WAMC/School List 3.9x, 3.8x, 524, ORM, FGLI

[Sangen25]

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Hi everyone! This is my first post on SDN so please excuse me if there are any deficiencies, I tried my best to follow the standard WAMC template. I’m a current Junior planning to apply in the 2023-2024 cycle, just got my MCAT results and want to check if my current school list makes sense. Thank you all in advance for the advice!

1. cGPA: 3.9x sGPA: 3.8x
2. MCAT: 524 ( 130 / 131 / 131 / 132 )
3. State: CA
4. Ethnicity: East Asian
5. Undergrad: Top 10 UG
6. Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer): Total = 200hrs over 1.5y (projected by time of application)
   1. Pediatric inpatient ward clinical volunteering (80hrs currently and ongoing)
7. Research experience and productivity: Total = 400hrs, full time over summer between Y1-Y2
   1. Research intern in Conservation Biology wet lab
   2. Gave presentation on research project
8. Shadowing experience and specialties represented
   1. 30 hrs online shadowing
   2. Still looking for in person shadowing due to covid regulations
9. Non-clinical volunteering: Total=220hrs over 2y projected (100hrs currently and ongoing)
   1. Home visits, practical assistance, emotional support to elderly seniors with physical and mental difficulties in low income largely minority neighbourhood
10. Other extracurricular activities (including athletics, military service, gap year activities, leadership, teaching, etc):
    1. On leadership team and active player for University Rugby Club
    2. Biology class TA for 1 term
    3. Peer Mentor for freshmen students
    4. Continuous Federal Work Study jobs throughout all years of UG
11. Relevant honors or awards
    1. Dean’s list all years so far
    2. Full cost of attendance Merit and Needs based scholarship for all 4y of UG
12. Anything else not listed you think might be important
    1. 1st-Gen, Low SES (EO1, Pell Grant + FSEOG, AAMC FAP)

I have a preliminary school list and would appreciate any comments/suggestions to add/delete schools from this starting point?
Is my list too top heavy? I am trying to strike a balance between overreaching in the top tier and running the risk of ‘resource protection’ in the lower tier schools
What would be a reasonable total number of schools I should include? 20/25/30?
I am finding it really tough to get in person shadowing due to covid restrictions, would really appreciate any suggestions?
Is there anything I can/should do in the remaining 9 months to improve/strengthen my application?


Harvard
Hopkins
UCSF
UPenn
NYU
Mayo
WUSL
UMich
Vanderbilt
Northwestern
UChicago
UCLA
Duke
OSU
UVa
URoch
UCSD
UCDavis
UMiami
UCinci
USF
Kaiser
Hofstra

 

[Faha]

You could add these schools to your application:
UC Irvine
USC Keck
Cincinnati
Jefferson
Mount Sinai
Einstein
Tufts
You need 50 hours of in person physician shadowing before you apply.

 

[Sangen25]

You could add these schools to your application:
UC Irvine
USC Keck
Cincinnati
Jefferson
Mount Sinai
Einstein
Tufts
You need 50 hours of in person physician shadowing before you apply.

Thank you for the reply! Do you think my school is still too top heavy and/or should I apply to more schools (around 30 for example)? Also do you have any advice on how to find in person shadowing opportunities? @Goro @wysdoc your input would also be greatly appreciated!

 

[Faha]

Thank you for the reply! Do you think my school is still too top heavy and/or should I apply to more schools (around 30 for example)? Also do you have any advice on how to find in person shadowing opportunities? @Goro @wysdoc your input would also be greatly appreciated!

Your list is not top heavy if you add the schools I listed. Ask your fellow premeds where they are shadowing.

 

[Sangen25]

Would also greatly appreciate advice from @LizzyM @gyngyn @chilly_md if you have anything to add!

 

[LizzyM]

You don't need more than 20 schools, winnow your choices to those you'd be thrilled to attend and put your efforts into the secondaries. You don't want to get burned out with too many interviews, which can happen.

Good luck -- come back in 18 months and tell us how things worked out for you.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The restrictions have been loosening up in clinic so keep trying. You may try community or small private clinics rather than hospital shadowing.

 

[chilly_md]

Add Faha’s suggestions to broaden your list. You should be fine with that if you get your shadowing and the projected hours you’re planning on having.

 

[Sangen25]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice which I will definitely take onboard! Thanks for the vote of confidence @LizzyM, I'm planning on applying to around 25 schools so there won't be any regrets/second guesses about not applying broadly enough. I am actively looking for in person shadowing opportunities and will be sure to update back here after the cycle is over to let you all know how it went!

 

[Sangen25]

You don't need more than 20 schools, winnow your choices to those you'd be thrilled to attend and put your efforts into the secondaries. You don't want to get burned out with too many interviews, which can happen.

Good luck -- come back in 18 months and tell us how things worked out for you.

Hi all, as promised I'm back with an update on the final results of my application cycle to close the loop and provide a point of reference for future applicants. A big thank you to @LizzyM @Faha @chilly_md @Mr.Smile12 for their wise advice!

25 1* & 2* all top 50-60 MD, 6IIs, 1A 5WL, MD class of 2028!