WAMC Non-trad CA ORM 3.66 GPA, 505 MCAT

[postmix]

1. cGPA and sGPA: 3.66 and 3.7 respectively
2. MCAT score(s) and breakdown: 505 (125/127/127/126)
3. State of residence: CA
4. Ethnicity & gender: white female
5. Undergraduate institution or category: public state school (OOS)
6. Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer): have worked as a PCT/CNA for 1+ years in 2 large hospitals (projected 3 years)
7. Research experience and productivity: 3 research labs (2 at state school, one at UCLA)
8. Shadowing experience and specialties represented: PICU DO doctor 10 hrs (I know I need more)
9. Non-clinical volunteering: ACS CAN legislative branch--150 hrs so far; chemistry tutor & TA; quiz & test grader; biology TA
10. Other extracurricular activities: TA/tutor activities mentioned above; classical piano; rock climbing; woodworking
11. Relevant honors or awards: multiple leadership scholarships, graduated as a university scholar (was enrolled in an honors college)

I'm open to retaking the MCAT in the spring (I'm planning on applying during the 2023-2024 cycle), I just would really prefer not to. Is it worth it? I'm absolutely okay with going DO. I just would like to stay in CA if possible. I'm also planning on shadowing more this year. I have a good story (in my opinion) and pretty solid LORs. Thank you all in advance!

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[Faha]

You could receive interviews at these DO schools with your stats:
TUCOM-CA
WESTERN
TUNCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
AZCOM
NYITCOM
Touro-NY
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
NOVA
For MD schools you could try these:
California University
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
TCU-UNT
Creighton
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
NOVA MD
Drexel
Temple
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I must note your non-clinical volunteering is mostly tutoring. Working with ACS is being part of a professional society if I know what your role is. Where's the community service?

 

[postmix]

I must note your non-clinical volunteering is mostly tutoring. Working with ACS is being part of a professional society if I know what your role is. Where's the community service?

You could receive interviews at these DO schools with your stats:
TUCOM-CA
WESTERN
TUNCOM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
AZCOM
NYITCOM
Touro-NY
PCOM (all schools)
LECOM (all schools)
NOVA
For MD schools you could try these:
California University
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
TCU-UNT
Creighton
Medical College Wisconsin
Oakland Beaumont
NOVA MD
Drexel
Temple
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany

Thank you very much Faha

 

[postmix]

I must note your non-clinical volunteering is mostly tutoring. Working with ACS is being part of a professional society if I know what your role is. Where's the community service?

Could you explain what a professional society is? Sorry I'm just not familiar with the term in the context of med school apps! I will definitely get on board with some more community service.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Could you explain what a professional society is? Sorry I'm just not familiar with the term in the context of med school apps! I will definitely get on board with some more community service.

Clarify ACS, which I perceive as the American Chemical Society, which is a professional organization that unifies chemists in academia and industry. Most Chem majors know about the ACS exams.

If this is not correct, please explain.

 

[postmix]

Clarify ACS, which I perceive as the American Chemical Society, which is a professional organization that unifies chemists in academia and industry. Most Chem majors know about the ACS exams.

If this is not correct, please explain.

My apologies! In the context of my post, ACS = American Cancer Society.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My apologies! In the context of my post, ACS = American Cancer Society.

Okay... thanks! Still would like to see more face-to-face community service.

 

[postmix]

Hi all, I posted this once before but I have some updates and I wanted to see what would be a good amount of MD schools to apply to as a CA applicant (I'm already planning on applying to many DO schools)

1. cGPA and sGPA: 3.66 and 3.7 respectively
2. MCAT score(s) and breakdown: 505 (125/127/127/126)
3. State of residence: CA
4. Ethnicity & gender: white female
5. Undergraduate institution or category: public state school (OOS)
6. Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer): have worked as a PCT/CNA for 2+ years in 2 large hospitals (projected 3 years)
7. Research experience and productivity: 3 research labs (2 at state school, one at UCLA)
8. Shadowing experience and specialties represented: PICU DO doctor 10 hrs, Pulmonologist DO 50 hrs, Internist MD projected 30+ hours by applicant time
9. Non-clinical volunteering: ACS Cancer Action Network legislative branch--150 hrs so far advocating for equal access to cancer care very active + leadership roles; chemistry tutor & TA; quiz & test grader; biology TA
10. Other extracurricular activities: TA/tutor activities mentioned above; classical piano tutor; rock climbing; woodworking
11. Relevant honors or awards: multiple leadership scholarships, graduated as a university scholar (was enrolled in an honors college)

I have a strong story (multiple medically relevant personal life events) and good writing but I don't know how far that gets me. Thanks everyone for your time!

 

[chilly_md]

Hi all, I posted this once before but I have some updates and I wanted to see what would be a good amount of MD schools to apply to as a CA applicant (I'm already planning on applying to many DO schools)

I have merged your threads.

You could try UCR (only if you’re from the IE), Loma Linda if you have similar religious beliefs and Belmont when that school opens.

I do not recommend any other MD schools considering you low number of non-clinical volunteers and the environment it was in. It appears the only thing you added was shadowing and another year of working.

 

[postmix]

I have merged your threads.

You could try UCR (only if you’re from the IE), Loma Linda if you have similar religious beliefs and Belmont when that school opens.

I do not recommend any other MD schools considering you low number of non-clinical volunteers and the environment it was in. It appears the only thing you added was shadowing and another year of working.

Thank you. Should I include the ones Faha mentioned too?

 

[chilly_md]

Thank you. Should I include the ones Faha mentioned too?

You could if you plan on creating an AMCAS app anyways. There is some extra work required since the character limits are longer and there are 3 additional most meaningful essays, as well as having to input all the grades and LORs again.

Some schools may be interested by your extensive clinical experience. Please let us know how it goes since it helps us adjust lists over time. You have good chances at the Touros and Western.

 

[Faha]

You can also add Belmont (when it opens)

 

[postmix]

I appreciate you both! I'll definitely add some updates.

 

[theoceanman]

I appreciate you both! I'll definitely add some updates.

California Northstate is under probation so that's a risk you'll be taking when applying there. I believe an administrator actually posted it on this cycle's forum thread for California Northstate so be aware of what you're getting yourself into. Also, you'll take loans that are not federal loans so higher interest, etc.

You could add Quinnipaic and perhaps Loyola if you see yourself fit there.

 

[chilly_md]

California Northstate is under probation so that's a risk you'll be taking when applying there. I believe an administrator actually posted it on this cycle's forum thread for California Northstate so be aware of what you're getting yourself into. Also, you'll take loans that are not federal loans so higher interest, etc.

You could add Quinnipaic and perhaps Loyola if you see yourself fit there.

California University (CUSM) is a different school from California Northstate, which Faha and I do not include in our lists.

 

[theoceanman]

Completely read that wrong, my mistake, I'm way too tired for this

 

[postmix]

Haha no worries! I am absolutely not applying to Cal Northstate, that whole situation scares the **** out of me. Thank you, Quinnipiac is on my list and I'll check out Loyola!