School List Help

[leanstarfish321]

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Hi Everyone, new to the forum so plz let me know if I am using it incorrectly!

I am having a bit of trouble making my school list as I am planning to apply this upcoming cycle 2026/2027. Here are some of my stats and experiences:

UCLA
Major: Economics B.A. + Molecular Biology B.S.
GPA: 3.97/4.00
MCAT: 520 (131/126/132/131)

California Resident planning to apply MD/PhD + MD. Ideally I would like to go to an MD/PhD program but I am not sure if I am well suited for it/I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by only applying MD/PhD and not getting anywhere because I am just not competitive enough.

Research Experience: 3000+ hours, 2 publications (3rd and 5th author), 5 presentations.

Clinical Experience:
EMT and IFT Company: 500 Hours Gap Year part time
MA at GI Clinic: 300 Hours volunteer basis

Non Clinical Volunteer:
Soup Kitchen: 100 hours

Part time RA for undergrad lab in gap year also. I graduated in June 2025 so I will have 2 gap years under my belt one completed before applying.

I am unsure how to balance my application list to make sure that I have a good shot everywhere. I am also unsure how to balance my application between MD and MD/PhD or if I even should. Ideally would like to be in California or NY (family there).

Right now planning to apply to all California schools but have not made the list much longer from here:

UCLA

UCSF

UCSD

UC Riverside

UCI

UC Davis

Stanford

Loma Linda

USC Keck

Kaiser Permanente

California Northstate University

California University of Science and Medicine

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine

Happy to answer any other questions that might seem to help guide my plan. Thanks for the help!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

1) Do you identify as URM? If not, you should reconsider Charles Drew.

2) With high metrics, I understand applying to all of the California medical schools, but hopefully the "lower tier" programs could be removed.

3) Why would you want to do MD/PhD? Do you see yourself running a lab? I don't see many opportunities that show me you understand academic life or campus leadership.

4) Non-clinical volunteering hours: You should get closer to 250 hours before applying. If you are applying MD/PhD, you might get away with 200 hours if you have an excellent research history and accomplishments.

 

[leanstarfish321]

Welcome to the forums.

1) Do you identify as URM? If not, you should reconsider Charles Drew.

2) With high metrics, I understand applying to all of the California medical schools, but hopefully the "lower tier" programs could be removed.

3) Why would you want to do MD/PhD? Do you see yourself running a lab? I don't see many opportunities that show me you understand academic life or campus leadership.

4) Non-clinical volunteering hours: You should get closer to 250 hours before applying. If you are applying MD/PhD, you might get away with 200 hours if you have an excellent research history and accomplishments.

Hi thanks for the reply!

1. I am not URM and good to know.

2. By lower tier programs which ones would do you mean? Would it be like: California Northstate, California University of Science, Drew, Davis, and Riverside

3. I am not entirely sure what my plan would be with MD/PhD but what I talk about in personal statement is how my mentors in lab have been physician scientists with academic lab and one of the biggest allures is how consistently they are able to drive our lab goals from day to day clinical experiences. I overall just have found that so valuable and necessary in translational research. I have campus leadership experiences with a few clubs I was involved in:

Most notable a STEM education outreach organization I helped found focused on stem for elementary schools.

4. Yes I am planning to get my non clinical hours up by then.

As for out of state schools if I am applying to say like 40 schools what balance should I have between T20 and non T20 "lower tier" programs.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

2. By lower tier programs which ones would do you mean? Would it be like: California Northstate, California University of Science, Drew, Davis, and Riverside

I definitely allude to Cal Northstate and CUSM. Drew, Davis, and Riverside are different because they are very geographically mission-focused, and from what you have said you valued, I don't think you would fit them.

3. I am not entirely sure what my plan would be with MD/PhD but what I talk about in personal statement is how my mentors in lab have been physician scientists with academic lab and one of the biggest allures is how consistently they are able to drive our lab goals from day to day clinical experiences. I overall just have found that so valuable and necessary in translational research.

If this is what you wrote about in your personal statement, you missed the assignment. That may work a bit better for one of your MD/PhD essays (the why MD/PhD). I would like to hear your observations about empathy with those who are suffering around you, not your personal story interacting with illness (among other things to write about). Sure, you could drop a note about translational research there, but I need to see how everything you did makes sense with that purpose.

I have campus leadership experiences with a few clubs I was involved in: Most notable a STEM education outreach organization I helped found focused on stem for elementary schools.

That's not what I meant by campus leadership. Were you involved in any clubs that you didn't establish? What communities did you join that sustained you or got you to be interested in others around you who weren't premed-bound or in your major? Who would miss you when you graduate?

As for out of state schools if I am applying to say like 40 schools what balance should I have between T20 and non T20 "lower tier" programs.

Have you attended any recruitment events where those schools chatted with you about why you would be happy attending their programs? After all, what do you want to do in medical school? What opportunities are you searching for to help you stand out as a residency/ERAS applicant?