Chances for top schools (MCAT x 2)

[MangoPlant]

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Academics

• First MCAT: (PS/VR/BS): 12/08/13 = 33
• Second MCAT (PS/VR/BS): 14/11/12 = 37
• cGPA: 3.7
• sGPA: 3.7

Extracurriculars

• Lots of research with multiple (> 3) publications. All mid-author. One in high impact (Science/Cell/Nature) jounral.
• Teaching assistant for 2 semesters
• Vice president of student organization
• 100 hours clinical volunteering
• 100 hours non-clinical volunteering
• Shadowed 3 doctors ~ 50 hours combined

What do you think my chances are at top research heavy schools? Is it worth trying to apply MD/PhD?

Thanks!

 

[ChemEngMD]

Academics

• First MCAT: (PS/VR/BS): 12/08/13 = 33
• Second MCAT (PS/VR/BS): 14/11/12 = 37
• cGPA: 3.7
• sGPA: 3.7

Extracurriculars

• Lots of research with multiple (> 3) publications. All mid-author. One in high impact (Science/Cell/Nature) jounral.
• Teaching assistant for 2 semesters
• Vice president of student organization
• 100 hours clinical volunteering
• 100 hours non-clinical volunteering
• Shadowed 3 doctors ~ 50 hours combined

What do you think my chances are at top research heavy schools? Is it worth trying to apply MD/PhD?

Thanks!

The research is impressive and I'm sure that some schools will be interested, but you have to remember that there are a decent amount of applicants that will have pretty similar applications to this. You need to make a strong case for medicine, because right now I think you have a stronger case for a PhD program...perhaps consider beefing up your clinical experience some and in your PS discuss how the skills you gained in research helped prepare you for your clinical experiences.

Just my $0.02

 

[MangoPlant]

Thanks for the advice. I was worried about the same thing. This is why I was wondering whether my application would be better suited for an MSTP program instead of regular MD. Not sure how much taking the MCAT twice will hurt me though, considering MSTPs have very high MCAT averages.

 

[487806]

The research is impressive and I'm sure that some schools will be interested, but you have to remember that there are a decent amount of applicants that will have pretty similar applications to this. You need to make a strong case for medicine, because right now I think you have a stronger case for a PhD program...perhaps consider beefing up your clinical experience some and in your PS discuss how the skills you gained in research helped prepare you for your clinical experiences.

Just my $0.02

Care to clarify what OP should do to beef up the clinical experience? I don't think adding more hours would benefit them much, but it could help. I don't think OP would have a problem with research schools, since he did cover the minimum level needed for clinical exposure.

 

[ChemEngMD]

Care to clarify what OP should do to beef up the clinical experience? I don't think adding more hours would benefit them much, but it could help. I don't think OP would have a problem with research schools, since he did cover the minimum level needed for clinical exposure.

Idunno, but I have a hard time believing that a research (usually top 25) school is going to choose someone who has good research and the minimum clinical exposure over someone who has both good research and lots of clinical exposure. Pubs look good but I still feel that they look stronger on a grad school app than a med school app.

I believe PIs would be begging OP to join their labs...I don't know if med schools would be begging him to join their class.

I would try to get involved w some clinical research studies to tie in both the needed clinical exposure with the already proven research skills

 

[MangoPlant]

So would I have a better shot with MD/PhD applications?

 

[ChemEngMD]

So would I have a better shot with MD/PhD applications?

Even with MSTP programs you have to justify why MD/PhD > PhD ...if you can do that well then I think you have a decent shot...your MCAT is in the ballpark and you have the research experience.