What can I do to improve my application over the next six weeks? OOS schools for a TX resident?

[deleted968062]

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Hello!

Now that spring break is over and TMDSAS opens in about six weeks, what are some last-minute things I could do to improve my overall application? Also, which OOS schools should I take a look at once AADSAS opens? Most of the schools near me geographically (LSU, UTHSC-Memphis, Oklahoma, Colorado, etc.) don't seem very OOS-friendly.

Overall GPA: 3.95
Science GPA: 3.91
DAT score (include AA and all sections): AA: 23, BIO: 22, GC: 23, OC: 20, QR: 27. RC: 25, PAT: 22
State of Residence: TX

Major: Biology
Minor: Art History
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 100+ hours in my general dentist's office, some oral surgery shadowing but not too much
Volunteering Experience: 200+ hours in free clinics, Mission of Mercy events, mentoring elementary school kids
Employment: N/A
Research: Biochem research for past year, no publications yet but working on it!
Other Extracurriculars: Greek life, pre-dental club, lots of volunteering organizations, volunteer tour guide, alumni society
Relevant Honors or Awards: 5 scholarships (3 institution-specific, 1 national, 1 from my sorority), some volunteering awards, one on-campus involvement
School list: All 3 TX schools for sure, I'd really love to stay in Texas if I can but I know nothing is guaranteed. I asked my pre-dental advisor which OOS schools I should apply to and he said "don't worry about it, you'll be fine in Texas" but I'd rather be safe than sorry and cast a wide net! I'm not really sure which OOS schools to apply to, so any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance!

 

[971565]

Bad advice given to you by your adviser. While you have a great shot, nothing is ever guaranteed. If cost is the main factor for you then apply to schools who give in-state after first year. You have good academics so you may qualify for merit scholarships at some private schools too. Seems you may be interested in OS, it would be worth a shot to apply to penn and columbia along with ucsf and ucla and they would be great schools especially if you get a scholarship (ucsf and ucla offer in-state after first year!)

 

[deleted968062]

Bad advice given to you by your adviser. While you have a great shot, nothing is ever guaranteed. If cost is the main factor for you then apply to schools who give in-state after first year. You have good academics so you may qualify for merit scholarships at some private schools too. Seems you may be interested in OS, it would be worth a shot to apply to penn and columbia along with ucsf and ucla and they would be great schools especially if you get a scholarship (ucsf and ucla offer in-state after first year!)

Thank you for your advice! Yes, I do feel a little unsafe only applying to three schools (I was that high schooler that applied to like fifteen colleges), so it's good to hear I'm not crazy for disagreeing with my advisor. I'll definitely check out Penn, Columbia, UCLA, and UCSF, thank you!

 

[monkeykey]

You need to address and reiterate your passion for Keystone Light in your personal statement otherwise I think all is lost at this point. Secretly half the adocms were "frat bros" back in college and they are really looking for someone who can be a proficient doctor all while shotgunning keystones simultaneously.

 

[deleted968062]

Noted. Editing personal statement now