Reapplying...Which 15 schools to choose?

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cutsnipsew

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Hey everyone. So I applied quite narrowly (CA only and the some big ones on the East Coast, yes you can point and laugh🙁 ) and am not too confident about getting into the only school I am waitlisted at after only being offered two interviews this season. I need some advice on where to apply this year. I know the three I absolutely will, but I need 12 more that encompass reach, mid, and safety schools. Preferably 4 of each category. I have a >36 mcat, >3.8 GPA, biochem major, multiple years of engineering and cancer research, ok clinical (yes, enough to know what medicine is about), pres of the chem club,highest honors at grad, completed a university honors program, phi kappa phi and attended a respectable UC.... I prefer a diverse city environment and a curriculum that starts hands-on early. And if it makes any difference, I'm middle eastern.
 
Hey everyone. So I applied quite narrowly (CA only and the some big ones on the East Coast, yes you can point and laugh🙁 ) and am not too confident about getting into the only school I am waitlisted at after only being offered two interviews this season. I need some advice on where to apply this year. I know the three I absolutely will, but I need 12 more that encompass reach, mid, and safety schools. Preferably 4 of each category. I have a >36 mcat, >3.8 GPA, biochem major, multiple years of engineering and cancer research, ok clinical (yes, enough to know what medicine is about), pres of the chem club,highest honors at grad, completed a university honors program, phi kappa phi and attended a respectable UC.... I prefer a diverse city environment and a curriculum that starts hands-on early. And if it makes any difference, I'm middle eastern.

This probably should be in the WAMC board.

I'd say that from your GPA, MCAT, and ECs, your biggest problem may be your personal statement/LORs. True, you applied top heavy, but even then, your stats should have gotten you at least a few more interview invites at those schools... 😕

Either way, you should purchase the MSAR, search by schools and add ones where your stats are >= the median.

Sorry I don't have any specific school advice :/
 
This probably should be in the WAMC board.

I'd say that from your GPA, MCAT, and ECs, your biggest problem may be your personal statement/LORs. True, you applied top heavy, but even then, your stats should have gotten you at least a few more interview invites at those schools... 😕

Either way, you should purchase the MSAR, search by schools and add ones where your stats are >= the median.

Sorry I don't have any specific school advice :/

Yes I believe it was my PS as well. I am rewriting it entirely. I may have sounded too pretentious (just my style of writing, I guess) in my last one so hopefully this next one will do the job. Thanks for the heads up I will post there.
 
Yes I believe it was my PS as well. I am rewriting it entirely. I may have sounded too pretentious (just my style of writing, I guess) in my last one so hopefully this next one will do the job. Thanks for the heads up I will post there.

is it your style of writing or just how you are? would you like some feedback on your PS?
 
Why only 15 schools? You're already going to be a reapplicant, do you really want to risk doing this three times? I would recommend 25 minimum.
 
Why only 15 schools? You're already going to be a reapplicant, do you really want to risk doing this three times? I would recommend 25 minimum.

What ????????????????????? That is craziness. He just needs to balance his choices. Definitely take a look at MSAR. They provide all the info you need. And also try to write a compelling PS.
 
What ????????????????????? That is craziness. He just needs to balance his choices. Definitely take a look at MSAR. They provide all the info you need. And also try to write a compelling PS.

I wouldn't go so far as to say 25 minimum, but I think you're limiting yourself by strictly setting it at 15. I would shoot for something more along the lines of 20-23.

Also, as someone who had low scores, applied to 21 schools, and got 10 interviews, I would read your PS if you want an extra pair of eyes.
 
Why only 15 schools? You're already going to be a reapplicant, do you really want to risk doing this three times? I would recommend 25 minimum.
I agree with JBruin (although maybe moreso with scrubulous since you don't have to be so strict with the 25+ rule). Unfortunately, applying to 20-25 schools isn't crazy anymore, it's just the nature of the fact that it's getting more and more competitive to apply, there was a 3.4% applicant increase this year from last year, and there's probably going to be a similar jump next year. For example, in 2011, Duke students applied to an average of 20 schools. http://prehealth.duke.edu/applying/where-should-i-apply/number-of-schools-to-apply-to/ (I'm not from Duke I just was googling to average amount of school kids applied to and found that link)

Do you have a pre-health office at your school/ alma mater that you can meet with to discuss this? I found mine to be a valuable resource for reviewing my PS, helping me select schools, etc. If you have one, don't be shy and send an email to set an in person meeting or skype/phone meeting with someone. I suggest having a doctor (maybe one you've shadowed or one writing you a rec letter) to read your PS to give you some feedback.

Also- contact schools that rejected you to ask them what they felt you could have improved on as an applicant. I know Iowa offers this service, and many other schools will have someone pull your file also.

Schools, in reality, there's really no such thing as a "safety" school for med school now adays, but here's a list of lower tier schools as far as your stats go (your mcat is >90th percentile for these schools). I put some notes next to them about location: check them out to see what will be on your list.

Florida International University- Miami, early clinical
Drexel- Philly,
Temple- Philly
George Washington- DC (gets a tonnn of applicants though)
Rush Medical College- Chicago
Albany Medical College- Albany, NY
The Commonwealth Medical College- Scranton, PA (rural, but a safe school in terms of stats) (provisionally accredited)
Oakland University- Rochester MI (preliminarily accredited)

And I'm sure you know this, but this cycle you'll have to submit your AMCAS as soon as you can (June 5th, right?) I'd not only rework your PS, but look and see if you can rework your EC paragraphs as well. Also see if you can get a new Letter of Rec from what you've done over the past year. People actually generally recommend that you wait another year to get more experience before you reapply, but everyone's story is different so do what's best for you.

Also-one question you're going may get on the interview trail is "I see you're a reaaplicant, why don't you think you got accepted last year and what have you done to demonstrate you're improved this year." Keep that in mind when you write your PS and I think it will help you to highlight your strengths and show those adcoms you've got what it takes to be a great doctor! Good luck!
 
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