WAMC/school list help: ORM with meh stats

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

6catsinasuit

New Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2024
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Just got my MCAT score back, scored way lower than FLs and now feeling the heat :,)

Date of submission: Primary submitted 6/02

MD or MD/PhD: MD/PhD and MD
Overall GPA: 3.81
Science GPA: 3.76
**3.85ish for both in college-only, but high school dual enrollment is dragging it down
MCAT: 515

State of Residence: CA
Undergrad Attended: T50 Public
Major: Computational Biology
Minority? ORM, LGBT

SES? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? 1 gap year

All hours listed are expected by time of submission
Volunteering Experience:

350 hours generic hospital volunteering
100 hours mutual aid clothing drive
50 hours refugee shelter (ongoing)
50 hours food pantry

Research:
Currently 2500+ hours, expecting 4000+ by matriculation.

Experience 1: Biostats lab
- 1500+ hours over 7 semesters and 2 summers
- Completed my own project start to end with high degree of autonomy (no pub though)
- 3 local/university posters, 1 regional poster, 1 national undergrad conference poster
- Leadership as head TA for 3 semesters

Experience 2: Biophysics lab
- 500+ hours
- 2 pretty independent projects and 1 helping a postdoc
- 2 national posters (general not undergrad-only), 1 talk
- Mentoring 2 junior lab members

Experience 3: Computational medicine/imaging lab - senior honors thesis
- 300+ hours
- 2 university posters, 1 APSA regional poster
- Thesis published through school

Experience 4: Neurotech/disability research internship
- 150 hours
- 1 2nd author review pub

Experience 5: Surgical tech research internship
- 300 hours
- 1 3rd author pub in submission

Experience 6: NIH IRTA Postbacc
- Starting next month
- Heavily computational

Leadership:
- Exec board of a CS school club for 3 years

Other Extracurriculars:
- Semi-unique sport
- STEM tutoring

Relevant Honors or Awards:
- Big research award from school
- Graduated with research honors
- Few travel awards for conferences
- 2 merit scholarships

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
- No shadowing yet, actively calling up clinics and personal doctors to get some
- Interested in CS PhD, maybe biophysics with a computational lean.

Current school list:
- All CA schools except Loma Linda
- UMD, Tufts, Cincinatti, Colorado, Brown, Pitt, Dartmouth, Rutgers RWJMS, Wisconsin
- Any other CS or physics powerhouses
 
Last edited:
What type of research are you interested in doing? Imo, MD/PhD school lists are very dependent on the field of research you want to do and where you want to live. I would also keep in mind that not all MD/PhD programs are funded programs, only MSTPs are.

I applied with pretty similar stats and definitely think the advice is to apply broadly but also not to be afraid to add top tier programs as well (might as well shoot your shot).
 
Just got my MCAT score back, scored way lower than FLs and now feeling the heat :,)

Date of submission: Primary submitted 6/02

MD or MD/PhD: MD/PhD and MD
Overall GPA: 3.81
Science GPA: 3.76
**3.85ish for both in college-only, but high school dual enrollment is dragging it down
MCAT: 515

State of Residence: CA
Undergrad Attended: T50 Public
Major: Computational Biology
Minority? ORM, LGBT

SES? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? 1 gap year

All hours listed are expected by time of submission
Volunteering Experience:

350 hours generic hospital volunteering
100 hours mutual aid clothing drive
50 hours refugee shelter (ongoing)
50 hours food pantry

Research:
Currently 2500+ hours, expecting 4000+ by matriculation.

Experience 1: Biostats lab
- 1500+ hours over 7 semesters and 2 summers
- Completed my own project start to end with high degree of autonomy (no pub though)
- 3 local/university posters, 1 regional poster, 1 national undergrad conference poster
- Leadership as head TA for 3 semesters

Experience 2: Biophysics lab
- 500+ hours
- 2 pretty independent projects and 1 helping a postdoc
- 2 national posters (general not undergrad-only), 1 talk
- Mentoring 2 junior lab members

Experience 3: Computational medicine/imaging lab - senior honors thesis
- 300+ hours
- 2 university posters, 1 APSA regional poster
- Thesis published through school

Experience 4: Neurotech/disability research internship
- 150 hours
- 1 2nd author review pub

Experience 5: Surgical tech research internship
- 300 hours
- 1 3rd author pub in submission

Experience 6: NIH IRTA Postbacc
- Starting next month
- Heavily computational

Leadership:
- Exec board of a CS school club for 3 years

Other Extracurriculars:
- Semi-unique sport
- STEM tutoring

Relevant Honors or Awards:
- Big research award from school
- Graduated with research honors
- Few travel awards for conferences
- 2 merit scholarships

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
- No shadowing yet, actively calling up clinics and personal doctors to get some
- Interested in CS PhD, maybe biophysics with a computational lean.

Current school list:
- All CA schools except Loma Linda
- UMD, Tufts, Cincinatti, Colorado, Brown, Pitt, Dartmouth, Rutgers RWJMS, Wisconsin
- Any other CS or physics powerhouses
I think your chances are good, your LGBTQ background will help you because programs will want some diversity in each cohort.
 
Top