Stats Better than ECs

[Flashfan]

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I had previously made my school list before receiving my MCAT percentiles. I have clinical, non-clinical volunteering, leadership, tutoring, blue-collar work experience but only a summer of full-time bench research. I do have psych research and the possibility of a published lit review next fall. I interview well and have great LORs from a very small school. I don't think I have glaring gaps in my application, especially when I thought I would be applying with a 30-32 equivalent MCAT.
My percentile breakdown is this:
Chem/Phys: 85-100%
CARS: 82-97%
Bio: 85-100%
Psych/Soc: 85-100%
Overall: 90-100%
CGPA: 3.93, sGPA 3.87

I am worried that I will end up screened out of the top schools (if I apply to them) for lack of research and amazing ECs, but ignored by schools that are unwilling to interview me because I am higher than their median. I seem to read a lot of stories here about people with good scores getting shut out of the application season.

Are their schools with mid-high stats that can overlook my mediocre research? I am not aiming for Stanford or JHU, but would like a school with strong research potential, p/f grading and happy students.

 

[HybridEarth]

Do you have longevity/depth in your other experiences? If so, I wouldn't worry so much about your research. I think 8 months of hopefully fruitful research is still more than about half the applicants I've read posts from (don't quote me on that number lol)

 

[Flashfan]

My bench research is only 3 months, and I am not sure if I will be able to continue it in the fall. I do have long term clinical and leadership/club participation is 4 years.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Hard to say on the MCAT yet but assuming around a 34 is fair. You don't get screened out because your stats are higher than their median. That type of screening happens when talking about you are above the 90th percentile of for their stats. 34 MCAT isn't near high enough for that.

Look top schools emphasize research and not having too much of it is an issue there is no way around it. Not doing much research wouldn't make you a good fit at research heavy schools anyway. If we are talking these very top schools a 33-34 MCAT is also on the low side. But people that do have top research and 36+MCATs get shut out completely from top schools all the time; that's just the nature of the game. Saying it's top school or bust for your applications is foolish.

Having said all that you are in a very good position. While I wouldn't be focusing too much effort on sending schools like Harvard applications, those such as USC, Boston U and Emory are fantastic schools definitely worth strong consideration.

 

[Flashfan]

The only top schools I might throw into the ring would be Mayo, UCSF and U of Chicago. I am more concerned with USC, Emory, Pitt and Miami. I guess my idea of top is lower than most. Up until yesterday I was just hoping for my state school. I don't intend to apply only to top schools; I just don't want my application to be laughed off the table because I scored above my ECs might demonstrate.

 

[jaga1603]

The only top schools I might throw into the ring would be Mayo, UCSF and U of Chicago. I am more concerned with USC, Emory, Pitt and Miami. I guess my idea of top is lower than most. Up until yesterday I was just hoping for my state school. I don't intend to apply only to top schools; I just don't want my application to be laughed off the table because I scored above my ECs might demonstrate.

Are you from California? Also Pitt is very research focused and is generally likes to see substantial research experience, and they have a very high avg MCAT (36). Without a higher MCAT or more expansive research I think you are looking at long odds there. USC also generally likes higher MCAT scores but with their county hospital, they are very interested in applicants with service ECs such as yourself. A 32 MCAT is solid, and you have an excellent GPA. I would check out an MSAR though, as many of the schools you mentioned have average MCATs of 34 and above.

 

[Banco]

One full time summer of bench research is pretty good and shouldn't necessarily hold you back. Plus the psych research is good too. Depending on your MCAT (which looks great) I would definitely apply to some top 20 schools - you will never know unless you try. Just have a good amount of mid-tiers and safe options too.

You should be happy, at minimum you have a 90%ile MCAT, which is ~33, and very good!

 

[Flashfan]

So if my bench research is enough, I will just take a better look at MSAR when I get the real score. Looks like Pitt will drop off the list as well.

 

[Flashfan]

Are you from California?

I was born there, and would love nothing more than to return. If I am going to waste money on a dream school, it will be a California school.

 

[Banco]

So if my bench research is enough, I will just take a better look at MSAR when I get the real score. Looks like Pitt will drop off the list as well.

Yeah just assess via stats once you get the final verdict.

Also your reach list is kind of weird. Pitt is elite, USC/Emory are upper mid-tiers, and Miami is a mid-tier, and all of them cater to different missions. Yeah Pitt is probably not the best choice with light research, but if you really wanted the school for specific reasons then I wouldn't discourage you from applying (depending on your score of course). Your bench research should at least be enough to give you an idea of what research is like - plus the psych research is still considered, so don't discount that.

 

[Flashfan]

Even though I know it will change, Pitt is one of the best in Neurodevelopmental Disorder research and child neurology-my primary interests. USC is close to my gf, and I grew up on the West Coast. Emory has 18 month preclinical and pass/fail. Miami is my relief from lake effect snow and has a lot of applicants. I haven't really looked at any school on the upper range because I didn't think I would be applying to any school with a median higher than 33.

 

[Banco]

Even though I know it will change, Pitt is one of the best in Neurodevelopmental Disorder research and child neurology-my primary interests. USC is close to my gf, and I grew up on the West Coast. Emory has 18 month preclinical and pass/fail. Miami is my relief from lake effect snow and has a lot of applicants. I haven't really looked at any school on the upper range because I didn't think I would be applying to any school with a median higher than 33.

That's good, if you have specific interest and you can express that, apply to the school! Your MCAT is really only a mystery for Pitt. I think you'll be competitive for Emory, USC, and Miami because at minimum your have a 90%ile, which is close to their average. If your MCAT comes out to 95%ile then you should look into adding some more top schools.