Do I have a shot? Research-heavy, clinical/volunteering-light applicant

[JAG321]

Hi there,

I’m a senior at a rigorous private research institute, thinking about applying to MD-PhD programs with one gap year. I’m hoping that ppl could evaluate my chances and give me some tips based on my stats and (current) experience:

GPA: 3.89c (3.89s and 3.9ns)
MCAT: 516 (130,128,129,139)

Research Experience:

- I’m pursuing a dual BS/MS degree in biochem, which means that I’ll graduate with a master’s degree in addition to my bachelors at the end of my four years.

- Two labs, ~4000 hours total. 2 university fellowships totaling $11k, 3 posters over 3 summers, presenting again soon, and 1 publication on the docket (4th author or something like that). Research revolves around molecular biology and enzymology, so non-clinical.


Clinical Experience:

- 30 hours volunteering at a nursing home
- 20 shadowing hours, planning on racking up more
- tutoring kids with neurodivergent conditions

Extras:

Jazz band, vice president of athletics club, founder and editor-in-chief of research journal (newly formed). Hobbies include tennis, endurance and weightlifting athletics, all that jazz.

Gap year plans:

- no definitive plans yet, although I’m yearning to get some industry experience.
Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

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[Fencer]

You seem to have the most important experiences and you are a close match to the typical member of the National MD/PhD matriculation class. Now, that means that the mid- and low- tier of MSTP are your match. You can apply to high-tier MSTP but you are less likely to be invited / accepted. You are also a high likely invite / accept applicant for large non-MSTP programs and other MD/PhD programs. Check out my corner for advice and PM me if needed. Some schools would like for you to get ~100 hrs of clinical experiences, but most MD/PhD programs will see it as time away from the lab.