Looking for feedback on my current school list — MD-focused, IL resident.

[KyrieIrving]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Stats:

• MCAT: 510
• cGPA: 3.67
• sGPA: 3.74
• No gap years (applying end of junior year)
• ORM (Asian), Illinois resident

Clinical Experience:

• ~400 hours as a CNA (dementia unit)

Shadowing:

• 100 hours U.S. physician shadowing (130 expected by end of summer)
• 60 hours shadowing abroad (Spain)

Non-Clinical Experience:

• 50 hours food bank volunteer (expecting 100+ by summer’s end)
• 50 hours volunteering with an organization supporting special needs children
• Teaching special needs children at a summer camp (anticipated 100 hours)

Research:

• 250 hours (wet lab, cancer biomarker work)

Leadership:

• 200+ hours (student orgs, MSA board roles, fundraising, interfaith unity work)

Letters of Rec:

• 5 strong letters: 1 ER physician, 2 science faculty, 2 non-science

Current School List:

• Illinois Schools: UIC, Loyola, Rush, RFU, SIU
• OOS MDs: Drexel, Temple, Penn State, MCW, Vermont, Albany, Wayne State, Indiana, Beaumont (Oakland), Belmont (TN), Ponce Health Sciences (MO)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously

Thread 'WAMC/ School List Help pls (3.7, 510, ORM)'

May 28, 2025

Need help constructing/revising my school list.

• 510 MCAT
• 3.74 sGPA
• 3.67 cGPA
• 400 hrs CNA
• 80 hrs US Shadowing
• 60 hours shadow abroad
• 250 hrs research
• 300 hrs leadership in total
• 50 hrs food bank
• 5 solid LOR (1 ER Physician, 2 science, 2 non science)
• IL resident
• ORM
• Strong caregiving app

UIC, Indiana, MCW, Albany, Rush, Loyola, SIU, RFU

• KyrieIrving
• Replies: 4
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

We gave you a list and suggestions. What's different? Will you add DO schools? A new DO program just opened up at the Chicago School so that's two DO schools near Chicago (with CCOM).

 

[candbgirl]

If you are applying now all of your “anticipated” activities really won’t be counted for much.
Despite being an Illinois resident, you don’t have anywhere near the number of service hours required and expected for Loyola and Rush applicants. They expect, and get, hundreds if not thousands of hours from their applicants. Does your food bank activity bring you face to face with people unlike yourself or is it administrative/orbstocking ? The purpose of nonclinical volunteering is to get you out of your comfort zone and help you work with people very unlike yourself. Just a FYI, many/most schools expect way more nonclinical volunteering than you currently have. If you don’t have at least 150+ hours you might be screened out.
Good luck.

 

[KyrieIrving]

Previously

Thread 'WAMC/ School List Help pls (3.7, 510, ORM)'

May 28, 2025

Need help constructing/revising my school list.

• 510 MCAT
• 3.74 sGPA
• 3.67 cGPA
• 400 hrs CNA
• 80 hrs US Shadowing
• 60 hours shadow abroad
• 250 hrs research
• 300 hrs leadership in total
• 50 hrs food bank
• 5 solid LOR (1 ER Physician, 2 science, 2 non science)
• IL resident
• ORM
• Strong caregiving app

UIC, Indiana, MCW, Albany, Rush, Loyola, SIU, RFU

• KyrieIrving
• Replies: 4
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

We gave you a list and suggestions. What's different? Will you add DO schools? A new DO program just opened up at the Chicago School so that's two DO schools near Chicago (with CCOM).

I added more non-clinical volunteering which I had forgot to include in my previous post so I should hit the 150+ mark thankfully. I also added anticipated hours but according to candbgirl that wouldn't have much of an impact. I was looking mainly to apply to MD for this cycle just so I'm not at a disadvantage for applying to competitive specialties in the future. I was heavily considering Midwestern as a DO school to apply to this year but the tuition is simply way too much for me to consider.