WAMC 2026-2027/ School list?

[thapanda]

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Hi all! A bit of a non-traditional applicant, wondering WAMC for the next cycle. A bit about me! I am 29, a professional paramedic with multiple certifications. Also, a transgender woman!

1. MCAT: First attempt 498 in 6/2021, most recent attempt 505 in 6/2025
2. VA resident with NC and SC ties
3. ORM (LGBT)
4. Smaller Liberal arts college for undergrad. I was a Biology major and graduated in 2018 with a 2.76 GPA. Took a ton of classes post-bacc with a 3.7 GPA to get to a 3.0 uGPA. Currently in an SMP with a 3.6 GPA
5. Clinical experience: ~ 5200 as a EMT; ~6200 as a paramedic. Worked in 911, Interfacility transport, and at a level 1 trauma centre ED (All paid).
6. Not much research experience, unfortunately. Currently working on a literature-based graduate thesis.
7. 44 hours of shadowing DOs, PAs, and MDs in cardiology, orthopedics, internal medicine, and neurology
8. Non-clinical volunteering: 300 hours in a food bank, LGBT youth advocacy projects, and in-hospital volunteer
9. Relevant honors or awards: Eagle Scout (Does this still count?)
10. LOR: Committee letter from my SMP with program director and academic advisor. My EMS supervisor, with whom I worked with for years, and ortho MD I shadowed most recently.

MD School List:
State MD schools (EVMS, VCU, UVA?, VT)
George Washington
Georgetown
Rosalind Franklin
Loyola
Rush
Tulane
BU (my SMP)
St. Louis
Wake Forest
Drexel
Jefferson
Temple
Quinnipiac
Cooper Medical School
Indiana
Wayne State
SUNY Downstate
U Toledo
Cincinnati
Penn State
Vermont
MUSC
UNC

DO schools:
ARCOM
AT Still-Kirksville
VCOM (all campuses)
Michigan State University COM
NYITCOM
NOVA southeastern
PCOM
Rowan
WVCOM

Thanks for taking the time to read!

~panda

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Previously (noting this is for 2026-2027 cycle)

Thread 'WAMC - Low Gpa, professional paramedic for DO schools?'

Jan 9, 2024

Hi all! I’m a non-traditional applicant and I've been thinking about applying this cycle (2024-2025) and I’m just not sure if I’ll be competitive enough. I’m leaning towards no because of my gpa and mcat but I’d like y’all’s feedback.

Me: 27F BS Biology
cGPA: 3.0 with the last 60 credits 3.67 all science, most at CC
sGPA: 3.0
Clinical Experience: 9100 hours; (5000 EMT, 4000 Paramedic) and 100 medical scribe. (Full time since Jan 2020)
Shadowing: 24 hours between Cardiology MD, IM MD, and Ortho PA. Definitely below average for shadowing and I need more. I’m finding it hard to find a DO to...

• thapanda
• Replies: 9
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Great job so far! I wanted to see if you have networked with students at any of the schools you want to attend? Is there a chapter of the Medical Student Pride Alliance on those campuses (or anything similar)?

What feedback have you gotten from your SMP faculty? Any suggestions from them about your list?

I have to ask: Campbell (DO)? We are waiting for Methodist to get accredited by LCME (Fayetteville), so pay attention when they get the green light. Not sure exactly when...

 

[Faha]

You have a good DO list. Some of the state public MD schools on your list admit few non residents with MCAT scores of 498 and 505.
I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
West Virginia
Wake Forest
Methodist
NOVA MD
Belmont
Alice Walton
Roseman
TCU
Creighton
Ponce (st. Louis)
Rosalind Franklin
Rush
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Drexel
Temple
George Washington
Penn State
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
BU

 

[thapanda]

Previously (noting this is for 2026-2027 cycle)

Thread 'WAMC - Low Gpa, professional paramedic for DO schools?'

Jan 9, 2024

Hi all! I’m a non-traditional applicant and I've been thinking about applying this cycle (2024-2025) and I’m just not sure if I’ll be competitive enough. I’m leaning towards no because of my gpa and mcat but I’d like y’all’s feedback.

Me: 27F BS Biology
cGPA: 3.0 with the last 60 credits 3.67 all science, most at CC
sGPA: 3.0
Clinical Experience: 9100 hours; (5000 EMT, 4000 Paramedic) and 100 medical scribe. (Full time since Jan 2020)
Shadowing: 24 hours between Cardiology MD, IM MD, and Ortho PA. Definitely below average for shadowing and I need more. I’m finding it hard to find a DO to...

• thapanda
• Replies: 9
• Forum: What Are My Chances? WAMC Medical

Great job so far! I wanted to see if you have networked with students at any of the schools you want to attend? Is there a chapter of the Medical Student Pride Alliance on those campuses (or anything similar)?

What feedback have you gotten from your SMP faculty? Any suggestions from them about your list?

I have to ask: Campbell (DO)? We are waiting for Methodist to get accredited by LCME (Fayetteville), so pay attention when they get the green light. Not sure exactly when...

Hiii. Thanks so much for your advice.

No, I have not reached out to any schools or pride alliances. Although that is a good idea, I will definitely look into it further. Do most schools have a chapter?

As for guidance from my SMP, not much, that school list I listed is mainly based on what they recommend for where students apply. Past students have had the most success in getting an acceptance there.

Also, I did not even know about Campbell COM. It looks promising, but as a non-religious student, I am not sure how I would fit in. I will add it to my list anyway!

 

[thapanda]

You have a good DO list. Some of the state public MD schools on your list admit few non residents with MCAT scores of 498 and 505.
I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
West Virginia
Wake Forest
Methodist
NOVA MD
Belmont
Alice Walton
Roseman
TCU
Creighton
Ponce (st. Louis)
Rosalind Franklin
Rush
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Drexel
Temple
George Washington
Penn State
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
BU

Thanks for the list! Yes, I was looking at MSAR, and I don't know how much success I would have with MD because of my MCAT; those were mostly going to be hopeful schools. I am primarily banking on my clinical experience and letters for acceptance. My strategy was to apply to as many schools where I have a reasonable chance of getting in as I could afford and go from there.