Shooting for T20?

[baconatoravocado1000]

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[Mr.Smile12]

If you are convinced you want to go away from your state, then don't apply EAP. Take the chance like everyone else in the application process; do your networking and figure out if the grass is really greener over there. And worth the debt.

We told you...

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Thread '...'

Nov 24, 2025

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• baconatoravocado1000
• Replies: 17
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

 

[baconatoravocado1000]

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[Mr.Smile12]

Surprised you remember me with how many people are on this forum! I guess the problem for me is not knowing if I am 100% convinced I want to leave or if I want to stay.

Would I be setting myself up in a bad position for competitive residencies if I were to stay in-state?

I forget what state you are in-state for, but I'm not sure you know how to play the residency game. (Granted, I haven't played it.)

It takes a lot to become desirable for a competitive residency, often including an audition rotation at the competitive residency.

 

[Med Ed]

Indeed, 510 is only the 79th percentile. Anything below 80th is pleb territory.

It sounds like you need to take your shot. Good luck.

 

[LelouchLamperouge]

Surprised you remember me with how many people are on this forum! I guess the problem for me is not knowing if I am 100% convinced I want to leave or if I want to stay.

Would I be setting myself up in a bad position for competitive residencies if I were to stay in-state?

Your ability to match is heavily dependent on many factors. I don’t think your state medical school will hinder your ability to match into a competitive specialty as it depends more on the applicant, rather than the program itself. If your school has a home residency program, then that’s a bonus.

Where did you get your information on this statement? You should do more research on the match process and what applicants did to match to your desired specialty. Even if “school prestige” mattered, you can’t get anywhere without the board scores to match, ironically.

1. l have heard that with Step 1 being pass/fail, there is a greater emphasis on school prestige when matching for residency.

If you feel like you have a really strong chance of getting an A via EAP, why not just apply to the regular MD program when the next cycle starts so you can keep your options open by applying to other schools?

1. I faced a similar dilemma for undergrad. (T20 vs state school) and ultimately stuck with my state school. I have really appreciated the amount of opportunity I have been given to shine and stand out here, but I can't help but wonder about that "what if"

I would just really appreciate guidance on making this decision. I believe I have a very high chance of getting into this medical school through the early assurance program, and if I do get an acceptance I don't think I would be able to turn it down for the chance of maybe getting into a better school (and it would hurt my application cycle, no? i would have to declare that I turned down a med school acceptance)

 

[polymerization]

I stand by what I said before... your narrative is going to make or break you... and while you have the numbers and the basics, I don't see a central throughline that can support your claims. You looked geriatrics-bound on paper, and saying you are strongly against going into primary care creates a huge value mismatch given your activities.

You've spent a lot of your time doing things that are admirable, like engaging in community health, or rehabbing the elderly. Working with this population has made up the majority of your clinical and clinical-adjacent activities. You shoot yourself in the foot by saying "I hated that." It also leaves a vacuum: the obvious next question is "Fine, what did you like, then? Why are you even here? How do you know if you've never been exposed to it?"

I say, leave the can of worms sealed and on a top shelf. You are not held at gunpoint to fully honor the statements you make on your application four years from now. My opinion is that you should instead be leaning into your strengths and reinforce that not only did you enjoy caring for some of our most vulnerable and medically complex patients, but it inspired you to continue exploring opportunities to enrich your understanding of diverse patient populations in medical school.

I've been beyond humbled meeting other applicants on the interview trail at UCs and Ivies. I appreciate your confidence, but if you do apply, give it your best shot because you would be surprised how unremarkable grades become at the schools you're targeting. You can't rest on your laurels and still expect to have a good cycle.

See the WAMC subforum to find several recent examples of people with applications that look like yours who are reapplying in May.

 

[AJ25]

The 4.0 and 522 can backfire on you as well. Some med schools see that as "weird."

 

[baconatoravocado1000]

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[baconatoravocado1000]

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[baconatoravocado1000]

The 4.0 and 522 can backfire on you as well. Some med schools see that as "weird."

I personally know people with even higher MCATs struggling to get interviews, so I am very very aware of this possibility.

 

[AJ25]

I personally know people with even higher MCATs struggling to get interviews, so I am very very aware of this possibility.

It sounds crazy but if I could pick and choose my stats, I would want the school averages and then differentiate myself through activities.

When I see 4.0, I see someone who will be very disappointed with the real world once they are out of school. And that further makes me wonder if they will actually like medicine as a career.