Can lots of research compensate for low cGPA and MCAT?

[MasterK]

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Thanks in advance for any responses!

I have 6 years basic research - developmental biology in cyanobacterium. I have 1.5 years biomedical research on neuroblastoma and colon cancer. I received undergrad summer research award, Master's research achievement award, American Society for Microbiology oral and poster presentations locally and nationally where I received travel grants and awards, and a first author publication (just me and PI). I am currently preparing to submit another pub in cyanobacteria in July. I am contributing to work for pubs in several projects in both cyano and cancer research. I have been involved with collaborations, where I contribute to molecular biology aspect and work with people from mathematics, physics, biochem, epidemiology. I will get great letters from MS thesis committee and great letter from current boss - MD researcher at Cancer Research Center of HI.

I have 250+ hours of volunteering at nursing home, oncology ward, and ER. I shadowed a neurosurgeon 250+ hours. I helped the neurosurgeon with a clinical research project (won't be author on that though). I was a TA in microbiology labs for 5 semesters and have mentored students since graduate school.

My cGPA is 3.4, sGPA 3.45 for undergrad. My grad cGPA is 4.0. My MCAT is 33Q (v-10, p-12, b-11).

I'll apply MD/PhD and only a few MSTP... Any thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Lil Mick]

I think you're probably a decent candidate as long as you're not applying only to top programs. The research sounds impressive and something that interests you a lot, and your MCAT and grad gpa aren't bad. Try to find schools that match your field of study--seems to be part of what they're looking for in applicants 🙂

 

[jmt1984]

Thanks in advance for any responses!

I have 6 years basic research - developmental biology in cyanobacterium. I have 1.5 years biomedical research on neuroblastoma and colon cancer. I received undergrad summer research award, Master's research achievement award, American Society for Microbiology oral and poster presentations locally and nationally where I received travel grants and awards, and a first author publication (just me and PI). I am currently preparing to submit another pub in cyanobacteria in July. I am contributing to work for pubs in several projects in both cyano and cancer research. I have been involved with collaborations, where I contribute to molecular biology aspect and work with people from mathematics, physics, biochem, epidemiology. I will get great letters from MS thesis committee and great letter from current boss - MD researcher at Cancer Research Center of HI.

I have 250+ hours of volunteering at nursing home, oncology ward, and ER. I shadowed a neurosurgeon 250+ hours. I helped the neurosurgeon with a clinical research project (won't be author on that though). I was a TA in microbiology labs for 5 semesters and have mentored students since graduate school.

My cGPA is 3.4, sGPA 3.45 for undergrad. My grad cGPA is 4.0. My MCAT is 33Q (v-10, p-12, b-11).

I'll apply MD/PhD and only a few MSTP... Any thoughts? Suggestions?

I think that you may have trouble with MD/PhD, just because of the level of competition, but you would be a great fit for a PhD program. If you are really set on both degrees, try attending a Med school that is flexible. I personally know people who were in medical school and they (as a class) were offered spots in the PhD program because of vacancies.

 

[bd4727]

You will be competitive at many good MSTPs, I think you are overly worried. Just apply broadly.

 

[MasterK]

Thank you all for your responses! I'll give it a try! If not, hopefully I'll at least get into med school and apply MD/PhD in first year. If that doesn't work, at least I have research background and hopefully I can land a good research fellowship down the road. Thanks!