Chances of getting into MD/PhD program?

[sidewinder4489]

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Update: please see last post: graduate GPA is now 3.63-3.7, not 3.2. Everything else is accurate.

Hello. This is my first post, so please bare with me.

I want to get into a biomedical engineering MD/PhD program if possible. Applied medical research is my passion. However, my GPA is awful. I just want to know what my chances are and how I could improve them.

B.Sc. Chemistry - 3.26 gpa (2012)
B.Sc. Honors biochemistry - 3.26 gpa (2012)
EMT B certification (2015)
M.Sc. Chemical engineering - 3.2 gpa (almost graduated)
Graduate certificate in biomanufacturing (almost done)

I have extensive research experience, having volunteered/ worked in 7 different labs, published in a biophysics journal and have worked in industry as a research scientist. I have also invented patent pending devices for chemical detection and have been interviewed on television for research I've done. I've presented at multiple research symposiums. I've worked in labs devoted to virology, biophysics, robotics, toxicology, neural engineering, electrochemistry, genetics, etc.

I am currently 26. I was planning on paying back my enormous student debt by working for the next few years and doing out another master's degree (electrical/ computer engineering) while I work. This is not to improve my transcript, but more because I have a medical business idea that requires knowledge of ECE (among other things). After I have paid back my debts, I want to apply to an MD/PhD.

What do you think my chances are of getting into an MD/PhD program in biomedical engineering are with an undergraduate GPA of 3.26 and without having majored in biomedical engineering? I will accept any tier school in the USA (don't care how bad they are). However, my closest schools are Duke and UNC chapel hill (within 15 mile radius) so those would be preferred.

Thank you for your time and advice.

 

[sidewinder4489]

I think there might be a flaw in your plans unless your work is paying for your masters. What about your MCAT?

I haven't taken the MCAT yet. Will take it later. I usually score well above average on tests though so I'm not so worried about that. My undergrad GPA just sucks. As for work, I have found a way to pay it off, but I'd rather not discuss that here. I just wanted to know what my chances are getting into an MD/PhD program with a 3.26 undergraduate GPA are, considering my other background and applying at around 32 years of age (5 years from now). Also are there are any ways to improve my transcript to allow me into a reasonable md/phd Biomedical engineering program?

 

[NonTrad16]

Seemingly unlikely. https://www.aamc.org/download/321548/data/factstableb10.pdf

Note: these stats are above MD stats. If you want to become a physician, you'll be fortunate to get that acceptance with that GPA unless you do something to prove you can handle a rigorous curriculum.

 

[sidewinder4489]

Seemingly unlikely. https://www.aamc.org/download/321548/data/factstableb10.pdf

Note: these stats are above MD stats. If you want to become a physician, you'll be fortunate to get that acceptance with that GPA unless you do something to prove you can handle a rigorous curriculum.

I figured that getting through a master's degree in chemical engineering would prove that I could handle a rigorous curriculum. Would that not resolve that uncertainty?

 

[NonTrad16]

I figured that getting through a master's degree in chemical engineering would prove that I could handle a rigorous curriculum. Would that not resolve that uncertainty?

No. The belief is graduate programs (except Special Masters Programs (SMPs) covering medical school material) are grade inflated.

 

[candbgirl]

And your grad grades aren't really inflated. But I wouldn't worry about any of this for a few years. Do what you plan to do and come back closer to your applying time. But bring your MCAT score. Realistically your GPA is very low for a MD/PhD program. And average GPAs are rising every year . By the time you apply in 5 years your GPAs might not even pass the auto screen for MD or DO. So consider retaking some of your F/D/F undergrad science classes and bump up the GPA for DO.


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile app

 

[sidewinder4489]

Would retaking the classes even matter? I thought that they don't replace the crappy scores from before. Wouldn't they just sort of average into the mediocrity and get washed out? Is there a better way such as starting with a clean slate (i.e. another undergrad or master's degree)? Or is it better to just take the classes again? Any thoughts?

 

[7331poas]

I haven't taken the MCAT yet. Will take it later. I usually score well above average on tests though so I'm not so worried about that.

Sorry this just made me chuckle a little bit.

Everyone on this forum almost does well above average on tests. Your 3.2 GPA kind of speaks against your claim. Not to belittle your research at all.

 

[NonTrad16]

Would retaking the classes even matter? I thought that they don't replace the crappy scores from before. Wouldn't they just sort of average into the mediocrity and get washed out? Is there a better way such as starting with a clean slate (i.e. another undergrad or master's degree)? Or is it better to just take the classes again? Any thoughts?

DO programs allow grade replacement where the new grade replaces the old in the calculation, which can help significantly for Fs/Ds, etc (you can read about in the AACOMAS manual, DO sub forum, or the search function). MD admissions doesn't do this.

Texas has some clean slate (10 year + requirement). More realistically...

With where you're at, more classes would take awhile to get you into "safe" GPA range for MDs. You'd likely need a great MCAT and an SMP (which is a make or break degree for medical admissions). More classes could get you easily into the DO range; they include your graduate work so an excellent MS of any kind would help (somewhat), or just upper level bio/chem/etc paired with grade replacement could do it. I think there is a program or two that offers DO/PhD if you really insist on the additional years.

Honestly, I don't know what they would say looking at an applicant with a BS, more then one MS, and applying to med school... You look like you're just liking to get degrees...

 

[sidewinder4489]

One year later:

Thank you for your replies guys. It's a year later now and I've tried to follow your advice. I've given up my aspirations to do another degree and instead focused on pulling up GPA. I also plan on just applying directly to the program straight after I graduate. My average graduate GPA is now 3.4 (as opposed to 3.2 before). My Master's degree took a little longer than I thought it would, so I am still taking classes (but only have 2 left). I will hopefully have an MCAT score to post within the next 6-12 months.

Considering what I posted before and the new GPA I have now, would that make any difference? In other words, what do you think are my chances of getting into an MD/PhD program? Do I stand a chance?

Thank you for your time. I honestly read and try to implement every bit of advice you guys give me.

 

[sidewinder4489]

Another update:

I managed to get a retroactive withdrawal (for medical reasons) on a really bad semester that was pulling my GPA down. I didn't need any of the classes to graduate, anyway. My graduate GPA has jumped up to a 3.63 at my current college or a 3.7 overall (took classes at 2 different colleges).

tl;dr: graduate GPA is 3.7 instead of 3.2 now.

What are my chances of getting into an MD/PhD program?

Also, do medical schools look at your overall GPA (if you attended multiple colleges) or just the current college you are attending? For example, I had a 4.0 cumulative GPA in one college, but a 3.63 cumulative GPA in another. Would they average those GPAs?

 

[Yorick]

Another update:

I managed to get a retroactive withdrawal (for medical reasons) on a really bad semester that was pulling my GPA down. I didn't need any of the classes to graduate, anyway. My graduate GPA has jumped up to a 3.63 at my current college or a 3.7 overall (took classes at 2 different colleges).

tl;dr: graduate GPA is 3.7 instead of 3.2 now.

What are my chances of getting into an MD/PhD program?

Also, do medical schools look at your overall GPA (if you attended multiple colleges) or just the current college you are attending? For example, I had a 4.0 cumulative GPA in one college, but a 3.63 cumulative GPA in another. Would they average those GPAs?

Send a private message to @Fencer over in the physicians scientists forum or post there, he's probably the best person to talk to on SDN about MD/Phd chances.