I need more "safeties" on my list... any help or critique?

[Latteandaprayer]

c/sGPA: 3.8/3.68
MCAT: 520
State: Michigan (I know it has less sway for dual degree)
Race: White
Research: 3 years, 4 years after gap year; 2500 hours so far
Publications/Presentations: 1 first-author publication, 1 conference

Community service: 200 hours at a soup kitchen
Clinical: 230 hours in ED and pediatric physical therapy
Employment: Caregiver for family member; lab assistant
Shadowing: 50 hours with PCP

ECs: Theater club, Conflict Resolution Chair, director/stage manager all 4 years

These are the schools I plan on adding, I've already been verified, I just need to add these schools.

Albert Einstein
Boston University
Case Western
Columbia University*
Hofstra
Drexel
Emory
Harvard*
Icahn (Sinai)
Johns Hopkins*
Temple
Michigan State
New York Medical College**
NYU*
Tufts
Tulane
UChicago*
UColorado, Denver
UMiami, Leonard Miller
UMichigan
Weill Cornell*
Yale*

* = mega reach, I know
** = I realize it does not have a direct MD/PhD program, but the location is attractive.

 

[mdphdapplicant1]

I think it would be very helpful to share what your research interests are.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

I think it would be very helpful to share what your research interests are.

I’m pretty open, but I have experience and interest in cell bio. Eventually I would want to “transition” into diabetes or Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s (so protein misfolding and ER stress).

 

[turtle114]

In my opinion that is a bit too broad. "cell bio" is related to almost all of biomedical research. I suggest picking 1 direction or 1 or 2 and going back and forth depending on which is stronger at that particular school.

My stats and list were pretty similar to yours with a lot of "safe" schools. This caused me not to attend quite a few interviews later in the cycle and was a bit of a $ waste. Out of Hofstra, Drexel, Temple, NYMC, Tufts, Tulane, Miami I would pick 3-4 that are particularly appealing (ex. good location for you, good research in your area of interest, etc.) The rest you can replace with more matches, especially in the T20-30 range if you want to stay safe.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

In my opinion that is a bit too broad. "cell bio" is related to almost all of biomedical research. I suggest picking 1 direction or 1 or 2 and going back and forth depending on which is stronger at that particular school.

My stats and list were pretty similar to yours with a lot of "safe" schools. This caused me not to attend quite a few interviews later in the cycle and was a bit of a $ waste. Out of Hofstra, Drexel, Temple, NYMC, Tufts, Tulane, Miami I would pick 3-4 that are particularly appealing (ex. good location for you, good research in your area of interest, etc.) The rest you can replace with more matches, especially in the T20-30 range if you want to stay safe.

Thanks. Ultimately I want to be involved in ER (stress)-related diseases. I thought they were asking what I want my program to be, and that’s cell bio.