Narrowing Down Schools

[cjs93]

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I know there are other threads out there about this but I am having a lot of difficulty narrowing down schools. I have a core of 8 schools that I plan on applying to but I don't know where else to apply. I also plan on applying to 3-5 DO schools.

I'm a Pennsylvania resident and am a Human Science major at Georgetown with an International Health Minor. GPA is 3.56, MCAT 32Q.

Here is my list of definite schools. Any others you think I should apply to?

MD:
Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
Commonwealth
Loyola Chicago

DO:
MSU COM
Philadelphia COM
Lake Erie COM

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I know there are other threads out there about this but I am having a lot of difficulty narrowing down schools. I have a core of 8 schools that I plan on applying to but I don't know where else to apply. I also plan on applying to 3-5 DO schools.

I'm a Pennsylvania resident and am a Human Science major at Georgetown with an International Health Minor. GPA is 3.56, MCAT 32Q.

Here is my list of definite schools. Any others you think I should apply to? VCU? Wake Forest?

MD:
Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
Commonwealth
Loyola Chicago

DO:
MSU
Philadelphia COM
Lake Erie

A fellow Hoya! 🙂 I would apply to all the Jesuit schools. Add SLU and Creighton to your list. VCU and EVMS would be good choices, as well as Virginia Tech Carilion. Since your stats are average it would be a good idea to apply to as many MD schools as you can afford to, maybe 20 or so. Consider a few more of the Chicago schools, like Rush and Rosalind Franklin. Tulane would be a good choice. You are solid for DO schools.

 

[mipp0]

I know there are other threads out there about this but I am having a lot of difficulty narrowing down schools. I have a core of 8 schools that I plan on applying to but I don't know where else to apply. I also plan on applying to 3-5 DO schools.

I'm a Pennsylvania resident and am a Human Science major at Georgetown with an International Health Minor. GPA is 3.56, MCAT 32Q.

Here is my list of definite schools. Any others you think I should apply to?

MD:
Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
Commonwealth
Loyola Chicago

DO:
MSU COM
Philadelphia COM
Lake Erie COM

List your ECs please. Need more info...and perceived LOR quality...and any other pertinent information. A lot of schools emphasize a particular focus/looking for a particular fit, so you can't go on stats alone.

 

[robertch8]

I know that finances might be part of your reason why you are trying to limit your number of schools but if you have the money, I would actually expand on your list of schools on the MD side. You have competitive stats but there are so many 3.5/32 applicants out there that you might end up getting squeezed out for allopathic schools. It's so unpredictable how this process will turn out just from the schools you end up getting interviews at to the ones that reject you so I would apply a little more broadly to be on the safe side. Also if possible, apply early! Good luck!

 

[cjs93]

Following is a copy of my resume for my extra curriculars.

Letters of recommendation were from 2 strong research professors, one of which I have done research for. A different professor I have participated in behavioral research with, and the final with my Nurse Anesthesia mentor at Georgetown.

I have had extensive anesthesia experience and that is the type of medicine I hope to practice.


CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies
Georgetown University Clinical Simulation Center Laboratory Intern 2011-Present
• Responsible for assembly, operation, and breakdown of clinical simulations. Facilitate technical projects, manage simulation logistics, and responsible for general upkeep of the center and its resources
Nurse Anesthesia Program Intern 2011-Present
• Observe, assist, and participate in anesthesia clinical labs including: induction sequences, central line placement, anatomy lessons using cadavers, and intubation
• Shadow anesthesia providers during live procedures and surgeries
Penn State College of Medicine
Ovarian Cancer Laboratory Assistant 2007-2008
• Introduction to microscopy, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, and DNA amplification
Pennsylvania Youth Apprenticeship Program 2006-2008
• Fall 2006-Spring 2007: Rotations through a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to, family medicine, cardiology, pathology, and ophthalmology at Hershey Medical Center
• Fall 2007: Semester-long Internship in a High Fidelity Clinical Skills Simulation Lab. Skills included EKG operation, intubation technique, simulation design and implementation
• Spring 2008: Semester-long observation of the Anesthesia Department. Observation of induction sequences, nerve blocks, and anesthesia maintenance in the operating room and pain care centers

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fundación Infant: Buenos Aires, Argentina Summer 2010
• Biomedical research on Respiratory Syncytial Virus, lectures on respiratory viruses and basic immunology, and visits to Argentine hospitals with a team of researchers and physicians
International Service Learning: Costa Rica Spring 2010
• Seminars in tropical medicine, vital signs, pharmacology, and medical Spanish seminars
• Performed diagnoses, community health surveys, and patient triage in rural village clinics
Hearts for Ecuador: Hospital de los Niños-Guayaquil, Ecuador Fall 2007
• Accompanied Penn State Hershey Children's Heart Group for a ten day trip to provide pediatric heart surgeries
• Served as a translator for incoming patients and triaged patients
• Observed cardiac surgeries and anesthesia provision
• Intubated two pediatric patients under the supervision of anesthesiologists

LABRATORY TECHNIQUES & RELAVANT COURSEWORK
• Cell culture, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, vital staining, gel electrophoresis, etoposide treatment, and experience with immortal cell lines
• Gram staining, bacteria streaking and culture, and determination of bacterial unknowns
• Human Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Immunology, Genetics, Physics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, International Health, Health Promotion and Healthcare Management

LEADERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS
Georgetown University Grilling Society, Vice President
New Student Orientation, Advisor
Hoyas for Healthcare 5K, Coordinator
WGTB-Georgetown Radio, Radio Host
Delta Phi Epsilon: Professional Foreign Service Fraternity, Brother

 

[cjs93]

Great to hear from a fellow hoya!! I have added Rosalind Franklin and Tulane to my list as well as VCU and SLU. Rush accepts very little out of state applicants so is it worth applying?

 

[MD2232]

Have you thought about applying to UNiversity of Maryland? it's a great school, and don't believe everything you hear about Baltimore. I'm from right outside of DC and have been going to school in Baltimore for the past 4 years, and I love it here. Also, I worked at the school and the people there are amazing.

 

[AJgem]

I think w your stats you have a real shot at EVMS, Albany, hofstra, BU, tufts and MCW!! You should add these schools as well!

 

[cleothecat]

I feel that applicants with great stats. Gpa 3.8 Plus amd mcat 32 plus should apply to 15 plus schools


All others consider 30 schools.


This is a very humbling process, more like a crapshoot

 

[protonate]

I'd recommended posting this in the "What Are My Chances?" forum. It has many people that give great advice, especially catalystik

 

[Shmemifly]

These 6 in particular make for what looks like a very dangerous list to me. It is my secret opinion that applying primarily to the oversubscribed third-tier schools is sometimes a part of why applicants at the border between MD/DO don't get in. Not because they are out of your range, but because these are the schools that almost everyone applies to, and it truly becomes a different kind of crapshoot.

Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
(I would also add to the oversubscribed list places like SLU, Tufts and BU).

Consider adding some similar-range state schools with reasonable OOS acceptances (UVM, UAPhx, UA Tucson, any and all SUNYs.) Every state school (OOS and IS) that I applied to offered me an interview, including CA schools, but I applied to all 9 of the oversubscribed schools on the list above and heard nothing from any of them, ever. I think there is a different amount of effort that goes into reading apps in smaller pools.

 

[iamahippo]

These 6 in particular make for what looks like a very dangerous list to me. It is my secret opinion that applying primarily to the oversubscribed third-tier schools is sometimes a part of why applicants at the border between MD/DO don't get in. Not because they are out of your range, but because these are the schools that almost everyone applies to, and it truly becomes a different kind of crapshoot.

Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
(I would also add to the oversubscribed list places like SLU, Tufts and BU).

Consider adding some similar-range state schools with reasonable OOS acceptances (UVM, UAPhx, UA Tucson, any and all SUNYs.) Every state school (OOS and IS) that I applied to offered me an interview, including CA schools, but I applied to all 9 of the oversubscribed schools on the list above and heard nothing from any of them, ever. I think there is a different amount of effort that goes into reading apps in smaller pools.

Eh, I think it's down to what they want from each individual. I received more interviews from your so-called "oversubscribed" schools and none from CA (state schools, at least), but one acceptance at a state school (NY). It's almost impossible to tell in the end which schools will want you, so just gotta apply broadly. That was my philosophy. But of course, do as many as you can afford; I didn't have a problem with applying to a lot, fortunately. I have friends with the same stats as me that had completely different experiences (interviews at ones I didn't, no interviews at ones I did). So yeah. The whole thing is a complete crapshoot.

 

[cgk]

These 6 in particular make for what looks like a very dangerous list to me. It is my secret opinion that applying primarily to the oversubscribed third-tier schools is sometimes a part of why applicants at the border between MD/DO don't get in. Not because they are out of your range, but because these are the schools that almost everyone applies to, and it truly becomes a different kind of crapshoot.

Georgetown
GW
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Jefferson
(I would also add to the oversubscribed list places like SLU, Tufts and BU).

Consider adding some similar-range state schools with reasonable OOS acceptances (UVM, UAPhx, UA Tucson, any and all SUNYs.) Every state school (OOS and IS) that I applied to offered me an interview, including CA schools, but I applied to all 9 of the oversubscribed schools on the list above and heard nothing from any of them, ever. I think there is a different amount of effort that goes into reading apps in smaller pools.

Does anyone have a list compiled of, let's say, the 30 most OOS friendly schools that someone with the average 3.6 GPA 30-31 MCAT should apply.

 

[MT Headed]

Some of these "oversubscribed" schools have a specific mission and accept you largely based on your paper application. I'm most familiar with Tulane but I know they are not alone in getting 10,000 applications, interviewing only 500, and offering acceptances to 400. It's like these schools decide pre-interview who they will accept and then use the interview to eliminate the 100 social ******s who slipped through. These schools really use the interview process to sell the school to the applicant, not the other way around.

Some applicants get discouraged by schools like this. They see the 5% interview rate and don't want to send in a secondary because its a crapshoot, completely missing the point that a well written and well matching application results in an interview with an 80% acceptance rate.