WAMC/ school list- international student 521 MCAT/ 3.99 GPA

[tslover]

I am an international student who graduated from a US university (Arizona). I am planning to apply for the upcoming 2025-2026 cycle and would really appreciate some help with my school list.

Any advice is helpful!
Demographics- south asian

GPA (both cumulative and science): 3.99

MCAT: 521 (130/130/130/131)

Clinical experience

• Worked as a scribe in cardiology and pediatrics for the last 5 years - will have 1500 hours by the time I apply (will most likely have projected hours up to 2000)
• Volunteering at children's hospital- 140 hours by the time of applying (projected- likely 170-200)

Non-clinical experience

• Working as a TA for more than 4 semesters- 450 hours (more projected based on what classes I pick up for next semester)
• Volunteered as a crisis counselor for LGBTQ organization- 70 hours

Leadership positions as a VP and president for Red Cross - 200 hours over the course of 4 years

Research experience

• Participated in a dissection lab- 135 hours
• Research assistant in science lab- 60 hours

Shadowing

• cardiologist- 50 hours

CURRENT SCHOOL LIST-

1. University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

2. Mayo clinic- Alix school of medicine

3. University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

4. Boston University, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

5. University of Virginia School of medicine

6. Michigan State, College of medicine

7. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

8. Duke University School of medicine

9. Emory University School of Medicine

10. Tulane University School of Medicine

11. University of Colorado School of Medicine

12. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

13. University of Illinois College of Medicine

14. Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

15. NYU Long Island School of Medicine

16. Albert Einstein College of Medicine

17. Johns Hopkins

18. Washington University School of Medicine

18. University of Southern California – MD

19. Saint Louis University School of Medicine

20. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

21. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

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22. Midwestern, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine – DO

23. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific- DO

Please let me know if I should add/ remove any! Thank you!!

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[Faha]

You should accumulate another 80+ hours of non clinical volunteering before you apply. Otherwise, you could be screened out at many schools. The TA position is not what schools are looking for. I suggest these schools with your stats:
Yale
Wayne State
Washington University (in St. Louis)
Virginia Commonwealth
U Virginia
U Illinois
Colorado
UCLA
Tulane
TCU
Stanford
New York Medical College
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
Jefferson
George Washington
Georgetown
Dartmouth
Duke
Case Western
Boston University
Michigan State
For DO schools I suggest these:
AZCOM
CCOM
KCU-COM
LUCOM
MSUCOM
NSU-KPCOM
UNECOM
Touro-NY
WCU-COM
WESTERN

 

[tslover]

You should accumulate another 80+ hours of non clinical volunteering before you apply. Otherwise, you could be screened out at many schools. The TA position is not what schools are looking for. I suggest these schools with your stats:
Yale
Wayne State
Washington University (in St. Louis)
Virginia Commonwealth
U Virginia
U Illinois
Colorado
UCLA
Tulane
TCU
Stanford
New York Medical College
Loma Linda (if you fit their mission)
Jefferson
George Washington
Georgetown
Dartmouth
Duke
Case Western
Boston University
Michigan State
For DO schools I suggest these:
AZCOM
CCOM
KCU-COM
LUCOM
MSUCOM
NSU-KPCOM
UNECOM
Touro-NY
WCU-COM
WESTERN

Thank you for your advice!! I did have a question. In total my hospital volunteer, hotline volunteering and as a Red Cross volunteer would bring my total hours to 420, do you still think I need 80 more?

 

[candbgirl]

Don’t put “projected” hours down. They have little to no value on your application. Everyone knows that “projected “ hours might or might not get done.

 

[Faha]

Thank you for your advice!! I did have a question. In total my hospital volunteer, hotline volunteering and as a Red Cross volunteer would bring my total hours to 420, do you still think I need 80 more?

I was referring to 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering. Hospital volunteering is clinical volunteering hours and your Red Cross activity is leadership.

 

[wysdoc]

Are you a permanent resident (green card holder) of the US at this point?

 

[tslover]

Are you a permanent resident (green card holder) of the US at this point?

No i am not

 

[tslover]

I was referring to 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering. Hospital volunteering is clinical volunteering hours and your Red Cross activity is leadership.

Sounds good thank you for your help!!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'll be more explicit. Put in more hours with your LGBTQ+ shelter work (at least 80 more hours) before you submit to avoid getting screened out. Every applicant has tutoring, so putting in more (on your 450 hours) won't help you stand out.

 

[tslover]

I'll be more explicit. Put in more hours with your LGBTQ+ shelter work (at least 80 more hours) before you submit to avoid getting screened out. Every applicant has tutoring, so putting in more (on your 450 hours) won't help you stand out.

Thank you for the feedback, I get paid as a TA that's why I will be putting in more hours for that anyways as it is my job!
But I will def get more hours for nonclinical volunteering. Thank you for the help!!

 

[kirvoyant]

No i am not

Did you volunteer as a scribe or was this paid? Did you do OPT/CPT for this?

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

No i am not

I am also an international student, applied last cycle. Feel free to pm me any questions!

 

[NewEnglandGirl]

Off the top of my head, some of the schools you listed do not actually accept international students, e.g. Rutgers, USC and Albert Einstein (starting 2025, I think), UCLA (also starting this cycle) and Michigan State (accepts Canadians only). I would recommend adding Dartmouth, Yale, Cornell, and other top 20s that are international student friendly. Check MSAR for how many international students interviewed and accepted!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I also encourage you to contact the admissions offices, especially if you are concerned that they won't be accepting international students because of how higher education is screwing up international admissions and retention...

 

[kirvoyant]

I second this. It’s unfortunate but it is what it is

 

[kirvoyant]

Did you volunteer as a scribe or was this paid? Did you do OPT/CPT for this?

Hey just wanted to know how you were able to get those medical scribe positions without working off campus unless you did CPT/OPT

 

[tslover]

Hey just wanted to know how you were able to get those medical scribe positions without working off campus unless you did CPT/OPT

Hi, I do not have a student visa instead my stuff is connected to my parents and therefore I have a work authorization to work legally in the US.

 

[kirvoyant]

Hi, I do not have a student visa instead my stuff is connected to my parents and therefore I have a work authorization to work legally in the US.

That makes sense. Thank you