MD Chance a Teacher hoping for MD or MD/PhD

[TeamBorealis]

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I am a Virginia Resident applying in the upcoming cycle for a seat in an MD Program. My career ambitions include Opthamology, and for that reason, and others (including insufficient research and no DO Shadow experience), I’ve chosen to apply MD-only. I’d consider myself a below-average applicant, so I am applying broadly, shooting at 30 MD programs, and 5 MD/PhD Programs (An MSTP is a dream that I’m willing to throw $200 bucks at).

3.66 cGPA, 3.46 sGPA, 36 MCAT (12/12/12). I’ve sat for the MCAT 3 times. Once in 2012, after I’d finished my pre-reqs and done a self-study using a Kaplan book, got a 22. Again in 2013, where I took a PR class and got a 30. And then finally, used the SN2ED program and received this score a few months ago.

The most unique part of my application would be that I am a Middle-School teacher, and extremely passionate about it. I love my school, my students, and my job. However, I’ve always wanted to be a Doctor, so I don’t want to give up on my dream. I graduated in 2014 with a degree in Ecology in conjunction with the School of Ed, which awarded me a Licensure as well. I’ve been teaching at my Middle School for around 12 months now.

• I run the regional Science Fair
• The school sponsor for Chess Team
• Head of the IEP Department (Assess student disabilities like ADD or ADHD and helps build a plan with all of the teachers in the department to help further that student’s success).

During College, I had EC experience as well

• Ecology Club President
• Honor Council Committee Member
• Interfaith Devotional Chaplain
• Resident Advisor
• Teaching Assistant for Statistics

I do have research Experience as well

• Received a Critical Language Scholarship and studied in Russia, where I conducted research on government aid towards birth-control and it’s effects on birth rate
• Worked for 2 years as a Lab Assistant at a Neurobiology Lab at my school
• My senior thesis was on student success in Stats and how it was affected by a novel teaching method, and I went on to present that at many conferences (even one in Hawaii! Great time), and eventually published it, first author
• I attended a Summer Research Program at a Hospital in Maine, and published a chemistry project, first author
• I was a summer intern on an URM program at UMD Medical School (I am not a URM, I am Caucasian)

And believe me, I understand the importance of good essays! My PS is about my struggles in learning the English Language, as I'm an immigrant, as well as how medical disparities in other countries affected my decision to pursue medicine. Additionally, I'm only applying to Schools I'm intensely interested in applying to.

List (If you think there are some that should not be here as they do not match my stats, please let me know, and recommend some!)

Reach Schools I can't get out of my mind

• Duke
• Wake Forest
• Columbia
• Emory
• University of Chicago
• University of Virginia (In-State)
• University of Miami

Schools whose profiles I match according to MSAR

• Albany
• EVMS
• VCU
• Loma Linda (I am religious, so going by their rules would be a-okay with me)
• Frank Netter Quinnipac
• Michigan State University
• Rosalind Franklin
• Tulane
• Tufts
• Boston
• Penn State
• Drexel
• George Washington
• Georgetown
• Howard (Mainly b/c I hear they pay attention to students who live in DC area, and I teach here)
• Virginia Tech Carillion
• NYMC
• Hofstra
• Rush
• University of Vermont
• Oakland Beaumont
• Dartmouth (B/c I hear they like professional students who've worked post-grad)
• SUNY Upstate (Could be replaced by SLU, don't know which one is a better option)

MD/PhD Programs

• UT San Antonio (I love the location and program)
• University of Washington MSTP (I love Seattle and am enamored by the school)
• University of Illinois MD/PhD
• SUNY Stony Brook
• Medical University of South Carolina (I'm a Southern girl at heart! Would like to stay in the South if it's going to be for 7+ years).

So? Am I crazy?

 

[gyngyn]

The PhD portion of any MD PhD application is going to have a page (or more) for you to list your research motivation and accomplishments, including posters, presentations and publications. Will you have enough to convince them to interview you?

 

[TeamBorealis]

The PhD portion of any MD PhD application is going to have a page (or more) for you to list your research motivation and accomplishments, including posters, presentations and publications. Will you have enough to convince them to interview you?

Well, I've presented my research at about 7 conferences, and published twice. Most of all, I know I am able to discuss my research well, and make people understand it's importance, something I credit my university with! One of LOR's is also my research supervisor. So, yes, I do believe I'd be able to convince them that research is important to me, and that pursuing a PhD would be of great service to me.

Now, I know the 3 MCAT's and horrible sGPA might get in the way!

But thank you for responding, I'm curious as to to whether or not you think I'm a competitive applicant even for MD.

 

[gyngyn]

I do believe I'd be able to convince them that research is important to me, and that pursuing a PhD would be of great service to me.
.

You are very good for MD, especially most of your "match list."
You need to be able to convince them that it will be good for them!

 

[Lamel]

Do you have any shadowing or clinical experience?

 

[TeamBorealis]

Do you have any shadowing or clinical experience?

Right! Apologies for not including that.

1. Volunteered at the same hospital for around 8 years now (ever since I was in High School), and my volunteer tracker says I have around 2000 hours.I do about 3 hours every Saturday and Sunday. One of my LOR's is from my Emergency Room Department Coordinator.
2. Additionally, I've shadowed a family practitioner and an Opthamologist.
3. Lastly, I've been working as an HIV/Aids Counselor in Washington D.C. for about 3 months, and definitely will continue!

I have good non-clinical volunteering as well, though not as extensive. Only about 2 experiences I can relate.


@gyngyn, thank you for your confidence in my application. I really hope to get a few Interview Invitations this upcoming cycle.

 

[Lamel]

Then you should be solid for MD if you apply strategically, you have quite the application.

 

[NYDO2014]

You don't have enough healthcare shadowing experience.
I might avoid mentioning ophthalmology ambition in your personal statement. I doubt most adcom have enough exposure to opthalmology to be able to relate to you.

 

[TeamBorealis]

You don't have enough healthcare shadowing experience.
I might avoid mentioning ophthalmology ambition in your personal statement. I doubt most adcom have enough exposure to opthalmology to be able to relate to you.

Really? I have about 100 hours shadowing each doctor. I don't how much more I could do really.

And yeah, I'm not mentioning a speciality choice, I don't want to come across as having my mind set on only doing this one thing. I may very well change my minds many times throughout the course of medical school. I know the first step is getting my foot in the door!

 

[Lamel]

Really? I have about 100 hours shadowing each doctor. I don't how much more I could do really.

And yeah, I'm not mentioning a speciality choice, I don't want to come across as having my mind set on only doing this one thing. I may very well change my minds many times throughout the course of medical school. I know the first step is getting my foot in the door!

You have more than enough, especially with your extensive clinical volunteering.

 

[Goro]

You're in a very good position. I suggest

• Duke
• Wake Forest
• Columbia OR Cornell
• Emory
• University of Virginia (In-State)
• University of Miami
• Albany
• EVMS
• VCU
• Loma Linda (I am religious, so going by their rules would be a-okay with me)
• Frank Netter Quinnipac
• Rosalind Franklin
• Tulane
• Boston
• Drexel
• Virginia Tech Carillion
• NYMC
• Hofstra
• Rush
• University of Vermont
• Oakland Beaumont
• Dartmouth
• SLU
• Pitt OR Northwestern OR Vanderbilt
• U WV
• Loyola
• Vanderbilt
• SUNY Stony Brook
• U AZ
• USC
• Any new MS school
• U So FL
• U Toledo
• Creighton

 

[TeamBorealis]

@Goro thank you for the suggestion, I hadn't looked into Creighton but it's definitely on my list now so cheers!!