MD What are my chances?

[Vishnosis]

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Hi all,
Thanks in advance for helping me out. I am currently a junior undergrad, Idaho resident, Asian male. Here are a couple stats:


MCAT: Haven't taken it yet, but averaging 512-513 on practice MCAT exams. Taking MCAT June 1st.

3.7 overall GPA(might have a 3.75 at time of application, depends on how next semester goes)
3.6 BCPM GPA
Undergrad: Big research university

Clinical Experience:
~70 hours being a support system for patients undergoing vasectomies at my health clinic, expect to have ~140 at time of application

Community Service:
60 hours working as intern for public health division of on-campus health clinic
20 hrs working as tutor for pre-med club
~15 hours working as student coordinator for pre-med tutoring program(leadership position)
also applied to be president of the tutor club, which would oversee the whole tutor program

Research:
~1 year working in a microbiology lab(~200 hrs), decided it wasn't in my best interest to continue there since it wasn't too interesting to me.

Currently working in a physiology lab, will have worked there for 1 year before application. Unsure about whether or not there will be any publications, but plan on doing a senior thesis.

Shadowing:
34 hours shadowing a orthopedic surgeon/clinician (a field I was really interested in)
Slated to shadow a gastroenterologist spring break
~20 hours shadowing a OB/GYN performing vasectomies/doing clincal check-ups

I am taking the MCAT this June and plan on applying this coming summer cycle. So far, I only have Utah and Washington in my sights, due to the in-state agreement Idaho has with them. Any tips/schools you guys think would be appropriate to add to this list? Thanks so much!

 

[Goro]

Looking good so far. But come back when you have an MCAT score, and then we can better advise you.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

One thing about your application is your MCAT score date. If you want to see your score before you apply, you won't be complete for a while (MCAT scoring and AMCAS verification may each take well over a month, and put you beyond the zone of an "early" app). You may send the app without a score (to get the advantage of applying early), but if you do poorly and decide to withdraw, you're a re-applicant at those schools you applied to. Personally I'd recommend at least waiting till you've taken the test so that you can make a better decision. In the end, it's your call. But make it wisely 🙂

 

[Vishnosis]

.

 

[Vishnosis]

One thing about your application is your MCAT score date. If you want to see your score before you apply, you won't be complete for a while (MCAT scoring and AMCAS verification may each take well over a month, and put you beyond the zone of an "early" app). You may send the app without a score (to get the advantage of applying early), but if you do poorly and decide to withdraw, you're a re-applicant at those schools you applied to. Personally I'd recommend at least waiting till you've taken the test so that you can make a better decision. In the end, it's your call. But make it wisely 🙂

Thanks for looking out! I am aware of this; my plan was complete everything needed for the primary before July 6th(latest day when the score will be posted), and as soon as I determine if my MCAT score is good enough, I will submit or refrain from submitting! I heard from my pre-med advisor that AMCAS doesn't actually process anything until July 1st, even if you submit the day the app opens(June 1st). This means that July 6th would still put me in a good range. Do you know if that's true?

 

[Frogger27]

Thanks for looking out! I am aware of this; my plan was complete everything needed for the primary before July 6th(latest day when the score will be posted), and as soon as I determine if my MCAT score is good enough, I will submit or refrain from submitting! I heard from my pre-med advisor that AMCAS doesn't actually process anything until July 1st, even if you submit the day the app opens(June 1st). This means that July 6th would still put me in a good range. Do you know if that's true?

You'll be fine! I'd make a preliminary list assuming you get a 510 (31). Once you get your score back, come back here and update accordingly

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

Thanks for looking out! I am aware of this; my plan was complete everything needed for the primary before July 6th(latest day when the score will be posted), and as soon as I determine if my MCAT score is good enough, I will submit or refrain from submitting! I heard from my pre-med advisor that AMCAS doesn't actually process anything until July 1st, even if you submit the day the app opens(June 1st). This means that July 6th would still put me in a good range. Do you know if that's true?

Not sure but even if it is, they probably do it in the order that they receive. There is a graph on the internet of the time it takes to verify as a function of submission date.

 

[Myelinationiskey]

Thanks for looking out! I am aware of this; my plan was complete everything needed for the primary before July 6th(latest day when the score will be posted), and as soon as I determine if my MCAT score is good enough, I will submit or refrain from submitting! I heard from my pre-med advisor that AMCAS doesn't actually process anything until July 1st, even if you submit the day the app opens(June 1st). This means that July 6th would still put me in a good range. Do you know if that's true?

They definitely process before that! My application was verified mid June after submitting as soon as AMCAS opened it up. I ended up submitting my secondaries by the time you're planning on applying. I would aim to take it in May if you're able to! Schools with be getting bogged down with applications during the time you'll be applying... earlier the better, and probably less stress for you. Just my 0.02 if it's possible with your school schedule!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Vishnosis]

@Goro @gyngyn @Faha Hello! I just received my MCAT score back, and can't believe my eyes. I got a 518 (127/130/130/131), way higher than I anticipated. Now, I already submitted my AMCAS and its verified, and have already received some secondaries. This is my list so far: IDAHO RESIDENT


Drexel
Duke
Emory
Dartmouth
Hofstra
Keck
Temple
William Beaumont
Ohio St.
Vermont
Tufts
Colorado
Michigan
Utah (In-state)
Washington(In-state)
VCU
Wake Forest
Brown
Cornell

Here are my other stats, as per my initial post:

3.74 overall GPA
3.7 BCPM GPA
Undergrad: Big research university

Clinical Experience:
120 hours being a support system for patients undergoing vasectomies at my health clinic. This clinic is especially integral in treating rural and LGBTQIA patients, since it is a title X clinic

Community Service:
85 hours working as intern for public health division of on-campus health clinic.
30 hrs working as tutor for pre-med club
25 hours working as student coordinator for pre-med tutoring program(leadership position)
100 hrs (expected) working as President of the tutor club, which oversees the whole tutor program
Physiology TA, got credit for it through uni.

Research:
~1 year working in a microbiology lab(~200 hrs), decided it wasn't in my best interest to continue there since it wasn't too interesting to me.

Currently working in a physiology lab, will have worked there for 1 year before application. No publications, but plan on doing a senior thesis.

Shadowing:
34 hours shadowing a orthopedic surgeon/clinician (a field I was really interested in)
~20 hours shadowing a OB/GYN performing vasectomies/doing clincal check-ups

Now my question is, should I not submit secondaries for some "low yield schools" since I have higher stats? And do you all have any more recommendations for other schools to add? Thank you very much!

 

[Goro]

ECs are weak. If you want to aim high, go for quality or quantity of clinical and/or non-clinicalservice. But get off campus and out of your comfort zone.

Of your list, I recommend:

Duke
Emory
Dartmouth
Hofstra
Keck
Ohio St.
Vermont
Tufts
Colorado
Michigan
Utah (In-state)
Washington(In-state)
Cornell


Consider adding:
Einstein
All other Manhattan Titans
WashU
U Chicago
Stanford
UCSF
UCLA
U VA
U Cincy
BU
Case
Mayo
Pitt
Northwestern
U Miami
Rochester
Harvard
Yale
WA State

 

[Vishnosis]

@Goro Just to clarify, are you recommending these schools only if I can bolster my volunteer hours? I likely won't be able to bring those numbers up too much since I am working on my honors thesis this summer. So if I can't bring up my numbers would you still recommend those schools?

 

[Goro]

@Goro Just to clarify, are you recommending these schools only if I can bolster my volunteer hours? I likely won't be able to bring those numbers up too much since I am working on my honors thesis this summer. So if I can't bring up my numbers would you still recommend those schools?

I think that you're handicapping yourself to aim so high with such mediocre ECs. Perhaps try limiting the list this way:

WashU OR U Chicago
UCLA OR UCSF
Einstein OR Rochest OR Case OR Mayo

 

[Vishnosis]

@Goro great thanks for your help. What do you think my chances are for my state schools (Utah/Washington)? Those are my two top choices and I fit Washington's mission well but less so with Utah's.

 

[Goro]

@Goro great thanks for your help. What do you think my chances are for my state schools (Utah/Washington)? Those are my two top choices and I fit Washington's mission well but less so with Utah's.

Chances are always best at one's own state schools.