<p>Hey guys, I am new to this site, so just tell me I've posted in the wrong place or something of the sort. :)</p>
<p>Gender: Female
Ethnicity: East Indian</p>
<p>GPA: 3.9
SAT: 2200 (M: 770, CR 730, W 700)
SAT Subject: (Math 2 790) (Chemistry 780) (Biology 800)</p>
<p>Core Junior Year Classes:
AP Biology
AP Calculus BC
Honors Literature
Honors Spanish
American History
NOTE: School does not offer any more AP's than the two I am taking and APUSH, and we are not allowed to double-up on science classes</p>
<p>Anticipated Core Senior Year Classes:
AP Statistics
AP Chemistry
AP Government
AP Spanish
(deciding whether to take AP lit, suggestions are welcome)</p>
<p>Leadership:
- HOSA (founder and president at school; aside from normal HOSA activities, started outreach program teaching middle schoolers about different medical professions)
- Peer Counseling Program (founder and president in school; singlehandedly trained all counselors in counseling techniques/how to approach different topics such as substance abuse, bullying, domestic abuse etc.)</p>
<p>Volunteering (all was done consistently starting the summer between junior and sophomore year):
- Urgent Care Clinic (200 hrs)
- Urban Hospital (200 hrs)
- Hospice Organization (organized and lead fundraisers) (100 hrs)
- Hospice Center (100 hrs)</p>
<p>Shadowing:
- Pulmonary Medicine doctor (30 hrs)
- Family Medicine doctor (20 hrs)</p>
<p>Research:
-nothing published but an internship with a research institute over the summer (150-200 hrs)</p>
<p>I would just like to know if I have a chance at the lower tier BS/MD's, and if mid tiers are even possible for me. Also, what are the weak points in my app, and what could I have done better?</p>
<p>Thank You!!!</p>
<p>You’re silly to settle for a low tier BS/MD.</p>
<p>really?
what do you think I can reach?</p>
<p>^ genuine question not sarcastic :)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there really isn’t a definitive chance we can give you. Your application looks great, but so do all competitive BS/MD apps, so if you really are set on BS/MD programs, just apply to as much as you can. Make sure you make your essays great though! That’s what will set you apart!</p>
<p>Are you a rising junior or senior? Also, what lower tier BS/MD programs are you looking at? For example, if you live in Ohio, NEOMED would be your best bet. </p>
<p>I think you can reach some of the top tier ones like Brown, Northwestern, etc. Depending on your state (which you didn’t state), certain med schools might be a much better deal for you financially. I think depending on the school, you might be unhappy going to a low-tier program. I would try to improve on your Leadership, Volunteering, and Shadowing, and hopefully you’ll get something published during your research stint.</p>
<p>I would also shadow to make sure you realize the realities of medicine and what you’re getting into - like the inpatient side of the hospital. There are other fields involved in healthcare: Pharmacy, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, etc. that might not only be better financially but also better with your work hours.</p>
<p>Here’s a starting list: <a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/BA_MD_programs.html”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/BA_MD_programs.html</a></p>
<p>I live in California and I am a rising Senior. I don’t really know what to do financially, because there are not many bs/md programs in CA…</p>
<p>Also, do you think that the volunteering activity in which I “organized and lead fundraisers” would count as leadership? How much should I improve shadowing and volunteering (as in hours)?</p>
<p>Thanks for the input btw :)</p>
<p>@theminipen, there is one I believe like CalTech/UCSD’s program etc. Yes that would count as leadership. You’ll need more hours in the shadowing category. Volunteering doesn’t have to all be medically oriented, it could be other charitable things - volunteering at elementary schools, etc.</p>
<p>Caltech/UCSD was cancelled last year, and I am not aware that they are re-starting it this year. I would focus more on volunteering than shadowing because shadowing isn’t very engaged. I think you’re a very competitive applicant based on stats, and especially strong if you can speak convincingly about how each of your activities reflects your interest in medicine. The one thing I would focus on is research. A lot of the high tier programs like HPME and PLME are also research-intensive schools, and I know a lot of programs liked to ask me about research during interviews</p>
<p>Ok, so I should focus on shadowing and research basically. Also, do you guys think that my 2200 SAT score will really limit my chances of getting into competitive BS/MD’s like Brown or Northwestern?</p>
<p>Any tips on how to really improve research experience in a span of a couple months?</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend UCSD/UCSD for OP. The 2200 would probably be on the low side for HPME and PLME, but I don’t think it will be prohibitive. The feeling I got at both program orientations is that they only give those numbers a glance. As long as they can determine that you’re academically qualified, they want to find out what kind of person you are and whether you’re a good fit for the program</p>
<p>Ok, so for the PLME and HPME its more of a holistic evaluation.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, would a 730 vs an 800 on the subject SAT’s make that much of a difference to the BS/MD admissions people?</p>
<p>all the programs are holistic. Scores alone won’t get you in anywhere, but it never hurts to try.</p>
<p>I’m not an admissions officer, so I can’t positively answer your question. I suppose it might be a factor, but they probably won’t throw out your application over a 730 on a subject test. But again, I’m not an AO</p>
<p>Ok, that makes sense :)</p>
<p>So right now, i’m looking at:
- HPME
-PLME
- Boston University
- Mount Sinai (Does ANYBODY know anything about this program…it looks good as a medical school)
- VCU
- Union Albany
- UMDNJ
- Drexel (is it worth the money, it was in the top 10 most expensive medical schools)
- KMC</p>
<p>This may seem a little too farsighted, but are there any BS/MD medical schools whose graduates don’t generally get into residencies for most competitive/moderately competitive specialties like surgery, anesthesia, etc?</p>
<p>P.S. Props to @davidxavi and @Roentgen for being so awesome with answering my slew of queries, I’ve been so nervous about all of this :D</p>
<p>Medical school names don’t matter all that much in residency placement imo. I know a person who got a dermatology residency at Harvard after going through the Drexel med program. I’m not sure, but I think Sinai’s program (if you’re talking about FlexMed) is one where you apply as a college sophomore</p>
<p>@davidxavi, not exactly true. Name matters more for something competitive. Someone who got into derm at Harvard like in your example, may have had other factors - did a year of research, or did an MD/PhD. Likely the exception, but not the rule.</p>
<p>@theminipen - what state do you live in? I think you should put in more BS/MD in the top - Baylor, Pitt, etc.</p>
<p>Oh, ok, so FlexMed is for Mt. Sinai sophomores : (</p>
<p>I live in California</p>
<p>Ok so for the more competitive ones I should look at:
- HPME
- PLME
- Pitt
- Baylor (I’ve heard things about their unreasonable high MCAT requirement, but idk what to think)
- U Penn Jefferson</p>
<p>Note: according to their website UCSD/UCSD requires a 2250/4.0 or above</p>
<p>Also a question, are academic surgery residencies (7 year) considered “competitive,” and would research oriented medical schools make me a better candidate for that?</p>