Should I keep top tiers off my list?

[mgmg1230]

My cumGPA and MCAT are 3.8 and 514. Based on those numbers, should I keep the top 15 programs off my list? I'm aware that their medians are around ~518

Basic summary of ECs:
1 year of research
3 years clinical experience
~500 volunteer hours
On-campus tutoring for a semester
Shadowing

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[GrapesofRath]

A couple are fine and even worthwhile but you should have a dozen or more "target" type schools you can going in saying you have a reasonable shot at getting an II for. Schools that get <10k apps with an MCAT median between 32-33 are likely what will be that for you not the top 20s

 

[saltypug]

My obtuse answer is no. I think it's healthy to have a couple of reaches. It'd boil down to your ECs and more but if you've got a compelling app, you could potentially make for a strong applicant. I had similar stats to you and got IIs from reaches. This process is kinda unpredictable and you hope to do this only once, so if you can afford it and think there might be a chance, I'd go for it.