This sub has definitely made me overthink things a bit. I’ve been seeing a lot of Sankeys where applicants with solid stats and experiences still have rough cycles, often because their list leaned too heavily top-tier.
I’d appreciate some honest feedback on my school list
Stats:
TX resident (ORM)
GPA: 4.00 cGPA (Biochemistry major)
MCAT: (testing 6/12, aiming high / practice tests decent)
Experiences:
• Research (2000 hrs): ~4 labs across genetics, vector biology, polymer chemistry, and bioanalytical proteomics. Undergraduate honors thesis. Multiple presentations + 5 pubs.
• Research Internship: Poster + manuscript in prep
• Clinical (500hrs): Hospice volunteer (direct patient care + bereavement calls)
• Free clinics (500 hrs): (histories, labs, patient interaction, underserved focus)
• Leadership: RA for 2 years
• Shadowing (350hrs) Multiple specialties including robotic surgery
• Other: president of Pre-med org, community service through diff clubs, tutoring, founder and president of ping pong club
School List:
Reaches:
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
Stanford
Duke
WashU
Mayo
Cornell
Targets:
Northwestern
Pitt
Emory
Mount Sinai
Case Western
Einstein
Rochester
Hofstra
Miami
USF
Texas Core:
Baylor
UTSW
Dell
McGovern
UTMB
Long
Texas A&M
Baseline:
SLU
Creighton
Tulane
Tufts
Brown
Georgetown
Is this list too top heavy even with strong research + clinical?
Are my “baseline” schools actually safe enough, or should I add more mid-tier private schools?
My main concerns are about cost for med school, so any advice for scholarships or anything will be very appreciated
Appreciate any honest feedback. Trying to build a smart list, not just a hopeful one