WAMC + school list help / cGPA=3.91, sGPA=3.89, MCAT=518

[fkm2025]

Hello all! I’m planning to apply in the 2025/2026 cycle and am looking for some help with my school list and identifying gaps in my application. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and provide feedback!

• cGPA = 3.91, sGPA = 3.89
• 2 MCAT attempts, 11 point increase
  • 507 (122/129/128/128) - September of 2023
  • 518 (129/127/132/130) - September of 2024
• Illinois residency
• White female
• BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences, UIUC
  • Double Major
    • Molecular & Cellular Biology
    • Psychology - Intradisciplinary, neuroscience focus
• Clinical Experience
  • 2000+ hours as a TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) Technician
    • This is my current job and I really love it. TMS is a second line therapy for treatment resistant MDD. Patients have a 30 minute appointment every day, for 36 days in a row. I work directly under the prescribing M.D.’s, but I am responsible for administering daily treatment. I set up the machine, supervise each session, write a note, field calls, schedule office visits and daily sessions, and collect copays. My favorite part of my job is actually getting to see improvements in people's mood/appearance/energy when they come in for appts each day. I really value the relationship and rapport I develop with pts over the 7 week treatment course.
  • 500 hours as a Staff Support Technician (SST) at a local hospital
    • Worked closely with PCTs and RNs on med-surg floor. Lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of all healthcare workers involved in a patients care team. Assisted w ambulation, cleaning/hygiene, ordering/eating meals, retrieving supplies, answering call lights/phones, relaying messages, 1 on 1 observation, etc.
• Research & Productivity
  • No research - I know this is going to be a weak point of my application and I’m definitely nervous about it!
  • 100 hours as a Biology Tutor
    • Recruited by class coordinator after excelling in the class, employed by university biology dept to tutor for Fall ‘21 semester.
• Shadowing and specialties represented
  • 50 hours shadowing psychiatrists
    • Observing TMS evaluations and assessments before patients start treatment.
    • Observing CBT techniques/med management appts with their private practice patients.
  • 30 hours shadowing ophthalmologist
• Non-clinical volunteering
  • 100+ hours volunteering with local organization for individuals with disabilities.
    • 1-2 nights a week after work for the past year and a half. I do the bookkeeping/timer/scoreboard for their Special Olympic basketball and volleyball teams when in season. I assist at practices when needed. I also volunteer with 2 other programs they offer, Arts & Crafts and Cooking Class. I will probably volunteer with their softball team this summer.
  • 50 hours volunteering with local community association
    • (Rough estimate of hours) My parents have been members for 20+ years. The organization puts on annual events and activities for major holidays (4th of July parade, Easter egg hunt, Santa meet-and-greet, outdoor Christmas light decorating). I’ve worked at/helped out at almost every event for the past 10 years.
  • 30+ hours designing/painting/drawing greeting cards for hospice patients
  • 10+ hours as an online tutor for STEM subjects.
• Extracurriculars + Other
  • Phi Delta Epsilon - International Pre-medical Fraternity
    • 2 year member
    • Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle Network
  • Social Sorority
    • 4 year member
    • Philanthropy: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    • Intramural Volleyball
  • Hobbies: traveling, volleyball, running, reading, art, podcasts
• Relevant honors or awards
  • Dean’s list for College of LAS multiple semesters

School list: initially based off breakdown from Admit.org

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
University of Arizona College of Medicine

University of Illinois College of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago Strich School of Medicine
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Western Michigan University Stryker School of Medicine
Nova Southeastern University Patel College of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
New York Medical College
Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
University of California Davis School of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Rush Medical College

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Drexel University College of Medicine
University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
University of Vermont College of Medicine
George Washington School of Medicine
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Penn State University College of Medicine
Albany Medical College
Medical College of Wisconsin
Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University
Oakland University Beaumont School of Medicine


For context, I am in my second gap year after graduating in May of 2023. I’ve been struggling with a little bit of burn out after my second MCAT attempt. I am very proud of the improvement in my score, but it was challenging to manage studying and working full time. Even though medical school has been my dream for years, I’ve been anxious and hesitant to take on, what feels like, another daunting project. Recently, I’ve started to get back into the swing of things.

I am pleased with my academic stats, but I’m less confident in my EC’s and other activities. What areas are most lacking (besides lack of research)? Will the lack of research experience be a big barrier for my application? Do you recommend more shadowing hours? What should I be working on in these next few months? Any suggestions on how to fill gaps would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, again!

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[Mr.Smile12]

Great job with your MCAT retake. What advice have you gotten from the advisors at UIUC so far (about your list and your profile)?

Since you graduated, what are the primary community service activities that you are engaged in? Much of your clinical exposure will be centered around your tech job, so how much can you ramp up your service with the community orgs, emphasizing your work with food distribution, shelter volunteering, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation? If you are still around Chicago, you should have robust options. Your service activities do not seem to note significant time with these options... maybe the cooking class?

It is crucial because Rush, Loyola, Northwestern, and UChicago give the impression they are big into social justice and healthy communities, especially underserved or marginalized communities. Rush is notorious for putting so much weight on service orientation that many of us recommend at least 500 to 1000 hours before applying there. The UC schools are known for favoring individuals who have significant lived experience or a strong commitment to the blend of communities each campus serves.

I would start reaching out to students at the schools on your list. Why would you be happy attending each program you listed if it were the only school offering admission to you? You have many Illinois med school seats, but know the differences in each school's vision, opportunities, and community as you craft your application.

In short, what is your purpose as a physician? I have an impression of the communities you have become comfortable serving with and advocating for, but I'm not sure if you have stretched outside of the radiology/imaging specialties enough (but I also will leave that to other clinician adcoms).

Finding Your Purpose as a Health Professional - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Faha]

Rush and Loyola expect far more non clinical volunteering hours than you have. UC Davis and Missouri admit few non non residents with no connection to the state. I suggest these schools with your stats:
U Illinois
Southern Illinois
Rosalind Franklin
Iowa
Indiana
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
TCU
Tulane
USF Morsani
Miami
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Penn State
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Pittsburgh
Hackensack
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
New York Medical College
Albany
Rochester
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Tufts
Colorado
Arizona (Phoenix)

 

[LindaAccepted]

In addition to the advice above, I'd like to add some of the programs you applied to really value that research experience (Pitt, Case Western for example. ) In an interview with Admissions Straight Talk Christian Essman, the Senior Director of Admissions at Case Western, said "So we have students that come to us every year who’ve not done formal research before. That said, though, I will say that in our matriculating class when the melt all happens and we get down to it, about 90 to 95% of our incoming students have had some research." So obviously you don't HAVE to have research but it sure means you'd be at a competitive disadvantage without it.

Bottom line: Either do some research or make sure you are applying to programs that don't value it.

Your shadowing hours are OK, but given your work, I'd like to see you have a little more exposure to other areas of medicine -- emergency room, non-psych primary care in an office setting, and shadowing would be a great way to get it, unless you have the time to volunteer in another area of medicine.

 

[thorntonjr]

well they gonna avg ur mcat tbhtbh so its 513 ish

 

[fkm2025]

Great job with your MCAT retake. What advice have you gotten from the advisors at UIUC so far (about your list and your profile)?

Since you graduated, what are the primary community service activities that you are engaged in? Much of your clinical exposure will be centered around your tech job, so how much can you ramp up your service with the community orgs, emphasizing your work with food distribution, shelter volunteering, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation? If you are still around Chicago, you should have robust options. Your service activities do not seem to note significant time with these options... maybe the cooking class?

It is crucial because Rush, Loyola, Northwestern, and UChicago give the impression they are big into social justice and healthy communities, especially underserved or marginalized communities. Rush is notorious for putting so much weight on service orientation that many of us recommend at least 500 to 1000 hours before applying there. The UC schools are known for favoring individuals who have significant lived experience or a strong commitment to the blend of communities each campus serves.

I would start reaching out to students at the schools on your list. Why would you be happy attending each program you listed if it were the only school offering admission to you? You have many Illinois med school seats, but know the differences in each school's vision, opportunities, and community as you craft your application.

In short, what is your purpose as a physician? I have an impression of the communities you have become comfortable serving with and advocating for, but I'm not sure if you have stretched outside of the radiology/imaging specialties enough (but I also will leave that to other clinician adcoms).

Finding Your Purpose as a Health Professional - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you very much for your detailed response!

I met with a pre-health advisor last month about my EC’s and stats, prior to developing my school list. Overall they seemed pleased with my position at the time. They encouraged me to continue with my current volunteering, try and find a way to supplement the lack of research, and start to reach out about letters of rec. I plan to meet with them again soon to discuss my updated school list.

Most of the volunteer hours previously mentioned have been completed since I graduated. Regrettably, I was not as involved in community service as I should have been during undergrad. Volunteering at the local organization for individuals with disabilities has been the primary activity for the past year and a half. The hours for card making and tutoring have been accumulated within the past 4 months, I plan to continue these 3 activities for the foreseeable future. Per your suggestion, I will also explore opportunities to further engage with underserved populations in more direct service roles such as food distribution/housing support/transportation, hopefully get close to that 500 hour mark! Thank you for the advice!

I read the article about finding your purpose and I found it quite interesting. I think there are a few aspects of my life and personality that shape my current purpose. I'm going to start reaching out to current medical students as well. I’m sure hearing their perspectives will help me reflect more deeply on how my experiences and goals align with the values of each unique institution.

One clarification, TMS is not a radiology/imaging technique. While the technology is similar to that in an MRI, I would say it falls under the psychiatry/neurology specialty.

Thank you very much again for your feedback.

 

[fkm2025]

Rush and Loyola expect far more non clinical volunteering hours than you have. UC Davis and Missouri admit few non non residents with no connection to the state. I suggest these schools with your stats:
U Illinois
Southern Illinois
Rosalind Franklin
Iowa
Indiana
Medical College Wisconsin
Western Michigan
Oakland Beaumont
TCU
Tulane
USF Morsani
Miami
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
George Washington
Penn State
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Pittsburgh
Hackensack
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
New York Medical College
Albany
Rochester
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Tufts
Colorado
Arizona (Phoenix)

Thank you very much for your feedback on my school list, this is very helpful!! I am planning on ramping up my volunteer hours, but I will keep that in mind when considering my application to schools like Rush and Loyola. Mr. Smile mentioned “many of us recommend at least 500 to 1000 hours before applying there”.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Most of the volunteer hours previously mentioned have been completed since I graduated. Regrettably, I was not as involved in community service as I should have been during undergrad. Volunteering at the local organization for individuals with disabilities has been the primary activity for the past year and a half. The hours for card making and tutoring have been accumulated within the past 4 months, I plan to continue these 3 activities for the foreseeable future. Per your suggestion, I will also explore opportunities to further engage with underserved populations in more direct service roles such as food distribution/housing support/transportation, hopefully get close to that 500 hour mark! Thank you for the advice!

At the very least, you were involved in serving others (those with disabilities), and you get some credit for that as a future physician if you are focused on serving those with disabilities. They also experience challenges with food, housing, jobs, and transportation. Look for that.

 

[fkm2025]

In addition to the advice above, I'd like to add some of the programs you applied to really value that research experience (Pitt, Case Western for example. ) In an interview with Admissions Straight Talk Christian Essman, the Senior Director of Admissions at Case Western, said "So we have students that come to us every year who’ve not done formal research before. That said, though, I will say that in our matriculating class when the melt all happens and we get down to it, about 90 to 95% of our incoming students have had some research." So obviously you don't HAVE to have research but it sure means you'd be at a competitive disadvantage without it.

Bottom line: Either do some research or make sure you are applying to programs that don't value it.

Your shadowing hours are OK, but given your work, I'd like to see you have a little more exposure to other areas of medicine -- emergency room, non-psych primary care in an office setting, and shadowing would be a great way to get it, unless you have the time to volunteer in another area of medicine.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful insights.

Regarding research, I understand it can be a competitive disadvantage not to have formal experience, especially for programs like the ones you mentioned. As for shadowing, I completely agree that broadening my exposure to other areas of medicine would strengthen my application.

I’ve been reflecting on the advice shared and the areas that need improvement. To address these gaps, I’m prioritizing my school list and focusing on how to allocate my time over the next year. Depending on the schools I’m most interested in, I plan to invest in efforts that align with their specific expectations and values by: reaching out to faculty or labs in my area to explore research opportunities; broadening my clinical exposure by shadowing in various departments; engaging with underserved populations through direct service roles, as suggested in this discussion.

Thank you again for your feedback!