MCATs, GPA, small state school... now what?

[fun8stuff]

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Am I applying to the right placees based on my stats?

Gender: Male

Race: Whiter than casper

Residency: MI
College: Ferris State (relatively small state school)

Major: Biotechnology (heavy chem and bio emphasis)

GPA - Cumulative: 3.97
BCPM: ~3.96
Nonscience: ~3.98

MCAT: 33Q (11BS, 13PS, 9VR)

Extracurriculars:
3 semesters and one summer doing research (inorganic chem, organic chem, and cancer(SURP)), home healthcare aid for a summer, pharmacy technician for 2 summers and a winter, 1 year tutor for science and math, 1 year student teaching, VP premed club, VP and cofounder of Teen Pregnancy & STD Prevention Club, intramural broomball (club sport), billiards club, spent a summer shadowing a family physician for ~5 hours a week and have shadowed various other docs (neurologists, general surgeon, internal med) one or two times each over the last couple years, various honor societies (helped organize various events and was active), couple awards for various extracurric activities and GPA, 15+ hours per semester of volunteering at various community projects and nursing homes over last 4 years for high school NHS and University's honor's program .

LOR's: Expected to be good- worked with one professor student teaching and research for 3 years.

Schools:
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Creighton University School of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Jefferson Medical Coll. of Thomas Jefferson Univ.
Michigan State University
New York Medical College
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Scien
The Ohio State Univ. Coll. Of Med. & Pub. Hlth.
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
University of Michigan Medical School
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine

Let me know if I left anything out. Please don't hesitate to critique my credentials and offer any helpful advice. Any other recommendations? Any red flags? Thank you very much in advance for your help.

 

[fun8stuff]

My main concerns are the fact that I went to a small state school (started out pre-pharm and it was the place to go for this). I don't know how med schools rate me based on my undergrad. Does this make my GPA worthless (i worked my ass off..)?

Second, I am concerned with the low 9 in verbal.

I am probably obsessing way too much over this....

 

[taehong81]

With your stats, you should be fine! You will definitely get into a med school. I wouldn't be suprised if you received interviews from most of the schools you applied. Good luck. Don't worry about the 9 in the verbal. I had 9 but had good luck with the process.

 

[taehong81]

If I were you, I would apply to more top schools like JHU, Havard, Penn, etc.

 

[fun8stuff]

If I were you, I would apply to more top schools like JHU, Havard, Penn, etc.

Okay, thanks for the encouragment. That is another thing... I have been leery about applying to those top schools because I don't have much money to waste...

 

[taehong81]

Okay, thanks for the encouragment. That is another thing... I have been leery about applying to those top schools because I don't have much money to waste...

If you want to save money, you can cut down on some of the lower tiers schools you are applying to such as drexel, finch, creighton, unless you are really interested in going there. I think that wayne and msu are good "safety" schools since they are in-state schools. As you have already heard, this whole process is so random so you just have to follow your gut instinct.

 

[KNightInBlue]

I agree. With your stats and ECs, you should definitely consider applying to Harvard, Stanford, Upenn. I understand that cost is a main factor, but if you can work them in.....I think you have a decent shot.

Then again, I myself am applying this year and therefore am not exactly an admissions veteran like others here, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Good Luck 🙂

 

[fun8stuff]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[docchick]

As a fellow MI resident, I think you will be fine. You should get into in-state schools no problem (assuming you are normal). I would cut out the lower ranked schools (drexel...) as safe schools and pick some 'fun' ones 🙂 (harvard, jhu...)

 

[fun8stuff]

As a fellow MI resident, I think you will be fine. You should get into in-state schools no problem (assuming you are normal). I would cut out the lower ranked schools (drexel...) as safe schools and pick some 'fun' ones 🙂 (harvard, jhu...)

hehehe- "normal"... Thanks for the advice. What school do you go to? Where in the app process are you? (PM if you want) ...if you don't mind me asking 🙂

 

[fun8stuff]

bump