WAMC School List Help, 512 MCAT, 3.96 sGPA

[user123456123]

Hey all, I need some help with building a school list/ general advice for medical school applications.

Some basic info

1. 3.96 sGPA / 3.97 cGPA
2. 512 MCAT (128/125/130/129)
3. CA resident
4. Asian American
5. Current Junior at CA UC school
6. Around 1000 hours of clinical volunteering across hopsital work and hospice care. Split 750 : 250.
7. 700 hours of general wetlab research at my institution, along with another 250 hours of wetlab research at a top UC during the summer. No pubs or posters, I worked a lot but no "papers" yet to show for it. Kind of bummed ab that.
8. 100 hours shadowing orthopedic surgeon in my area. Will def add to this.
9. Around 1500 hours of volunteering with my own education organization. We serve low SES communities. Will work at a food bank and homeless shelter during my gap year.
10. Will be taking 1 gap year, to build up more clinical + non clinical volunteering.
11. I have a strong letter from the physician I shadow, along with one of my PI's and a prof. at my school. My 2 other letters I believe will be mediocre.

These are obvious bare-bone stats and don't encompass my mission. I really want to apply and go to a t20, although I feel as if my MCAT is too low. I am looking for guidance on an appropriate/balanced school list to target as well as if I should retake my MCAT. I want to stay in state mainly!

Appreciate the help!

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[Mr.Smile12]

Why is it so important that you go to a T20 program? Yes, your MCAT may be lower than desired for places like Stanford, but I also think your profile as described needs more diversity in your clinical and non-clinical experience. Have you been involved in any summer enrichment programs or research opportunities? Are you a candidate for a highly selective scholarship like Rhodes, Truman, or Churchill? Are you planning to participate in Peace Corps or Americorps?

 

[Faha]

When are you planning to apply ?

 

[user123456123]

When are you planning to apply ?

I plan on applying next cycle.

 

[user123456123]

Why is it so important that you go to a T20 program? Yes, your MCAT may be lower than desired for places like Stanford, but I also think your profile as described needs more diversity in your clinical and non-clinical experience. Have you been involved in any summer enrichment programs or research opportunities? Are you a candidate for a highly selective scholarship like Rhodes, Truman, or Churchill? Are you planning to participate in Peace Corps or Americorps?

I did do a summer research opportunity at UCSF. For my non-clinical experience, almost all of it is directed at education efforts in low income areas. It is a big part of what I want to frame my app to be. I didn't add it in the post but I also have some tutoring experience. I plan on using to diversity my non-clinical experience within my gap year in places such as food banks and homeless shelters. What else would you recommend me diversifying and/or strengthening, and do you think I should retake my mcat? Thanks lots!

 

[Faha]

You do not need more shadowing hours unless it is primary care. How many hours at food banks and homeless shelters will you have when you submit your application ?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I did do a summer research opportunity at UCSF. For my non-clinical experience, almost all of it is directed at education efforts in low income areas. It is a big part of what I want to frame my app to be. I didn't add it in the post but I also have some tutoring experience. I plan on using to diversity my non-clinical experience within my gap year in places such as food banks and homeless shelters. What else would you recommend me diversifying and/or strengthening, and do you think I should retake my mcat? Thanks lots!

You need the experience hours. Many schools will take applicants with a 512.

 

[user123456123]

You do not need more shadowing hours unless it is primary care. How many hours at food banks and homeless shelters will you have when you submit your application ?

Noted. I plan on starting food bank and homeless shelter work within the next 2 weeks, so come 1 year from now, I will estimate I will have 400 hours minimum. Are there other areas of my app that you would say need to be strengthened?

 

[user123456123]

You need the experience hours. Many schools will take applicants with a 512.

Understandable. I wanted to stay in state near my parents as they are getting older. I also know that my 512 is on the lower end for most UC schools, but you still think that it is not needed for a retake? Regarding the experience hours, in which category is that directed to?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Understandable. I wanted to stay in state near my parents as they are getting older. I also know that my 512 is on the lower end for most UC schools, but you still think that it is not needed for a retake? Regarding the experience hours, in which category is that directed to?

UC schools also prefer regional candidates who grew up in their part of the state. Those candidates may be more desirable even with a lower MCAT like 512. Otherwise, you can have a higher MCAT, but without the service hours, your application may easily be separated out from others with more hours.

 

[user123456123]

UC schools also prefer regional candidates who grew up in their part of the state. Those candidates may be more desirable even with a lower MCAT like 512. Otherwise, you can have a higher MCAT, but without the service hours, your application may easily be separated out from others with more hours.

Got it, which service parts would you strengthen first? Clinical or non clinical volunteering? I will be having over 1000 hours in both of these categories come application season.

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
The UCs (except Riverside unless you are from that region)
USC Keck
Kaiser
California University
Arizona (Phoenix)
TCU
Creighton
St. Louis
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Tulane
Belmont
NOVA MD
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Georgetown
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Tufts
Indiana
U Illinois
Iowa

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Got it, which service parts would you strengthen first? Clinical or non clinical volunteering? I will be having over 1000 hours in both of these categories come application season.

We don't have your application to make an informed decision, so you obviously know a little better. I would generally lean on non-clinical because few applicants do this. Also UC schools want socially aware applicants, so doing community service that is not clinical-adjacent will help you.

Then you can determine whether the MCAT should be retaken.

 

[user123456123]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
The UCs (except Riverside unless you are from that region)
USC Keck
Kaiser
California University
Arizona (Phoenix)
TCU
Creighton
St. Louis
Rosalind Franklin
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
Wayne State
Tulane
Belmont
NOVA MD
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
George Washington
Georgetown
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Hackensack
New York Medical College
Albany
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Tufts
Indiana
U Illinois
Iowa

Thanks for this. Would Geisel also work ?

 

[Faha]

Thanks for this. Would Geisel also work ?

You could try Dartmouth.

 

[user123456123]

We don't have your application to make an informed decision, so you obviously know a little better. I would generally lean on non-clinical because few applicants do this. Also UC schools want socially aware applicants, so doing community service that is not clinical-adjacent will help you.

Then you can determine whether the MCAT should be retaken.

Thank you so much.