bearpuppy Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hi guys, I have pretty standard ECs.. I'm currently doing a PhD in Medical Genetics that I will complete by next year.. I have my name on 4 publications, 2 international talks that I gave. I have received a few scholarships, both in undergrad and grad. Been on a few departmental committees. I'm co-inventor on a patent filed related to my research. I've taught Med Gen concepts to MD students ( 5 classes of a couple hours each). I've TAed an undergrad course.. During my undergrad I volunteered at both Safewalk and at Campus Security... My science and non-science GPAs are both ~ 3.5... 3rd year: 3.5 4th year: 3.7 Grad: 4.0 Scored on the MCAT: 33S: BS13, PS10, VR10 Is it worth the effort to apply in the US or do I really have no chance? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamerman Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 you would def have a shot at some DO schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathvvv Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 You should have a good chance at MDs as well. Apply broadly to upper mid and lower tiers. Also try Canada. U of T loves research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearpuppy Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Thanks.. I guess my strategy for the US is to actually apply at top tier schools, in the hope that I can get in based on the fact that I'm a bit different than most of their applicants... I know my GPA and even MCAT will greatly hinder this.. but in part, I don't want to move to the US just to move to the US... but rather to attend an amazing school.. so Mid to Top tier is likely what I'm aiming for. DO is definitely not something I'm interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 apply broadly, you'll probably get interviews Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
distortion Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 just curious but what are some of the mid-upper tier "reach" schools you are considering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearpuppy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 As I said before... I know I am not the best candidate with my GPA and MCAT scores, but I'm hoping with my research background (& PhD) it will count in my favour: Albert Einstein Boston U Emory Dartmouth Harvard Johns Hopkins Mount Sinai Northwestern Feinberg UPenn Stanford UCSF (I know they interviewed 0 international applicants last year, but I would love to live in SF) and Yale. In Canada: UBC, UAlberta, UCalgary UToronto and McMaster (unlikely) I really do only want to move to the US if it is for a top school. One can dream I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007antonymous Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Why not include some lower tier schools too? It will cost a bit more for applications but you always have the option of deciding whether to go when the time comes, in the event you don't get into top tier schools or Canadian schools. Sadly the truth is, these top tier schools get people with 4.0s, 40+ MCAT, and publications all the time and PhD applicants are really not that rare. You have also missed out on some excellent top tier schools that have interviewed and accepted more Canadians/Internationals than UCSF/Emory/UPenn such as Columbia, Cornell, UChicago and WashU. As I said before... I know I am not the best candidate with my GPA and MCAT scores, but I'm hoping with my research background (& PhD) it will count in my favour: Albert Einstein Boston U Emory Dartmouth Harvard Johns Hopkins Mount Sinai Northwestern Feinberg UPenn Stanford UCSF (I know they interviewed 0 international applicants last year, but I would love to live in SF) and Yale. In Canada: UBC, UAlberta, UCalgary UToronto and McMaster (unlikely) I really do only want to move to the US if it is for a top school. One can dream I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearpuppy Posted June 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 I entirely agree with you on your point about those US schools having easy access to people with 4.0s, 40 MCATs and PhDs. I'll check out the additional schools you listed. On MSAR: U Washington doesn't accept international students; U Chicago interviewed 5 and accepted 0 intl; Cornell interviewed 17 and accepted 0 intl. I added Columbia to my list. Overall, my feeling is that if the US doesn't come through for me (unlikely given the choices), then I still have quite a reasonable chance at the Canadian ones.. thus why I haven't decided (at least at this point) to add lower tier US ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North12 Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 I think he means WashU in St. Louis! The other one barely takes OOPs! If med school is your absolute goal the add some other schools. If it's just one of several plausible life tracks then your list is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashsev01 Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Ull need to add more Ie going an all out!!! Working a 9-5 on secondaries id also do a DO Unless you want to be here again A year older and nothing to show for stats> phd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearpuppy Posted June 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Well Slash.. I appreciate the feedback.. but I really don't have 9 to 5 to work on secondaries. I'm incredibly busy with my research and I have tons of upcoming deadlines.. so having more secondaries to complete is going to take more time than I'm likely able to give. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nychila Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Working a 9-5 on secondaries I'm starting to work on secondaries now, but only SOME of the schools require lengthy essays; most of the schools only require short answers. Slashsev01: How many schools are you applying to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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