Help me finalize what med schools I send my apps to

[Ballatician]

ATOT,

So I'm currently applying to medical school and although I've finished everything on my end (letters of rec, application, MCAT, etc) I have been stressing about what out of state schools I should apply to.

I'm a Texas resident but I really want to go to school out of state somewhere. The most important attributes for me are a business school for a possible MBA or active entrepreneurship community with a lot of local start-ups. For these reasons my top choices at the moment are UC-San Francisco, Columbia, and UPenn. UCSF doesn't have an MD/MBA joint degree but I'm not really sold on the value of an MBA anyway. I'm more interested in working for a start-up while in school and maybe starting something of my own one day in medical devices or global health. I have an engineering background so the technology aspect of medicine really appeals to me and there seem to be ample opportunities around the Bay Area. Plus it's a great research and medical school at the same time.

I feel like I'm a competitive applicant on all fronts (research experience, MCAT score, and personal essays) except my GPA and I realize it'll be hard for a non-Californian to get in.

The point of this super long post is if you have any suggestions for programs that I should apply to please let me know either here or by PM. I'm going to hit submit on my app tonight and although I can add more schools later, I rather move on with secondary applications and all that.

Thanks!!!11oneone

 

[Ns1]

f2r

 

[herm0016]

Grand Rapids Michigan may not be on your radar, but we have some great research facilities like the vanandel institute, a new Michigan State Univ. medical school, and new facilities for Grand Valley State University. GR is also a city full of small business and entrepreneurs.

from wiki:
More recently the city has had some success in developing and attracting businesses focusing on the health sciences, with facilities such as the Van Andel Research Institute (primarily focused on cancer research), Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (undergraduate and graduate health-related programs, doctorate program in Physical Therapy, upcoming Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)), and Michigan State University's planned medical school, adjacent to GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center and Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital.This year, several million dollars will be spent on new hospitals (including the Spectrum Health Cancer Pavilion and the Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital), medical research centers and health facilities. Most of these facilities are based on Michigan Avenue medical corridor, and is commonly known as "Medical Mile". Employment opportunities thrive and the growth has developed specialized health science employment groups to facilitate the influx, such as the Medical Mile Group.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: herm0016
Grand Rapids Michigan may not be on your radar, but we have some great research facilities like the vanandel institute, a new Michigan State Univ. medical school, and new facilities for Grand Valley State University. GR is also a city full of small business and entrepreneurs.

from wiki:
More recently the city has had some success in developing and attracting businesses focusing on the health sciences, with facilities such as the Van Andel Research Institute (primarily focused on cancer research), Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (undergraduate and graduate health-related programs, doctorate program in Physical Therapy, upcoming Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)), and Michigan State University's planned medical school, adjacent to GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center and Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital.This year, several million dollars will be spent on new hospitals (including the Spectrum Health Cancer Pavilion and the Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital), medical research centers and health facilities. Most of these facilities are based on Michigan Avenue medical corridor, and is commonly known as "Medical Mile". Employment opportunities thrive and the growth has developed specialized health science employment groups to facilitate the influx, such as the Medical Mile Group.

Thanks, I didn't include it in the OP but Michigan is definitely in my radar because of their research focus. I've only stopped in Detroit for a day so don't really know what the area is like but I've heard good things. I know there are places in the midwest that are hot for biotech right now so Michigan might be a good idea, thanks again.

 

[Blurring]

University of Michigan: Ann Arbor's MBA and Med School programs are both very highly ranked, although I'm not sure if they offer a joint degree. Something to look into though.

 

[slpaulson]

I'll add the University of Wisconsin - Madison, although I also don't know if they offer a joint degree.

 

[Rage187]

MUSC for the weather and the women.

Amazing...

 

[step-dawg]

what is your GPA range if you don't mind me asking. Without knowing your other credentials, I would say that is sometimes a big hurdle. Since you're in TX, I would suggest applying to all the TX schools just in case. it's a separate app so it doesn't hurt your chances at out of state schools so why not have them as a back up. I know the process is expensive and flying around for interviews adds up but in the long run, it'll be worth it. If you already are applying to TX schools as back up, then disregard my post.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

and MBA and a PhD? You're going to be in school forever!

And have you given a thought to any schools outside the country?

 

[StevenYoo]

Cali schools are notoriously difficult to get into.

I think your best bet lies in schools in the midwest. Or the lower east coast

 

[Fenixgoon]

shameless plug for Drexel University @ Hanehman (spelling?) Hospital.

Seriously though (because I have no idea about med schools, even the one at my own university) , good luck

 

[Passions]

UC Tijuana is accepting.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: Blurring
University of Michigan: Ann Arbor's MBA and Med School programs are both very highly ranked, although I'm not sure if they offer a joint degree. Something to look into though.

Another vote for Michigan.

Originally posted by: step-dawg
what is your GPA range if you don't mind me asking. Without knowing your other credentials, I would say that is sometimes a big hurdle. Since you're in TX, I would suggest applying to all the TX schools just in case. it's a separate app so it doesn't hurt your chances at out of state schools so why not have them as a back up. I know the process is expensive and flying around for interviews adds up but in the long run, it'll be worth it. If you already are applying to TX schools as back up, then disregard my post.

3.2-3.5, I wasn't always pre-med so this is lower than some averages although my test scores are higher than average where I'm applying. It is a hurdle I'm worried about in regards to the initial screen because I really want the rest of my application to be looked at. I am applying at schools in Texas, I wouldn't mind staying.

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
and MBA and a PhD? You're going to be in school forever!

And have you given a thought to any schools outside the country?

No not both lol. I've done a lot of research during undergrad but I'm not applying MD/PhD anymore. It'll be one or the other, maybe neither if I find some really good work experience in the summer instead.

I haven't thought about schools out of the country.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll be sure to add UC - Tijuana to my AMCAS list as well. They must have a great infectious disease department. :thumbsup:

 

[blinky8225]

Originally posted by: Ballatician
3.2-3.5, I wasn't always pre-med so this is lower than some averages although my test scores are higher than average where I'm applying. It is a hurdle I'm worried about in regards to the initial screen because I really want the rest of my application to be looked at. I am applying at schools in Texas, I wouldn't mind staying.

Jesus, your test scores better be much much higher than average for you to be competitive at schools like Columbia and Penn with that GPA (well, if your science/math GPA is much higher, you may have a good shot). Unless you went to a school like MIT or are a minority, those are huge reaches. I'm not trying to dash your hopes or anything, but just making sure you're being realistic. Medical schools are such a crap shot that you might as well apply anyway, though; you never know if you don't apply.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: blinky8225

Originally posted by: Ballatician
3.2-3.5, I wasn't always pre-med so this is lower than some averages although my test scores are higher than average where I'm applying. It is a hurdle I'm worried about in regards to the initial screen because I really want the rest of my application to be looked at. I am applying at schools in Texas, I wouldn't mind staying.

Jesus, your test scores better be much much higher than average for you to be competitive at schools like Columbia and Penn with that GPA (well, if your science/math GPA is much higher, you may have a good shot). Unless you went to a school like MIT or are a minority, those are huge reaches. I'm not trying to dash your hopes or anything, but just making sure you're being realistic. Medical schools are such a crap shot that you might as well apply anyway, though; you never know if you don't apply.

My test scores are much higher and I'm waiting to find out what they calculate my math/science GPA to be but it will be above 3.6. I appreciate the dose of reality and that's why I'm limiting the number of highly ranked out of state schools I'm applying to. My school and experience I know will help me but I'm throwing in some back up choices into the mix as well.

 

[Slew Foot]

I went to UCSF and was on the adcom over there. Im not sure if it fits the mold of what youre looking ofr, I only know of one person out of over 600 that went into some form of business program, he took a year or so off and went to Wharton to get an MBA. UCSF is fairly liberal so they tend to push primary care and try to shun you away from things that make money. You dont have to listen to them obviously, but it makes it tougher when the administration isnt fully behind you.

Take a look at UCSD as there is a fairly large biotech component down there as well, but with a GPA in the mid 3s you better have something ridiculous on your app to get in most CA schools.

 

[uclaLabrat]

I'd put in another vote for UCSD, one of my students ended up going there for med on a full ride. It's a pretty good environment down there. A friend of mine is doing his post-doc down there, likes it a lot better than UCLA.

 

[The Sauce]

Send your resume to law school instead. Then instead of working hard to make money to give to lawyers and malpractice insurance companies, you can just take it from the doctors and insurance companies. Much easier and less frustrating that way.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why not apply to all?