Hey all I am new here and was hoping for your expertise. I applied in the 2021 cycle and was waitlisted at 2 NYS public schools. I am applying in this upcoming cycle for 2023 matriculation and am struggling with what schools are reasonable to apply to that are not too ridiculous of a reach but I am still competitive for.
Stats:
3.99 GPA (Note: I also took graduate chemistry classes senior year, all A’s)
MCAT: 515 (131/126/131/127) (July 2020)
EC’s (At time of submission):
Community Service:
65 hours (over 1 year period)
This was my weakest area when I last applied. I cannot volunteer as many hours as I would like with working, but I am volunteering once a week at my current organization which I really enjoy.
Shadowing: 30 hours ophthalmology surgery, 60 hours in office
Hospital Volunteering: 43 hours
Other Clinical: 450 as a medical assistant in primary care
Research:
700 undergrad (orgo w/ thesis)
1600 research in hematology. Have some pretty unique work at my current job such as rodent surgery.
Others:
Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, national ACS orgo award, undergrad research grant, blah blah blah
Significant Issues:
My MCAT is not as great as it could be especially with CARS and Psych so low, but it’s simply not worth retaking even if I had the time. Also, this score is from July 2020, and I know some schools will harp on me for not having a recent score.
I haven’t had clinical experience since June of 2020. Pretty much all clinical volunteering is paused where I am, and I quite frankly had to prioritize between job (research) and community service. Please don’t assume I haven’t tried. I’ve had current physicians I know help me with this, and it’s been a dead end. Yes, I’ve tried COVID vaccination or testing sites. You cannot get a position for this.
Again, I would appreciate any help with schools I am reasonably competitive at as I am struggling to start a list. Even just suggestions of schools I should look more into would be appreciated. I think my stats are decent, but I am not sure if I am underestimating or overestimating my competitiveness as I am hesitant from being rejected last cycle. If I am confident I want to pursue being a physician above all else, should I also apply DO for insurance? Thanks everyone.
Stats:
3.99 GPA (Note: I also took graduate chemistry classes senior year, all A’s)
MCAT: 515 (131/126/131/127) (July 2020)
EC’s (At time of submission):
Community Service:
65 hours (over 1 year period)
This was my weakest area when I last applied. I cannot volunteer as many hours as I would like with working, but I am volunteering once a week at my current organization which I really enjoy.
Shadowing: 30 hours ophthalmology surgery, 60 hours in office
Hospital Volunteering: 43 hours
Other Clinical: 450 as a medical assistant in primary care
Research:
700 undergrad (orgo w/ thesis)
1600 research in hematology. Have some pretty unique work at my current job such as rodent surgery.
Others:
Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, national ACS orgo award, undergrad research grant, blah blah blah
Significant Issues:
My MCAT is not as great as it could be especially with CARS and Psych so low, but it’s simply not worth retaking even if I had the time. Also, this score is from July 2020, and I know some schools will harp on me for not having a recent score.
I haven’t had clinical experience since June of 2020. Pretty much all clinical volunteering is paused where I am, and I quite frankly had to prioritize between job (research) and community service. Please don’t assume I haven’t tried. I’ve had current physicians I know help me with this, and it’s been a dead end. Yes, I’ve tried COVID vaccination or testing sites. You cannot get a position for this.
Again, I would appreciate any help with schools I am reasonably competitive at as I am struggling to start a list. Even just suggestions of schools I should look more into would be appreciated. I think my stats are decent, but I am not sure if I am underestimating or overestimating my competitiveness as I am hesitant from being rejected last cycle. If I am confident I want to pursue being a physician above all else, should I also apply DO for insurance? Thanks everyone.