Should I apply to more safeties?

[slimshady 22]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello, So I already finished my applications some time ago, but I am still wondering whether I should add more safeties to my list. I haven't got any interviews as of yet.

My Stats are as follows:

1)cGPA: 3.86 sGPA:3.90
2) MCAT- 510
3) State of residence: CA
4) ORM
5) Undergraduate: Top public school (Senior)
6) Research:
- 3 1/2 years, Approximately 1500 hours in a basic science lab, which led to 3 poster presentations, 3 abstracts at national conferences for all of which I am middle author, 1 publication as a 9th author. Expecting to get another two publication this summer, but they are probably going to be after I send in my application. Also got a research scholarship to work in the lab.

- 3 months, 400 hours in a neuroscience lab, Caltech SURF. Led to a poster presentation

- Clinical research lab, 2 years, approximately 400 to 500 hours. Led to an abstract at a national conference.

7) Clinical volunteering:
- Volunteered at a large renowned hospital affiliated with my university for 150 hours.

- switched to volunteering at a small hospital for the underserved and underprivileged population. 2 years for 200 hours.

- Volunteered for Red cross at their clinic for thalassemia patients and collaborated with them to conduct multiple blood donation camps in my neighborhood for the thalassemia patients.

8) Non-clinical Volunteering:
- Volunteering at a soup kitchen for underprivileged and homeless people. Included in packaging food and also in consulting with people to recommend various services. Volunteered for 2 years, 300 to 350 hours.

9) Shadowing:
- Shadowed a gastroenterologist for 50 hours

- Shadowed an oncologist and a general surgeon for 50 each.

10) Leadership
- External affair coordinator for a club at my school for 2 years, involved in expanding the club and connected with partner clubs at other universities, and conducted many collaborative projects.

And so far I applied to:

1) Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2) Drexel
3) George Washington
4) Georgetown
5) Indiana University
6) USC
8) Thomas Jefferson
9) UC Irvine
10) UCLA
11) UCSD
12) UCSF
13) University of Colorado
14) Case Western
15) Cincinnati
16) Dartmouth
17) Kaiser
18) Ohio State
19) Saint Louis
20) New York Medical School
21) UPitt
22) Wake Forest
23) Emory

I am thinking about sending applications to Loyola, Creighton, and EVMS. Please let me know if I should add any more safeties and if its still viable to send applications to them at this point in time in the application period.

Thanks

 

[Talldoctor96]

There are no safeties in MD admissions.

 

[KnightDoc]

This isn't UG. There is no such thing as a "safety," for anyone, and certainly not for an ORM from CA with a 510!

Other than that, your application looks decent. You need to keep in mind that it's still early.

Even though rock stars have been racking up IIs, far less than half of them have already gone out, everywhere. You do not appear to belong to a category that would warrant priority in a review, so not hearing anything to date means nothing other than you haven't yet been reviewed.

Adding three schools at the end of September is highly unlikely to make a difference in your ultimate results, but, it's only time and money. If it helps you sleep a little better, there is no reason not to do it.

 

[JimKimSlim]

I applied to more safeties when I applied, but they all rejected me without ii’s likely due to yield protection. My stats were basically identical to you but much higher MCAT.

 

[KnightDoc]

I applied to more safeties when I applied, but they all rejected me without ii’s likely due to yield protection. My stats were basically identical to you but much higher MCAT.

The very definition of "no such thing as safeties"! 🙂

 

[slimshady 22]

The very definition of "no such thing as safeties"! 🙂

I understand the fact about there not being any safeties or anything. But I was wondering whether I should apply to 3 more schools whose median MCAT matches my score? And if my list is too top-heavy for my stats, but if it's fine, then I probably won't apply to the 3 extra schools.

Thanks.

 

[KnightDoc]

I understand the fact about there not being any safeties or anything. But I was wondering whether I should apply to 3 more schools whose median MCAT matches my score?

Okay. So, the answer is that you are definitely at a disadvantage due to the calendar, but you are certain not to be accepted if you do not apply. As to whether you should apply, only you can answer whether your reduced likelihood of success, as compared to a month or two ago, makes it a cost effective investment. You definitely have a greater than zero chance of success. Beyond that, it's really totally up to you.

 

[slimshady 22]

Okay. So, the answer is that you are definitely at a disadvantage due to the calendar, but you are certain not to be accepted if you do not apply. As to whether you should apply, only you can answer whether your reduced likelihood of success, as compared to a month or two ago, makes it a cost effective investment. You definitely have a greater than zero chance of success. Beyond that, it's really totally up to you.

Thanks, I was just wondering whether my list is too top-heavy for my stats, but if it's fine, then I probably won't apply to the 3 extra schools.

 

[KnightDoc]

Thanks, I was just wondering whether my list is too top-heavy for my stats, but if it's fine, then I probably won't apply to the 3 extra schools.

Your list is fine. I understand your anxiety. Most of us are feeling it right around now.

An extra 3 schools wouldn't hurt if you are feeling anxious. The problem is the timing. An ORM from CA with a 510 is not going to jump ahead of the thousands of applications that have already been complete as much as 3 months ahead of you.

As a result, you might not be reviewed at all until December, or even later. And that's pretty late in a rolling admissions environment, where reviews have been taking place at many schools since mid-July. That's the only issue.

So, if you don't mind potentially throwing away a few hundred dollars, there is no reason not to take your shot. The alternative is playing coulda woulda shoulda if things don't work out this cycle.

 

[Faha]

You could add these schools today:
TCU-UNT
NOVA MD
Seton Hall
Temple
Quinnipiac
Oakland Beaumont
Medical College Wisconsin
Creighton