MD/PhD Reapplicant - School List Help

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getlucky

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First of all, I just want to say that I've been following the 2018-2019 MD/PhD cycle pretty closely and I couldn't be more excited to join this incredibly close and supportive community. Y'all have been so fantastic, I've been a lurker but I've been rooting for ya and I'm so happy for all of you!

This is going to be my second time applying for MD/PhD. My first time was 2016-2017 during my senior year. GPA: 3.9 sGPA: 3.9 MCAT: 507. I had a year of research, a few poster presentations, lots of volunteering, and a little clinical/shadowing. I ended up getting 1 interview which didn't work out.

Now it's 2019. I've taken time to reflect on my application and where my weaknesses were. I've now got 3+ years in research, multiple national poster presentations, a co-authorship submitted for publication, more clinical experience, kept up the volunteering, maintained my GPA, and retook the MCAT (519). My goal this time around is to submit early, have as many eyes on my personal statements as I can, apply broadly (and smartly), and apply MD/PhD only. Also, I'm a URM Maryland resident.

This is the ~4th iteration of my school list, any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated (thanks!):

University of Kansas
UNC
UCLA
UTMB
Medical College of Wisconsin
Virginia Commonwealth
University of Colorado
Georgetown
University of Maryland
UTSW
University of Minnesota
University of Rochester
University of Pittsburgh
University of Florida
Baylor
University of Wisconsin
University of Michigan
Duke
Stanford
Harvard
Columbia
UCSF
University of Chicago
NYU
Vanderbilt
Hopkins

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I would actually aim a bit higher. Seems to me that the major flaws in your first application were your MCAT and possibly your research experience. It seems like you’ve addressed both of those drawbacks very well. Don’t be afraid to throw in some more reaches like penn, washu, yale and tri-I all of which have great MSTP programs.
 
Anywhere you want. 5 top, 5 mid, 5 lower programs is normally a good strategy. No need for 25+ schools.
 
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I'm not sure if the Georgetown program provides full MD tuition waiver, that might be something to consider.
 
I think your list looks fine, but you could probably afford to replace a few of your "less competitive" programs with "more competitive" programs if you really choose. I also was a re-applicant with a 10pt MCAT bump and saw a LOT more love the second time around, but my application was definitely still DOA at a few schools, so something to keep in mind and play a little more conservatively than if this was your first go-round. Best of luck! (youre welcome to PM me if you have questions)
 
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