- Joined
- Aug 2, 2021
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 102
Hi everyone! Returning to SDN from an unsuccessful application cycle from 2021-2022 year (all pre-II R). While I work on solidifying applications, I'm looking for overall general advice on school lists and answers to a few specific questions. Any and all help appreciated 
Demographics:
white queer, ORM from central valley CA but from very very small religious community
Academics:
2 years at community college, BS and MS at UCSD
BS cc/sGPA: 3.51/3.35 with upward trend that is particularly strong in sGPA (2.83->3.39->3.49->3.68)
MS GPA: 3.95
MCAT: 508 (125/126/129/128)
*planning to retake the MCAT at the end of March
Activities:
clinical: ~2100 hrs as a hemodialysis technician, 125 hrs as community hospital and covid-19 vax clinic volunteer
research: ~1200 hrs as a grad student researcher studying circadian rhythms. my thesis is currently under embargo per university policy until sept 2024 and is not published. unfortunately, i've had a difficult time reaching out to my former PI regarding getting my research published elsewhere.
shadowing: 32 hrs, 8 hrs reconstructive surgery, 24 cardiology, ~80 virtual shadowing hours during lockdown
*unfortunately the cardiologist passed away late last year and I'm unsure of whether I should find another solid shadowing opportunity so I can secure a LOR from an MD.
other:
- teaching assistant for ~1250 hours (upper div science and lab courses @ UCSD)
- barista on campus during my senior yr of college
- journal club presenter/circadian biologist trainee at UCSD's center for circadian biology ~60 hrs
- volunteer at urban outreach center first sporadically ~50 hrs
- starting a twice weekly volunteer science tutoring position at a university affiliated charter school
- dance/circus art just for funsies!
School list MD:
"target": UC Davis, UCR, Morehouse, Rush, University of Illinois, Meharry
reach: ucla, netter, stritch, tulane, albany, drexel, temple-katz, cusm, GW, rosalind franklin, tufts, wake forest, nymc, penn state, virginia tech
impossible: ucsd, uc irvine, ucsf, jefferson
School list DO:
Chicago COM, ACOM, Touro, Western, PCOM, NYITCOM, ATSUCOM
If you have any commentary on my school list, or schools I should add or remove, please let me know! I'm looking to narrow down my school list as I do mainly financially support myself and would like to limit my expenses as much as possible. Additionally, might I potentially be better off ditching MD applications all together and applying only DO?
Thank you in advance <3
Demographics:
white queer, ORM from central valley CA but from very very small religious community
Academics:
2 years at community college, BS and MS at UCSD
BS cc/sGPA: 3.51/3.35 with upward trend that is particularly strong in sGPA (2.83->3.39->3.49->3.68)
MS GPA: 3.95
MCAT: 508 (125/126/129/128)
*planning to retake the MCAT at the end of March
Activities:
clinical: ~2100 hrs as a hemodialysis technician, 125 hrs as community hospital and covid-19 vax clinic volunteer
research: ~1200 hrs as a grad student researcher studying circadian rhythms. my thesis is currently under embargo per university policy until sept 2024 and is not published. unfortunately, i've had a difficult time reaching out to my former PI regarding getting my research published elsewhere.
shadowing: 32 hrs, 8 hrs reconstructive surgery, 24 cardiology, ~80 virtual shadowing hours during lockdown
*unfortunately the cardiologist passed away late last year and I'm unsure of whether I should find another solid shadowing opportunity so I can secure a LOR from an MD.
other:
- teaching assistant for ~1250 hours (upper div science and lab courses @ UCSD)
- barista on campus during my senior yr of college
- journal club presenter/circadian biologist trainee at UCSD's center for circadian biology ~60 hrs
- volunteer at urban outreach center first sporadically ~50 hrs
- starting a twice weekly volunteer science tutoring position at a university affiliated charter school
- dance/circus art just for funsies!
School list MD:
"target": UC Davis, UCR, Morehouse, Rush, University of Illinois, Meharry
reach: ucla, netter, stritch, tulane, albany, drexel, temple-katz, cusm, GW, rosalind franklin, tufts, wake forest, nymc, penn state, virginia tech
impossible: ucsd, uc irvine, ucsf, jefferson
School list DO:
Chicago COM, ACOM, Touro, Western, PCOM, NYITCOM, ATSUCOM
If you have any commentary on my school list, or schools I should add or remove, please let me know! I'm looking to narrow down my school list as I do mainly financially support myself and would like to limit my expenses as much as possible. Additionally, might I potentially be better off ditching MD applications all together and applying only DO?
Thank you in advance <3
