2010 Cycle - Where to Apply?

[MD2B in 2010]

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Ladies and Gents, how's everybody doing out there in science world? Well, it looks like this years cycle is coming to a close and there is about to be a new bunch of applicants about to embark on a similar journey desperately seeking advice on how to be just as successful in the MD/PhD process as you all have been. So I ask, where do you all feel as though I should apply based on my limited profile?

22 Year Old African American Male
3.6 GPA, 3.6 BCPM
MCAT in June or July, leaning towards June (Assume I break a 30, pretty sure I will, its the 35+ barrier I am hesitant about)
2 Years of Current Research and will perform 1 Year of full time research while applying (2 Different extended research experiences)
Several Poster Presentations at National Conferences with several awards (no publications, expressed I want to publish during my off year to PI)
I have all the MD credentials down, volunteer, shadowing, blah, blah blah, blah blah
FAP recipient (13 schools at no cost, would add more)

Your advice and guidance on where to narrow my choices to would be excellent.

 

[ParabolaMDPHd]

A lot will have to do with your MCAT to be honest. Low 30s will hinder you a bit, but you should get some interviews at some of the lower tier MSTPs. If you can get 35+, you'll be in good shape. You'll have to get high 30s, to be competitive at some the the top tier schools, and the lack of publication will probably hurt you but right now I'd say your fate lies with the MCAT. All in all, besides that it looks pretty good. Best of Luck with everything

 

[NiCad089]

It really depends on your MCAT. Make sure you apply to a broad range of schools. My application was a bit top heavy, so I barely made it. Even if you get 30, still apply to couple of "reach" schools because well you never know. Best of luck.

 

[someram3000]

it's not just about "reach" vs. "top tier". consider everything that's important to you. location is big if you're gonna be there for 7-8 years. do you really wanna be in like baltimore (no offense, it's the first place i could think of that i wouldn't wanna be) harvard's graduation time for PhD sucks balls, but their research is obviously amazing. but it's also east coast, which you may or may not like. consider family, consider clinical opportunities. the "reach vs. top tier" stratifications don't really do justice to the amount of work you need to do while considering where to apply. to narrow your choice i would look at: academic excellence, clinical opportunities, location/social life. Then when you get in, narrow down by specific things about the MSTP program itself such as integration, administration support, etc.

 

[gbwillner]

Ladies and Gents, how's everybody doing out there in science world? Well, it looks like this years cycle is coming to a close and there is about to be a new bunch of applicants about to embark on a similar journey desperately seeking advice on how to be just as successful in the MD/PhD process as you all have been. So I ask, where do you all feel as though I should apply based on my limited profile?

22 Year Old African American Male
3.6 GPA, 3.6 BCPM
MCAT in June or July, leaning towards June (Assume I break a 30, pretty sure I will, its the 35+ barrier I am hesitant about)
2 Years of Current Research and will perform 1 Year of full time research while applying (2 Different extended research experiences)
Several Poster Presentations at National Conferences with several awards (no publications, expressed I want to publish during my off year to PI)
I have all the MD credentials down, volunteer, shadowing, blah, blah blah, blah blah
FAP recipient (13 schools at no cost, would add more)

Your advice and guidance on where to narrow my choices to would be excellent.

Apply to anywhere you'd like to be. You'll probably do well. Try to avoid preconceptions about locations you've never been to. I ended up matriculating in a program I never thought I would end up in just because it was in a state i had biases against. I was glad that I applied and found the experience to be amazing.

 

[MD2B in 2010]

A lot will have to do with your MCAT to be honest. Low 30s will hinder you a bit, but you should get some interviews at some of the lower tier MSTPs. If you can get 35+, you'll be in good shape. You'll have to get high 30s, to be competitive at some the the top tier schools, and the lack of publication will probably hurt you but right now I'd say your fate lies with the MCAT. All in all, besides that it looks pretty good. Best of Luck with everything

When you speak of lower tier MSTPs, which ones do you speak of specifically?

As to other posters, I really appreciate your comments and suggestions and I will try to adhere to them as best as possible, thanks.