WAMC? 3.7 GPA | 510 MCAT

[meg2340]

Hello! I'm looking for advice on creating an MD (not interested in DO) school list with these stats:

1. cGPA: 3.74; sGPA: 3.62 (upward trend)
2. 510 (128/127/126/129)
3. State: IL
4. ORM at an ivy, traditional applicant
5. Clinical experience: 300+ hours
6. Research: 2 years clinical (over 1000 hours); planning on presentation/paper.
7. Shadowing: Around 30 hours in 3 specialties
8. Non-clinical volunteering: 100 hours
9. Extracurricular activities: art, music, tutoring (multiple activities, leadership in a couple)
10. Other- multilingual
11. Honors/Awards- award to fund research

How many and what schools should I apply to given these stats? What percentage of top/high/mid/low tier schools? Are top 30 completely out of the question? I would prefer not to take a gap year, but if my chances are not good, then I would. Would you recommend retaking the MCAT?

Unrelated, but can anyone speak to how much of an impact med school name has on residency applications?

Thank you so much!

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[Dr panda]

1) Are top 30 completely out of the question? I would prefer not to take a gap year, but if my chances are not good, then I would. Would you recommend retaking the MCAT?

2) Unrelated, but can anyone speak to how much of an impact med school name has on residency applications?

Thank you so much!

Not an adcom, but...
1) Top 31 is not as bad as well. Your MCAT is lethal for top schools.
2) Somewhat impact. (No, you don't want to retake the MCAT to reach 517+ and try again)
You are to apply mostly Albany/Drexel/Toledo class schools and probably few DO (pick any expect those on Goro's bad boys list).
The problem you might encounter will have to deal with your non clinical volunteering which is on the lower side. A lot of schools you will be applying to highly favor service to others (Rush expects 6+ times more hours than what you have). You still have time, try at least to double the hours (you will thank yourself later for doing this). These schools (DO as well) are also a great choice and will lead you to your goal, get rid of that top 20/30/999 perfectionism and move on.
Good luck!

 

[Kirby Smart]

Invest in MSAR to get an idea stat-wise of schools your competitive for. "Top 30" schools will usually have average stats of 3.8+ GPA and ~517+ MCATs, so stats wise you're not really competitive for them right now and now one would really suggest you retake the MCAT unless you were scoring 520+ or something on your practices before your 510.

Your best shot is going to be your state school(s) and then hopefully you can get interviews at some of the high yield schools, but if you're serious about becoming a doctor then it'd be wise to include DO schools unless you'd rather have to reapply than go DO. I basically have the same stats as you and similar ECs will a little more clinical and a little less research experience. I applied to 26 MD schools this cycle so you can PM me for my school list or any other suggestions if you want.

 

[Davidfromcali]

Being a ORM with a 510 and 3.7 essentially puts you in a awkward position where your stats are “good enough” for MD schools but not good enough to completely remove DO schools from your list.

Your best bet is to apply broadly. The goal is to earn a seat at any allopathic medical school. With a 3.7c, 3.6s and 510, your shot at a T30 are slim to none. You’d need a 3.8+ and a 515+ to compete at those schools.

Students that manage to earn a seat with lower stats tend to have diversifying factors in their app like being a Vet, URM, or some incredible achievements such as a Fulbright scholarship or Co-authorship in journals such as Cell and Nature. It doesn’t sound like you a have a “WOW” factor to your app, which is why you’d need to apply to schools that fit your metrics.

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
Illinois
Rosalind Franklin
Loyola
Medical College Wisconsin
St. Louis
Creighton
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
TCU-UNT
NOVA MD
Tulane
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Seton Hall
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Also apply to several DO schools and include CCOM, MU-COM and DMU-COM.
You do not need to retake the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

Hello! I'm looking for advice on creating an MD (not interested in DO) school list with these stats:

1. cGPA: 3.74; sGPA: 3.62 (upward trend)
2. 510 (128/127/126/129)
3. State: IL
4. ORM at an ivy, traditional applicant
5. Clinical experience: 300+ hours
6. Research: 2 years clinical (over 1000 hours); planning on presentation/paper.
7. Shadowing: Around 30 hours in 3 specialties
8. Non-clinical volunteering: 100 hours
9. Extracurricular activities: art, music, tutoring (multiple activities, leadership in a couple)
10. Other- multilingual
11. Honors/Awards- award to fund research

How many and what schools should I apply to given these stats? What percentage of top/high/mid/low tier schools? Are top 30 completely out of the question? I would prefer not to take a gap year, but if my chances are not good, then I would. Would you recommend retaking the MCAT?

Unrelated, but can anyone speak to how much of an impact med school name has on residency applications?

Thank you so much!

I suggest the following:
U Toledo
U VM
Miami
Tufts
George Washington
Georgetown
SLU
Albany
Rush
Rosy Franklin
NYMC
MCW
VCU
EVMS
Wayne State
Wake Forest
Netter
Jefferson
Temple
Drexel
Creighton
Tulane
Loyola
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Oakland-B
Seton Hall
Nova MD
TCU/UNT
Your state schools

 

[meg2340]

Thank you everyone for the responses!