MD & DO WAMC - Non-Trad, LGBTQ, 3.1/519, Lots of experience

[katelynl97]

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Hi everyone,

I wanted a review of my application stats and data and advice on moving forward. I graduated in 2021 from a major university in Florida with a less than satisfactory GPA. After a significant break after graduating, I went back for a DIY post-bacc. During my time, I have gained a lot of experience as a patient care assistant and clinical research coordinator as well as developed relationships with doctors in various specialties.
I am very passionate about LGBTQ+ health and health disparities faces by queer and trans individuals. I want to tailor my application to my desire to provide affirmative care to LGBTQ+ community.

Year: Non-Trad Post-Bacc

UG GPA: 3.0 (with upward trend)
Post-Bacc GPA: 3.8 (8 upper level science classes)
Total cGPA: 3.1
Total sGPA: 3.0

MCAT: 519

Major: Biology
State: FL

Non-Clinical Work:

• First responder/lifeguard at theme park 2017-2019 (1200+ hours)
• Misc. Jobs (300+ hours)

Clinical Experience:

• Patient Care Tech 2020-2021 (2500+ hours)

Research Experience:

• Clinical Research Coordinator 2021-Present (6100+ hours)
  • Nephrology (1400+ hours)
  • Hepatology (2400+ hours)
  • Ophthalmology (1900+ hours)
  • Oncology (400+ hours) Plan to continue until matriculation, hospital is planning to start
  • I plan to split this experience up into clinical and research as I both categories do apply. I was in charge of recruitment efforts for clinical trials (chart review, meeting with patient, consenting patient, performing vital signs/assessments with patient, communicating with PI, collecting and entering data)

Leadership:

• Lead coordinator on multiple studies, lead recruitment efforts for clinical trials

Volunteer:

• Animal Hospital and Shelter (200+ hours)
• LGBTQ community center (50+ hours)

Shadowing:

• 50 hours (Nephrology, Hepatology, Ophthalmology, Oncology)
• Want to get a couple additional hours in primary care and surgery as well

Extracurricular:

• LGBTQ Medicine Club (20+ hours)
• Lesbian Florida Newspaper (20+ hours)
• LGBTQ health social media page (50+ hours)

Hobbies:

• Sewing, guitar, social media

I would like to know if I am competitive or what I can do to add to my application. I also would like to know which schools would be good to apply to, since I have an upward trend, good MCAT, and lots of experience. I'm open to MD and DO and plan to apply to schools in/near big cities. The LGBTQ community is very important to me and would like to go to a school or be in an area with a thriving community.

A couple schools on my list are:

U Florida (in-state)
USF (in-state)
Nova DO/MD (in-state)
U Miami (in-state)

Northwestern
Rosalind Franklin
U Colorado
Boston U
Tufts
UMass
Vanderbilt
UPenn
Thomas Jefferson
Georgetown
GWU
Mount Sinai
Albert Einstein
Duke
Wake Forrest
UNC
Emory
U Michigan

U Washington (OOS and know chances are slim, but LGBTQ program)
Oregon OHSU (OOS and chances are v slim, but love LGBTQ program)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Make sure you network with GLMA and MSPA. Obviously you should apply in-state, but Florida is certainly not an example of being LGBTQ+ friendly at this time (but get insights from current and graduated students).

That said, going completely out-of-region to the PacNW (UW and OHSU) doesn't make sense. Talk to them at the upcoming AAMC Virtual Fair if they are available. Otherwise reach out to their admissions teams and students who are part of any student organization supporting LGBTQ+ peers or health.

I am unsure that your animal shelter hours will satisfy adcoms looking for face-to-face connections with community members in serious need of social support. Typical service orientation activities include food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Getting 100+ hours at your LGBTQ+ center will help you to that end.

 

[Faha]

I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
U Florida
Florida State
Central Florida
Florida Atlantic
Florida International
NOVA MD
USF Morsani
Miami
Tulane
Emory
Wake Forest
Duke
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Georgetown
Drexel
Pittsburgh
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Hofstra
Mount Sinai
Albany
Vermont
UMass
Boston University
Quinnipiac
Wayne State
Roseman
For DO schools I suggest these:
WESTERN
TUCOM-CA
AZCOM
PCOM
NYITCOM
Touro-NY
CCOM