Anyone accepted to MD/PhD

[Refuter]

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Hi everyone,
I was wondering how many people were accepted to the MD/PhD programs.
I am currently applying to some,and read how they pick highly competitive student. However, they lack data on what that means. Can someone who got into the program post their stats.
Thanks.
Also, im right now at 3.6 have been doing research for more thant 3 years. Have some volunteer experiences, but a lot of research. got a 32 on mcat. Do i have a shot for the combined degree?

 

[Vader]

MD/PhD admissions tend to be highly competitive, as there are a very limited number of spots at any given school. Students tend to have very high grades and scores, especially MCATs (35+ average at some of the top programs). With your scores, the key will be getting interviews. Once at this stage, those stats become less relevant, and it is really your research experience, ability to communicate scientifically, demonstrated level of maturity, critical thinking ability, and personal charisma that counts. Don't underestimate the importance of the whole package, including personal statement, MD/PhD essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular/leadership activities, publications, presentations, etc. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying if you feel that MD/PhD is the path for you. You must be able to demonstrate motivation for pursuing the combined degree and committment to research. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. There are many in the same boat as you (I was there last year). Good luck! 😀

 

[Refuter]

I was wondering, I am in the process of sending out applications. I would love to get into MDPhD but if not accepted I dont want to just have nothing, I still wish to get into some MD program. So, some people advise me to apply to all schools both MD and MDPHD, but in many schools the admissions process is highly integrated. I am not certain will my chances of getting strictly into MD be adversely affected by my decision to pursue the combined degree path?

 

[axlf1997]

Originally posted by Refuter:
•I was wondering, I am in the process of sending out applications. I would love to get into MDPhD but if not accepted I dont want to just have nothing, I still wish to get into some MD program. So, some people advise me to apply to all schools both MD and MDPHD, but in many schools the admissions process is highly integrated. I am not certain will my chances of getting strictly into MD be adversely affected by my decision to pursue the combined degree path?•

Most will automatically push you into the MD pool of applicants if you are not accepted to the MD/Ph.D. It will not adversely affect you except for the fact that your MD app will get to the regular MD committee much later. However, in your interviews, you must come across as someone capable of doing an MD only .

 

[Jonny-5]

Refuter:

I am in the same boat as you (you are right, Vader, there are many of us..). Many of the schools I have applied to automatically consider you for the regular M.D. program if you don't make the cut (for some it is an option on the secondary, i.e.- UChi, Hopkins, UCLA, etc). However, this varies from school to school, so make sure to check their website/call.

Vader:

Do you have any other advice for those applying MD/PhD? Is it worth it to apply to non-MSTP MD/PhD programs (like UMD)? Also, when you applied, did you apply strictly MD/PhD and did you have many interviews? So many questions....

Thanks so much! 🙂

 

[Vader]

Originally posted by Jonny-5:
•Refuter:

Vader:

Do you have any other advice for those applying MD/PhD? Is it worth it to apply to non-MSTP MD/PhD programs (like UMD)? Also, when you applied, did you apply strictly MD/PhD and did you have many interviews? So many questions....

Thanks so much! 🙂•

I applied all MD/PhD. Most of the other applicants I met on interviews did the same. I don't know why an individual would choose to apply some MD/PhD and others MD. That, to me, might be a red flag and point out some lack of committment to research. MD/PhD programs attempt to screen out people who want to do it for the "free MD." They want people who are very committed to doing research because the main purpose of the programs is to train medical investigators. Besides, the other posters are correct in that if you don't get in MD/PhD, you may still be considered separately for the MD program at most schools. The schools that have check boxes that you mentioned seem to be the ones that have an entirely separate MD/PhD committee that is autonomous from the medical school admisssions committee. Therefore, they need to know if they should forward your application to the medical school in case you don't get in MD/PhD. I think it is fine to apply to non-MSTP MD/PhD programs if you want to. The downside is that you have to be careful because some programs are not fully funded, whereas all MSTPs are. So you'll have to look into individual programs in which you're interested.

By the way, are any of you applying to UCSF? I'll be here, so if you have any questions about our program, I'd be happy to discuss.

Anyway, hope this helps! 😀

 

[GrandMasterB]

word. i had a 3.4 10-10-10-R a publication (no where near first authorship), and i got into 6 mdphd programs (3 in the top twenty, 5 in the top 50). so you should have a pretty good shot. just make sure you know your research, especially your role in it, really well. i have faith that vader can explain the major considerations, since i have read his intelligent (if a bit loquacious) responses b4.

 

[Hopkins2010]

Vader,

The med schools dont know what other programs you are applying to unless 1) you tell them or 2) they bother to call individual schools and find out (highly unlikely unless you are a top candidate)

So I dont understand how applying to both MD and MD/PhD programs would count against you considering the schools wont know either way.

I'm applying to some MD/PhD and others that are MD only. My reasoning is that I have a low MCAT for MD/PhD (31) so I really dont have the luxury of applying MD/PhD everywhere. It might be fine for someone with a 38 MCAT and a 4.0 GPA to apply to all MD/PhD, but do you really think this is advisable for someone with lower than average numbers?

Besides, most schools allow med student research besides the MD/PhD combined degree program, so its not like research in med school can be sought ONLY with the combined degree.

I think that I have very competitive research experience and GPA, as well as letters of rec from research advisors. My major downfall is MCAT. I thought about it, and it just seems that since my MCAT is below average that just applying to MD/PhD (which is significantly more competitive than normal MD) is just too high a risk to take, especially since I need to maximize my opportunities to attend somewhere. I would be happiest going MD/PhD, but I can honestly state that going just normal MD is fine too. Its not like I would be miserable without the combined degree program.

To the original poster, I know for a fact that the UIUC MD/PhD program has a 32 MCAT average. The downside is that this is NOT an MSTP program so funding is not quite as secure.