wamc 517/3.59 please help with school list (trying to be realistic)

[milk_o222]

Hi! I've been trying to make/narrow my school list for the past few days so any help would be appreciated. Also should I add more DO schools because of my lower gpa? Thanks!

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[The OTC]

You only have two DO schools on here so my guess is you would rather not go DO route. Save the money and use it towards applying to more mid-tier MD, OOS-friendly MD schools (geisinger?) If you have a service theme and research production, Boston may be worth a shot!

I nearly had the same stats as you (including a sub-500 MCAT to 515+ retake -- schools love the jump) and got love (2 A's) from a few schools on your list.

 

[milk_o222]

You only have two DO schools on here so my guess is you would rather not go DO route. Save the money and use it towards applying to more mid-tier MD, OOS-friendly MD schools (geisinger?) If you have a service theme and research production, Boston may be worth a shot!

I nearly had the same stats as you (including a sub-500 MCAT to 515+ retake -- schools love the jump) and got love (2 A's) from a few schools on your list.

Congrats on the A's! Nice to know a similar stat applicant had some success haha. I would LOVE to go to Boston but they don't accept AP credit/upper level for bio prereq T-T (i got the 5 and said no thank u intro bio haha).

Since we had similar stats, any schools reccomend I get rid of at all from my list ?

 

[Hollow Knight]

I would respectfully disagree and say definitely apply to your in-state MDs as well as a couple of nearby reputable DO schools you would be OK attending. Crazy stuff happens sometimes, so unless you would truly rather take a gap year and reapply than go DO, I'd apply to one or two

 

[The OTC]

I should clarify...if you are okay attending DO, add them to your list. Initially, I glanced your list and only saw two DO schools vs 28 MD schools. I sensed you would much rather go MD than DO - either way is okay just make sure you apply to each school with the mentality "If this is my only acceptance, would I go?"

No recommendations on school list cut. For everyone (but especially us with mid GPA, high MCAT), applying day one is absolutely crucial. I felt my earliest apps were given the benefit of the doubt and resulted in IIs and As, while later app submissions schools were less likely to give me a shot.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The Time is Right: Prehealth Application Timelines - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Specifically how many hours with Meals on Wheels?

All your Virginia in state MD schools should be in play if you have sufficient service orientation hours and Insights. Include VCOM. Tell me your mission fit otherwise.

 

[milk_o222]

The Time is Right: Prehealth Application Timelines - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Specifically how many hours with Meals on Wheels?

All your Virginia in state MD schools should be in play if you have sufficient service orientation hours and Insights. Include VCOM. Tell me your mission fit otherwise.

my volunteer time splits are 260 with underprivileged youth education (a most meaningful activity), 50 hours with meals and wheels (started this activity more recently, but plan to continue volunteering bc they have a program in my hometown where ill be in my gap year), and 30 with language volunteering.

I would say my mission fit is centered around holistically and readily serving underserved communities and those in need through education and advocacy, as well as a theme of persistence and resilience (with my upward trend of both gpa and mcat)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I would say my mission fit is centered around holistically and readily serving underserved communities and those in need through education and advocacy, as well as a theme of persistence and resilience (with my upward trend of both gpa and mcat)

Great, but serving/educating/advocating for underserved communities doesn't require you to be a physician. Don't you already serve underserved communities as a CNA? Why be a physician specifically?

Being persistent and resilient is a personal plus, but you need that to be a nurse too. What is your purpose as a physician? Why are you not passionate to serve others as a CNA or nursing professional?

Tutoring underserved K-12 students is extremely common among prehealth applicants, so that doesn't help you stand out. It's an academic activity that everyone does. Why not be a teacher?

 

[chilly_md]

Thread moved to WAMC.

 

[milk_o222]

Great, but serving/educating/advocating for underserved communities doesn't require you to be a physician. Don't you already serve underserved communities as a CNA? Why be a physician specifically?

Being persistent and resilient is a personal plus, but you need that to be a nurse too. What is your purpose as a physician? Why are you not passionate to serve others as a CNA or nursing professional?

Tutoring underserved K-12 students is extremely common among prehealth applicants, so that doesn't help you stand out. It's an academic activity that everyone does. Why not be a teacher?

I see! Thank you Mr. Smile, this gave me better perspective for how to rethink my application and what exactly I am trying to "sell" myself to med schools. I'll have to think on these ideas a bit more but appreciate the advice/help!