School List Help – MD | 3.85 cGPA | 4.0 SMP | 509 MCAT | Re-taking

[yoyo333]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone! I’d love some input on my current MD school list (I already am applying to 5-8 DO schools) and any suggestions for additions/cuts.

Questions:

1. Are there any schools on this list that are super OOS-unfriendly?
2. Any that don’t seem aligned with my ECs or are known to heavily screen MCAT subscores before secondaries?
3. Any suggested adds/cuts given I’m retaking the MCAT aiming for 512–516!!!

Stats:

• cGPA: 3.85
• sGPA (BCPM): 3.82
• SMP: 4.0 (one-year program, med school-linked, strong upward trend)
• MCAT: 509 (124/130/129/126) — re-taking end of June, targeting 512–516 (might add more schools if it goes really well i dont know?)
• Undergrad: Ivy, Class of 2024
• NJ resident, Undergrad in NY, family ties to CA
• ORM, south asian female
• Strong activities and personal statement entry

Experiences:

• ~3000 hrs research (published) **doing more during Gap year**
• ~2000 hrs clinical (scribing + MA) **doing more during Gap year**
• ~500 hrs volunteering (clinical + non-clinical) **doing more during Gap year**
• Interest in competitive specialties (ortho, OB/GYN, surgery)

Preferences:

• Open geographically but not looking for extremely rural schools
• Ultimately hoping to match back to the tri-state area

Current School List (MD):
Keck SOM at USC

UCLA

University of Colorado

Frank H. Netter MD School at Quinnipiac

University of Connecticut

GW University

Georgetown University

Nova Southeastern University

University Central Florida

University of Miami

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin

Loyola

Rush

University of Illinois

Tulane

Tufts

UMass

University of Maryland

Oakland University William Beaumont

Wayne State University

Western Michigan University

Saint Louis University

Wake Forest

Dartmouth

Cooper Medical School

Hackensack Meridian

NJMS

RWJMS

Albany Medical College

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Jacobs SOM and Biomedical Sciences at University of Buffalo

NY Medical College

SUNY Upstate

SUNY Downstate

NEOMED

Ohio State

University of Toledo

University of Cincinnati

Wright State

Drexel

Geisinger Commonwealth School

Temple

Pennsylvania State

Sidney Kimmel // Thomas Jefferson

East Virginia Medical School

Virginia Commonwealth University

University of Vermont

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin Madison

University of West Virginia

Thanks in advance — I know a lot of these are a stretch with my current MCAT, but I’m trying to cast a wide net while still being strategic. Open to honest feedback and brutal cuts if needed!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Where is your community service? What feedback did you get with your past application?

 

[yoyo333]

Where is your community service? What feedback did you get with your past application?

I included it in my volunteering hours; I haven't applied yet (I only submitted 1 application this past cycle as part of my SMP linkage program and was placed on high priority waitlist). They said the app looks fine just recommended to increase C/P subsection!

 

[Faha]

What is the breakdown of your 500 hours of volunteering?

 

[yoyo333]

What is the breakdown of your 500 hours of volunteering?

450 clinical, and 50 non-clinical but projected 300 more non-clinical by the end of gap year

 

[Mr.Smile12]

We don't see what your SMP directors see. What did you do for 50 hours of non-clinical volunteering?

 

[Faha]

Your low non clinical hours will limit your chances for interviews as some schools screen at 150 hours. Many of the schools on your list are unrealistic with a MCAT of 509 and only 50 hours of non clinical volunteering. I suggest these schools with your stats:
Your 3 New Jersey state public schools
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Geisinger
George Washington
Virginia Commonwealth
Wake Forest
Methodist (when it opens)
NOVA MD
Belmont
Alice Walton
Roseman
TCU
Ponce (St.Louis)
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont

 

[LunaOri]

UConn is NOT OOS-friendly.

 

[yoyo333]

UConn is NOT OOS-friendly.

I used to live there when I was younger, so was gonna use that!

 

[LunaOri]

I used to live there when I was younger, so was gonna use that!

How long did you live there?

 

[yoyo333]

How long did you live there?

6 years

 

[Mr.Smile12]

6 years

You didn't list Connecticut as having ties. Can I presume you did not graduate from high school in Connecticut? How would you respond regarding your fit with UConn for medical school?