WAMC 517/4.0 Interesting Situation

[biobarbie]

Hey y'all! So here's the important information, and then I'll get into the dilemma I'm in:

• 4.0 cGPA and sGPA
• 517 MCAT 129/128/130/130
• KY resident
• In-state undergrad
• Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer)
  • 300 total
    • about 250 clinical
  • no non-volunteer clinical experience
• Research experience and productivity
  • 2 years with a lab
  • no publications or posters
• Shadowing experience and specialties represented
  • 400 total
  • mostly surgical specialties + pediatrics
• Non-clinical volunteering
  • about 50 hours doing outreach with high schoolers in rural KY
• Other extracurricular activities (including athletics, military service, gap year activities, leadership, teaching, etc)
  • Resident Advisor for 2 years
  • Won a competitive internship award

Here's the dilemma; I am in an early assurance program for my state school. this was a super competitive process and i was incredibly happy to be accepted. as a part of the early assurance program, you can only apply to this school. but, vanderbilt has always been my dream school. it would be a massive leap to drop the eap distinction and apply regular decision to this state school (because they really value commitment to KY and all), but i feel like i'm letting part of myself down for not even *trying* to apply for vanderbilt (i know you all probably understand).

so honestly, wamc? does the risk outweigh the reward? thank you so much for your insights

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[AJS59]

Can you clarify what you mean by early assurance? As in if you already have a spot guaranteed for you?

If that's true, I would save yourself the trouble. If you really want to be at Vandy, there's always residency. Way too risky (and time/energy/money consuming) to throw away a guaranteed admission.

 

[biobarbie]

Can you clarify what you mean by early assurance? As in if you already have a spot guaranteed for you?

If that's true, I would save yourself the trouble. If you really want to be at Vandy, there's always residency. Way too risky (and time/energy/money consuming) to throw away a guaranteed admission.

of course! given that you meet the MCAT and GPA requirements (which I have), you have a guaranteed interview with this school.

thank you for the insight!

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

of course! given that you meet the MCAT and GPA requirements (which I have), you have a guaranteed interview with this school.

thank you for the insight!

You have a guaranteed interview, not a guaranteed acceptance - is that correct?

Your low nonclinical volunteering would sink you this cycle, but your stats are decent...with stronger ECs you'd be pack fodder for T20 schools.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

OP: your early assurance program does not let you apply outside of the program unless you forfeit your guarantee, right?