Question about school choice

[realmadridstorm]

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Hi Guys

I plan to apply this coming cycle and have some questions. My situation is I am from TX and applied this past cycle to mainly TX schools after my Aug MCAT. However during the cycle, my grandfather passed away and I didn't feel I could cope with the loss and complete the cycle, so I withdrew from the schools that had already gave me interview invites (UTSW, UTH,and UTMB). Right now I plan to apply through both AMCAS for only top 20/reach schools and TMDSAS. My main question is that is it wise to apply to only reach schools through AMCAS?

My stats for those who need more info?
Went to Baylor, graduated in 3 years
GPA: 3.7/3.6 overall/science
MCAT: 31M and 39N
EC: Shadowing one semester 4hr/wk, fraternity stuff, undergraduate research one semester, lab tech at UTSW currently, volunteer at a free clinic 4 hrs/wk and have direct patient contact. Worked for an after school program for inner city elementary students, going to mexico in Feb for medical mission.
LOR: Committee packet contain 4 letters, I think at least 2 of them are very favorable.

Any feedback are welcomed

 

[EndSong]

To answer your question, it probably isn't very wise to apply to only top 20s.

1) It looks funny to schools when they see the list of schools you applied to.

2) Numberswise your good, but the competition for these schools is stiffer. But without knowing what your PS is like, what exactly is said in your LORs. I'd say no.

3) All the top 20 emphasize heavily on research and you don't seem to have much on your list of ECs which could also hinder your application.

4) It looks like you selected schools based solely on prestige rather than other factors, and schools generally like to think you have some well-thought out reason for applying to them other than the fact that they're prestigious.

Bottom Line: Applying to only top 20 can possibly hurt you. Applying more broadly and including more schools can only possibly help you and isn't that economically draining (30 dollars per primary and 50-100 per secondary). If you get accepted to a top 20 early on or a top choice Texas school, then you can afford to be more selective.

ALSO I'm a bit confused as why you withdrew from the application cycle entirely instead of rescheduling your interviews. Given the status of schools like Southwestern, did you clearly explain why you had to withdrew? I'm sure schools would understand if they knew why you withdrew, but if you didn't, those schools might feel odd about granting an interview again.

 

[zimmie256]

To answer your question, it probably isn't very wise to apply to only top 20s.

1) It looks funny to schools when they see the list of schools you applied to.

2) Numberswise your good, but the competition for these schools is stiffer. But without knowing what your PS is like, what exactly is said in your LORs. I'd say no.

3) All the top 20 emphasize heavily on research and you don't seem to have much on your list of ECs which could also hinder your application.

4) It looks like you selected schools based solely on prestige rather than other factors, and schools generally like to think you have some well-thought out reason for applying to them other than the fact that they're prestigious.

Bottom Line: Applying to only top 20 can possibly hurt you. Applying more broadly and including more schools can only possibly help you and isn't that economically draining (30 dollars per primary and 50-100 per secondary). If you get accepted to a top 20 early on or a top choice Texas school, then you can afford to be more selective.

ALSO I'm a bit confused as why you withdrew from the application cycle entirely instead of rescheduling your interviews. Given the status of schools like Southwestern, did you clearly explain why you had to withdrew? I'm sure schools would understand if they knew why you withdrew, but if you didn't, those schools might feel odd about granting an interview again.

Schools cannot see which other schools you have applied to. There may be other good reasons to not apply just at top 20s, however.