WAMC/school list, VA resident, 3.78 cGPA, 523 MCAT

[kobewankenobi66]

hi guys, getting ready to apply and would love some insight on how to section out my school list. while i would be thrilled to get in anywhere, i am interested in certain research labs at a few schools that are in the T20s (from works i’ve seen at conferences and such) and so would love to know if i could potentially apply as high up as that. i took the MCAT in 2022 and got a 513 (130/127/127/129) and then just retook it this January and got a 523 (131/129/131/132). here’s the rest of my breakdown:

3.78 cGPA, 3.64 sGPA from a T25 school

VA resident

research (this is my heaviest area):
-100 hours in pediatrics (1 pub)
-100 hours in genetics
-100 hours in neurobehavioral
-100 hours in concussion (thesis for this)
-1,500 hours for master’s degree in clinical research (thesis for this too)
-1,000 so far for job as research assistant at a T20 med school (2 pubs so far)

clinical:
-3,000 hours over 3 years as a volunteer EMT in an underserved area

non-clinical volunteer:
-150 hours working with abused horses
-100 hours working as a tutor in underserved areas of my city

leadership:
-biochemistry TA
-band leader for 1 year after being in the group for 3
-small group leader for 3 years

other ECs:
-skied and cycled for my university in grad school
-directed a summer project to raise funds to make hand-made blankets for pediatric patients at a local hospital, my friends and i made 300 blankets total each year for 2 years

shadowing:
-15 hours peds
-5 hours peds surgery
-9 hours primary care
-5 hours internal med
-6 hours neurosurgery

my biggest hurt is my GPA, i feel frustrated about it bc i feel like i could’ve done better and am afraid it will hold me back. but so far, a taster of my list breakdown is:

T20s:
uchicago
stanford
duke
vandy
UPENN
northwestern

Mid tiers:
UVA
UNC
USC
michigan
emory

lower tiers:
georgetown
loyola
tufts
VCU
UMD
wisconsin

Let me know what y’all think - could my research background possibly make up for my less than flashy GPA?

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[Faha]

You should accumulate 150+ hours of non clinical volunteering such as food bank, homeless shelter, etc. before you submit your application. Otherwise you could be screened out at some schools. A 513 MCAT is not competitive for most of the schools on your list. Post your new score here when available.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

my biggest hurt is my GPA, i feel frustrated about it bc i feel like i could’ve done better and am afraid it will hold me back from applying to T20s.

Then you are not motivated to be a physician? If the degree doesn't come with a brand, then it's worthless?

You are a good candidate at many schools provided you are a fit with their mission. Being a doctor is not a reward for good grades and experience. Let's hope your new MCAT is solid, even if it might get averaged with your old score for screening purposes at many schools.

You already have the masters in clinical research. So I'm not sure you need more unless you want to go for the PhD.

Shadowing is a little light but you probably should have enough clinical exposure to accommodate.

 

[kobewankenobi66]

reposting with an updated mcat score as of today!

3.78c GPA, 3.64 sGPA, T25 school, ORM, VA resident

MCAT #1: 513 (130/127/127/129)
MCAT #2: 523 (131/129/131/132)

clinical hours: 3000

research: 3000 hours, masters degree, 3 pubs

non-clinical volunteer: 270

leadership:
1 semester biochem TA
band leader
music and math tutor for kids

other ECs:
lots of music in college
sports teams in grad school

wondering how high i should shoot school-wise with the mix of a lower gpa but a higher mcat retake. i am interested in research labs at a few particular universities that are in the higher stratosphere, but of course would be thrilled to get in anywhere. thanks for the double look with this updated version!

 

[Faha]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
UVA
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Tech
Georgetown
Duke
Emory
Vanderbilt
USF Morsani
Miami
Washington University (in St. Louis)
Northwestern
U Chicago
Mayo
U Michigan
Case Western
Ohio State
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Jefferson
UPenn
Johns Hopkins
Stanford
USC
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
Harvard
Yale

 

[kobewankenobi66]

I suggest these schools with your stats:
UVA
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Virginia Tech
Georgetown
Duke
Emory
Vanderbilt
USF Morsani
Miami
Washington University (in St. Louis)
Northwestern
U Chicago
Mayo
U Michigan
Case Western
Ohio State
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
Jefferson
UPenn
Johns Hopkins
Stanford
USC
Hofstra
Einstein
Mount Sinai
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
Harvard
Yale

wow this is so encouraging, thanks so much!