*^~*~^* The Official 2006-2007 "What Are My Chances/Where to Apply" Thread *^~*~^* part 01

[akaz]

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That is good but you need some safeties. I know someone 5.0/5.0 gpa at MIT (weird MIT grading). The best labs, publications, awesome letters of rec (we saw them because he was hired), clinical experience, a 39 MCAT. He was rejected everywhere but Tufts and AECOM. Make sure your PS statement is good, and interview is good. Add some safeties..

I am going to be a senior at a very challenging top-20 college.

I have a 3.8 GPA which is very high by the standards here. I have taken lots of honors classes and majored in biology with a minor in quantative biology which involves taking a lot of biomath and biochem classes.

I have great recs from my PIs, profs and volunteer coordinators, they have said that i am the one of the smartest that they've ever seen.

My MCAT is 40P (14P, 12V, 14B, P), verbal is low because i am not a native speaker and learned english in high school

I have three years of research experience with no publications. This past year I'm working on my own research project funded by NIH as a part of a competitive research program.

I have 2 years of hospital volunteering experience, engaged in mentoring and community service activities with only 1 leadership position. I also expressed on the AMCAS my interest in art and piano, but I do not have any big achievements.

I am a student marshal which is the highest honor that the university gives to students based on academics and extracurriculars. i am also on the deans list

i am also an international student

so, here's where im applying to: yale, stanford, harvard, johh hopkins, northwestern, u of washington, washington st.louis, uchicago, brown, dartmouth, nyu, columbia, cornell, baylor

what do you guys think are my chances of getting accepted by any of these places? any comment would be appreciated 🙂

 

[strawberryfield]

are you serious?? 🙄 ...

I stopped reading past the 12 on verbal is "low" and I've got nothing more to say other than judging by the schools you are applying to, I'd say you know EXACTLY what your chances are...

 

[kelpy]

sorry i didnt mean to sound cocky or anything 🙁 i changed it to lower, i meant lower compared to bs and ps...

 

[mam4993]

God, why are pre-meds so damned vain?

 

[mtmunie]

Are you serious? Jeez!
I was just about to stop reading and tell you to get a life when I got to the “I’m international” line. By the way, u think a 12 is low in verbal? Ok, back to my point before I digress on this.
Being an international student does put you to a great disadvantage (as one, I know), so even though you have incredible stats, I would also apply to mid-tier schools. But you have great chances at the schools that you listed too.

I am going to be a senior at a very challenging top-20 college.

I have a 3.8 GPA which is very high by the standards here. I have taken lots of honors classes and majored in biology with a minor in quantative biology which involves taking a lot of biomath and biochem classes.

I have great recs from my PIs, profs and volunteer coordinators, they have said that I am the one of the smartest that they've ever seen.

My MCAT is 40P (14P, 12V, 14B, P), verbal is low because I am not a native speaker and learned english in high school

I have three years of research experience with no publications. This past year I'm working on my own research project funded by NIH as a part of a competitive research program.

I have 2 years of hospital volunteering experience, engaged in mentoring and community service activities with only 1 leadership position. I also expressed on the AMCAS my interest in art and piano, but I do not have any big achievements.

I am a student marshal which is the highest honor that the university gives to students based on academics and extracurriculars. I am also on the deans list

I am also an international student

so, here's where im applying to: yale, stanford, harvard, johh hopkins, northwestern, u of washington, washington st.louis, uchicago, brown, dartmouth, nyu, columbia, cornell, baylor

what do you guys think are my chances of getting accepted by any of these places? any comment would be appreciated 🙂

 

[jackieMD2007]

There is a WHOLE official "WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?" Thread.
I would think that someone who got a freakin' 40 on the MCAT would be able to identify and make use of such a thread.

 

[kelpy]

I did not know that being an intl student was a disadvantage when applying to private schools, unless you want financial aid. I would think that they would be seeing it as a plus since it would add to diversity.

 

[boilerbeast]

ah, let the fishing for compliments/ego boosters begin.

 

[Shejeboshease]

There is a WHOLE official "WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?" Thread.
I would think that someone who got a freakin' 40 on the MCAT would be able to identify and make use of such a thread.

He is just trying to show off his stats

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

You have zero chance at getting into any of those schools.

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

I have great recs from my PIs, profs and volunteer coordinators, they have said that I am the one of the smartest that they've ever seen.

You have got to be $hi++ing me!

 

[MollyMalone]

Welcome to the big WAMC thread, Kelpy. Enjoy your stay. 🙂

 

[coco11]

I did not know that being an intl student was a disadvantage when applying to private schools, unless you want financial aid. I would think that they would be seeing it as a plus since it would add to diversity.

then just stop. you seem like you already know what your chances are, you didn't really seem to point out that you had any weaknesses that you could think of. 🙄 stop gloating.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

It sounds like you are serious. And frankly, that's scary.

Your profile suggests that you would be competitive pretty much anywhere, so I sincerely hope this isn't an attempt to boost your ego. You've been around on SDN long enough to know about resources like the MSAR and MDapplicants to gauge your competitiveness. It's not like you're going to get an accurate, in-depth analysis of your chances for each of the medical schools on your list. If someone actually claims that you'll get into Columbia, but rejected by Yale, that would be entirely arbitrary; your query could be answered just as effectively by a magic ball. I agree with the others who mentioned that you should add more safety schools and apply more broadly, but other than that tidbit of advice, I really can't imagine what magical pearls of wisdom you're hoping to find in the responses.

You've got a 40P, 3.8, good ECs, etc. Honestly, you know where you stand.

Forgive me if I was excessively blunt.

And good luck with the application cycle (not that I think you'll need it 😛).

 

[UMP]

I am going to be a senior at a very challenging top-20 college.

I have a 3.8 GPA which is very high by the standards here. I have taken lots of honors classes and majored in biology with a minor in quantative biology which involves taking a lot of biomath and biochem classes.

I have great recs from my PIs, profs and volunteer coordinators, they have said that I am the one of the smartest that they've ever seen.

My MCAT is 40P (14P, 12V, 14B, P), verbal is lower because I am not a native speaker and learned english in high school

I have three years of research experience with no publications. This past year I'm working on my own research project funded by NIH as a part of a competitive research program.

I have 2 years of hospital volunteering experience, engaged in mentoring and community service activities with only 1 leadership position. I also expressed on the AMCAS my interest in art and piano, but I do not have any big achievements.

I am a student marshal which is the highest honor that the university gives to students based on academics and extracurriculars. I am also on the deans list

I am also an international student

so, here's where im applying to: yale, stanford, harvard, johh hopkins, northwestern, u of washington, washington st.louis, uchicago, brown, dartmouth, nyu, columbia, cornell, baylor

what do you guys think are my chances of getting accepted by any of these places? any comment would be appreciated 🙂

being an international will definitely hurt your chances... make sure to put some safety schools on there... make sure your down-to-earth demeanor shows through in your interviews it's definitely something adcom's would like to see, a real people's person like you. I think you would fit in very well at wash u and have a legitimate shot there since they like the smell of their own **** as much as you do... good luck in your apps process, you'll do super! 👍

 

[doctordutch]

I did not know that being an intl student was a disadvantage when applying to private schools, unless you want financial aid. I would think that they would be seeing it as a plus since it would add to diversity.

Being an international student means you are more likely to go back to wherever you came from and practice medicine there. US med schools want to graduated doctors who will stay and aid the healthcare system in the US. Regardless of you intentions of staying in the US, I know medical schools are more critical of international student applicants, having spoken with medical school admissions deans.

 

[kelpy]

I'm just curious: Why are they more criticial towards international students in addition to the reason you just mentioned?

 

[Bluntman]

I'm just curious: Why are they more criticial towards international students in addition to the reason you just mentioned?

That is why they are more critical.

 

[PBandJ]

I think you would fit in very well at wash u and have a legitimate shot there since they like the smell of their own **** as much as you do... good luck in your apps process, you'll do super! 👍

 

[theaggie07]

I don't know much about Drexel. Sorry. Interview well will be to your benefit! If you get to the interview stage you probably stand a good shot at UTSW or Baylor. Make sure you point out that experience you have shadowing doctors within your research (I'm sure you will, just reiterating that point). I was thinking about volunteer work at a clinic or something but if your shadowing is that extensive, you're golden. Still add some OOS state schools within your range to ensure yourself a spot in med school.

PS: I remember MSC Lead - I was in Wiley (back in the day) you people used to piss us off because you always took over the SPO ah the good old days 😀

Ha ha, not to make you feel old, but I think Wiley was gone before I came around. That or I'm obtuse and never heard of it. I think I might end up with 300 hours shadowing during this summer alone. I wonder if having face time with the CMIO counts as shadowing of sorts. I mean it's definitely a career that an MD can pursue. I also have time with an MD consultant. This job has definitely opened my eyes as to the various careers that an MD can pursue. It's not just limited to practicing as I guess I've previously thought. I'm hoping that I can interview at UTSW or Baylor. I think my internship has allowed me to write some pretty interesting essays for their secondaries. I hope they like them at least. I definitely wouldn't mind ending up at A&M-sweet apt, plus not moving, plus not going long distance with the bf=very sweet deal, IMO. So, you think that I should add on schools to the 11 I've already chosen (paid for)?

 

[theaggie07]

GPA 4.0
MCAT 32Q
-2 yrs. volunteering at two different hospitals
-genetics research (no publishing or any of that cool stuff)
-summer shadowing a dr.
-resident advisor and great leadership ECs
-good/great LORs


I'm applying to all the schools in TX, including Baylor.
I consider outside schools (and I guess I still am), but I'm concerned that I'm too borderline to compete with the thousands of applicants that apply for the private schools. I would hate to spend $ on a crap shoot...especially since I would prefer to stay in TX anyways.

Also, as far as TX is concerened, I want to learn in a more urban environment (than college station, where I go to undergrad.) So, UTSW, UTH, UTSA, Baylor, and somewhat Galveston are at the top of my list.

Thoughts?
How does everyone think I would fare if I threw myself outside the state at just gave it a shot?

Ok, after spending a week in Galveston for spring break one year, and being a fellow aggie, I would MUCH rather stay in CS than go to Galveston. From what I saw of Galveston (which I'm pretty sure was all of it), there is a lot less there than in CS. I would not say that you are borderline either. While a 32 isn't a 36-40, it's still a very respectable score. Especially with having a 4.0! I think being on SDN gives people a very skewed perception of the applicant pool. From what I've heard from the OPSA office the average MCAT score of everyone who takes is a 24 and matriculants have a 28 (average).

 

[SpinEcho13]

From what I've heard from the OPSA office the average MCAT score of everyone who takes is a 24 and matriculants have a 28 (average).

April 2006 administration had an mean of ~25, last year's applicants had a 28 avg and last years matriculants had a 31 avg.

 

[Anastasis]

Ha ha, not to make you feel old, but I think Wiley was gone before I came around. That or I'm obtuse and never heard of it. I think I might end up with 300 hours shadowing during this summer alone. I wonder if having face time with the CMIO counts as shadowing of sorts. I mean it's definitely a career that an MD can pursue. I also have time with an MD consultant. This job has definitely opened my eyes as to the various careers that an MD can pursue. It's not just limited to practicing as I guess I've previously thought. I'm hoping that I can interview at UTSW or Baylor. I think my internship has allowed me to write some pretty interesting essays for their secondaries. I hope they like them at least. I definitely wouldn't mind ending up at A&M-sweet apt, plus not moving, plus not going long distance with the bf=very sweet deal, IMO. So, you think that I should add on schools to the 11 I've already chosen (paid for)?

Wiley Lecture Series!? No it's still around. One of the better endowed commitees, actually. Now the other one I was involved with: conversations. I heard it died right after I left. So sad. 🙁

Adding schools will be like insurance. I only advise that because I have read too many heartbreak stories on SDN about TX people with good stats not getting in anywhere. It's something to look at at the very least.

 

[DrHusky]

I am going to be a senior at a very challenging top-20 college.

I have a 3.8 GPA which is very high by the standards here.

I have great recs from my PIs, profs and volunteer coordinators, they have said that I am the one of the smartest that they've ever seen.

I am a student marshal which is the highest honor that the university gives to students based on academics and extracurriculars. I am also on the deans list

I would say you are going to probably have some issues at an interview. I think your back might be sore from patting it so hard yourself.

Let me tell you a story. I know I guy with 40S, 4.0 in engineering from UW who used even less adjectives describing himself, that didn't get into ANY of the top 20....something about sounding pompous.

 

[UMP]

edit:

:insert foot in mouth:

I must read a bit more closely... 😀

 

[hari-bhari]

Hi, I wanted some advice on which schools to apply to because I'm a little overwhelmed at the choices, and also whether or not I should retake the MCAT in August. My stats are:

-30Q (12P, 10V, 8B)
-around 3.65 science and non-science GPA
-9 semesters of solid research experience in several fields. most recent one held for 6 semesters and hopeful to get a paper submitted in august as primary author.
-decent letters of recommendation, but probably nothing too outstanding
-1 year experience tutoring at elementary school
-1 year experience volunteering at underpriveleged children's day care center
-2 research scholarships as well as NMS
-shadowing from June 06 - Current
-volunteering starts next week (hopefully)
-2 years leadership (vice president and justice) in residence hall ass'n
-BME national honors society member as well as AMSA
-Biomedical Student Advisory Board nominee

I am mostly concerned whether I have a solid shot at MCG or other MCG-caliber schools (is VCU comparable?) Where else can/should I apply?

Any help is greatly appreciated as well as recommendations on whether or not to take the August MCAT (probably with a MAX score increase of 2-4 points).

Thanks in advance.

I was wondering if anyone had some time to recommend some schools to me so I know where to look. And also, I've gotten mixed opinions on whether or not to retake the MCAT in August, so any additional input with reasoning would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TMP-SMX]

I was wondering if anyone had some time to recommend some schools to me so I know where to look. And also, I've gotten mixed opinions on whether or not to retake the MCAT in August, so any additional input with reasoning would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

If you can get that BS section up that would make it a good score. But try not to go cold on the PS section.

Check out the MSAR. What is your home state?

Also... Don't check the box that you are taking the August MCAT. I'm sure you won't be rejected right out of the gate.

Why did you get a low BS score? What's your major and have you had some upper level biology?

 

[hari-bhari]

If you can get that BS section up that would make it a good score. But try not to go cold on the PS section.

Check out the MSAR. What is your home state?

Also... Don't check the box that you are taking the August MCAT. I'm sure you won't be rejected right out of the gate.

Why did you get a low BS score? What's your major and have you had some upper level biology?

Well I hope I can get the bio up to a 10, but probably not higher. I can also probably get verbal up to 12, and keep an 11-12 on PS, so I'm looking at a 33-34 tops. The reason I do poorly in bio is 1) I absolutely hate memorizing stuff (which is just great for med school, I know) and 2) I suck at all sorts of chemistry. I'm a GA resident, but whats MSAR (stupid question, probably)?

 

[Januine]

Being an international student means you are more likely to go back to wherever you came from and practice medicine there. US med schools want to graduated doctors who will stay and aid the healthcare system in the US. Regardless of you intentions of staying in the US, I know medical schools are more critical of international student applicants, having spoken with medical school admissions deans.

how about US born but grew up overseas?

 

[TMP-SMX]

Well I hope I can get the bio up to a 10, but probably not higher. I can also probably get verbal up to 12, and keep an 11-12 on PS, so I'm looking at a 33-34 tops. The reason I do poorly in bio is 1) I absolutely hate memorizing stuff (which is just great for med school, I know) and 2) I suck at all sorts of chemistry. I'm a GA resident, but whats MSAR (stupid question, probably)?

Medical School Admission Requirements. Contains everything you need to know about requirements, median MCAT and GPA scores, and in-state/out-of-state acceptance statistics.

Check your local library. 😉

And biology should be conceptualized at a basic level. Until that happens you will always think of it as memorizing. You have to get the big picture of biology and understand why you are spending the time trying to understand these things.

 

[ValidPoint]

this may be a stupid question, but what the hell... once u apply to amcas... do i send them letters from my professors or do i send the recommendation letters to each individual school i'm applying to..??? thanks guys!

 

[TMP-SMX]

this may be a stupid question, but what the hell... once u apply to amcas... do i send them letters from my professors or do i send the recommendation letters to each individual school i'm applying to..??? thanks guys!

First check to see if your school has a pre-med committee. Second, if they do, then all of your letters go to them and they write a composite letter. Then they send that to the schools.

AMCAS has nothing to do with your recommendations.

And you shouldn't be handling recommendations. It's risky to not waive your right to see the recommendation. They tend to mean less if you don't waive your right.

 

[doctordutch]

how about US born but grew up overseas?

As long as you have US citizenship, you're fine.

 

[Januine]

As long as you have US citizenship, you're fine.

hmm... that's good to hear. But really they won't worry that I may still practice in the country I grew up in?

Also, would you guys comment on my profile?
I shrinked it down, so hopefully I can hear from more of you =]...


3.55 GPA,
3.50 BCPM (but pre-reqs has a W and lots of Bs, only balanced out by my higher level physical science courses)
MCAT -- waiting for August score this year... maybe a 30?
(rising senior)
Tons of ECs (Medical, leadership, volunteering, music)

Do you suggest that I apply this year with the late MCAT score, or just wait a year and do something like the SMP? (I will try to take more higher level science courses in this case to further raise the GPA)

How badly does schools look upon re-applicants? Or is it more like the matter of wasted time/energy/money?

What else should I consider when I try to decide between this?

 

[dochol5610]

here's the abbreviated version - you'll get the point. please tell me whether you think i am currently wasting my life and life savings writing all these 2ndary essays...

3.4 overall, 3.0 science. grad with honors from U of Chicago. 1st MCAT(8p,11v,9b=28) and 2nd MCAT (10p,10v,8b=28). (can't believe i went down in bio! unreal)

tons of extracurriculars including full-time healthcare consulting gig last 14 months, some research, shadowing, tutoring, medical mission trips, and i'm a d3 all-american varsity athlete

IL resident.

good LORs, i like to think my personal statement is real good, and i can write a pretty nice essay for the secondaries...

...so what do you think? i know out of state may be a bigtime reach but i think i have a good chance at UIC or Rush??? am i being naive?

 

[UMP]

here's the abbreviated version - you'll get the point. please tell me whether you think i am currently wasting my life and life savings writing all these 2ndary essays...

3.4 overall, 3.0 science. grad with honors from U of Chicago. 1st MCAT(8p,11v,9b=28) and 2nd MCAT (10p,10v,8b=28). (can't believe i went down in bio! unreal)

tons of extracurriculars including full-time healthcare consulting gig last 14 months, some research, shadowing, tutoring, medical mission trips, and i'm a d3 all-american varsity athlete

IL resident.

good LORs, i like to think my personal statement is real good, and i can write a pretty nice essay for the secondaries...

...so what do you think? i know out of state may be a bigtime reach but i think i have a good chance at UIC or Rush??? am i being naive?

i think you have a shot... not a good one, but you do have a shot... a post-bacc program might be in your future if you don't get in this year

 

[r123]

I have finally transferred to University after spending 4 years at community college. My gpa is, after transferring, about 2.5 overall. I have also completed almost all my prerequisites except for O. Chem. II at the community college. (I feel very bad/scared for some reason when I say that). Currently I am taking MCAT course- Princeton and I will take the official MCAT on August 19. I have volunteered, but in Pharmacy because I was planning to go into pharmacy before. Not any more. I haven't done any shadowing. I am 22 yrs. old Asian girl and want to finish my bachelors in chem. and get into med school asap. ( I am stating my ethnicity since there is limited acceptance of Asian to US med school nowadays b/c they apply in high volume than any other ethnicity - that’s what I heard)

Do you think I have any chance of getting accepted by US med school? If not then what should I do? I seriously want to become a physician.

 

[black_wind]

This is kind of a late reply, but thanks owen for telling me about Mayo's financial aid program. I am in-state (FL) so it'd be great if I can go there but I know it's extremely competitive... I noticed you're at Mayo, congrats!!

Stanford I have heard has a great financial aid program. I would think that Mayo has at least top three financial aid programs in the US. If your out of state, at WORSE your paying 12,000 a year (not including grant money they give you). If your in state (from Fl, Arizona, Minnesota) at worse your gonna pay 6000 a year. Half of the kids that go there get full rides.

PS-those worst case scenario tuition figures get even lower with grants Mayo offers that you don't have to pay back. For example, my tuition is 12,000 (everyone gets at least a half ride-->normal tuition is 25000) but I am also getting a 4,000 grant. Tuition is locked all four years so I will be paying 8,000 a year.

Hope this helps. I'm not sure if you knew about Mayo's or not.

 

[hmm...]

4.0 so far from a USNews Tier4
32 mcat
2 lor from profs that I did minor research w/ no presentations or posters yet
1 lor from a sociology prof
1 lor maybe from a bio prof
~1 yr as a peer mentor for disabled students (learning)
~1 yr research see above
currently doing a competitive summer research program that will req presentations and posters
-shadowed 2 docs ~80 hrs total
-prez next year for BBB
-vol since spring sem of this year only and did some (~6 months) near the end of senior year in high school.

i am just worried about just about my ECs specifically volunteering and my mediocre mcat. i am not sure if I could compete with ppl in schools w/ 33+ MSAR MCAT averages because I don't have that many activities like 3+ yrs of volunteering, 3+ yrs of research and unique sport/hobbies/talents.

 

[pandora123]

love this thread

Ok here goes
electrical engg undergrad from foreign school - so no GPA - although by my estimate I have 1 C, a few Bs and mostly As on all courses
Masters from US school in biomed - 3.8 gpa
am a permanent resident - CA resident
Writing the MCAT in August - expecting 30+ (i hope 🙂 )
Have>1 yr volunteering in hospital ER
did lab based research for about 2yrs - 2 presentations
working as a researcher at a company for about 1.5 yrs - 1 presentation based on research
2 strong recos from PIs; third reco may be average
am applying to MSTP programs at top CA schools
played Volleyball for high school and undergrad teams / perform classical dance (should I even include this in my application?)
am 24 yr south asian female
Do I stand a chance?

 

[GoodDoctor]

I'm a bit of a non-trad, so I'm hoping my past 3 years will make up for a lackluster freshman year 11 years ago. I'm in Utah and did my first year in CA.

Double Major: Biology & Psychology (just started psy this summer)

GPA: 3.58 (3.81 past 3 yrs, but 3.0 from 11 yrs ago drops it to 3.58)
BCPM: 3.58 (3.74 past 3 yrs, but 2.92 from 11 yrs ago drops it to 3.58)
MCAT: B 13, V 10, P 9, 32O

ECs:
Work/Leadership/Teaching:
Worked 50 hrs/wk during first 2 yrs back. Quit to make time for ECs
Worked as Technical Trainer for an ISP and a phone company.
Spent 10 months as a Local Union Mobilizer at the phone company.
TA 1 Semester Anatomy (yes, my school lets top undergrads TA)
TA 1 Semester Physiology
Tutor Anatomy
Research:
Research in Neuroscience Lab for past 4 months, 10hrs/wk.
Clinical/Shadowing:
Shadowed Child Neurologist, OB/GYN, Surgeon for total of 6 days.
Volunteer in ER 4 hrs/wk for 9 months, will continue in Fall.
Volunteer:
Program director for teen activity at homeless shelter 3 hrs/wk since Aug.
Volunteer as HIV Prevention Counselor at local AIDS Foundation since Sep.
Volunteered for 3 months teaching computer skills at Mex. Community Ctr.
Did around 6 hrs/wk community service on LDS Mission 10 yrs ago.

Reach Schools:
UCSF
Stanford
Harvard

Semi-reach schools:
UCLA
UCSD
Boston U
Tufts

Best-Bet Schools (based on past acceptances from my school):
University of Utah
Medical College of Wisconsin
St. Louis University
George Washington
Ohio State

Other schools I'm considering because of location and/or family:
U of Connecticut
U of Vermont
SUNY schools or other NY schools

Questions:
Do recent solid grades make up for past bad grades?
Will the double major I started (for personal interest) also help my app?
Does it hurt that most ECs are from the past year?(worked 50 hr/wk b4 then)
Is my research too low?
Should I include my religious mission from 10 yrs ago? (premed adv says yes)
How does it look overall?
I'd prefer to live in Cali. or Mass. Would take Vermont/Conn/NY as well.
Am I being at all unrealistic in applying to these states?

 

[SpinEcho13]

Questions:
Do recent solid grades make up for past bad grades?

Yes, a little bit.

Will the double major I started (for personal interest) also help my app?

No, not really.

Does it hurt that most ECs are from the past year?(worked 50 hr/wk b4 then)

They look pretty decent, so likely no it won't hurt you.

Is my research too low?

You're not very competitive at your reach/mid-reach schools which are the only ones that are really research focused, so lack of pubs, etc shouldn't really matter.

Should I include my religious mission from 10 yrs ago? (premed adv says yes)
How does it look overall?

Why not.

I'd prefer to live in Cali. or Mass. Would take Vermont/Conn/NY as well.
Am I being at all unrealistic in applying to these states?

CA schools are notoriously selective, and you aren't even an instate student. BU and Tufts get HUGE numbers of applicants, UConn as far as I know doesn't take too many OOS students, I have no idea about NY. It looks like your list is pretty top heavy for your numbers, try to add some of the other east coast or Chicago area private schools for some more mid teirs.

You'll definetly get in somewhere but being a white male from a state with only 1 med school is tough, I'm in the same situation you are.

 

[DMBAND]

Hey guys I've read posts on here forever but finally broke down and decided to post something myself... Anyway, everyone around me thinks I have a great chance of getting into one of the 22 schools I applied to but I'm curious what random outsiders think...BCPM: 3.56 CUM GPA: 3.57 B.S. Psych, Minor Neuroscience 3 years intense hospital neuropsychiatric research with thesis, EMT, clinical work as PCA for surgery at a hospital (still doing it), tons of volunteer work, tons of music/performance stuff, tons of shadowing...basically my EC's are a little out of control 🙂 I just graduated and i'm working at a hospital and taking a few upper-division science courses during the year...my concern is really with my MCAT scores: I took them April 2005 which was dumb because I knew I wasn't ready and had mono. and it was just horrible anyway I got a 6PS 5VR 6BS and O for writing...but I took them again "for real" this April and got 10BS 10VR 7PS Q for writing...I managed to raise my score 10 points but the 7 is baaaaaaad news and a 27 isn't that great anyway...I was told as long as I get an interview I have a good chance 'cause I've always done really well in interview-type situations...Oh yeah and I have really good LOC's and my personal statement was really good too. My state school is UCONN and I went there undergrad. and was an honors student so I heard that can help...what do you think? I'm completely obsessed with becoming a doctor... I seriously can't imagine doing anything else with my life!!! 😍

 

[Hednej]

Hey guys I've read posts on here forever but finally broke down and decided to post something myself... Anyway, everyone around me thinks I have a great chance of getting into one of the 22 schools I applied to but I'm curious what random outsiders think...BCPM: 3.56 CUM GPA: 3.57 B.S. Psych, Minor Neuroscience 3 years intense hospital neuropsychiatric research with thesis, EMT, clinical work as PCA for surgery at a hospital (still doing it), tons of volunteer work, tons of music/performance stuff, tons of shadowing...basically my EC's are a little out of control 🙂 I just graduated and i'm working at a hospital and taking a few upper-division science courses during the year...my concern is really with my MCAT scores: I took them April 2005 which was dumb because I knew I wasn't ready and had mono. and it was just horrible anyway I got a 6PS 5VR 6BS and O for writing...but I took them again "for real" this April and got 10BS 10VR 7PS Q for writing...I managed to raise my score 10 points but the 7 is baaaaaaad news and a 27 isn't that great anyway...I was told as long as I get an interview I have a good chance 'cause I've always done really well in interview-type situations...Oh yeah and I have really good LOC's and my personal statement was really good too. My state school is UCONN and I went there undergrad. and was an honors student so I heard that can help...what do you think? I'm completely obsessed with becoming a doctor... I seriously can't imagine doing anything else with my life!!! 😍

What schools are you applying to? I'd say you have a pretty good chance at your state schools but I don't really think you got the numbers for the top 10 or 15 schools. It doesnt hurt to try though if you got some extra pocket money. Honestly, you never know.

 

[farikanok]

here's my profile

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid

do I have a chance at any of the listed schools? can someone please comment 🙂 Also, any other schools I should be considering?

thanks

 

[DMBAND]

What schools are you applying to? I'd say you have a pretty good chance at your state schools but I don't really think you got the numbers for the top 10 or 15 schools. It doesnt hurt to try though if you got some extra pocket money. Honestly, you never know.

I applied to a huge range of schools...the top ones are just for the .000001% who knows?! haha

Albert Einstein
BU
Brown
Columbia
Drexel
GWU
Harvard
Albany
Jefferson Med. College
Mt. Sinai
NY Med. College
NYU
SUNY Downstate
Temple
Tufts
UCONN
U. Maryland
UPENN
Yale
Georgetown

 

[DMBAND]

I applied to a huge range of schools...the top ones are just for the .000001% who knows?! haha

Albert Einstein
BU
Brown
Columbia
Drexel
GWU
Harvard
Albany
Jefferson Med. College
Mt. Sinai
NY Med. College
NYU
SUNY Downstate
Temple
Tufts
UCONN
U. Maryland
UPENN
Yale
Georgetown

Oh yeah one more thing...I'm def. not one of those people worried about where they go, I just want to go and will seriously take whatever school happens to give me an acceptance! 😀

 

[chandelantern]

I have finally transferred to University after spending 4 years at community college. My gpa is, after transferring, about 2.5 overall. I have also completed almost all my prerequisites except for O. Chem. II at the community college. (I feel very bad/scared for some reason when I say that). Currently I am taking MCAT course- Princeton and I will take the official MCAT on August 19. I have volunteered, but in Pharmacy because I was planning to go into pharmacy before. Not any more. I haven't done any shadowing. I am 22 yrs. old Asian girl and want to finish my bachelors in chem. and get into med school asap. ( I am stating my ethnicity since there is limited acceptance of Asian to US med school nowadays b/c they apply in high volume than any other ethnicity - that’s what I heard)

Do you think I have any chance of getting accepted by US med school? If not then what should I do? I seriously want to become a physician.

Honestly, you need to step it up if you seriously want to become a physician. Experience is a big deal and I would imagine you will have a difficult time justifying why you want to be a doctor if you've never shadowed a physician or have any clinical experience. I'm assuming little-to-no community service or research or you would have mentioned them? The average GPA of accepted applicants is around a 3.5 to 3.6, and that's not to say people do not get in with much lower grades but those that do have other things going for them (experiences, drive, compelling story, high MCATs, etc.) I would hold off on taking the MCAT and use the time that you have right now to explore the medical field to be sure it is what you want. Rock your classes at the University (i mean ALL your classes) and then, when you are ready and have MASTERED the material (and are certain this is the life for you), take the MCAT and apply.

 

[chandelantern]

here's my profile

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=6006

do I have a chance at any of the listed schools? can someone please comment 🙂 Also, any other schools I should be considering?

thanks

Your profile looks good - your chances look good to me! Just curious why you put Kentucky & Alabama on there? Maybe family reasons? I guess if you wanted to add any other schools some ideas would be Creighton in NE, some more Chicago schools (Northwestern, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola), ...I could keep going but I don't know what you want (it seems like you're avoiding NYC schools?) Anyway, good luck!

 

[shantster]

AMCAS has nothing to do with your recommendations.

Which is so sad since the AADAS for dental school admission uploads them all rather than having to get them sent to each school. That would be less of a hassle for the writers.