What are my chances at more competitive schools?

[Ts1991]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all. Just needing some second opinions before sending my application out (to save money). Im definitely applying to plenty of schools I have a decent shot at, Uni of KY, Marshall U, Louisville, are a few (I'm a KY resident). But there are also some schools I am considering applying to that I know I have a very low (or maybe no) chance at. Would sending my application to University of Wash, Ohio State, Vanderbuilt, UNC, or other similarly ranked schools be a waste of time and money? If I even had around a 5% chance Id still send.

In a nutshell; I have a 31 MCAT (10,10, 11 PS), 3.86 GPA with a 3.9 science, around 100 hours volunteering (hospital/nursing home), 100 hours shadowing family doctor, English/Swedish speaking (Norsk actually, but I understand both), and 50 hours research experience but not published or anything (lab got moved after I started).

I've read school specific threads and I've looked to make sure I wouldn't automatically be screened out, and I know I'm definitely not competitive, just asking if I'd have any chance at all at these types of schools. Thanks!

 

[red doctober]

50 Hours research experience? Did you just start or something? People exceed that in 2 weeks.

What's your GPA? MCAT breakdown?

Assuming your GPA is higher than average and your MCAT is balanced, I'd still say that your chances at the aforementioned schools would not be good at all because with the exception of Vandy they are very IS-partial and your ECs are pretty lackluster. Also, your MCAT + ECs doesn't seem to fit well with Vandy. University of Washington is definitely a no because they are extremely selective toward WWAMI applicants. The only thing you'd lose by applying and not getting in to those schools would be time and money, but if you're willing to give those up for long-shots by all means go for it.

 

[Ts1991]

Oh, right! Yea I left out GPA and mcat breakdown let me fix that. As for research yea, I started and got a few days in but then the whole lab got moved to a branch elsewhere. Thanks for the advice though! Yea, a longshot is fine with me so ill at least apply one or two of these.

Additionally, other than more research experiences, what would you consider to be better ECs??

 

[red doctober]

I hope you're planning on applying to more "fit" schools than just the ones in KY. You can never be too safe.

 

[Ts1991]

I hope you're planning on applying to more "fit" schools than just the ones in KY. You can never be too safe.

Yes, definitely. I'm applying to one or two DO schools as a fallback and lots of smaller state schools around my area.

I edited my info up there. Do you have any recommendations for better ECs?

 

[red doctober]

Yes, definitely. I'm applying to one or two DO schools as a fallback and lots of smaller state schools around my area.

I edited my info up there. Do you have any recommendations for better ECs?

I suppose just keep expanding on those. Areas that could use improvement are working with the underserved (rural work would probably really help with some of those KY schools) and leadership positions although those are pretty hard to get within established organizations in such a short amount of time. Maybe you could try to start a club or student org, host a student event, or something like those.

 

[Ts1991]

Ok, I'll work on that. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

 

[Ts1991]

I'm assuming since nobody else posted, most people agree with the statement above.

 

[Catalystik]

Yes.

 

[Silverflash]

Red doctober is about spot on. I'm all for reach schools so you should absolutely apply to them, just keep plenty of safeties (which it sounds like you have). I feel like you'll get into an MD somewhere. Your GPA is your biggest selling point.

 

[Ts1991]

Red doctober is about spot on. I'm all for reach schools so you should absolutely apply to them, just keep plenty of safeties (which it sounds like you have). I feel like you'll get into an MD somewhere. Your GPA is your biggest selling point.

Ok! Thanks everybody. That made me feel a little bit better. After this semester my GPA should rise a little bit higher so thats a positive. I actually took the MCAT twice, and my first one was a 27. Will that hurt my chances? Or will they not care because I improved?

 

[Catalystik]

Schools vary in how they consider multiple MCAT scores. Some average them, some take the best, some take the most recent, and some will create a new composite score from the best subscores. Calling admissions offices is the only way to know, if it's not on the website.

 

[Ts1991]

Schools vary in how they consider multiple MCAT scores. Some average them, some take the best, some take the most recent, and some will create a new composite score from the best subscores. Calling admissions offices is the only way to know, if it's not on the website.

Thanks again, don't know how I'd function w/o SDN. Also, Catalystik, sweet avatar. 😎

 

[Catalystik]

She is my rescued feral kitten, now 7 years old. She says, "I am not sweet. I am a cat, thank you." Always with an attitude. Sigh.