WAMC/School List: 524 / 3.99 cGPA / 3.97 sGPA / CA resident / re-re-applicant

[dipsybonner]

Hi everyone, I'm back after another cycle looking for some feedback. My last reapplication post is here, from the feedback I decided to wait another year to apply. I received one interview this cycle. I'm unsure whether to wait a year or reapply, and what to fill the year with. Reapplication now would be mostly unchanged, except I started working as a substitute teacher/afterschool teacher, but I'm going to work as an EMT soon (by June). Thank you to everyone who helped before, and thanks again!

• cGPA: 3.98. sGPA: 3.97
• 524 (2024) 132/129/131/132; 525 (2021) 132/130/131/132
• CA
• Asian
• T-30 undergrad, CS/Biology Major
• Phi Beta Kappa

My updated submitted numbers:
Clinical Experience:

• 600 hours scribing
• 260 hours volunteering assisted living/skilled nursing facility
• 80 hours clinical hospital volunteering

Research Experience:

• ~3000 hours: two year full-time clinical research. Two national conference poster presentation, one publication first author.
• 240 hours: summer NIH, poster presentation

Shadowing:

1. ~35 hours: Orthopedic surgery, Intensive Care, Adult psychiatry (autism), Palliative care

Non-clinical volunteering:

• 200 hours crisis text, 350 hours homeless/recovery shelter, 250 hours food bank, 70 hours covid vaccine clinics, 250 hours summer teaching,

Extracurriculars:

• Substitute teacher
• Afterschool teacher/tutor
• Leadership for Asian students club

Previously Applied:
(hindsight's 20/20 here, but accepting advice on making a list that includes schools that I have a good chance for while also applying more broadly. Next cycle I'm aiming at least 30-35 schools)

1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
3. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
4. Harvard Medical School
5. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
6. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
7. Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
8. Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
9. NYU Grossman School of Medicine
10. Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
11. Ohio State University College of Medicine
12. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
13. Stanford University School of Medicine
14. University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
15. University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
16. University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
17. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
18. University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
19. University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine
20. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
21. University of Michigan Medical School
22. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
23. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
24. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
25. Weill Cornell Medicine
26. Yale School of Medicine

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[Faha]

Where was your interview? Is it possible you may have a mediocre LOR?

 

[dipsybonner]

Where was your interview? Is it possible you may have a mediocre LOR?

It was a T5 school. There's a slight possibility of an old LOR that may not be as reflective of my direction, but not negative. Next app I'm updating it.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It also boils down to purpose and mission fit. Your result is understandably disappointing, so make sure your writing is on point and with a new (or significantly updated) personal statement (and w/a if needed). When is your MCAT going to expire?

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats and ECs:
Vermont
Boston University
Tufts
UMass
Dartmouth
Brown
Rochester
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
Jefferson
Pittsburgh
Georgetown
U Virginia
Duke
Emory
Vanderbilt
USF Morsani
Miami
Washington University
St. Louis
Northwestern
U Michigan
Cincinnati
Ohio State
Iowa
Colorado
Arizona (Phoenix)
the UCs (except Riverside unless you are from that region)
USC Keck
Kaiser
California University

 

[dipsybonner]

It also boils down to purpose and mission fit. Your result is understandably disappointing, so make sure your writing is on point and with a new (or significantly updated) personal statement (and w/a if needed). When is your MCAT going to expire?

I was happy with my writing and PS, but will definitely be taking another look with new reflections. That's one benefit of waiting another year, I'll have a lot more changes to write about on my PS, plus replace weakest activities.

My MCAT was July 2024, so it is valid for the 2026-2027 for most schools.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I was happy with my writing and PS, but will definitely be taking another look with new reflections. That's one benefit of waiting another year, I'll have a lot more changes to write about on my PS, plus replace weakest activities.

My MCAT was July 2024, so it is valid for the 2026-2027 for most schools.

Understood if you were happy with your writing, but you only got 1 interview.

You are treading into weird territory with two 52x MCATs on your record and a high, immutable GPA. Some schools may wonder if you are damaged goods and not give you a chance (I wish I knew which ones). How much networking have you done over the last few years?

 

[dipsybonner]

Understood if you were happy with your writing, but you only got 1 interview.

You are treading into weird territory with two 52x MCATs on your record and a high, immutable GPA. Some schools may wonder if you are damaged goods and not give you a chance (I wish I knew which ones). How much networking have you done over the last few years?

I've talked to many physicians, faculty, and medical students through research and scribing, but no connections with medical schools on the admissions side. I do reach out for application advice though. I'm planning on adding more schools that I have not applied to and taking away some schools where I've applied twice.