Let me preface this by saying that I have no preference for location, COA, or ranking with respect to US-based MD programs. I am also open to applying DO, and I would not be averse to attending one if all else fails. As such, the only possible hurdles that I foresee would revolve around different schools and how they value myself as an applicant and how I fit into their vision for the future of their programs. I hope to complete and submit my AMCAS application as soon as it is able to be sent, and I expect to send back secondaries (If I am fortunate to receive them) no later than 1 week after receiving them. I'm not sure how Early Decision works as it does at the collegiate level and if it increases one's chances at a single institution, albeit binding, but depending on its implications I may have to look into it. As for specific schools, I understand that my chances would be highest in-state, but my state only has 1 MD school (CUSOM), and even then it only accepts 60% of its class from Colorado. I have heard about Creighton and Illinois-based schools as some possible Colorado feeders, but that could be difficult to quantify. Another factor that may influence students' chances is the number of schools that they apply to. I know this sounds outlandish and maybe even stupid, but I hope to apply to 35+ schools. I have already allocated the resources and time necessary to apply to that many or even more schools. My stats are as follows:
GPA (AMCAS-Calculated): 3.881C | 3.852 BCPM
MCAT (BB/CP/PS/CARS): 515 (128/129/128/130) - taken 9/4/19
Course Rigor: All general prerequisites will be met prior to applying, with a good amount of upper-division BIO classes. (can't speak on specific institutions' policies)
Race: ORM
Residency: Colorado
Traditionality: Traditional Applicant, applying summer after 3rd year - 20 at time of application
Research:
Over 1000 hours at 2 labs (Immunology and Endocrinology) - 2 abstracts published in Immunology Journal, 1 presentation, 2 publications in progress at Endo lab, with 1 first-authorship and possibly a conference presentation next summer.
Clinical Experience:
25 hours in ED (saw some things I could write about in app, might chuck it)
30 hours in Surgery Waiting (checked patients in, checked on family members, etc)
185 hours in OBGYN
Clinical Experience (Shadowing):
25 hours shadowing my primary care physician
25 hours shadowing a pulmonologist
25 hours shadowing an orthopedic surgeon
Clinical Experience (Paid):
N/A
Non-Clinical Experience:
100 hours split between a library and a nursing home (not sure if elderly could be classified as "disadvantaged")
Leadership/Misc:
TA for General Biology Lab for 1 semester, hoping to continue through graduation
Tutor for neighborhood kids - Off and on, probably not going to include
Intangibles:
Grew up in a very difficult situation - obviously not going to include details at the expense of my identity, let's just say it involved serious physical and emotional parental abuse up until my teenage years (might help with perseverance prompts?)
Looking at my application from an objective perspective, my understanding is that GPA/MCAT-wise I should be considered on-par with matriculants from recent years. Research is by far my strength as far as extracurriculars are concerned, so there might be an incentive to apply to research-based programs? My clinical experiences are "meh" at best, and my non-clinical experiences are just about non-existent. I know that my shadowing is also maybe low when compared to the high achievers here, but I believe that too much shadowing can have diminishing returns, especially when you're just standing and watching for the majority of the time. I am also lacking in prolonged contact with disadvantaged populations, so that is an emphasis of mine going forward.
Some extras: From what I have read and who I have talked to, the AMCAS has 15 or so entries for experiences (please correct me if I am mistaken). In this way, is quality valued over quantity? So, could a person (in theory) have only 200 clinical hours but be considered a better applicant than one with 1000 hours under the assumption that the former could articulate their experiences into the application better? If so, how much of an emphasis is placed on the things learned and experienced during volunteering/working/etc versus sheer volume? If volume is preferred, would it then make sense to take 1-2 gap years in order to inflate one's service hours?
Feel free to dissect and critique any and every part about my stats, my background, and/or my mentality when it comes to applying to medical schools. I always welcome constructive criticism, and who better to get it from than you guys? Thanks!
