WAMC/school list (3.95/501) unique story? OH, ORM/URM depends on school (SE Asian) first-gen college + first-gen immigrant

[musciallyqueen]

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Applying 2025-56 cycle, please give some advices on my school list

GPA 3.95
MCAT: 498 -> 502 (126/123/125/127) CARS sucks (non native English speaker). Not planning to retake MCAT because: financial, don't have time to study for it bc of work so I don't think I will get significant higher score (if not worse). I live with my spouse so taking time off work + making him do everything around the house = I don't want to put that burden on others again.

1 gap year, Southeast Asian (URM or ORM depends on school), permanent resident Ohio

- Circumstance: grew up in poverty (below the poverty line of the country, lived in a 250 sqft house), single a parent household, in a third world country, adversity (physical, emotional abuse and neglect), education was funded by an aunt who lived in the US. Why medicine: Dad had double cancer when I was 8, in my country no money = no treatment, so he got sent home. My first job was selling homework for classmates (to make extra money to help with my dad's treatment). I continued doing so until 12, my dad died because not have enough money to treat (underserved? barrier to healthcare?). When I turned 15, I got an opportunity to study abroad in the US, I hate home (abuse) and I knew it was the only chance for me to escape my mom + potentially change my life forever. First time seeing a physician (except for birth duh) because we were so poor (skills = sleep the sickness away) -for vax paper and health checkup to get a visa.
Entered US as F1 student, lived with host family. COVID hit, and I chose not to go home and stayed with my aunt temporarily, I was half homeless (bc intl students were kicked out of the country during that time so on paper I wasn't with the host family anymore, just no address), jumping between relatives' places in different states until the new school year started and I could live with a new host family (changing states for school). Graduated from a high school in Appalachian Ohio.
College: my aunt stopped funding bc she was out of money, mom has never supported me financially, no aid for intl students. Aunt decided to moved back to my home country for retirement. I was almost homeless (no money for dorm and nowhere else to stay), had no money, no jobs, and no car, and was at risk of being deported if not pay and continue school. I met this guy at a club lmao, we dated, he found out abt my situation and we got married, I got a green card and work auth. He let me move in, got me a car and helped getting my license, put me in his insurance plan, and paid for rent + food. So does it mean I've been on my own since 15 (immigrated without a parent) or not bc I had support later on in life?
Got a PCA job after my internship (I got it through a lottery system at school), many meaningful stories, and lots to write about. Special patient: she was gonna be amputated (diabetes) because insurance denied another surgery to help with diabetes instead (doctors advocated as well, but it didn't work). Her backstory is sad and I felt related to it, and she mentioned trying to get money through fundraising for that surgery, almost there but not enough. My survival instinct gave me the most random ideas sometimes. I knew someone who could get me a job at a club downtown, so I decided to work as a bottle girl for a weekend illegally when I was 19 to help her with the cost (creative solutions I guess lmao).
Stopped working as a PCA (pay wasn't enough) and started a server job because I needed quick cash (for the MCAT prep and the MCAT). I also need to pay tuition for upcoming semester (barely received financial aid because my combined income and my husband make 95% of it).
Now: finishing last sem school w mostly online classes, got a new full-time and part-time job, with 2 volunteer opportunities - prepare for med school app fee and expenses during a gap year. I currently work 80 hrs a week on top of school bc I'm by myself with no family support, so it's on me to figure out how to pay for applications (my husband supports me so much I don't want to take it for granted and I can't accept help unless I know there's nothing else I can do to help myself at that moment. In this case, there is, I can work bc I have a car, work auth, flexible school hours, not ideal to work that much, but I'm grateful to even be able to work and be independent!).

• Shadowing: 30 hrs (having no connection or family member here at all sucks)
• Paid clinical: PCA acute care, MA at private office, internship in ED (total 1400 hrs). Currently doing medical interpreter for language line solutions, should be 1740 hrs total by the time of app
• Employment (non-clinical): piano teacher (lots of special need kids), server, paraprofessional for public high school. Total 950 (now), expected 1600 by the time of app. Currently work 4 jobs (1 full-time, 1 part-time, the other 2 around 10 hrs/week each, full-time student last sem)
• Research: with professor in health policy (3 semesters, around 150 hrs). class projects (around 100 hrs total) --> 250 hrs
• Volunteer: crisis text line, Red Cross, Dave Thomas foundation for adoption, university hospital volunteer (clinical - 50 hrs), leadership for freshmen welcoming for school => 470 hrs. Just started to volunteer for immigrant youth mentorship program and CASA GAL (since 1 gap year), should be around 550-600 hrs of volunteer by the time of app.

- MD:
NEOMED
Wright State
Uni of Toledo
U of Kentucky
Medical College of Wisconsin
Oakland U (OUWBM) (top school - strong tie to the community there - strong mission fit - but MCAT ugh)
Central Michigan
Marshall
Michigan State (strong mission fit)
Loyola
U of South Carolina (Greenville)
U of Arizona
Drexel (strong mission fit)
Quinnipiac

- DO:
Ohio University (top DO school - no extra cost for moving)
Edward Via (SC)
Edward Via (VA)
Lake Erie (PA)
NOVA COM
Michigan State DO
Arizona COM
Philadelphia
Chicago COM
Liberty (VA)

 

[Faha]

Arizona, South Carolina, Michigan State, Central Michigan and Kentucky admit very few (if any ) non residents with your MCAT of 502. Loyola expects far more non clinical volunteering hours than you have. I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
Toledo
Wright State
NEOMED
Marshall
West Virginia
Wayne State
Oakland Beaumont
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
TCU
Alice Walton
Belmont
Methodist (when it opens)
Roseman (when it opens)
NOVA MD
Eastern Virginia
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Fro DO schools I suggest these:
Ohio (OUHCOM)
LECOM (all schools)
MU-COM
VCOM (all schools)
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
DUQCOM
LUCOM
PCOM (all schools)
ACOM
UIWSOM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
TUNCOM

 

[musciallyqueen]

Arizona, South Carolina, Michigan State, Central Michigan and Kentucky admit very few (if any ) non residents with your MCAT of 502. Loyola expects far more non clinical volunteering hours than you have. I suggest these MD schools with your stats:
Toledo
Wright State
NEOMED
Marshall
West Virginia
Wayne State
Oakland Beaumont
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
TCU
Alice Walton
Belmont
Methodist (when it opens)
Roseman (when it opens)
NOVA MD
Eastern Virginia
Drexel
Temple
Penn State
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Fro DO schools I suggest these:
Ohio (OUHCOM)
LECOM (all schools)
MU-COM
VCOM (all schools)
WVSOM
UP-KYCOM
DUQCOM
LUCOM
PCOM (all schools)
ACOM
UIWSOM
KCU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
TUNCOM

Thank you!

 

[ClashRoyaleKing]

You have a unique story that I think will catch the eyes of adcoms. I hope you get in.

Also,

CARS sucks (non-native English speaker)

I had a 123 CARS with English as my first language and practicing this section extra hard. It's a hard section 😵

 

[musciallyqueen]

You have a unique story that I think will catch the eyes of adcoms. I hope you get in.

Also,

I had a 123 CARS with English as my first language and practicing this section extra hard. It's a hard section 😵

Thank you so much that means a lot! I tried to read books, journals, etc and it didn't help so I just gave up on CARS 😭

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Have you done any networking? Have you attended the OUHCOM summer program? I think we have advertised it here...

Summer Scholars | Ohio University

2025 Program Dates: May 16-June 13The application is now closed.

www.ohio.edu

 

[musciallyqueen]

Have you done any networking? Have you attended the OUHCOM summer program? I think we have advertised it here...

Summer Scholars | Ohio University

2025 Program Dates: May 16-June 13The application is now closed.

www.ohio.edu

Hi,
I haven't done much networking beside the people I know from work. I looked into that program earlier this month but I work 4 different jobs so I can't get all of them to let me off that long 😭

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The challenge is that many of the Ohio programs have similar outreach opportunities. You've had more time than just this year.

MEDCAMP at NEOMED

Gain "hands on" experience exploring the medical field in the three-day "hands on" experience at Northeast Ohio Medical University.

www.neomed.edu

Summer Opportunities for Medical Career Development

Summer Opportunities for Medical Career Development : College of Medicine and Life Sciences - Office of Student Affairs (OSA) : The University of Toledo

www.utoledo.edu

Horizons in Medicine

Jump-start your health care career with the Horizons in Medicine program. Horizons in Medicine is a month-long summer program designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about health care careers. Gain hands-on experience alongside medical students and physicians, discover your...

medicine.wright.edu

That said, you should make the time. If you want it, no excuses, now that you are about to apply. Success relies on finding mentors and champions who can help you navigate the process and ensure that you will find a supportive community at the medical schools you intend to apply for. As a state, Ohio has many seats for medical school (MD and DO), and with your backstory, I hope it's enough to interest anyone. But you have to get the fundamentals taken care of regarding your educational/science foundation, your clinical experience, and your community service orientation activities. How do all of your activities make sense towards your expectation of becoming a physician?

 

[musciallyqueen]

The challenge is that many of the Ohio programs have similar outreach opportunities. You've had more time than just this year.

MEDCAMP at NEOMED

Gain "hands on" experience exploring the medical field in the three-day "hands on" experience at Northeast Ohio Medical University.

www.neomed.edu

Summer Opportunities for Medical Career Development

Summer Opportunities for Medical Career Development : College of Medicine and Life Sciences - Office of Student Affairs (OSA) : The University of Toledo

www.utoledo.edu

Horizons in Medicine

Jump-start your health care career with the Horizons in Medicine program. Horizons in Medicine is a month-long summer program designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about health care careers. Gain hands-on experience alongside medical students and physicians, discover your...

medicine.wright.edu

That said, you should make the time. If you want it, no excuses, now that you are about to apply. Success relies on finding mentors and champions who can help you navigate the process and ensure that you will find a supportive community at the medical schools you intend to apply for. As a state, Ohio has many seats for medical school (MD and DO), and with your backstory, I hope it's enough to interest anyone. But you have to get the fundamentals taken care of regarding your educational/science foundation, your clinical experience, and your community service orientation activities. How do all of your activities make sense towards your expectation of becoming a physician?

Thank you for the extra recommendation! I’ll check them out to see if any work. Yes, I do want it, but I also had many other things that I needed to get first, and I’ll explain that in the third paragraph.

I have no family here and no connections. Finding mentors and trying to make connections was tough. Luckily, I found two mentors, and I’m extremely grateful for them.

I didn’t get my permanent residency until last year, which was when I was finally able to work. That’s when I started getting my clinical hours, research experience, and volunteer work. I was also a full-time student at the time, doing all of that while having to make money through other jobs since I don’t have family here to support me. Before having a green card, I was only allowed to work on-campus jobs (the dining hall or dorms, i worked for a coffee shop on-campus) and volunteer (which i did).

Additionally, most of those programs don’t accept international students. I’m a senior in college now, and most of the programs only open during the summer. Summer 2024 was the first summer I had permanent residency status. During that summer, I worked two jobs, tried to get more volunteer hours in, took three classes, and studied for the MCAT at the same time. So, technically, I’ve only had 1.5 years to do all of those activities, not the 3-4 years that most students have.
When I make decisions to do something, I want to make sure my actions are aligned to my value. As long as the benefits of the outcomes are way greater than the risk, I’m not gonna regret it in the future, and it doesn’t affect other people or hurt them, I’ll do it. It’d be selfish and inconsiderate of me to keep chasing my dream and put no effort into contributing to the household income. He’s not my parent and it’s not his responsibility to do all of this. If I got into med school then great, dream comes true! But if not, then I still wouldn’t regret what I did, because I knew I didn’t put my needs and dreams first and give others the burden.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for the extra recommendation! I’ll check them out to see if any work. Yes, I do want it, but I also had many other things that I needed to get first, and I’ll explain that in the third paragraph.

I have no family here and no connections. Finding mentors and trying to make connections was tough. Luckily, I found two mentors, and I’m extremely grateful for them.

I didn’t get my permanent residency until last year, which was when I was finally able to work. That’s when I started getting my clinical hours, research experience, and volunteer work. I was also a full-time student at the time, doing all of that while having to make money through other jobs since I don’t have family here to support me. Before having a green card, I was only allowed to work on-campus jobs (the dining hall or dorms, i worked for a coffee shop on-campus) and volunteer (which i did).

Additionally, most of those programs don’t accept international students. I’m a senior in college now, and most of the programs only open during the summer. Summer 2024 was the first summer I had permanent residency status. During that summer, I worked two jobs, tried to get more volunteer hours in, took three classes, and studied for the MCAT at the same time. So, technically, I’ve only had 1.5 years to do all of those activities, not the 3-4 years that most students have.
When I make decisions to do something, I want to make sure my actions are aligned to my value. As long as the benefits of the outcomes are way greater than the risk, I’m not gonna regret it in the future, and it doesn’t affect other people or hurt them, I’ll do it. It’d be selfish and inconsiderate of me to keep chasing my dream and put no effort into contributing to the household income. He’s not my parent and it’s not his responsibility to do all of this. If I got into med school then great, dream comes true! But if not, then I still wouldn’t regret what I did, because I knew I didn’t put my needs and dreams first and give others the burden.

Have you been able now to secure some clinical employment, or perhaps gain some certifications to get you inside the walls of a hospital or clinic? Here is a recent article:

Community College and Vocational Certifications for Prehealth Applicants | SDN

Higher education has seen a demographic shift, with more high school students or graduates taking community college coursework before entering

www.studentdoctor.net

But to the current question, it's not too late to reach out to schools, especially those in-state. Talk to the admissions staff at NEOMED, OUHCOM, Toledo, and Boonshoft before applying. If working with other immigrants and refugees has meaning for you as a physician, consider schools that have student-run clinics focused on their care (the chapter list is not available, so look at the leadership for PHR and the programs they represent Student Advisory Board - Student Advisory Board).

Oh, you did say you are drawn to Beaumont Oakland. Contact their admissions team; they like virtual appointments with prospective applicants, as far as I can tell (they run frequent admissions webinars).

About - Admissions - Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine - Oakland University

We hope you find the information on the OUWB admissions website helpful. If you have questions not addressed by the website or our Frequently Asked Questions we invite you to contact us. We look forward to assisting you. All prospective medical school students are invited to join one of our...

oakland.edu

 

[musciallyqueen]

Thank you so much for the advices and I’ll reach out to all of them this week! All the websites and resources are super helpful! Also, I worked as a PCA and MA last year summer + during school for my university hospital and private clinic and I got atound 1500 hrs. Right now I’m a medical interpreter for Language Line so hopefully that helps w the application too!