Reapplicant - 32Q, cGPA 3.62, sGPA 3.58, Apply to additional schools???

[einstein1990]

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This is my second cycle applying (Last year stats = 29R (10/9/10), cGPA 3.49, sGPA 3.34).

I would appreciate any opinions on my chances and also thoughts on whether or not I should add more schools at this point (if so, what schools?) or if my chances are pretty good as is.

Stats: 32Q (11/11/10), 3.62 cGPA, 3.58 sGPA, IL resident
- Very strong upward trend in grades; received straight A's in all upper-level science classes (my first 3 semesters were rocky, but it has been steadily upward towards a 4.0 as a senior)
- 3.5 years of consistent volunteering in hospital, 250+ hours
- 6 months volunteering in an ACA hope lodge
- Random non-clinical volunteering in Adopt-a-highway
- 2 years of shadowing experience from multiple doctors in multiple specialties
- Worked in research for 1.5 years
- Member of sorority, held elected position of Philanthropy Chairwoman for a year
- Mentor in an organization for women with similar majors/career goals for 1 year
- Member of National Society of Collegiate Society
- Member of Colleges Against Cancer & held position on a committee
- Completed a 4-semester course on Leadership

I completely rewrote each secondary essay as well as my personal statement.
Very strong LOR from sci profs I was very close with, non-sci profs, a doctor I shadowed consistently, and my research supervisor.

Schools applied to: Loyola, Rosalind Franklin, UIC, U of C, Northwestern, Rush, Creighton, SLU, Iowa, Mayo, Ohio State, Arizona, Georgetown, Miami Miller

I also will be doing a program similar to a SMP - the MS in Cell and Molecular Biology at Loyola Chicago this fall.

Any thoughts/advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. I want to give myself the best chance to get in this time!

 

[Temperature101]

This is my second cycle applying (Last year stats = 29R (10/9/10), cGPA 3.49, sGPA 3.34).

I would appreciate any opinions on my chances and also thoughts on whether or not I should add more schools at this point (if so, what schools?) or if my chances are pretty good as is.

Stats: 32Q (11/11/10), 3.62 cGPA, 3.58 sGPA, IL resident
- Very strong upward trend in grades; received straight A's in all upper-level science classes (my first 3 semesters were rocky, but it has been steadily upward towards a 4.0 as a senior)
- 3.5 years of consistent volunteering in hospital, 250+ hours
- 6 months volunteering in an ACA hope lodge
- Random non-clinical volunteering in Adopt-a-highway
- 2 years of shadowing experience from multiple doctors in multiple specialties
- Worked in research for 1.5 years
- Member of sorority, held elected position of Philanthropy Chairwoman for a year
- Mentor in an organization for women with similar majors/career goals for 1 year
- Member of National Society of Collegiate Society
- Member of Colleges Against Cancer & held position on a committee

I completely rewrote each secondary essay as well as my personal statement.
Very strong LOR from sci profs I was very close with, non-sci profs, a doctor I shadowed consistently, and my research supervisor.

Schools applied to: Loyola, Rosalind Franklin, UIC, U of C, Northwestern, Rush, Creighton, SLU, Iowa, Mayo, Ohio State, Arizona, Georgetown, Miami Miller

I also will be doing a program similar to a SMP - the MS in Cell and Molecular Biology at Loyola Chicago this fall.

Any thoughts/advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. I want to give myself the best chance to get in this time!

I would be shocked if you dont get in this time to some mid-to-low tier schools..Your stats are average and you ECs are above average. Did you submit your application yet? If you did, you should be able to get multiple interview invites, which might lead to multiple acceptances.

 

[einstein1990]

Yes, I have submitted all my secondaries already.

Wasn't sure if I should add a few more mid-tier schools or whatnot at this point to further help my chances.

 

[Temperature101]

Yes, I have submitted all my secondaries already.

Wasn't sure if I should add a few more mid-tier schools or whatnot at this point to further help my chances.

I think you should have at least 14-16 low-to-mid tier schools in your list and 6-4 reach schools.
Edit...I think your list is ok but it is mainly composed of mid-tier schools. You should have some low tier in your list to be safe. Look out for unfriendly OOS schools.

 

[einstein1990]

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

Any thoughts on any specific schools I should add at this point?

 

[Temperature101]

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

Any thoughts on any specific schools I should add at this point?

Are you willing to go anywhere? Why not add Southern Illinois University?

 

[einstein1990]

I'd prefer staying in/around the Midwest, but I'm 100% open to applying broadly and ultimately going wherever. As long as it increases my chances of getting an acceptance, I will apply.

 

[Temperature101]

I'd prefer staying in/around the Midwest, but I'm 100% open to applying broadly and ultimately going wherever. As long as it increases my chances of getting an acceptance, I will apply.

Add these schools
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Southern Illinois
Albany
New York Medical College
University of toledo
The Commonwealth Medical College
Drexel

 

[Catalystik]

Unless your folks live south of I-80, SIU is unlikely to happen, though they'll take a rare rural or inner-city applicant. Consider MCW and UWisc, Wright, Toledo, Oakland, and maybe UNebraska.

 

[411309]

Did you have any interviews the first cycle? You made a huge improvement it seems like. You should really do well.

 

[einstein1990]

I interviewed at only one school last cycle - SIU. I was wait listed, ultimately rejected. I chose not to reapply there because I am not sure the heavy PBL curriculum was for me. I was also rejected from Loyola, Rush, RFU, MCW, Madison, UIC, Iowa, Creighton, SLU, and Indiana last cycle.

My stats have improved significantly from last year, IMO, especially given how difficult it is to raise a GPA with 100+ credit hours. I don't really know how the schools I'm reapplying to assess reapplicants, though.

Thank you all for your input! I appreciate what everyone has to say, and any more opinions would be fantastic!

 

[einstein1990]

On another note - does anyone have any idea if schools you reapply to actually compare your old file to your new one?

 

[Catalystik]

Evidence is strong that many schools will compare at least the Primary Statements.

 

[einstein1990]

Evidence is straong that many schools will compare at least the Primary Statements.

Good to know! Luckily I totally rewrote mine. Thanks!

 

[einstein1990]

While I know Pritzker was a HUGE reach, I was already rejected. Now I'm kind of nervous....

Just recently added MCW and Madison to my AMCAS. I apparently need to add some more....

 

[295821]

Although you'd rather stay in the midwest, you could consider Meharry and New York Medical College. They're low-tiers and aren't bad to oos. I had once thought about applying based on location and program but a doctor helped me realize that I have the rest of my life to live where I want to but I got to become a doctor first, wherever that needs to be done. Good luck!🙂

 

[Miss Terious]

Although you'd rather stay in the midwest, you could consider Meharry and New York Medical College. They're low-tiers and aren't bad to oos. I had once thought about applying based on location and program but a doctor helped me realize that I have the rest of my life to live where I want to but I got to become a doctor first, wherever that needs to be done. Good luck!🙂

Isn't meharry an HBC or favoritist towards URM

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[295821]

Isn't meharry an HBC or favoritist towards URM

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Oh yeah they are. I forgot that when I picked those schools from a friend's low-tier list. Thanks for pointing it out!