
Canadian-American dual citizen living most of my life in the U.S.
1st generation Iranian (although not considered a 'minority' apparently)
Oregon resident
Solid ECs: shadowed 3 doctors (neurosurgeon, rural primary care, pulmonologist), HIV hospice volunteer, pre-med club officer, cultural club president, club founder, former research assistant, current paid lab assistant
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Submitting my primary application on the 18th of this month, but I will be only adding one med school for the time being so that I can use the down time while my app is being verified to think about where to apply.

I have an MSAR account and I've narrowed down my school list to about 50 potential schools. I got these 50 by determining which schools had the lowest 10% of admittances with an MCAT score no higher than 27/28. These schools include both private and state schools.

This brings me to my situation, I am expecting a dramatic increase in my next score, but because I don't know what the score will be then I don't know how to narrow down my list of 50 into a list of 14 schools. I do know I want to apply to all the Florida and Oregon schools, but I don't know where else.

I'm also applying to UBritishColumbia and UCalgary and perhaps one more Canadian school.

Waiting until my next score arrives to apply to a school would make my application a bit late, and I'd rather not do that...

So.. how do I choose where to apply? Should I avoid in state schools and just do private? I was thinking maybe do 4 schools I may get in with my current MCAT, 4 schools I could get in with a 28/30, and 4 schools that are upper tier (like NYU).

 

[blackandgold1]

First off if youre OOS for florida, you're gonna need VERY competitive stats. You can go ahead and apply but since they give preference to IS it might be a waste of money to apply if you dont meet their criteria for OOS. UM is esp strict with OOS student stats.

Also, try adding more safety and target schools instead of focusing on reaches. Take your list of 50 schools, and narrow it down to atleast 8-10 safety, 10-12 target, and a few reaches. No need to waste money on reaches if there is realistically a very low chance of acceptance. Other than that I dont think private or state matters. And most importantly: apply broadly.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Location: big city verses small town area
Curriculum: traditional vs non-traditional organ system based; lecture/pbl
Cost: 80k/year (UofMichigan OSS) vs 45k/year
Research heavy school or not: do you have reserach or do you not?

 

[KLycos]

I don't put a lot of stock into "expecting" when it comes to the MCAT. Pick your schools more carefully when the score gets released based on the MSAR.

 

[Medicine4Bruhs]

Applying to NYU with a 28-31 MCAT retake and a below average GPA? Really? You are brave.

 

[spazz911]

Thanks for the comments guys!
I am not too picky on school location although I prefer the city. Also I have spent many years in Florida including my high school years, so I'm hoping that will help me with the schools, also I may be able to claim residency rather quickly due to some unique circumstances. I also have a USF alum. doctor writing me a LOR.

Curriculum and cost isn't of importance either.

But I did note that blackandgold1 said OOS for Florida is risky, and on that note is this the same case for all state schools and OOS applicants? Or are there some state schools that don't frown up OOS?

KLycos, could you elaborate on your post? How would I refine my school list after my MCAT, wouldn't that be a bit too late?