WAMC and school list help: 3.78/518 ORM, CT resident, possibly research heavy

[ledzepellin88]

"PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE THIS MESSAGE"

Hi everyone, I am really lost on picking out schools that are a match for my research heavy/mid tier stats. I’m an ORM, FAP applicant taking two gap years and have saved up lots for applications so I’m hoping to apply broadly and to as many schools as possible to maximize aid and my chances. I’m looking at maybe 40-50. I don’t know if I'd even have a chance at T20s based on my stats so I'd appreciate any opinions in that (if I should even apply to any?), and I’m also worried that my non-clinical volunteering is a bit low for service schools. I’d really appreciate any recommendations on schools I’d have a good shot at based on my application! Thank you in advance!

1. cGPA: 3.78, sGPA: 3.76
2. MCAT: 518 (130/128/131/129) retake from 506 a year prior
3. Residency: CT, ties to CA and GA
4. Ethnicity and Background: ORM, FAP recipient, grew up in 3rd world country but US citizen and attended US undergrad
5. Undergrad: T25 Biophysics
6. Clinical Experience (tldr: about 1500 hours across different experiences)
   1. Campus EMS agency ~ 500 hours
   2. Lead CRC for one clinical trial (part time ~90 hours completed, ~400 projected)
   3. Volunteer MA in my home country (summer after sophomore year): 450 hours
   4. Volunteer in ED of children’s hospital: 80 hours
7. Research: (tldr: 5500 hours, 2 pubs, 1 oral presentation at international conference, many school presentations, more pubs upcoming)
   1. Undergrad Research at Lab 1: 1000 hours basic science lab (includes summer grant, have one mid author pub, 2 posters at school conferences + poster at national conference)
   2. Undergrad Research at Lab 2: ~ 700 hours, 1 presentation at school conference
   3. Gap Year Research in same Lab 1: rejoined my first lab at a different institution (they had moved my senior year), 2050 hours completed, ~1500 projected, oral presentation at international conference, one mid-author manuscript, 4 mid-author manuscript submissions upcoming
8. Shadowing Experience: about 110 hours across several specialities
9. Non-Clinical Volunteering (tldr: about 200 at time of app across 3 experiences)
   1. Reading tutor for underserved kids: 90 hours completed, 100 more projected
   2. Community engagement coordinator + volunteer for community education org focused on same disease as my research: currently involved in gap year; 30 hours completed, ~60 projected
   3. Community Soup Kitchen(s): this is weirdly split into 3 experiences because I relocated after undergrad but I’m listing all together as one entry: ~80 hours
10. Other ECS
    1. Neuroscience journal in undergrad + leadership position
    2. Science lab TA ~ 250 hours over 4 semesters
    3. International student orientation mentor (2 years)
11. Relevant Awards: grant for conference that I gave oral at, School summer research program grant, Deans list x4 semesters

I'd really appreciate any advice!!

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[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
UConn
Quinnipiac
Vermont
UMass
Tufts
Albany
New York Medical College
Rochester
Hofstra
Hackensack
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
George Washington
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Wake Forest
Methodist (when it opens)
NOVA MD
USF Morsani
Belmont
Alice Walton
Roseman
Ponce (St.Louis)
TCU
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Iowa
Illinois
Colorado

 

[MD_Maker]

Hm, your application seems pretty strong overall except for the MCAT retake. I don't think your application will be limited so you should be fine as long you apply broadly and aren't too top heavy. I'd avoid the schools who are heavily MCAT biased. Sounds like you have an interesting background as well so maybe try for schools that appreciate strong narratives.

Maybe:
U Michigan
UCLA
Mayo
Temple
Dartmouth
Tulane
Carver
UCSD
U Pitt

But don't forget to add a few out of state public schools based on your preferences too

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Apply to the 20 your FAP have you. Applying to 40 risks diluting the quality of your secondaries.

Your service orientation activities are light (food distribution 80 hours). This is below 150.hours so your file may be shembe out at most schools. Get more involved.

 

[lizard17]

Apply to the 20 your FAP have you. Applying to 40 risks diluting the quality of your secondaries.

Your service orientation activities are light (food distribution 80 hours). This is below 150.hours so your file may be shembe out at most schools. Get more involved.

Just wondering, why do the hours for community engagement coordinator/volunteer not count towards service orientation? I understand why the tutoring may not be considered--although the work focuses on underserved population so why not this as well?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Just wondering, why do the hours for community engagement coordinator/volunteer not count towards service orientation? I understand why the tutoring may not be considered--although the work focuses on underserved population so why not this as well?

What are your responsibilities in that role? Your description implies more leadership (coordinate volunteers for educational programming about the disease of interest, subject matter expert).

 

[lizard17]

What are your responsibilities in that role? Your description implies more leadership (coordinate volunteers for educational programming about the disease of interest, subject matter expert).

Sorry, I'm not the OP. Just another person wondering how service orientation may differ from other volunteerism. AAMC outlines Service Orientation as "demonstrates a desire to help others" so I'm wondering why only soup kitchen out of all of OP's volunteering is considered as service.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Sorry, I'm not the OP. Just another person wondering how service orientation may differ from other volunteerism. AAMC outlines Service Orientation as "demonstrates a desire to help others" so I'm wondering why only soup kitchen out of all of OP's volunteering is considered as service.

Adcoms are allowed to further refine what the AAMC team says. Food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal services, transportation services, and housing rehabilitation.

A lot of volunteering comes from a position of expertise and comfort. We want applicants to stretch themselves to be in community with others. It is human to help others, but it is harder to help the sick and suffering.

Read the articles about competencies, which we will cover for the next Expert Advice Live.