MD WAMC/Nontrad School List Advice 3.8/3.8/522

[nathansoz]

I got my MCAT back and am taking a first stab at a school list for next cycle. I'm a nontrad and am willing to apply to a broad list of schools in order to maximize my chances of applying a single time.

Stats

• 3.8 cGPA/3.8 sGPA (all prerequisite coursework completed)
  • B.A in Religion for Undergrad, graduated 2014
  • PostBacc in Computer Science, graduated 2018
  • Most med school prereqs taken 2020+ at my local community college (some from my initial undergraduate institution). This includes upper division biochem. I don't know why my CC had 4xx level biochem, but it does. /shrug
• 522 MCAT (130/129/132/131)
• 9 years work experience as a software engineer at Microsoft
  • Currently in a "Principal Engineering" role which means I am a technical leader on my team. I do not have direct reports, but I do spend around 50% of my time advising/reviewing my peer's work.
• I'll have ~500 hours (350 hospice/150 ER) of clinical volunteering by the time I apply. Maybe 600-650 projected. This will be over 3 years at the same hospital system by the time I apply.
• ~200 hours of nonclinical volunteering (including ~100 hours as a coordinator for a supply closet and meal bank for the unhoused)
• 50 hours of shadowing.

Red flags

• No paid clinical experience. I'm not quitting my job unless I have an A.
• 3 Ws (not WF) in 2011 when I decided to not pursue a science degree and was pivoting to my religion major
• Eng->Med stereotype

Other info

• WA state resident (in-scope for WSU and UW)
• Ties to Oregon (graduated from HS there)
• I know USU is milmed. It is intentionally on my list and I intend to apply HPSP
• I have a wife and a kid on the way (next week!)
• ORM - White/Caucasian

I'd appreciate any feedback or additions to this list!

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[Faha]

Remove Drexel and temple since they will "yield protect" with your stats. I suggest adding these schools:
Washington University (in St. Louis-almost a guaranteed interview with your stats)
Vanderbilt
UCSF
Brown
Harvard
Yale
Boston University
Tufts
Hofstra
Mount Sinai
U Michigan

 

[mike-sheree]

This is only MY anecdote but I did the U.S. Navy HPSP from ‘73-‘77. It was the smartest thing I did. Came out with zero debt,savings, a house, triple boards, two years post boards experience so i was not competing with noobs after my 10 1/2 years active duty (4 yrs payback, 6 1/2 yrs intern/resident/fellow) drawing decent (EXCELLENT COMPARED TO CIV RESIDENT) income. Also, didn’t have to worry about the match or the butt kissing that goes on because i knew i would be going into a “rotating” internship at a large Naval hospital like Bethesda or San Diego regardless. 2 of my 4 year pay-back after internship and before residency I was a submarine and diving qualified medical officer for a ballistic missile submarine squadron. Pretty cool. only went out on the subs for 2-3 day trips. remainder of the time spent on large sub tender ship at pier. home every day. My last 2 years of payback (2 of the 4 owed) were as an attending pathologist at a large Navy teaching hospital. Got out as a full Navy Commander (O-5). Was chief-of-service in private practice with same group for the next 23 of 25 1/2 years until retirement at 62 with f/u money.

Program details may have changed significantly but it is worth looking at.

 

[nathansoz]

Remove Drexel and temple since they will "yield protect" with your stats. I suggest adding these schools:
Washington University (in St. Louis-almost a guaranteed interview with your stats)
Vanderbilt
UCSF
Brown
Harvard
Yale
Boston University
Tufts
Hofstra
Mount Sinai
U Michigan

Thanks for the advice on Drexel and temple. Will I have the same issue with GWU or any other of the schools with MCATs in that range? Or is that a Drexel/Temple specific thing?

I had excluded Harvard for no research experience. With that in mind, do you think it is worth adding?

 

[Faha]

Thanks for the advice on Drexel and temple. Will I have the same issue with GWU or any other of the schools with MCATs in that range? Or is that a Drexel/Temple specific thing?

I had excluded Harvard for no research experience. With that in mind, do you think it is worth adding?

You could try Harvard. I do not see any other schools that would "yield protect".

 

[nathansoz]

New list, red schools are dropped. I've validated that every school on this list will take CC prereqs (via their website or via emailing the admissions office).

 

[nathansoz]

This is only MY anecdote but I did the U.S. Navy HPSP from ‘73-‘77. It was the smartest thing I did. Came out with zero debt,savings, a house, triple boards, two years post boards experience so i was not competing with noobs after my 10 1/2 years active duty (4 yrs payback, 6 1/2 yrs intern/resident/fellow) drawing decent (EXCELLENT COMPARED TO CIV RESIDENT) income. Also, didn’t have to worry about the match or the butt kissing that goes on because i knew i would be going into a “rotating” internship at a large Naval hospital like Bethesda or San Diego regardless. 2 of my 4 year pay-back after internship and before residency I was a submarine and diving qualified medical officer for a ballistic missile submarine squadron. Pretty cool. only went out on the subs for 2-3 day trips. remainder of the time spent on large sub tender ship at pier. home every day. My last 2 years of payback (2 of the 4 owed) were as an attending pathologist at a large Navy teaching hospital. Got out as a full Navy Commander (O-5). Was chief-of-service in private practice with same group for the next 23 of 25 1/2 years until retirement at 62 with f/u money.

Program details may have changed significantly but it is worth looking at.

I really appreciate this perspective. I've seen a lot of negative around milmed, but it mostly has to do with money. Hearing the positive stories makes me feel like I'm making a good choice in pursuing it.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

Add more top-20 schools. Also, Carle Illinois and some other schools like engineers. You're a strong candidate.

 

[nathansoz]

@Goro I’ve seen you give other nontrads advice so I’m curious to get your thoughts on this list.

My biggest concern is my lack of research. Several of these schools have very high research percentages on MSAR and it is unlikely that I will be able to add meaningful research experience to my app by the time I apply.

As I start to prewrite secondaries over the next few months I want to replace schools on this list that are just going to be a donation with OOS friendly schools that I actually have a shot at.

@LeaveNoTrace does the advice to add more T20s stand given the lack of research?

 

[Goro]

Contrast don't need research, as we know that they have to work for a living.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

True; it helps but isn't strictly necessary. Also, that 3.8/522 isn't going to keep the OP out of any school in the country.