School List and Chances?

[fnc54]

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I'm a junior applying this summer, and I wanted to find some opinions on my school list so far:

GPA: 3.95 (biology)
MCAT: 519
Illinois Resident
Clinical Volunteer:
-140 hours at a hospital across various departments
-25 hours at a diabetes clinic
Non-Clinical Volunteer:
-80 hours mentoring underprivileged latinx students at a local elementary school
-125 hours volunteering and organizing events as a committee member for a student service organization
Teaching/Leadership
- Two semesters (320 hours) as an undergraduate TA for chemistry
- One-semester long teaching/mentorship for an organic chemistry professor (think a TA position with more involved roles along with a mentorship with the professor during the semester)
Research
-400 hours in an organic synthesis lab (no publications)
Shadowing
-about 150 hours of shadowing over a couple of years. Most of the hours were shadowing a cardiologist, but also significant time spent in ER, with Primary Care physician, and in infectious disease
Hobby
-two years of epee training during the semester

Schools:

Albany
Boston University
Rosalind Franklin
Drexel
Dartmouth
George Washington
Georgetown
Hofstra
Indiana University
Temple
Loyola Chicago
Mayo Clinic (MN)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Rush
Brown
Tufts
Tulane
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Miami
University of Vermont

Midwestern (Chicago)
KCUMB

 

[Goro]

Epee!!!?? That was my weapon in college. You're a rock, so aim high.


Boston University
Dartmouth
Hofstra
Indiana University
Mayo Clinic (MN)
Northwestern
Ohio State
Tufts
Tulane
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Miami
University of Vermont

ADD:
Harvard
Pitt
Yale
the Manhattan Titans
Einstein
U WI
UCLA
UCSF
Stanford
Vandy
JHU
U Penn
Emory
Keck
WashU

 

[fnc54]

Epee!!!?? That was my weapon in college. You're a rock, so aim high.


Boston University
Dartmouth
Hofstra
Indiana University
Mayo Clinic (MN)
Northwestern
Ohio State
Tufts
Tulane
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Miami
University of Vermont

ADD:
Harvard
Pitt
Yale
the Manhattan Titans
Einstein
U WI
UCLA
UCSF
Stanford
Vandy
JHU
U Penn
Emory
Keck
WashU

Yup Epee and foil!

Thanks for the input-- wouldn't my list end up a little top-heavy with all those fancy schools on there though? I know that the stats are good, but compared to what the top ranked schools seem to want, my research seems to be lacking (no pubs or posters) and none of my other ECs are "outstanding" in that they don't seem to jump of the page (though I personally have gained a lot from them and they have solidified my commitment to medicine)

 

[Goro]

Yup Epee and foil!

Thanks for the input-- wouldn't my list end up a little top-heavy with all those fancy schools on there though? I know that the stats are good, but compared to what the top ranked schools seem to want, my research seems to be lacking (no pubs or posters) and none of my other ECs are "outstanding" in that they don't seem to jump of the page (though I personally have gained a lot from them and they have solidified my commitment to medicine)

Yes, there are a lot of top schools, but you still have another 6 months + to add to your ECs. Pick up more service to others less fortunate than yourself. I think the mix of Keck/Emory class schools gives you your safety list.

 

[fnc54]

Yes, there are a lot of top schools, but you still have another 6 months + to add to your ECs. Pick up more service to others less fortunate than yourself. I think the mix of Keck/Emory class schools gives you your safety list.

Thanks for the help, but I honestly can't tell if you're being serious right now (especially with the Manhattan Titans). How would a school like Keck/Emory be a safety? A look at the MSAR shows the median MCAT is 94%ile at those places.

 

[Goro]

Thanks for the help, but I honestly can't tell if you're being serious right now (especially with the Manhattan Titans). How would a school like Keck/Emory be a safety? A look at the MSAR shows the median MCAT is 94%ile at those places.

And where do your stats stand compared to Keck? Right in Keck alley!

I am being dead serious in my suggestions.

The Drexel/Albany class schools will actually pass on you because they'll think (based upon historic norms) "S/he won't come here."

 

[fnc54]

And where do your stats stand compared to Keck? Right in Keck alley!

I am being dead serious in my suggestions.

The Drexel/Albany class schools will actually pass on you because they'll think (based upon historic norms) "S/he won't come here."

Alright, thanks for the advice I'll definitely consider it while i round this off. One last thing--- is the lack of research a killer for the top school and even places like Emory?

 

[Goro]

Alright, thanks for the advice I'll definitely consider it while i round this off. One last thing--- is the lack of research a killer for the top school and even places like Emory?

It will hurt

 

[mwsapphire]

Wait, sorry to barge in, but how is 400 hours of a research lacking? Am I missing something here?

 

[Goro]

Wait, sorry to barge in, but how is 400 hours of a research lacking? Am I missing something here?

I was asked "will lack of research hurt"...this has nothing to do with the OP, who is fine for research.

 

[Seihai]

I was asked "will lack of research hurt"...this has nothing to do with the OP, who is fine for research.

The person who asked you that was the OP - I think OP was specifically asking about his own research stats, not in general.

 

[Goro]

The person who asked you that was the OP - I think OP was specifically asking about his own research stats, not in general.

I wasn't paying attention; I just answered the question. Perhaps OP was thinking 400 hrs is "no research" or the lack of pubs is bad???

So we're on the same page.

OP's research is fine.

Lacking research will hurt at the research power houses.
Capeesh?

 

[Turkishking]

I wasn't paying attention; I just answered the question. Perhaps OP was thinking 400 hrs is "no research" or the lack of pubs is bad???

So we're on the same page.

OP's research is fine.

Lacking research will hurt at the research power houses.
Capeesh?

Capeesh

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

Capeesh?

 

[fnc54]

I wasn't paying attention; I just answered the question. Perhaps OP was thinking 400 hrs is "no research" or the lack of pubs is bad???

So we're on the same page.

OP's research is fine.

Lacking research will hurt at the research power houses.
Capeesh?

I've made a few modifications to the list. Does this look better?

1. Baylor
2. Boston University
3. Rosalind Franklin
4. Creighton
5. Emory
6. Dartmouth
7. George Washington
8. Hofstra
9. Indiana
10. Keck
11. Temple
12. Loyola
13. Mayo
14. Medical College of Wisconsin
15. Northwestern
16. Ohio State
17. Rush
18. Tufts
19. Chicago
20. UIC
21. Iowa
22. Miami
23. Michigan
24. Pitt
25. Rochester
26. Vermont
27. Virginia
28. Wisconsin

 

[Goro]

Delete

1. Baylor (very unfriendly to non-Texans)
7. George Washington (ditto, plus they get way too many apps)
11. Temple (see 3)
18. Tufts (you can do better)

You'll be close to the 100th %ile for MCW, Rosy F, Rush and Loyola but being from next door for the former, and IS for the latter three, they might take you after all.