Please Help Cut Down School List

[ABCDX]

Hello! I'm planning to apply at the end of May and would really appreciate some feedback on my school list as I want to narrow it down. I kind of don't want to pay ~$10,000.

My main preferences are staying in California and focusing on schools with a strong research emphasis, particularly in neuroscience.

Some hours are projected but are expected to be completed by the end of spring. Feel free to be as direct and realistic as possible. I'm open to all suggestions!

STATS

1. Overall GPA 3.98, Science GPA 3.97, MCAT 514 (128/129/127/130)
2. California resident, ORM Male, State School (plan to graduate in June), Honors
3. [~960 hrs] Research Experience (3 posters, 3 presentations)
   1. [240 hrs] Neuroscience Lab
   2. [400 hrs] Psychology Lab
   3. [320 hrs] Psychology Lab at T5 school
4. [~700 hrs] Non-Clinical Volunteering
   1. Crisis Text Line
5. [~1100 hrs] Clinical Experience
   1. [600 hrs] EMT
   2. [400 hrs] Hospital Volunteer
   3. [100 hrs] Free Clinic Volunteer
6. [60 hrs] Shadowing
   1. 30 in-person, 30 virtual
7. Other Extracurriculars:
   1. [100 hrs] Vice Chair of School Committee
   2. [?? hrs] President of Club
      1. President of Year Award
   3. [?? hrs] New President of Club
   4. [1000+ hrs] Hobby Weightlifting

DREAM

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Stanford University School of Medicine

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine

Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

REACH

Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School

UC Davis School of Medicine

Emory University School of Medicine

Georgetown University School of Medicine

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

Ohio State University College of Medicine

Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

UC San Diego School of Medicine

University of Michigan Medical School

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine

Creighton University School of Medicine

California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM)

Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine

George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

MCAT MEDIAN TARGET

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Albany Medical College

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Drexel University College of Medicine

Hofstra/Northwell School of Medicine

Indiana University School of Medicine

New York Medical College

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

University of Colorado School of Medicine

University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

University of Maryland School of Medicine

University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Wayne State University School of Medicine

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Tufts University School of Medicine

Tulane University School of Medicine

University of Vermont College of Medicine

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Texas Schools? (besides Baylor)

Texas A&M University College of Medicine

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (Lubbock)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

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[Faha]

Virtual shadowing has no value. Add another 20 hours of in person shadowing. Schools such as Loyola and Rush are looking for far more in person non clinical volunteering than you have. I suggest these schools with your stats:
Tufts
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Albany
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Rochester
Hackensack
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Pittsburgh
George Washington
Georgetown
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Wake Forest
NOVA MD
Belmont
USF Morsani
Creighton
St. Louis
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
California University
Kaiser
The UCs (except Riverside unless you are from that region)
Iowa
Colorado

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Your major Achilles heel is reliance on crisis text line as your sole community service opportunity. We like to see in-person community service to those who are directly affected or in need. You must have 150 hours of in-person activities by the time you submit your application to avoid getting screened out at most schools.

We also note your shadowing is subpar. Virtual shadowing does not count. You need around 50 hours of shadowing including primary care areas, which you have not indicated in your description.

I don't know why you want to be a physician without more details. Your purpose as a physician matters.

 

[chilly_md]

Thread moved to WAMC.

Faha's list is more realistic.

 

[ABCDX]

Your major Achilles heel is reliance on crisis text line as your sole community service opportunity. We like to see in-person community service to those who are directly affected or in need. You must have 150 hours of in-person activities by the time you submit your application to avoid getting screened out at most schools.

We also note your shadowing is subpar. Virtual shadowing does not count. You need around 50 hours of shadowing including primary care areas, which you have not indicated in your description.

I don't know why you want to be a physician without more details. Your purpose as a physician matters.

Yes, I totally agree, and thank you for the advice! To clarify, do you mean 150 hours of non-clinical volunteering, or would 150 hours of volunteering in an involved role at a free clinic fulfill that requirement?

 

[ABCDX]

Virtual shadowing has no value. Add another 20 hours of in person shadowing. Schools such as Loyola and Rush are looking for far more in person non clinical volunteering than you have. I suggest these schools with your stats:
Tufts
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Albany
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Rochester
Hackensack
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Pittsburgh
George Washington
Georgetown
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Wake Forest
NOVA MD
Belmont
USF Morsani
Creighton
St. Louis
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
California University
Kaiser
The UCs (except Riverside unless you are from that region)
Iowa
Colorado

Thank you so much! Your list is really helpful. I have some time left so I will definitely try to get some more shadowing hours.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, I totally agree, and thank you for the advice! To clarify, do you mean 150 hours of non-clinical volunteering, or would 150 hours of volunteering in an involved role at a free clinic fulfill that requirement?

I specifically would suggest at least 150 hours (before applying) working face-to-face in food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Do your responsibilities at the free clinic fulfill any of these suggestions?