School List Help Post-SMP (ended with a 4.0)
Need help building a school list that values successful SMP applicants/reinvention. Would love advice on how SMP gpa should be used when looking at MSAR as well? Do I average with undergrad or ignore and just ensure my undergrad is within 10th percentile?
NJ resident, URM, T-15 undergrad
Undergrad cGPA: 3.5, sGPA: 3.1x (upward trend)
SMP GPA: 4.0 (completed in one year)
MCAT: 508 (128/126/129/125)
Going on my second gap year, 1st time applicant
Clinical: ~1000 hrs as an MA; 80 hrs shadowing
Research: ~1400 hrs across wet lab, clinical, and a corporate internship. 1 state conference poster presentation and the tech I worked on is now on the market.
Non clinical volunteer: ~600 hrs. Main involvement was developing a community health outreach initiative for women's health education. During the SMP I volunteered as a patient navigator and in college I was involved in a few on-campus health advocacy clubs.
Leadership: ~2000 hrs (total) significant leadership roles in healthcare-related clubs and ~400 hrs (total) as a teaching assistant and orientation leader
- Received a university-wide leadership award for student advocacy.
Concern: My parent had health issues at the beginning of college that threw me into a caretaker role for them/my sibling. Once my family situation stabilized, I worked really hard to turn things around.
I know my school list will be crucial in how the cycle goes, so any and all feedback is appreciated!!