WAMC & School List feedback: 3.93, 514, Florida

[maxifulf]

Hello, please help with school list and feedback….

1. 3.93 C & 3.93 S.
2. 514 (129, 126, 129, 130). Ugh CARS! Debated a re-take bc FLs were 517-518 with 128-29 on CARS. Worried it will take time from secondaries. 🤷‍♀️
3. Floridian
4. White female
5. UVA
6. Research: 1400+ hours. Worked in neuroscience lab, Research grant recipient, conducted independent research projects, research symposium poster project presenter.
7. Published: Co-author on publication in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.
8. Shadowing: 112 hours. More scheduled for gap year.
9. Volunteer: 200 hours of active listening for online mental health provider. 200 hours working at UVA hospital as greeter and shuttle driver.
10. Leadership: Service chair for Alzheimer’s Club at school. Founded non-profit to collect and redistribute mobility devices to those in need.
11. Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Double Hoo Award, Distinguished Majors Program, Dean’s List each semester.
12. Thesis: Authored senior thesis with distinction.
13. Sharing Smiles medical trip to Mexico. 50 hours.
14. Fluent in Spanish.
15. Gap year: Full-time Intern for large medical home that serves the un-insured: scribing, medical assisting, etc. Projected 1500+ hours.


School List (Need to cut it down):

University of Florida
University of Miami
USF
University of Central Florida
Florida Atlantic University
Florida International University
Vanderbilt
Duke
Washington University in St. Louis
Brown
Case Western
Emory
University of Virginia
University of Michigan
University of Cincinnati
Ohio State University
University of Pittsburgh
Northwestern
Boston University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Georgetown
George Washington University
Rush Medical College
University of Vermont
Tufts
Wake Forest
Albert Einstein
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tulane
Virginia Tech
Loyola University Chicago
TCU
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
University of Arizona
Virginia Commonwealth
University of South Carolina Greenville
Belmont University
Kaiser Permanente
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego
Baylor?
UT SW Dallas?
UT Houston?
UT San Antonio?

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

I know the WAMC description is not your AMCAS, but I'm left wanting after reviewing your description. Nothing really screams to me why you want to become a physician or what assets you bring to the profession. It feels like you checked the boxes, but I don't know why I should interview you.

Some schools on your list are more out of reach with your MCAT (start Vanderbilt, end Emory). Why have you included TMDSAS schools?

 

[maxifulf]

I included some out of reach MCAT schools bc my advisor suggested it. She said it was worth fishing for an interview from some of them bc there is no such thing as a safety. But I worry it’s a waste of time. I could retake the MCAT prior to interviews bc I feel confident that I would do better. But my 514 will prob screen me out of getting interviews at top schools. Thoughts?
I am debating Texas schools bc I have family and friends in Texas (Dallas and Houston), it is a great state for quality of life, and the tuition is low. But I’m focusing on getting my AMCAS app perfected for submission on May 27th prior to deciding on Texas. (Yes, I should have submitted Texas earlier, but I was slammed with school, thesis and poster presentations before graduation this week.) Not sure if Texas would take me from FL with 514. I almost went to SMU bc awarded presidential scholarship and loved Dallas. But ultimately decided on UVA due to academic and research opportunities.
My personal statement shares personal information on why medicine. Thank you for your feedback.

 

[Faha]

Do you have any clinical volunteering with patient contact? What does "200 hours of active listening for online mental health provider" involve?

 

[maxifulf]

7 Cups of Tea, Active listener
Through 7 Cups of Tea, the largest online mental health service provider, I joined a community of active listeners to provide emotional support to those in need. After completing a training program for compassionate communication, I became a certified listener. As a volunteer, I support people as they seek solace on issues such as anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, abuse, isolation, and eating disorders. The communication follows a strict set of guidelines. It entails reflecting on the person’s scenario, identifying the emotions behind their words, asking open-ended questions for guidance, and empowering them to find their own path forward. Active listening provides the opportunity for people to discover their own solutions and build self-confidence. After noticing a pattern in the topics discussed during my one-on-one chats, I completed additional training programs on courses such as Cultural Diversity, Bullying, and Social Anxiety.
Note: The communication is via online chat, 24/7. I can login anytime that works for my schedule.

My direct contact with patients in an office setting is limited as I was unable to take the mandatory vaccines required by UVA Health after a vaccine injury during my freshman year. I do not want to share this. I’m hoping to make up for it with my gap year of full-time scribing, medical assisting position.

 

[Faha]

Your research, shadowing and non clinical volunteering hours are fine. However, with no clinical volunteering/employment with patient contact your chances for interviews are limited. I suggest these schools with your stats and ECs:
Florida State
U Florida
Central Florida
Florida Atlantic
Florida International
NOVA MD
Miami
USF Morsani
Belmont
Alice Walton
Roseman
Methodist (when it opens)
TCU
Ponce (St. Louis)
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Accumulate as many clinical hours as possible at your medical assisting job in the coming year in case you need to reapply.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My direct contact with patients in an office setting is limited as I was unable to take the mandatory vaccines required by UVA Health after a vaccine injury during my freshman year. I do not want to share this. I’m hoping to make up for it with my gap year of full-time scribing, medical assisting position.

This is an important question: is this situation documented? Are you unable to take any other vaccines (like HepB) "forever"? Have you talked with anyone about how this affects your chances of having a health professional career (or limits choices for specialties)? You will have to disclose your health records as part of the matriculation checklist, and you should have your answer and documents ready.

Note: 7Cups is a crisis text line, and thus does not confer any in-person service (and is clinic-adjacent). It does not fulfill service orientation expectations by itself; it's better if it were a foundation to an in-person counseling position such as a shelter volunteer. I will give you credit for your 200 hours as a shuttle driver, so you're okay fulfilling minimal expectations (to me, can't vouch for every screener or adcom).