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Hi all
I am applying this cycle to both MD and DO schools. Been out of school for a year and now work in cancer therapy research in a biotech company. What are my chances? Thanks for all your help!
Asian female, 23
Cali resident, went to a UC
bio major (BS '15), art minor
cGPA 3.77
sGPA 3.74
old MCAT: 24 (PS 10, V 4, BS 10)
new MCAT: 509 (chem phys 128, cars 124, bio biochem 130, psych soc 127)
English as second language
Applying to....
- Research Associate - cancer therapy research, full time, post graduation - present (~1 year). Conduct in vivo projects in mice and and maintain cell culture
- Undergrad Researcher - 2 years. honors program (~1200 hours)
- Two research publications (2nd and 4th author)
- Teaching Assistant - 1 quarter of upper division bio course, students love me
- Hospital intern - 1 year (~200 hours). Don't just push wheel chairs and do paperworks. I actually got to do patient care and assist in procedures. Cardiovascular acute care, acute rehab, ICU
- Medical Devices Intern - 1 summer, full time
- Lab Assistant - 1 year (~500 hours)
- Volunteer teacher - 1 summer in rural areas of China (~500 hours)
- Volunteer medical assistant - Mexico, free clinics for homeless. Took vitals, glucose tests, shadowed and assisted doctors (~200 hours)
- 6 academic, research, and study abroad scholarships through out college
- Doctor shadowing - did it on and off a few times since the ICU doc I was shadowing moved out of state. recently found an oncologist who is willing. Will start next week, hopefully to do ~12 hours every two weeks.
MD schools
DO Schools
- UCD
- UCI
- UCLA
- UCR
- UCSD
- UCSF
- Loma Linda
- USC
- Stanford
- California Northstate
- Albany Medical College
- Boston U
- Drexel
- U of Hawaii
- Geisel Dartmouth
- Emory
- Duke
- U of Rochester
- Hofstra
- Oregon Health & Sci
- Commonwealth
- Howard
- Michigan State, East Lansing
- Central Michigan, Mt. Pleasant
- George Washington, DC
- U of Kentucky, Lexington
- NY Medical College
- Touro, Cali
- Western U, Cali
- NYITCOM
Whoops. Didn't notice the old MCAT score. Unfortunately, certain schools average MCAT scores especially if there's a significant different between scores. In your case, 509 would be roughly a 30/31 on the old test which would constitute a pretty big difference (though great improvement!). If money does become an issue, I would definitely drop: Duke (dream school in terms of stats), USC (very strong MCAT preference), Stanford (dream school in terms of stats). Then again, I do believe its better to apply and get rejected then to not and wonder forever (within reason of course). Don't know much about DO schools outside of California, so can't help you thereGreat ECs
Your MCAT scores, especially that old 24, are gonna hold you back a bit
To follow up on what @Hau5MD has said, I'd:
Possibly drop Hofstra, Emory, and USC... your MCAT too low
Stanford? I know you wanna give it a shot, but that Stanford app money can be better spent elsewhere, like buying your mother a nice dinner
Consider adding a few more DOs such as Campbell and PCOM
UCR saves half their seats for UCR undergrads and the other half for people local to the area. Don't know if you're from the area or if you went there for undergrad. However, if you do fit their criteria I would definitely apply.Thank you guys for all the advice. They are so helpful and I really appreciate them.
One question for @Hau5MD, why should I drop UCR? I didn't go to UCR for undergrad. Is there a lower chance of getting in unless I'm from inland CA?
Also, what do you guys think about the Caribbean and Australia?
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Here's a more realistic list:
UCI, UCD and UCR IF you're from the Inland Empire
UCD does not give preference for Inland Empire, they prefer Northern/Central CA residents with demonstrated commitment to serving those areas/underserved populations.
Thank you guys for all the advice. They are so helpful and I really appreciate them.
One question for @Hau5MD, why should I drop UCR? I didn't go to UCR for undergrad. Is there a lower chance of getting in unless I'm from inland CA?
Also, what do you guys think about the Caribbean and Australia?
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Ah my bad @Goro! That makes sense. I didn't even see it was you who posted otherwise I wouldn't have jumped in to correct youI guess I should have added a semicolon between UCD and UCR? The IE comment was for UCR.
At least two attempts at US MD/DO with an interval between them that addresses any deficiencies is the minimum before even considering offshore. It really is a last resort.I just spoke with a premed counselor at my UC, and she says to apply to Caribbean and Australian as last resort. Apparently Caribbean accepts students three times a year and Australian schools start in spring, meaning I can apply after I get my US mainland results back. I will only apply if I don't get in anywhere in US.
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