What are my chances? quite clever huh...

[Littlet]

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I am a junior at Uic, i just transfered here from a community college on the south side of chicago. I have a 3.8 gpa, and i am a biological sciences major. I am a polish american (fluent in polish, english, and spanish to some extent), I have been volunteering at a hospital for over a year, and a second hospital for a little over 6 months, in which i volunteer at Guest Services/ER and ER respectively) I have also significant shadowing experiences, both with an ER doctor and family practice physician. I am involved in research on Uic's west side of campus, and i am part of a student Medical association of which i am running for vice president this spring. I also work part time as a pharmacy technician, been doing this for over a year now. I have 6 solid letters of recommendation, and i plan on applying to these schools: Uic (first choice), Loyola, Rush, Chicago Medical School, Siu Carbondale, and University of Chicago. I am applying this summer for the Fall of 2012, and i am taking the MCAT in May.

I am a highly motivated individual and don't usually participate in such forums, but i thought any advice could be constructive, and i could improve my resume so why not. Any suggestions as to where i should apply would be great, out of state?, im not sure where i should. Also, the golden question, what are my chances? and what can i do to improve them.
Medical Students replies in the area and anybody with expertise on the subject would be appreciated.
Dziekuje (Thankyou in polish)

 

[Catalystik]

Some nonmedical community service, particularly if it helps the poor or underserved populations, is a good way to strengthen an application. Teaching experience is also highly thought of. You could get a two-for-one out of tutoring middle school/HS kids after school or teaching ESL to adults. The rest of your ECs are coming along nicely. Don't forget to mention sports/hobbies/artistic endeavors on your application as well.

Without knowing your MCAT score, it's difficult to suggest schools you should reasonably target. There is a huge difference in selectivity just among the in-state schools you've mentioned. We'll be happy to help with that when your score comes back.

 

[Littlet]

I understand that, but assuming a modest MCAT, am i the type of applicant either of those schools are looking for?
I believe i am different in the fact that im not book smart, but that im very extroverted and able to express my thoughts coherently, which a lot of foreign applicants cannot, so i feel i have the edge there.

 

[Catalystik]

Your 3.8 cGPA is potentially competitive at, say, UChicago, with a strong enough MCAT score, strong leadership, and substantive research experience. Even with a weak score UIC will consider you. SIU is unlikely to consider you unless your permanent residence is south of I-80. Loyola (which really likes to see service to the poor), Rush, and CMS will consider you with a lower 30s score.

 

[Littlet]

Thankyou, i will def take that advice to heart. Are there any OOS schools particularly "friendly" to illinois residents or just simply OOS applicants in general?

 

[Catalystik]

Thankyou, i will def take that advice to heart. Are there any OOS schools particularly "friendly" to illinois residents or just simply OOS applicants in general?

Some of the state schools near Illinois are "friendlier" if you can demonstrate state ties (like close in-state relatives), like Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana. There are many other schools that take a decent number of OOS matriculants. The MSAR can tell you the exact figures.