what are my chances?

[pseudoscience-enthusiast]

MCAT: 521

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[chaim123]

MCAT: 521

GPA: 3.89s & 3.89 overall

2 years as a teaching assistant = 800 hours
1 year hospital volunteering = 340 hrs
several months shadowing = 70 hours and letter of rec
1 year research, with a second author publication in biology = 1000 hours
another less significant research experience.
2000+ hours of rock-climbing indoor and outdoor
several other service activities (camp counselor, conference coordinator, youth group stuff)

Strong letters of rec from my most meaningful activities and other sources.

I am applying to top 20 schools and some safeties. (20ish schools total)

what do you guys think? any school suggestions?

Your in a fine place. But just remember that even great applicants could get the WL + reject at top 20 schools. Be sure to spread out just in case.

 

[chaim123]

Thanks for your feedback!

would you consider Einstein, Georgetown, U of Miami Miller, U of A phoenix, UCR, and UC Davis as safeties for me? (I am cali resident)

There is no such thing as a safety in these things. But I would consider you very competitive for their programs. Georgetown is very low yield, and many top applicants get screened out due to yield protection.

 

[MD-2022]

URM status and state residency will factor a lot too. Ex: A 521 from Florida vs Cali.

 

[gyngyn]

would you consider Einstein, Georgetown, U of Miami Miller, U of A phoenix, UCR, and UC Davis as safeties for me? (I am cali resident)

UCR has the lowest odds of acceptance (for non UCR grads) of any school in CA!
Half their seats are reserved for UCR grads.
That leaves a couple dozen for the thousands who apply...

 

[chaim123]

So the top schools are inherently hard to get into, and the safety schools are gunna yield protect...
Everything is a crapshoot
So... another gap year? Lol.

I'll give you my story real quick. My starts are as good or higher than yours.

23 applications
12 interviews - 8 of them T20
7 WL and 5 acceptances. 2 T10, and then 3 T50 (so below 25, but above 50).

It's all a crap shoot. I think its good to just accept that. Doesn't mean you need a gap year. Jus to apply smart.

 

[Goro]

MCAT: 521

I suggest:
NYU
Vanderbilt
WashU
Yale
JHU
Northwestern
U Chicago
U Penn
Duke
Harvard
Sinai
Cornell
Stanford
U MI
U VA
BU
Case
Hofstra
Mayo
Ohio State
Pitt
U Cincy
USC/Keck
USF Morsani
UCSF
Albert Einstein
Dartmouth
Emory
Rochester
U IA
Miami
Western MI
Jefferson
U VM
Your state school