App competitiveness question

[coffee6669]

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Hi,

I read the FAQ but just wanted to gauge how competitive my app is/is not as my state school advisor doesn't have much experience and I don't know any other potential md/phd applicants.

• 3.7 sgpa and cgpa
• 3 years research in a plant genetics lab; some posters no pubs
• 2 years in a pathology research lab ; 2 pubs ( 1 nature journal) , some posters
• I have ~50 hours shadowing (er, radiology, pathology)
• 4 years TA/Tutoring experience
• MCAT is in April

Does the lower end gpa, lack of clinical experience sort of sink my app?

Do non-mstp programs have regional bias? (Ca resident hoping to stay local)

Does expressing an interest in pathology in apps/interviews come across as bad? (I have heard expressing interest in specific residencies comes off as close minded but hoping my research experience will counteract this )

 

[Lucca]

Without an MCAT score can’t say, but if you get a strong score your app will be competitive for MD/PhDs all over.

Won’t comment on your other questions but your GPA isn’t low enough that it will keep you from being accepted somewhere, as long as your mcat shows your academic ability.

 

[grizzly1093]

As @Lucca said, your GPA isn't too low as long as your MCAT is strong (the mean for MD/PhD matriculants was ~515 last year).

Most MD/PhD programs profess no regional bias (there are some exceptions, so check the schools that interest you), but they still like applicants to have a good reason for wanting to be in that location, so family/friend ties help.

Regarding patho, I don't think that'd hurt you. In fact, an associate director of one California program said he wants more MD/PhDs in patho.

 

[Fencer]

You will be competitive depending upon your MCAT... If you can migrate into a biomedical research lab, but if you are unable, it is ok. Make the most out of your opportunities. PM me if you want to discuss with more specifics, and once you have your MCAT.

 

[coffee6669]

You will be competitive depending upon your MCAT... If you can migrate into a biomedical research lab, but if you are unable, it is ok. Make the most out of your opportunities. PM me if you want to discuss with more specifics, and once you have your MCAT.

Sorry my current lab is biomedical research? We do rapid histology with a fluorescence technique so still wet lab stuff.

Thanks I will definitely take you up on that!

And thanks to everyone that replied!