Resolved

[ellobear2026]

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Resolved.

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
Pittsburgh
U Penn
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Commonwealth Geisinger
Harvard
Yale
Dartmouth
Brown
Boston University
Tufts
Rochester
Hofstra
Einstein (free tuition)
Mount Sinai
NYU (free tuition)
Columbia
Cornell
Johns Hopkins (free tuition)
U Virginia
Duke
Vanderbilt
Emory
Washington University (in St. Louis-almost a guaranteed interview with your stats)
Northwestern
U Chicago
U Michigan
Mayo
Case Western
Cincinnati

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You need community service. Tutoring (including refugees) is common among premed applicants, so it doesn't make you stand out (nor would STEM activities like your robotics coaching). Food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, and housing rehabilitation are categories of activities you should seek. As it sounds, you look more focused towards MD/PhD tracks.

Obviously your refugee status is significant to your identity and likely purpose. You have the metrics to pick your programs, but you likely gravitate towards programs that help you build on this identity. Do some research on programs that have opportunities serving refugee populations.

Student Run Asylum Clinics

Student run asylum clinics across the US directly affiliated with Physicians for Human Rights.

www.phrstudents.com

 

[ellobear2026]

You need community service. Tutoring (including refugees) is common among premed applicants, so it doesn't make you stand out (nor would STEM activities like your robotics coaching). Food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, and housing rehabilitation are categories of activities you should seek. As it sounds, you look more focused towards MD/PhD tracks.

Obviously your refugee status is significant to your identity and likely purpose. You have the metrics to pick your programs, but you likely gravitate towards programs that help you build on this identity. Do some research on programs that have opportunities serving refugee populations.

Student Run Asylum Clinics

Student run asylum clinics across the US directly affiliated with Physicians for Human Rights.

www.phrstudents.com

Thank you! As it stands, do you think my current volunteer hours are a barrier to entry at the top schools? I am currently looking into other programs to further demonstrate my interest but am asking as a worst case scenario

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you! As it stands, do you think my current volunteer hours are a barrier to entry at the top schools? I am currently looking into other programs to further demonstrate my interest but am asking as a worst case scenario

You have to change your thinking. No, your current hours I don't think will be a "barrier to entry."

But, in comparison to other well-qualified candidates, your file may be looked over in favor of candidates with more desirable experiences and a more complete portfolio demonstrating mission fit and service orientation. Again, this is a subjective call and it depends on other aspects of your profile.

Work on your strengths or aspects where you want a mission fit. Acknowledge the deficiencies accordingly.