picking/how many school to apply

[mavric1298]

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So wasn't finding too much info on this topic specific to non-trads, and know the basics (average student in 2013 applied to 14 schools), but obviously being a non-trad changes this a bit. I would assume that applying to more schools is normal? 20,25,30?

My situation is a bit different then most of the "recovery GPA" type stories. While in HS, I took a couple classes at the local CC (long story that involves ski racing full time, HS half time, GED instead of graduating). Did ok in a couple, forgot to withdraw from a term (3 classes) so those are 0's obviously. That was in 2003. 2007-09 I went to a CC, got a 3.19 for 33 credits, moved, went to another CC here in WA, got a 3.72 for 50 or so credits, and now am at UW with a 3.85 with 20 credits so far. By time I apply/grad from UW, I think the 3 F's from 10 years ago won't factor in too much, I'll have enough credits to buffer their impact, not to mention as long as I get past the initial screening, I never really had a "terrible" GPA that I'm having to overcome, just one term with a young and forgetful mistake. It's more about how I used my time, going to school on and off, etc. which are all things I actually can explain well in my essay.

Now my biggest questions is how to go about choosing schools. I currently have an excel of all 141 schools, and am tracking several bits of data for each. The first weeding out I did was places that geographically wouldn't work for me/my family. This didn't remove too many, basically only places that are really hot and deep south (we have Bernese mountain dogs and I can't stand that weather). Next I checked the "must" schools. I grew up in Oregon, my family lives there, my dad practices there, So OHSU. UWSOM is my #1 choice, so that. The first CC I went to was in Utah and I lived there a number of years, so there, and my brother lives in Colorado, went to CU, and I lived there as well so Denver SOM. Next was my fathers alma matter, Chicago.

Now is where I am having some trouble. Firstly, I am applying '15 for matric '16, so I don't have my MCAT yet (and won't until just before apps, because of the change over and when I can take biochem). I have been using the MSAR and looking at mission statements to find schools that fit, but want to plan out a little in terms of "reach", "safety", as well as look at the requirements for each school to make sure if there is anything I need to do or update in my plan that I will have time to. What's the best way to keep trimming the list down? Is the 10-90 percentile GPA/MCAT what I should be basing my "tiers" on? I meet with my premed advisor later this week, but want to go into the meeting a bit more prepared then I feel now as we only get 30 min at a time, and it's a pain to try to get in, so I want to make the most of my time. Thanks in advance for reading this rambling long winded post!

 

[DrMidlife]

Just a note on the all-public schools you're listing: you can only be instate at one, and if you're not instate, there's no advantage over private schools. Having ties to a state, or having lived there, doesn't count as being a resident. Admissions consideration of state residency defaults to the state you list on AMCAS; you can petition for consideration but this is never straightforward. Tuition consideration is entirely separate. So you have to decide which state to claim as your residence, and do some footwork to make that legal, because you will be challenged (public school, public funding, public regulations).

Now, you can definitely mention your ties to the state in secondary apps, but don't assume they'll count for much.

As for gaming your chances, just make sure to follow best practices in MCAT prep, particularly getting your score early such as by June. Check out the reapplicant forum for cautionary tales to avoid.

Best of luck to you.

 

[mavric1298]

^ Of course, I worked to make sure I was a resident of WA before transferring to UW (it's really hard to switch once you initially get classified), and this is my #1 choice, so that all works out perfectly. I know OHSU looks at out of staters with ties to the area as more preferential then out of staters with none, and Utah you actually have to prove some sort of ties to even apply. This is more just about jockeying for a better chances of the "low" out of stater acceptances than anything, and were low hanging fruit in places to apply as they are schools/area's I connect with, so no reason other then $35 and hopefully a secondary app to NOT apply.

 

[mavric1298]

Just as info for others, these are things to look for in public institutions;

OHSU policy:

• Non-resident applicants with Oregon Heritage. The School of Medicine uses the Oregon Heritage Policy for student selection, but it is not used as a basis for determining residency, and therefore the tuition a student pays. Oregon Heritage is defined as 1) A student with one or both parents residing in Oregon at the time of application, 2) A student who graduated from high school in Oregon with at least two years at a high school in Oregon, or 3) A student who graduated from an Oregon institution of higher education with a bachelor’s or advanced degree with at least two years of attendance at an institution of higher education in Oregon

Utah
Non-Resident
For consideration, nonresident applicants must meet one of the following requirements (additional information may be required).

• Graduated from a Utah college or university (must have attended for at least 2 years) or high school.
• Significant ties to Utah such as lived in Utah for 3 consecutive months.
• Own property in or have first generation family members who currently live in Utah.
• Apply to the M.D. /Ph.D. program. Applicants must meet all of the requirements for the M.D. program. Applications are available for U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents only.
• Be specifically recognized as a member of a population group underrepresented in the physician workforce. (Africans and African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Chamorros, Polynesians including Native Hawaiians, Tongans, Samoans, Filipinos, Tahitians, Maoris, Fijians, Niueans, Palauans, Chicanos/as and Latinos/as including Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, Central Americans and South Americans)

UW

Typically more than 95 percent of UW School of Medicine acceptances are applicants from Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana or Idaho (WWAMI).

 

[Goro]

MSAR Online is your friend. Don't apply to OOS public schools unless your numbers are above avg. Public schools favor the home team. Do not apply to the four HBCs unless you're a URM or have a significant history of work in and helping in miniority communities.

Now wait until you take your MCAT. Apply to schools whose median numbers are close to yours.


Now my biggest questions is how to go about choosing schools. I currently have an excel of all 141 schools, and am tracking several bits of data for each. The first weeding out I did was places that geographically wouldn't work for me/my family. This didn't remove too many, basically only places that are really hot and deep south (we have Bernese mountain dogs and I can't stand that weather). Next I checked the "must" schools. I grew up in Oregon, my family lives there, my dad practices there, So OHSU. UWSOM is my #1 choice, so that. The first CC I went to was in Utah and I lived there a number of years, so there, and my brother lives in Colorado, went to CU, and I lived there as well so Denver SOM. Next was my fathers alma matter, Chicago.

 

[sazerac]

Ugh. I was a (north) west coaster too, and applied to many western schools where I was supposed to have connections, priorities, and privileges. Got no love there.

Thankfully when you expand your search to the central and eastern time zones, you will find that medical schools are ordinary, plentiful, and welcoming.

When you interview at Colorado they show you this map of the USA and have a dot for each medical school. It is really quite amazing how little is available in the left half of the US.

Good luck!