Need some list advice...broad enough? "Safety" suggestions?

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JeanRalphio

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3.9 cGPA/sGPA, 33 MCAT (fairly well balanced), Iowa resident.

My ECs are decent, and cover all of the bases, but I'm not sure that there is anything unique enough to thrill the "top" schools. A couple areas are on the "ho-hum" average side (volunteering) and a couple are on the stronger side (research) I included quite a few top 10-20s anyway, just in case by some odd chance one of them sees something in me, but I am not delusional and I recognize that I will likely receive a swift rejection from them...just want to try.

What I want to know is if I have enough "match" schools and enough "safety" schools (I also realize that there is no such thing as a "safety" school 🙄, but you know what I mean). My concern is that I'd prefer to be in a major city, so many of the "safetles" seem to get 10,000+ applicants. Here's my list:

Columbia
Mount Sinai
Cornell
Chicago
Vanderbilt
Northwestern
University of Pittsburgh
BU
Einstein
NYU
USC
OHSU
Tufts
UVA
Iowa
Temple
Jefferson
SUNY Downstate
GW
Drexel

Is this broad enough? Any suggestions? Any specific school recommendations for "safeties" and/or "matches"?

TIA
 
Seems reasonable, a good mix of schools.
I'm all for balance in a school list, but keep in mind-- I got interviews from Harvard, Duke, and WashU with a 3.9 and a 33R. And I'm not nontrad, a minority, at an economic disadvantage, a published researcher, or an ivy league grad. Don't reject yourself before the schools do. Just add those reaches as 'extras' on a balanced list. Good luck!
 
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