WAMC (3.9x/52x) ORM VA, meh ECs, good narrative

[AbsolutezeroHC]

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Hey there SDN I recently applied with the following application I was wondering if you could help me add some more schools I could be competitive at and also give any general advice on how to convey my theme during secondaries any little bit helps!

• cGPA: 3.95 and sGPA : 3.94 (upward trend per year: 3.80->3.98->3.99->4.0) Major: Neuroscience
• MCAT score(s) and breakdown : 525 (130/132/132/131)
• State of residence or country of citizenship (if non-US): Virginia
• Ethnicity and/or race: ORM Indian Male
• Undergraduate institution or category: State Flagship (UVA)
• RESEARCH:
• 1720 hrs of Research in a neuroscience Labs working on the mechanisms and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and Epilepsy. (Authored on 2 posters, one presentation)
• CLINICAL: 526 hr clinical experience: 256 (2240 projected) PCT at cancer center, 200 Cancer Center Volunteer, and 100 ED Volunteer
• NONCLINICAL:
• 825 hrs Senior living home volunteer working with dementia patients (non-clinical)
• 210 tutoring hours
• 62 hrs of being crisis text line counselor
• 104 hrs of shadowing (Neuro,hemtology,oncology, and FM)
• Other extracurricular activities:
• Vice President of Alzheimer's Foundation of America university chapter 144 hrs (including member hours)
• Part of a Dance Crew for 3 years. Part of a motorsports team that build f1 style cars. Decent time commitments and I can talk about it pretty well.
• Member of League of Legends Club esports (not significant in terms of application but one of my favorite hobbies)
• Leadership: Other than the Alzheimer foundation my only other leadership is my training of new undergrads in the lab and in volunteering which may cost me in the highly competitive schools.

Strength: A clear theme of working with older adults with emphasis on neuroscience and dementia patient outcomes
Weakness: lack of upfront clinical hours however working full time I am confident in my ability to speak about it in a meaningful way.
Preliminary School List:
UVA
VCU
Columbia
UPenn
Pitt
Duke
Ohio State
Boston
Harvard
Cornell
USF
NYU
Yale
Hofstra
Einstein

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums. I presume you mean you submitted 2025-2026. Of course, what feedback are you looking for since you already submitted your application?

A theme for your secondary essays? Did you pre-write before submitting? It's a little late now to think of a "theme" other than why each school on your list.

Clearly you like to work with older people. Any experience with any other underserved groups?

 

[rich2929]

one thing reading these i am confused. why do people think 500 hours of clinical is low?