MD School list

[EliottReid]

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I'll repost later 🙂

 

[NoDakDok]

Are you an URM? You certainly don't need it, but every little bit helps. That status exists to fulfill a necessary healthcare gap, so don't be afraid to designate it if you qualify. Such a status may also further support your interests in global medicine, as that is relevant below.

Global health would be a HUGE part of my application, so I am aiming to apply to schools that specify this. Unless you believe it's a bad idea to have specific topics before even being in medical school? What do you think?

It's absolutely not a bad idea to have a preference for a certain field of medicine. It's an extra bonus if this is in line with the mission of the schools you apply to. I strongly encourage you look at schools that focus on global medicine if that's what you have demonstrated significant interest in. You might want to check out Northwestern University and Mayo for starters, I know they have strong global health programs. Many of the 'top' schools do, too.

Only 12 now, I might go to 15-17? I don't know which ones you call reach schools (except the Ivy+standford) but if you think that these are too risky, let me know.

Boston University
Harvard University
University of Minnesota - TC
Stanford
Yale
Duke
Dartmouth
Virginia
U of pennsylvania
Cornell
Columbia (this one looks great)
Vanderbilt

You have an extremely strong application in numbers and ECs. For that reason I don't think you're necessarily overreaching and the world is your oyster. However, it wouldn't be a bad idea to include some other "mid-tiers" to round off your list around 15 - 17 schools you're willing to fill out secondaries for and attend if for some reason you don't get into the top schools. For mid-tiers, you can emphasize those with global health programs even more than the top schools; clear expression of interest is particularly important in schools your stats are higher than.

I believe Boston University receives an absurd amount of applications every year, so it wouldn't hurt to replace it with schools like WashU, University of Chicago, and University of Michigan with your numbers, unless you have specific interest in that program. The ones I mentioned have global health opportunities, incredible reputations, and they also just happen to provide extensive scholarships if you're lucky 😉

ongoing 1500+ as a scribe (I am applying next year so I am not sure if I should add typical shadowing?)

Scribe work is generally considered adequate shadowing, especially with that many hours. It wouldn't hurt to spend a week shadowing an area that you may not have extensive experience with if you feel so inclined, but I wouldn't say it's required. I know Fairview has some very friendly physicians that would love to have you, you just have to ask.

As long as you don't have the personality of my pet rock (sorry, Speedy) or any other unmentioned issues, I don't think you'll have any problems. Best of luck 🙂

 

[EliottReid]

Oh my... thank you for takingthe time to answer me, I really appreciate it.
I have always liked Boston University, I don't really know why, I'll give it a shot and I'll add the schools you mentionned.
Also, I am not a URM, just an international student who is lucky enough to receive a green card by next year hopefully.

Thank you again.

By the way
"my pet rock (sorry, Speedy) "

 

[NoDakDok]

Oh my... thank you for takingthe time to answer me, I really appreciate it.

Not a problem, I'm evading my studying anyways.

I have always liked Boston University, I don't really know why, I'll give it a shot and I'll add the schools you mentionned.

If you really like a school, no harm in applying. If you love a school you're going to have a much easier time writing a compelling secondary. Don't tie yourself to the schools I mentioned simply because I did, I was just pointing out that there are a lot of schools out there with plenty of variety that may tailor to your wants and needs. Those were just a few I think you'd be interested in. You already have a good list. I believe Stanford, for example, is the epitome of your application (I imagine you'll see if they still have the same secondary as when I applied). Expanding your list with a couple schools like the ones I mentioned and a couple middle tiers with strong global emphasis is certainly ideal, if you're okay with filling out the secondaries and paying the extra fees as insurance.

Also, I am not a URM, just an international student who is lucky enough to receive a green card by next year hopefully.

That's fine, you certainly don't need the URM status to be competitive at top programs. As long as you have your green card I think your international experience will be particularly interesting for admissions committees given your global emphasis (though I have no personal experience with this).

By the way
"my pet rock (sorry, Speedy) "

🙂

 

[gyngyn]

Did you already apply this cycle?

 

[EliottReid]

Did you already apply this cycle?

No, I'll apply next year for the first time.


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[gyngyn]

No, I'll apply next year for the first time.


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Thank goodness! The green card is all that is standing in the way of a successful cycle (and few more selected schools).

 

[NoDakDok]

Thank goodness! The green card is all that is standing in the way of a successful cycle (and few more selected schools).

Wouldn't say the only thing. Interviews have a very, very real impact on your potential acceptances. Assuming decently written primary and secondaries OP will have plenty of interviews. But with a little bad luck and some poor performances you can end up repeating a cycle. Personal anecdote, you don't want that to happen with the investment you put into applying the first time.

A 3.85/39 with a well-rounded application is pretty safe though, obviously. But beyond the green card don't neglect your application, application timing, and interviews. Proofread well/get feedback, be early, and prepare well, respectively.

 

[gyngyn]

Wouldn't say the only thing. Interviews have a very, very real impact on your potential acceptances. Assuming decently written primary and secondaries OP will have plenty of interviews. But with a little bad luck and some poor performances you can end up repeating a cycle. Personal anecdote, you don't want that to happen with the investment you put into applying the first time.

A 3.85/39 with a well-rounded application is pretty safe though, obviously. But beyond the green card don't neglect your application, application timing, and interviews. Proofread well/get feedback, be early, and prepare well, respectively.

Brevity can be as effective as inclusivity (particularly with advice!)

 

[EliottReid]

Thanks to both of you.
NoDakDok, you're right, anything can happen and the interview is very important. I am very lucky to have my theater prof (also an interview coach), PI and English prof to give feedback on how I answer my questions. I am very interested in the opinion of a non scientist on how she understands the way I explain my research and also my PI who would give me feedback on how accurate I am in explaining my research (if the interviewers want to know more about them). The English prof also is a specialist in diversity, so her opinion on how compassionate and open minded I am is very important. Finally, my coach prof would give me feedback on how I am acting during the interview (smiling, hand gestures, voice...etc.). They are all great people and I am again very lucky to be surrounded by them. (All of them also agreed to review my personal statement which I started writing a month ago).

 

[NoDakDok]

Brevity can be as effective as inclusive (particularly with advice!)

Certainly! I just wanted to make sure s/he takes full advantage of their situation, especially since it loosely relates to me 🙂 Strangely I actually ended up overpreparing for my interviews, which led to a very uncharacteristic anxiety for me during them. This was very unexpected and came off really poorly.

Best of luck OP, let us know how it goes in a couple years 😀

 

[EliottReid]

Certainly! I just wanted to make sure s/he takes full advantage of their situation, especially since it loosely relates to me 🙂 Strangely I actually ended up overpreparing for my interviews, which led to a very uncharacteristic anxiety for me during them. This was very unexpected and came off really poorly.

That's interesting, is it too much to ask you to explain?
Do you mean talking like a robot who memorized all the answers when you say "overpreparing"?

 

[NoDakDok]

That's interesting, is it too much to ask you to explain?
Do you mean talking like a robot who memorized all the answers when you say "overpreparing"?

It's fine to ask! Just general anxiety which is not my personality... some specifics like I came off a bit robotic due to having prepared so much; I'd answered each question I got asked 10-20+ times. Additionally, when I got questions I hadn't answered before (e.g. stress questions... "Do you hate anyone?" "How do you deal with being smarter than people you work/study with?" etc. Just odd/weird) it would feel more like a "surprise" than it would in a regular conversation. Basically, I came off very impersonal (bad, bad, bad!). Considering I'm an extremely laid back individual normally, you can imagine how unnatural that made me appear.

I certainly don't think it's a common issue. Just be prepared for your interviews and be yourself, then you'll do great!

 

[Goro]

Nothing wrong with aiming high. I would recommend:


Boston University
Harvard University
University of Minnesota - TC
Stanford
Yale
Duke
Dartmouth
Virginia
U of pennsylvania
Cornell
Columbia (this one looks great)
Vanderbilt
Mt Sinai
Pitt
U Chicago
Wash U
JHU
USC
UCSF
UCSD
UCLA
U MI
U IA (since you're close by)
Northwestern

 

[EliottReid]

Nothing wrong with aiming high. I would recommend:


Boston University
Harvard University
University of Minnesota - TC
Stanford
Yale
Duke
Dartmouth
Virginia
U of pennsylvania
Cornell
Columbia (this one looks great)
Vanderbilt
Mt Sinai
Pitt
U Chicago
Wash U
JHU
USC
UCSF
UCSD
UCLA
U MI
U IA (since you're close by)
Northwestern

Thank you.

I thought the UCs barely accept OOS students?!

 

[Goro]

With your numbers and ECs, I'll wager you might be one of them! The UTx schools as well.

Thank you.

I thought the UCs barely accept OOS students?!

 

[EliottReid]

With your numbers and ECs, I'll wager you might be one of them! The UTx schools as well.

Thank you 🙂


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