WAMC/School List Help - Is my list too top-heavy? (519/3.94 cGPA)

[4doodle]

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Hello, I am planning to apply in the upcoming application cycle and would like some advice on my school list. I am concerned that my list may be a bit too top-heavy and that I should add more mid-tier schools. Thanks for the help!
General Info

• GA Resident
• ORM/Male
• Biology and Sociology double major (Graduated in December 2024 T50 School)

Stats

• cGPA: 3.94
• sGPA:3.93
• MCAT: 519 (130/128/131/130)

Extracurriculars

• Clinical Experience
  • ~1800+ hours as a PCT in a hospice/med-surg floor over the past three years
    • ongoing experience
• Research experience
  • ~1000 hours of basic science research in my undergrad
    • had my own project where I designed my experiments
  • ~800+ hours of research in the same lab as a lab tech
    • I am continuing to work on the project that I did in undergrad along with other projects from the grad students
    • 1 poster presentation
• Shadowing
  • EM: 32 hours
  • Anesthesiology: 20 hours
  • Gastroenterology: 20 hours
• Non-clinical volunteering
  • 100 hours at a local homeless shelter (will be at 150 hours by the time of application)
• Teaching
  • ~90 hours as a Peer Learning Assistant for a cell biology class
  • ~15 hours as a Peer Learning Assistant for a microbiology class
• Award (Not sure if relevant due to how long ago it was)
  • Achieved rank of Eagle Scout

School List:

1. Harvard
2. Uchicago
3. Northwestern
4. Emory
5. University of Pittsburg
6. Colorado
7. University of Arizona-Phoenix
8. University of Rochester
9. UCLA
10. Ohio State
11. Boston University
12. Case Western
13. Hofstra
14. Rosalind Franklin
15. Medical College of Georgia
16. Mercer
17. Temple
18. Drexel
19. Keck
20. George Washington
21. Einstein
22. University of Vermont
23. University Cincy
24. Jefferson
25. Tufts
26. Eastern Virginia

 

[Faha]

You have a good list and should receive several interviews.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

If you are applying for programs that love high-metrics applicants, you should have 250 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities by the time you submit your application. It appears you'll have 150 as a homeless shelter volunteer (what are you doing?). Just saying to keep pace with your other applicants...

A clear purpose as a physician will also help schools figure out if you are worth an II. I don't see such a narrative or connection among your activities from what you have provided.

So you are double-dipping your research experience (independent project vs. lab tech)???

 

[4doodle]

If you are applying for programs that love high-metrics applicants, you should have 250 hours of non-clinical service orientation activities by the time you submit your application. It appears you'll have 150 as a homeless shelter volunteer (what are you doing?). Just saying to keep pace with your other applicants...

A clear purpose as a physician will also help schools figure out if you are worth an II. I don't see such a narrative or connection among your activities from what you have provided.

So you are double-dipping your research experience (independent project vs. lab tech)???

At the homeless shelter I help get all the people staying for the night check-in, serve them food, hand out supplies, and will occassionally play board/card games with them. Not sure if it will be possible for me to get to 250 hours by the time of application. Would it be worth it to submit later in June to try to reach that amount?

In terms of narrative, would that be something like how my expierence as a PCT led to me wanting to have more responsibilty and involvement in the care of patients with my time in research motivating me to solve complex issues. I need to spend more time thinking about this but this is sort of my general motivation to become a physician. Does this seem like the right direction?

No I'm not double dipping my research experience, I am just continuing my project from undergrad as part of my duties as a lab tech, so it would be around 1800 hours of lab experience total.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

At the homeless shelter I help get all the people staying for the night check-in, serve them food, hand out supplies, and will occassionally play board/card games with them. Not sure if it will be possible for me to get to 250 hours by the time of application. Would it be worth it to submit later in June to try to reach that amount?

You have more than 150 hours, which I usually cite as a threshold for most schools. You can see what happens; mission fit is important too.

In terms of narrative, would that be something like how my expierence as a PCT led to me wanting to have more responsibilty and involvement in the care of patients with my time in research motivating me to solve complex issues. I need to spend more time thinking about this but this is sort of my general motivation to become a physician. Does this seem like the right direction?

I can say it's not a unique story. Can you be more specific about what you define as having more responsibility? What activities demonstrate to adcoms that you "deserve" having more responsibility?

No I'm not double dipping my research experience, I am just continuing my project from undergrad as part of my duties as a lab tech, so it would be around 1800 hours of lab experience total.

Just making sure since your accounting looked odd.