Realistic school list

[premedpower8484848]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys

I am applying this upcoming cycle. I originally took my first MCAT last year and received a 514. I know it is a good score, but it was a decent disappointment for me as all of my practice tests were 520+. I asked around to some counselors and some forums and I received an overall opinion that a retake would be worth it only due to the differences between my practice and real scores. I also only took 4 practice tests the first time around and studied just for 1.5 months.

Fast forward to this year. I prepared much harder and more extensively and took a multitude of practice tests. I scored pretty high on all my practice tests, and was at least 6 points higher on every FL I took. I took the January MCAT and felt pretty confident heading in. I received a 516 on this MCAT, which was very disappointing due to my FL performance and even more so due to the fact that my biology score dropped even though it was my strongest section and even my highest score on my first MCAT.

Anyways, I was wondering if you could guys could help provide me advice on a preliminary school list? And do you think that my results on my retake will have any negative impact or impact at all on my chances? I know that @Goro, @Faha, @gyngyn, and @LizzyM are considered the gurus here so any input would be much appreciated.

State: CA
ORM
Top public university
First MCAT: 514
Second MCAT: 516
GPA/cGPA: 3.90
Clinical Experience: 330 hours
Nonclinical experience: 750 hours
Research: 800 hours,1 publication under review
Two leadership positions
220 hours shadowing various physicians

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
All the UC's (except UCSF)
USC
Loma Linda
Kaiser
California University
Boston University
Tufts
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Rochester
Seton Hall
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
George Washington
Georgetown
NOVA MD
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rosalind Franklin
St. Louis
Creighton
Tulane

 

[Goro]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
All the UC's (except UCSF)
USC
Loma Linda
Kaiser
California University
Boston University
Tufts
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Rochester
Seton Hall
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
George Washington
Georgetown
NOVA MD
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rosalind Franklin
St. Louis
Creighton
Tulane

I agree with Faha's list but suggest deleting UCLA.
ADD:
U Cincy
Emory
Rochester
Dartmouth

Teaching moment: this is a classic example of why one should NOT retake an already excellent MCAT score. People are more likely to go down, stay the same, or only go up a point or two.

Adcoms do NOT like the mindset of "I know I can do better!" when one is already in the 90th% iles. Perfectionism is not a good trait for a med student to have. It simply means that one will try to learn everything and end up learning nothing.

Also, the real MCAT exam taking environment is not the same as your practice exams.

 

[premedpower8484848]

I agree with Faha's list but suggest deleting UCLA.
ADD:
U Cincy
Emory
Rochester
Dartmouth

Teaching moment: this is a classic example of why one should NOT retake an already excellent MCAT score. People are more likely to go down, stay the same, or only go up a point or two.

Adcoms do NOT like the mindset of "I know I can do better!" when one is already in the 90th% iles. Perfectionism is not a good trait for a med student to have. It simply means that one will try to learn everything and end up learning nothing.

Also, the real MCAT exam taking environment is not the same as your practice exams.

Thanks for the help just wondering why you said no UCLA? Guessing my stats are too low?

 

[premedpower8484848]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
All the UC's (except UCSF)
USC
Loma Linda
Kaiser
California University
Boston University
Tufts
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Hofstra
Einstein
New York Medical College
Rochester
Seton Hall
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
George Washington
Georgetown
NOVA MD
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rosalind Franklin
St. Louis
Creighton
Tulane

I was just wondering why you advised not too apply to UCSF but to apply to UCLA? Are they not similar stats wise?

 

[Goro]

Thanks for the help just wondering why you said no UCLA? Guessing my stats are too low?

I believe that UCLA looks down upon repeat exam takers, especially when they have a good first score.

 

[Faha]

I was just wondering why you advised not too apply to UCSF but to apply to UCLA? Are they not similar stats wise?

Yes, you could delete UCLA also since they have similar stats.

 

[premedpower8484848]

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM @Faha Listening to the lack of success many of my friends are having this past cycle I was wondering by any chance if you guys think I have a good probability of getting admission to an MD school? Also, is there anything you think I should work on during these upcoming few months or during my gap year to help maximize my chances of gaining admission this upcoming cycle?

 

[Goro]

@Goro @gyngyn @LizzyM @Faha Listening to the lack of success many of my friends are having this past cycle I was wondering by any chance if you guys think I have a good probability of getting admission to an MD school? Also, is there anything you think I should work on during these upcoming few months or during my gap year to help maximize my chances of gaining admission this upcoming cycle?

Getting admitted is 100% on you. We can only advise on chances for IIs.

Service to others less fortunate than yourself is always good.

 

[premedpower8484848]

Getting admitted is 100% on you. We can only advise on chances for IIs.

Service to others less fortunate than yourself is always good.

I appreciate your response. I 100% understand that I am fully responsible for my admission to medical school. I guess I could have worded my question better. Do you think if I write a good personal statement and supporting essays I have a good chance of getting IIs ?

 

[Goro]

I appreciate your response. I 100% understand that I am fully responsible for my admission to medical school. I guess I could have worded my question better. Do you think if I write a good personal statement and supporting essays I have a good chance of getting IIs ?

Yup

 

[premedpower8484848]

Yup

Thanks for help!

 

[965978]

I believe that UCLA looks down upon repeat exam takers, especially when they have a good first score.

But they only have a 2 year post-exam expiry date! I was planning to retake my MCAT just for UCLA but then I realized I would be pissing off the vast majority of the other schools (with a 3 year window) where my score was still valid by retaking a decent score.

Although the idea of retaking the MCAT just to please a school that I barely have a chance of getting into seems completely idiotic in retrospect 😕

 

[965978]

Service to others less fortunate than yourself is always good.

Unless it’s in another country where the volunteering takes a job away from someone!

 

[premedpower8484848]

But they only have a 2 year post-exam expiry date! I was planning to retake my MCAT just for UCLA but then I realized I would be pissing off the vast majority of the other schools (with a 3 year window) where my score was still valid by retaking a decent score.

Although the idea of retaking the MCAT just to please a school that I barely have a chance of getting into seems completely idiotic in retrospect 😕

I actually think UCLA has a 3 year window as well if I am not right?

 

[965978]

I actually think UCLA has a 3 year window as well if I am not right?

This is kind of a confusing because it depends on when the window ends. For the vast majority of schools it’s approx. 3 years at the time of applying. But for UCLA it’s 3 years at the time of starting school (which is equal to roughly 2 years at the time of applying).

 

[premedpower8484848]

@gyngyn I know you are very busy but I was wondering if you also feel that it is a waste of my time to apply to UCSF and UCLA? I know it is incredibly difficult to get admitted into these institutions in the first place but I just wanted to ask to see your opinion.

 

[kepler16b]

@gyngyn I know you are very busy but I was wondering if you also feel that it is a waste of my time to apply to UCSF and UCLA? I know it is incredibly difficult to get admitted into these institutions in the first place but I just wanted to ask to see your opinion.

I mean, it won't hurt you to apply but you really shouldn't expect much.

 

[premedpower8484848]

@Faha I just wanted to get one more opinion from you. Do you think I am in a good position to get several interviews (of course assuming I write a good personal statement and supporting essays) or do you think there is something I need to improve on?

 

[Faha]

@Faha I just wanted to get one more opinion from you. Do you think I am in a good position to get several interviews (of course assuming I write a good personal statement and supporting essays) or do you think there is something I need to improve on?

You should receive several interviews if you apply to all the schools I listed above.

 

[premedpower8484848]

@Goro @Faha I spent some time the last few days looking at your advice and on MSAR and came with a preliminary school list. I want to apply to 5 reach schools and then 25 schools that are within in my range or slightly lower than my stats. I mainly used schools that you guys recommended but added or removed a couple. Do you guys think this list is strong enough or should I make some changes?

Reach
UCLA
UCSF
UCSD
Boston University
Pittsburg

In Range
Rochester
Hofstra
Western Michigan
USC
Cincinnati
Emory
Dartmouth
Tufts
Jefferson
St. Louis
Einstein
Miami
UCI
UC Davis

Lower than Range
Medical College Wisconsin
Quinnipiac
Temple
George Washington
Georgetown
NYMC
Tulane
Drexel
Rosalind Franklin
Kaiser (Unsure where to categorize)
UCR (not from inland empire so not sure of this school)

 

[Goro]

These will be donations. They don't need the money. Take your mom out to dinner instead.

UCLA
UCSF
UCSD




Fine


Boston University
Pittsburg
Rochester
Hofstra
Western Michigan
USC
Cincinnati
Emory
Dartmouth
Tufts
Jefferson
St. Louis
Einstein
Miami
UCI
UC Davis
Medical College Wisconsin
Quinnipiac
Temple
George Washington
Georgetown
NYMC
Tulane
Drexel
Rosalind Franklin
Kaiser


Skip this
UCR

 

[Westfound]

These will be donations. They don't need the money. Take your mom out to dinner instead.

UCLA
UCSF
UCSD

Just wondering, since his or her stats are above UCSD's averages, why would that school be a donation?

 

[Goro]

Just wondering, since his or her stats are above UCSD's averages, why would that school be a donation?

Everybody wants to go there, and being a 2x test taker is not good when one has a 514 to begin with