What are my chances? 3.95cGPA 3.93 sGPA 518 MCAT

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isjoeflaccoelite

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What's up guys? So I'm in the process of making my medical school list and I have 35 and obviously need to trim down so I need advice as to what I can and can't get into.

Rutgers
3.95cGPA
3.93sGPA
MCAT: 518 131 Chem/Phys, 127 CARS, 130 Bio/Biochem, 130 Psych/Soc
Major: Cell Bio and Neuroscience (one major)
Minor: Business Administration, maybe Chem but haven't decided yet idk if it would help much any thoughts?

Letters should be decent but not from anyone outstanding mainly just Professors and a couple EC's

EC:
Research for a year in neuro lab, not published, but part of a program with a poster presentation
Rescue Squad for two years ~900 hours
Shadowing ~80 hours
Worked at a hospital as a secretary for a summer ~ 100 hours
Worked as an office assistant at a nursing agency ~ 150 hours
Worked at a local restaurant for a summer

Essay should be good but probably not anything amazing, I haven't written it yet but writing isn't my forte lol

Here's my list of schools that I compiled today and needs trimming.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Bronx, New York)
Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)
Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York, NY)
Dartmouth Medical School (Hanover, NH)
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
Duke University School of Medicine (Durham, NC)
Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Harvard Medical School (Boston, Massachusetts)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)
Mayo Medical School -- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Rochester, MN)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY)
New York University School of Medicine (New York, NY)
NJMS
Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
Ohio State University College of Medicine (Columbus, OH)
Stanford University School of Medicine (Stanford, CA)
Thomas Jefferson University -- Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA)
Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
University of California San Diego - School of Medicine (San Diego, CA)
University of California San Francisco - School of Medicine
University of Chicago - Pritzker School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine (Worcester, MA)
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Piscataway, NJ)
University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI)
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill School of Medicine (Chapel Hill, NC)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pittsburgh, PA)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (Rochester, NY)
University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Madison, WI)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Nashville, TN)
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Providence, RI)
Weill Cornell Medical College (Manhattan, NY)
Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT)
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Bronx, New York)
Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)
Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York, NY)
Dartmouth Medical School (Hanover, NH)
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
Duke University School of Medicine (Durham, NC)
Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Harvard Medical School (Boston, Massachusetts)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)
Mayo Medical School -- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Rochester, MN)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY)
New York University School of Medicine (New York, NY)
NJMS
Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
Ohio State University College of Medicine (Columbus, OH)
Stanford University School of Medicine (Stanford, CA)
Thomas Jefferson University -- Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA)
Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
University of California San Diego - School of Medicine (San Diego, CA)
University of California San Francisco - School of Medicine
University of Chicago - Pritzker School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine (Worcester, MA)
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Piscataway, NJ)
University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI)
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill School of Medicine (Chapel Hill, NC)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pittsburgh, PA)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (Rochester, NY)
University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Madison, WI)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Nashville, TN)
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Providence, RI)
Weill Cornell Medical College (Manhattan, NY)
Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT)
Click to expand...

The ones that I bolded are schools that you would have essentially no chance at, if you want to save some money. You can pick a few reaches from the remaining schools on the list. Some other schools on there such as BU and Dartmouth are very low yield.
 
MaxPlancker said:
The ones that I bolded are schools that you would have essentially no chance at, if you want to save some money. You can pick a few reaches from the remaining schools on the list. Some other schools on there such as BU and Dartmouth are very low yield.
Click to expand...

For my and OP's benefit, could you explain why you crossed out as many schools as you did? Is it because of relatively weaker research/ECs than those schools' ideal applicants?
 
Last edited:
What's your state of residence? If it's not MA, UMass will be hard - they only have 25 OOS spots, and I'd imagine those would go to people who have some kind of connection to the commonwealth but aren't in-state, rather than just really high stats
 
@kopftonmd Yeah true I didn't think of that. I'm from NJ but I really want to go to school somewhere else I need to leave Jersey lol
 
belvita said:
For my and OP's benefit, could you explain why you crossed out as many schools as you did? Is it because of relatively weaker research/ECs than those schools' ideal applicants?
Click to expand...
Sure, so OP has stats below the median accepted at most of the schools that I bolded. On top of that, OP is relatively light on his ECs. Compared to successful applicants at top schools, which comprise many of the ones that I bolded, his ECs are not just light, they are weak. The only thing that can change this appraisal is if OP was URM; if OP is ORM then that probably further reduces his chances.

Otherwise, certain schools are low yield for a number of factors. Cali schools are especially difficult even if you were an exceptional candidate because of how picky they are. It is very helpful to have ties to Cali.
 
for public schools for which you're oos it's a hell of a lot harder to get in right?
 
MaxPlancker said:
The ones that I bolded are schools that you would have essentially no chance at, if you want to save some money. You can pick a few reaches from the remaining schools on the list. Some other schools on there such as BU and Dartmouth are very low yield.
Click to expand...

I would be very cautious with taking advice of certain SDNers.

Otherwise, all the best.
 
According to the latest MSAR data, OP's GPA is above the mean for basically every school out there (highest median I've seen is 3.91, and most cGPAs among T-20 schools are in the mid to upper 3.8 range) which might compensate for an MCAT score only 1 point below median. I don't think anyone should expect to get into a Top-15 or elite NYC school but you never know, I can see OP getting a couple interview invites if he applies to all the crossed-off schools? Every school wants something a little different. The only glaring weakness I see for OP's app is essentially just having only 1 year of research experience, which doesn't play well to the ear of research heavy schools like those in the T-20 range. OOS publics are pretty bad in general, but MSAR applicant/interview/accept data will show how bad the bias is (some schools are nearly 100% in-state and others maybe only 50%).

Indian Male is definitely ORM
 
@belvita word thanks. you think I should try and look for schools that are more geared towards becoming physicians instead of research? also, any idea as to which crossed out schools would be the best to apply to?
 
bannie22 said:
I would be very cautious with taking advice of certain SDNers.

Otherwise, all the best.
Click to expand...
Looking at your MDapps, it's clear you don't know how competitive medical school admissions at the top schools is and what they look for. You grossly overestimated your own application's strength and the results speak for themselves. You may think I'm harsh about assessing chances but I understand the reality.
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
@MaxPlancker you think I have a shot at Einstein, NYU, and Dartmouth though?
Click to expand...
Dartmouth prefers non-trads; while your app is certainly qualified for them, they may not be the highest yield if you want to choose X number of schools. For schools like Boston U, your app is "strong enough" but with almost 12K? applicants, it's really low-yield for anyone even people with much stronger apps.

Yes I think you have a decent shot for at least interviewing at Einstein and NYU.
 
bannie22 said:
some premeds, especially on SDN, might not want their fellow peers to succeed and might not be the best resources for information.
just make sure you look over all resources
Click to expand...
Lol I already got accepted to HMS. You think I'm afraid OP will take my spot? You take everyone's advice online with a grain of salt and think for yourself. Do I think I know really well how to assess chances? Yea I do. Take it as you please.
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
@MaxPlancker you got into HMS you gotta be mentally stronger than this. He expressed his opinion
Click to expand...
Lol this has nothing to be with "mentally strong." I'm a blunt person, and I don't just sit there while someone talks about the integrity behind my posts. There is a way to express one's opinion and the way is not through questioning someone's intentions behind a post. Should I express my opinion by saying he wants you to waste hundreds of dollars and that some posters on SDN like people to suffer? Probably not.
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
@MaxPlancker who cares dude you don't know him and he doesn't know you. Don't be soft build a shell you'll need it in the real world.
Click to expand...
Sorry I'm different. I know it's impractical to have a perfect world but I don't let things just go by in this world. Someone has to stand up to the (whatever bad words you want to use) in the world. I've literally dove into fights because people were getting bullied. If I see someone doing something wrong, I'm not going to pretend it didn't happen. Maybe I'll get shot one day standing up for others, but it's part of my value system.
 
MaxPlancker said:
Sure, so OP has stats below the median accepted at most of the schools that I bolded. On top of that, OP is relatively light on his ECs. Compared to successful applicants at top schools, which comprise many of the ones that I bolded, his ECs are not just light, they are weak. The only thing that can change this appraisal is if OP was URM; if OP is ORM then that probably further reduces his chances.

Otherwise, certain schools are low yield for a number of factors. Cali schools are especially difficult even if you were an exceptional candidate because of how picky they are. It is very helpful to have ties to Cali.
Click to expand...
Wait what? His stats are low? We're talking about

3.95cGPA
3.93sGPA
MCAT: 518 131 Chem/Phys, 127 CARS, 130 Bio/Biochem, 130 Psych/Soc

?
 
medApplicant12345 said:
Wait what? His stats are low? We're talking about

3.95cGPA
3.93sGPA
MCAT: 518 131 Chem/Phys, 127 CARS, 130 Bio/Biochem, 130 Psych/Soc

?
Click to expand...
No I did not say they were low. I said originally (reading his OP that he had a 35) that it was below average at the top schools he had on his list which are mostly median 37. After looking at Elfe's chart, it is actually a 36 not a 35 but that is still below the median. I didn't talk much about the GPA because unless he comes from a school that is well-known for grade deflation, having a high GPA is negligible past a point.
 
MaxPlancker said:
No I did not say they were low. I said originally (reading his OP that he had a 35) that it was below average at the top schools he had on his list which are mostly median 37. After looking at Elfe's chart, it is actually a 36 not a 35 but that is still below the median. I didn't talk much about the GPA because unless he comes from a school that is well-known for grade deflation, having a high GPA is negligible past a point.
Click to expand...
Oh I see. Sorry, my mistake. And what do you think "past a point" is generally for GPA? Like 3.8/3.8ish?
 
MaxPlancker said:
Yep I'd even venture to say 3.7 for those coming from well known schools.
Click to expand...
Oh awesome, that makes sense. So do you feel his chances at the top schools are low more so because of his ECs? I'm no expert but I would think a 36 isn't that bad? Or do you think being an ORM matters a lot?

Also random question for anyone to answer - I just thought about it when reading the school list. Do the medical schools you're applying to, do they know what other schools you're applying to as well?
 
medApplicant12345 said:
Oh awesome, that makes sense. So do you feel his chances at the top schools are low more so because of his ECs? I'm no expert but I would think a 36 isn't that bad? Or do you think being an ORM matters a lot?

Also random question for anyone to answer - I just thought about it when reading the school list. Do the medical schools you're applying to, do they know what other schools you're applying to as well?
Click to expand...
Yes pretty much just based on EC's.

No they don't know although some weird interviewers may ask where else you applied. As the cycle is winding down, schools can see where else you hold acceptances.
 
I think you shouldn't worry about the rankings so much as just looking at schools where your MCAT falls slightly above the median, Emory for example. There are some exceptions such as Mayo, UCSF which are very "holistic" and have lower medians but require more impressive ECs/life story. And of course, if you can spare a few extra bucks, you should pick some dream schools (yes from the list I bolded out) and apply. You don't want to live with regrets and "What if?" The cycle is random to a degree so you never know. It is just not the best investment to apply to so many top schools, that is what I'm saying.
 
Word that makes sense. How can I find out what schools don't require crazy EC's?
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
Word that makes sense. How do you know what schools don't require crazy EC's?
Click to expand...
Over the years, schools develop a reputation(s). Some schools seem more stat-focused while some like ECs more and some like the best of everything. As a general trend, mid-tier schools don't expect above average ECs for people that have solid stats like you.
 
MaxPlancker said:
I think you shouldn't worry about the rankings so much as just looking at schools where your MCAT falls slightly above the median, Emory for example. There are some exceptions such as Mayo, UCSF which are very "holistic" and have lower medians but require more impressive ECs/life story. And of course, if you can spare a few extra bucks, you should pick some dream schools (yes from the list I bolded out) and apply. You don't want to live with regrets and "What if?" The cycle is random to a degree so you never know. It is just not the best investment to apply to so many top schools, that is what I'm saying.
Click to expand...
You seem to know a lot about what specific things certain schools like to look for like "May, UCSF which are very 'holistic' and have lower medians but require more impressive ECs/life story."

Is there some resource available to determine this? I've looked at the MSAR mission statements but I think especially for the mission statements that sounds similar it's hard to really discern what their preferences might be like.
 
medApplicant12345 said:
You seem to know a lot about what specific things certain schools like to look for like "May, UCSF which are very 'holistic' and have lower medians but require more impressive ECs/life story."

Is there some resource available to determine this? I've looked at the MSAR mission statements but I think especially for the mission statements that sounds similar it's hard to really discern what their preferences might be like.
Click to expand...
It's really from being on SDN a long time and going through MDapps (which you can also do to see what profiles look like for accepted and interviewed applicants). Also having experience with people IRL applying to the schools sheds some sliver of insight.
 
isjoeflaccoelite said:
What's up guys? So I'm in the process of making my medical school list and I have 35 and obviously need to trim down so I need advice as to what I can and can't get into.

Rutgers
3.95cGPA
3.93sGPA
MCAT: 518 131 Chem/Phys, 127 CARS, 130 Bio/Biochem, 130 Psych/Soc
Major: Cell Bio and Neuroscience (one major)
Minor: Business Administration, maybe Chem but haven't decided yet idk if it would help much any thoughts?

Letters should be decent but not from anyone outstanding mainly just Professors and a couple EC's

EC:
Research for a year in neuro lab, not published, but part of a program with a poster presentation
Rescue Squad for two years ~900 hours
Shadowing ~80 hours
Worked at a hospital as a secretary for a summer ~ 100 hours
Worked as an office assistant at a nursing agency ~ 150 hours
Worked at a local restaurant for a summer

Essay should be good but probably not anything amazing, I haven't written it yet but writing isn't my forte lol

Here's my list of schools that I compiled today and needs trimming.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Bronx, New York)
Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas)
Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (New York, NY)
Dartmouth Medical School (Hanover, NH)
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
Duke University School of Medicine (Durham, NC)
Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA)
Harvard Medical School (Boston, Massachusetts)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD)
Mayo Medical School -- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Rochester, MN)
Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY)
New York University School of Medicine (New York, NY)
NJMS
Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
Ohio State University College of Medicine (Columbus, OH)
Stanford University School of Medicine (Stanford, CA)
Thomas Jefferson University -- Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA)
Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston, MA)
University of California San Diego - School of Medicine (San Diego, CA)
University of California San Francisco - School of Medicine
University of Chicago - Pritzker School of Medicine (Chicago, IL)
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine (Worcester, MA)
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Piscataway, NJ)
University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI)
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill School of Medicine (Chapel Hill, NC)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pittsburgh, PA)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (Rochester, NY)
University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Madison, WI)
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Nashville, TN)
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Providence, RI)
Weill Cornell Medical College (Manhattan, NY)
Yale University School of Medicine (New Haven, CT)
Click to expand...
I think that your GPA/MCAT puts you within reach of the schools on your list. However, your ECs are not nearly as strong. Therefore, the balance of your stats results in quite a few reaches on your list. I crossed out the ones that are not very OOS friendly to help with narrowing down your list. I see that you're not a fan of staying in New Jersey, but those schools with preference for New Jersey applicants may be your best bet for an acceptance. Overall, I think you could do with less reach schools, and replace them with a few safeties and "match" schools.
 
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