Please Help! cGPA 3.85, BCPM GPA 3.89, MCAT 36R ... Chances and School List?

[Pateln381]

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Hello Friends,
I hope you all are having a great summer!

Finally .... my School List!!

Can you please give me some advice about this list? Should I add or remove some schools from this list?? Thank you so much for your time and effort.

U of Illinois
Rush
Loyola
Rosalind-Franklin
Southern Illinois
U of Chicago
Northwestern

U of Michigan
Case Western
Ohio State
Washington U
Vanderbilt
Mayo

St. Louis
U of Iowa
U of Louisville
U of Cincinnati
Toledo


Let me start with some of my background info. Came to USA 5 years ago. ESL student. Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2012 with BS in Bio degree. Permanent Resident [Green Card holder]. Illinois Resident.

GPA:

Upward trend in GPA from the get go.

-Overall GPA: 3.85
-BCPM GPA: 3.89

MCAT:

Took it two times. Score increased by 9 pts in the second try.

-First Try: 27Q [PS/VR/BS - 10/9/8]
-Second Try: 36R [PS/VR/BS - 13/11/12]

Work/Activities:

-Community Service [Hindu Temple] [Non-Clinical] - 4 hrs/wk for last 4 years [500+ hours]
-Hospital Volunteering [Central Transport ... Good patient interaction] [Clinical] - 150+ hours
-Volunteer Abroad Program [Clinical] [Went to outreach camps with doctors and nurses and helped them. It was in India. Excellent experience with underserved patients. Only 10 days of challenging experience, but very rewarding and life changing one] [100 hours]
-Eye glass collection and Donation Drive in USA - Collected eye glasses and raised donation for underserved people of India. It was a part of the above mentioned international experience. [50 hours]

Shadowing:

-Shadowed ophthalmologist in USA as a part of above mentioned international experience. [16 hours]
-Shadowed General Surgeon in India - [100 hours]
-Shadowed a doctor [Family Practice] in USA - [50 hours]

Research:

-Non-medical related research in Biochem area. Not published. Not presented. Have been working on it since last year. [150+ hours]

Other Activities:

-Tutoring students from my neighborhood who just emigrated from India and need help in some subjects. Mostly during school time, but not on regular basis though. [200+ Hours]

-Founder and Coach of Cricket Club in our neighborhood. Started a Cricket Team in the neighborhood and teach kids how to play Cricket. Also play Cricket during summer time. Might be considered as Leadership position and a hobby! [200+ Hours]

-Worked at Dunkin Donuts for 11 months to support the family and to cover the expenses of my above mentioned volunteering trip to India during Winter 2009. Worked 25 hrs/week while being a Full time student.

Hobbies:-

-Photography: Not a professional photographer, but learning new techniques whenever I have time. Also a good hobby.
-Cooking: Always learning new recipes of India and other countries. Like to experiment with different recipes. Sometimes also cook for the whole family.
-Poetry: Write songs/poem in my language - Gujarati and Hindi/Urdu. This activity has been my companion for last 7-8 years.

Honors:

-Golden Key
-Dean's List [For consecutive 7 semesters]
-Phi Beta Kappa

I am really new to this whole process since the educational system in India is quite different from USA. My goal is to become a surgeon in the future. So I am not sure if choosing a right medical college can increase my chances of becoming a surgeon. Can you please advise me on that? Can you please give me names of some colleges whose students have a good match records for surgery residency?

I've also heard from fellow members of SDN that choosing a medical college that gives an excellent hands-on practice is very important. They say that first two years of any medical univ. are same. What matters the most is their last 2 years of clinical rotations! I want to stay in Chicago or around Chicago since I'm an IL resident. So I was wondering if you can recommend some colleges that are well known for their excellent hands-on experience/clinical training. Any information regarding this matter will be really really helpful.

I've also used LizzyM/SDN's spreadsheet and most of those universities are "Go for it" and "Hopeful" for my stats. So I am a bit confused now. I want to stay in Chicago, so I can be with my family, but I am ready to go out of state if I get into some well known university. So can you please recommend me some colleges to which I should apply. I am thinking of applying to all IL universities along with some neighbor states' universities. Once again. your help in this issue will be really helpful.

Thank you so much for your time and efforts. I greatly appreciate your help. Thank you so much!!

 

[Pateln381]

Please friends .... any help will be really appreciated. Thank you! [bump]

 

[alexrgross]

Can you please advise me on that? Can you please give me names of some colleges whose students have a good match records for surgery residency?

I've also heard from fellow members of SDN that choosing a medical college that gives an excellent hands-on practice is very important. They say that first two years of any medical univ. are same. What matters the most is their last 2 years of clinical rotations! I want to stay in Chicago or around Chicago since I'm an IL resident. So I was wondering if you can recommend some colleges that are well known for their excellent hands-on experience/clinical training. Any information regarding this matter will be really really helpful.

I've also used LizzyM/SDN's spreadsheet and most of those universities are "Go for it" and "Hopeful" for my stats. So I am a bit confused now. I want to stay in Chicago, so I can be with my family, but I am ready to go out of state if I get into some well known university. So can you please recommend me some colleges to which I should apply. I am thinking of applying to all IL universities along with some neighbor states' universities. Once again. your help in this issue will be really helpful.

Thank you so much for your time and efforts. I greatly appreciate your help. Thank you so much!!

Match statistics are available from the admissions office, or their website, of any medical school. You are welcome to research that information, I suspect the type of surgery you are interested in is important.

Hands-on experience is probably something that you should be able to contact med schools to ask about.

I am not too familiar with any IL schools. UIC and Loyola Stritch come to mind as leads for you....best regards!

 

[1289]

I assume you're not getting many responses because your stats and story are amazing and you can get in anywhere you want. Look on websites for hands on/ etc info.

 

[Pateln381]

Match statistics are available from the admissions office, or their website, of any medical school. You are welcome to research that information, I suspect the type of surgery you are interested in is important.

Hands-on experience is probably something that you should be able to contact med schools to ask about.

I am not too familiar with any IL schools. UIC and Loyola Stritch come to mind as leads for you....best regards!

I assume you're not getting many responses because your stats and story are amazing and you can get in anywhere you want. Look on websites for hands on/ etc info.

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate your inputs.

btw ... I will be updating this thread with my school list in the morning. Hoping to get some advice on it tomorrow! Thank you so much in advance. 🙂

 

[Shalashaska]

 

[Pateln381]

haha .... thanks buddy. Rush is already in my favorite school list. 😉

 

[notbobtrustme]

haha .... thanks buddy. Rush is already in my favorite school list. 😉

................ reading fail.

 

[Pateln381]

................ reading fail.

Oops ... ROFL!! didn't realize it at all! I guess the stress of primaries and school list is getting to me! 🙁

 

[H Y F R]

some people

 

[Pateln381]

Hello Friends,

I am really sorry to post my list again, but I wasn't getting many responses for my last thread. I am really hoping to get some advice by fellow SDNers for this new thread! Thank you!

Finally .... my School List!!

Can you please give me some advice about this list? Should I add or remove some schools from this list?? Thank you so much for your time and effort.

U of Illinois
Rush
Loyola
Rosalind-Franklin
Southern Illinois
U of Chicago
Northwestern

U of Michigan
Case Western
Ohio State
Washington U
Vanderbilt
Mayo

St. Louis
U of Iowa
U of Louisville
U of Cincinnati
Toledo


Let me start with some of my background info. Came to USA 5 years ago. ESL student. Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2012 with BS in Bio degree. Permanent Resident [Green Card holder]. Illinois Resident.

GPA:
Upward trend in GPA from the get go.
-Overall GPA: 3.85
-BCPM GPA: 3.89

MCAT:
Took it two times. Score increased by 9 pts in the second try.
-First Try: 27Q [PS/VR/BS - 10/9/8]
-Second Try: 36R [PS/VR/BS - 13/11/12]

Work/Activities:
-Community Service [Hindu Temple] [Non-Clinical] - 4 hrs/wk for last 4 years [500+ hours]
-Hospital Volunteering [Central Transport ... Good patient interaction] [Clinical] - [150+ hours]
-Volunteer Abroad Program [Clinical] [Went to outreach camps with doctors and nurses and helped them. It was in India. Excellent experience with underserved patients. Only 10 days of challenging experience, but very rewarding and life changing one] [100 hours]
-Eye glass collection and Donation Drive in USA - Collected eye glasses and raised donation for underserved people of India. It was a part of the above mentioned international experience. [50 hours]

Shadowing:
-Shadowed ophthalmologist in USA as a part of above mentioned international experience. [16 hours]
-Shadowed General Surgeon in India - [100 hours]
-Shadowed a doctor [Family Practice] in USA - [50 hours]

Research:
-Non-medical related research in Biochem area. Not published. Not presented. Have been working on it since last year. [150+ hours]

Other Activities:
-Tutoring students from my neighborhood who just emigrated from India and need help in some subjects. Mostly during school time, but not on regular basis though. [200+ Hours]
-Founder and Coach of Cricket Club in our neighborhood. Started a Cricket Team in the neighborhood and teach kids how to play Cricket. Also play Cricket during summer time. Might be considered as Leadership position and a hobby! [200+ Hours]
-Worked at Dunkin Donuts for 11 months to support the family and to cover the expenses of my above mentioned volunteering trip to India during Winter 2009. Worked 25 hrs/week while being a Full time student.

Hobbies:-
-Photography: Not a professional photographer, but learning new techniques whenever I have time. Also a good hobby.
-Cooking: Always learning new recipes of India and other countries. Like to experiment with different recipes. Sometimes also cook for the whole family.
-Poetry: Write songs/poem in my language - Gujarati and Hindi/Urdu. This activity has been my companion for last 7-8 years.

Honors:
-Golden Key
-Dean's List [For consecutive 7 semesters]
-Phi Beta Kappa

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & EFFORT!! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

 

[Osteoth]

Your stats and list look pretty good, good luck with your application period.

 

[red doctober]

Research:
-Non-medical related research in Biochem area. Not published. Not presented. Have been working on it since last year. [150+ hours]

I thought this was kind of funny. By "150+," I take it as 150-200, but could realistically be 10,000 for all I know. 150 hours seems pretty low for having started a year ago. That's like 5 hours a week. How much can a person accomplish in the lab in such a small amount of time? If this is actually an hourly position, do not report it on your app as if you a performing research because you will be asked about it and expected to explain your project and detail your responsibilities.

Good luck. I think you'll have success this cycle.

 

[pfaction]

How much can a person accomplish in the lab in such a small amount of time?

I dissolve powder into solvent and draw up doses. 10 minutes.
I inject into three mice. 15 minutes.
I leave for the night.
I come back the next day to monitor them for 20 seconds every half an hour for 12 hours. So that's like, what, 24*20= 8 minutes.
I autopsy three mice. One hour.

So far, I have two hours in my lab. And yet, the results I proved were significant. That's the extent to my second authorship on an international presentation.


Try again.

 

[Pateln381]

Your stats and list look pretty good, good luck with your application period.

Thank you so much for your positive reply. Really appreciate it. 🙂

I thought this was kind of funny. By "150+," I take it as 150-200, but could realistically be 10,000 for all I know. 150 hours seems pretty low for having started a year ago. That's like 5 hours a week. How much can a person accomplish in the lab in such a small amount of time? If this is actually an hourly position, do not report it on your app as if you a performing research because you will be asked about it and expected to explain your project and detail your responsibilities.

Good luck. I think you'll have success this cycle.

You are right buddy. I actually worked only 5-6 hours/week in the lab, but I did [and i still do] have some major responsibilities in the research though. So I guess I will be able to talk about it if asked. But thanks for your concern!

I dissolve powder into solvent and draw up doses. 10 minutes.
I inject into three mice. 15 minutes.
I leave for the night.
I come back the next day to monitor them for 20 seconds every half an hour for 12 hours. So that's like, what, 24*20= 8 minutes.
I autopsy three mice. One hour.

So far, I have two hours in my lab. And yet, the results I proved were significant. That's the extent to my second authorship on an international presentation.


Try again.

Hey buddy .... thanks for your indirect support. 😉

btw ... I have been following your MCAT threads for quite a while now. Congratulations for your great MCAT score!! 🙂

 

[Pateln381]

Looking for some advice on OOS Friendly safety schools. Can anyone please recommend some schools?? Thanks

[Bump]

 

[Catalystik]

Hello Friends,

I am really sorry to post my list again, but I wasn't getting many responses for my last thread. I am really hoping to get some advice by fellow SDNers for this new thread! Thank you!

Finally .... my School List!!

Can you please give me some advice about this list? Should I add or remove some schools from this list?? Thank you so much for your time and effort.

U of Illinois
Rush
Loyola
Rosalind-Franklin
Southern Illinois
U of Chicago
Northwestern

U of Michigan
Case Western
Ohio State
Washington U
Vanderbilt
Mayo

St. Louis
U of Iowa
U of Louisville
U of Cincinnati
Toledo


Let me start with some of my background info. Came to USA 5 years ago. ESL student. Graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2012 with BS in Bio degree. Permanent Resident [Green Card holder]. Illinois Resident.

GPA:
Upward trend in GPA from the get go.
-Overall GPA: 3.85
-BCPM GPA: 3.89

MCAT:
Took it two times. Score increased by 9 pts in the second try.
-First Try: 27Q [PS/VR/BS - 10/9/8]
-Second Try: 36R [PS/VR/BS - 13/11/12]

Work/Activities:
-Community Service [Hindu Temple] [Non-Clinical] - 4 hrs/wk for last 4 years [500+ hours]
-Hospital Volunteering [Central Transport ... Good patient interaction] [Clinical] - [150+ hours]
-Volunteer Abroad Program [Clinical] [Went to outreach camps with doctors and nurses and helped them. It was in India. Excellent experience with underserved patients. Only 10 days of challenging experience, but very rewarding and life changing one] [100 hours]
-Eye glass collection and Donation Drive in USA - Collected eye glasses and raised donation for underserved people of India. It was a part of the above mentioned international experience. [50 hours]

Shadowing:
-Shadowed ophthalmologist in USA as a part of above mentioned international experience. [16 hours]
-Shadowed General Surgeon in India - [100 hours]
-Shadowed a doctor [Family Practice] in USA - [50 hours]

Research:
-Non-medical related research in Biochem area. Not published. Not presented. Have been working on it since last year. [150+ hours]

Other Activities:
-Tutoring students from my neighborhood who just emigrated from India and need help in some subjects. Mostly during school time, but not on regular basis though. [200+ Hours]
-Founder and Coach of Cricket Club in our neighborhood. Started a Cricket Team in the neighborhood and teach kids how to play Cricket. Also play Cricket during summer time. Might be considered as Leadership position and a hobby! [200+ Hours]
-Worked at Dunkin Donuts for 11 months to support the family and to cover the expenses of my above mentioned volunteering trip to India during Winter 2009. Worked 25 hrs/week while being a Full time student.

Hobbies:-
-Photography: Not a professional photographer, but learning new techniques whenever I have time. Also a good hobby.
-Cooking: Always learning new recipes of India and other countries. Like to experiment with different recipes. Sometimes also cook for the whole family.
-Poetry: Write songs/poem in my language - Gujarati and Hindi/Urdu. This activity has been my companion for last 7-8 years.

Honors:
-Golden Key
-Dean's List [For consecutive 7 semesters]
-Phi Beta Kappa

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & EFFORT!! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

If your parents don't live south of I-80, SIU is an iffy choice, as they aim to serve cenral and southern Illinois. UChicago and the other research-oriented schools seem reachy for you considering the less than average level of research involvement, but they are occasionally attracted to applicants with outstanding achievement in some other realm of endeavor that suggests potential as a future leader in medicine. You can decide about that.

You might consider UWisconsin, Oakland, UCentral Michigan (new), and the Nebraska schools.

 

[ccfman1991]

you should probably remove toledo. maybe add some northeast schools or some schools in NY, if you're interested. other than that, your list looks fine to me. i'm no expert, though.

 

[red doctober]

I dissolve powder into solvent and draw up doses. 10 minutes.
I inject into three mice. 15 minutes.
I leave for the night.
I come back the next day to monitor them for 20 seconds every half an hour for 12 hours. So that's like, what, 24*20= 8 minutes.
I autopsy three mice. One hour.

So far, I have two hours in my lab. And yet, the results I proved were significant. That's the extent to my second authorship on an international presentation.


Try again.

Your "8 minutes" isn't really 8 minutes...

 

[sector9]

Threads merged

 

[Pateln381]

If your parents don't live south of I-80, SIU is an iffy choice, as they aim to serve cenral and southern Illinois. UChicago and the other research-oriented schools seem reachy for you considering the less than average level of research involvement, but they are occasionally attracted to applicants with outstanding achievement in some other realm of endeavor that suggests potential as a future leader in medicine. You can decide about that.

You might consider UWisconsin, Oakland, UCentral Michigan (new), and the Nebraska schools.

Thank you so much for your input Catalystik. I really appreciate it.

So that means .. U of C, Northwestern, U of Michigan, Case Western, Washington U, Vanderbilt and Mayo are research-oriented schools. I will keep that in mind. I will apply to those top schools with an understanding that they are reach schools for me.

UIC, Loyola, Rush and Rosalind are on top of my list since they are in-state schools and I guess they are not so research-oriented as those top schools.

I will also apply to the schools you mentioned in your post. Thank you so much for your help. Once again, I really appreciate it. 🙂

 

[Pateln381]

you should probably remove toledo. maybe add some northeast schools or some schools in NY, if you're interested. other than that, your list looks fine to me. i'm no expert, though.

Thanks for your reply. Any reasons why not toledo? I am just asking out of curiosity. Just wanted to know the reason, so I can also apply that reasoning to some of the schools in my list. Thanks!

 

[semicharmed]

You have very impressive stats. Your list is fine, in fact, you could aim at more some of the 'high-eschelon" schools in terms of admissions stats (you know which schools I'm talking about). That being said, I think going above the number of schools you have is a mistake-with those stats you don't need 20 institutions unless you are set on going to a "top 20" for sure.

I really wouldn't worry too much, just focus on your personal statement and make sure it's free of errors and has been read a bunch of times. Casually practice interview questions and do some mock interviews with friends/advisors/mentors. You'll be fine.

 

[Pateln381]

You have very impressive stats. Your list is fine, in fact, you could aim at more some of the 'high-eschelon" schools in terms of admissions stats (you know which schools I'm talking about). That being said, I think going above the number of schools you have is a mistake-with those stats you don't need 20 institutions unless you are set on going to a "top 20" for sure.

I really wouldn't worry too much, just focus on your personal statement and make sure it's free of errors and has been read a bunch of times. Casually practice interview questions and do some mock interviews with friends/advisors/mentors. You'll be fine.

Thank you so much for your positive and encouraging words. I really appreciate it. Thanks! 🙂

 

[bobaholic05]

Why cricket?

Btw! Your stats are pretty awesome =]

 

[Pateln381]

Btw! Your stats are pretty awesome =]

Thanks buddy!

Why Cricket?

why not??!! 😉

Since I was born and raised in India, cricket has been the game closest to my heart. But when I came to USA I was surprised to see no one played cricket here in our Indian neighborhood. That's why I started Cricket Club in our neighborhood and right now we have around 30 regular players in our club.

It's been a nice experience and I still enjoy this great game. so yupp .... why not??!! 🙂

 

[mikevick]

you should apply to more top tier schools, u have the grades/mcat/ECs

 

[MonkeyDRuffy]

Based on statistics, and your EC's, you really have the potential to get into any school around. Since you are from the Midwest, how about adding the University of Minnesota to your list? It is a good school, and you can check whether or not it fits the type of school you are looking for. I don't think you need to take any schools off your list for any reason besides you not wanting to attend the schools.

Also, you could add more top ranked schools, seems like you have a great shot at them! Good luck to you.