Grades in MSTP Admissions

[durfen]

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How do MD/PhD candidates do in terms of grades compared to normal track medical students?

I think MD/PhD candidates tend to have different backgrounds with more emphasis on research. It seems to me that MD/PhDs are more likely not have taken anatomy in the past than other pre-meds. Some MD/PhDs even scorn other pre-meds at their undergrad and try to distance themselves from the 'pre-meds'.

So are MD/PhDs going to be the group that scores at the top of the curve, in the middle, or at the bottom? Do MD/PhDs tend to have trouble or do better in some classes when compared to the rest of the medical school class?

And finally, do grades matter for MD/PhDs?

No not really, grades don't matter, but anything about 3.5 is fine. For MD grades matter a lot more.

 

[franniemeow07]

No not really, grades don't matter, but anything about 3.5 is fine. For MD grades matter a lot more.

So that means that admission into a MD/PhD program is possible with a 3.5. But what about getting interviews at the top programs (i.e. UCSF/UCSD/Penn/Tri-I)? I've been browsing around mdapplicants.com, and honestly I have found extremely few people who've gotten interviews at those programs with less than 3.7. I'm aware that people on mdapplicants are a self-selecting population, but realistically, I am personally really going to be able to make the cut with a GPA 3.59?

 

[durfen]

So that means that admission into a MD/PhD program is possible with a 3.5. But what about getting interviews at the top programs (i.e. UCSF/UCSD/Penn/Tri-I)? I've been browsing around mdapplicants.com, and honestly I have found extremely few people who've gotten interviews at those programs with less than 3.7. I'm aware that people on mdapplicants are a self-selecting population, but realistically, I am personally really going to be able to make the cut with a GPA 3.59?

I have a 3.6 with one acceptance (not at a top school though). Interviews at 3 top 20 and 2 top 50 programs, so far very positive, crossing fingers for acceptances at these and more interviews at other programs.

So yes. You can.

 

[franniemeow07]

I have a 3.6 with one acceptance (not at a top school though). Interviews at 3 top 20 and 2 top 50 programs, so far very positive, crossing fingers for acceptances at these and more interviews at other programs.

So yes. You can.

What was your MCAT range, if you don't mind me asking??

Thanks!

p.s. you don't have to answer if you don't want to.

 

[Mr. Tee]

So that means that admission into a MD/PhD program is possible with a 3.5. But what about getting interviews at the top programs (i.e. UCSF/UCSD/Penn/Tri-I)? I've been browsing around mdapplicants.com, and honestly I have found extremely few people who've gotten interviews at those programs with less than 3.7. I'm aware that people on mdapplicants are a self-selecting population, but realistically, I am personally really going to be able to make the cut with a GPA 3.59?

I've seen a 3.4 with mid-30s MCAT get into programs like Tri-I and WashU, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Neuronix]

For the record, I split this thread out of an existing thread. This wasn't just a thread that morphed into something else, but rather there were two different discussions going on simultaneously.

 

[durfen]

What was your MCAT range, if you don't mind me asking??

Thanks!

p.s. you don't have to answer if you don't want to.

>36.

 

[victory2008]

What about research? I don't have any publications, but several first author posters and presentations at large conferences. I have been doing research since my freshman year and have participated in a number of programs (including, among others, a year-long IU School of Med research internship and in the NYU MSTP undergrad summer research program this summer). I can discuss my research at a high level, so is it really necessary to get published?

Thanks

 

[Neuronix]

I can discuss my research at a high level, so is it really necessary to get published?

No.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=539268

 

[aquamonkey]

I've seen a 3.4 with mid-30s MCAT get into programs like Tri-I and WashU, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I know one person that got into a couple of those places with like 3.4 and 32 MCAT, but he is a superstar at research (ie. first author Science paper ; took 3 years off after college and did enough research that that he could probably earn a PhD already).... So many people I've met do like 2 years of research and get into places like Tri-I and WashU simply because their GPA is 3.8 and MCAT is 37. I went to a top 5 college, had publications and had about a 3.5 gpa with mid-30s MCAT, but only got one interview at a top school (washU/Tri-I/penn type). The schools I got interviews for were the Case/Pitt/UTSW/Emory types which are of course a tier below those. So my point is, don't expect to get into a top tier MSTP with a 3.59 GPA (and especially if its paired with something like a low 30's MCAT) but know that its still possible.

 

[tortuga87]

Grades kinda matter a lot... I have not met many people who had a GPA <3.7 at the MSTPs. I did meet one person with a 3.4 on the interview trail, but he had a Cell paper. I think the guys who have <3.5 have generally done something else amazing. After going through the admissions process, I have begun to think that the school GPA/MCAT averages on the websites are slightly higher for the average applicant. Then you have the few ppl who have done something else amazing (most likely in research), who bring it down slightly. Not sure if this last part is true though...

 

[rgejman]

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[aquamonkey]

well whaddayaknow, you have worked on research projects since your ?freshman? year of high school! I would say that is quite special given that many high schoolers just smoke pot all day. I'm not sure how "good" your research is (apart from the time spent) but if you developed one of the first programs for genome wide SNP analysis while a high schooler, you presumably have good research skills by now..

 

[tortuga87]

...

 

[soundnin]

Well, I wouldn't despair. My GPA was 3.53 (MCAT 36) and I got interviews at almost all of the top programs (I will matriculate at Tri-I come July). My CV isn't that special (no publications), but I do have a significant amount of research experience (6-7+ years). You can see my CV here. I suspect I am not the typical applicant due to my lower scores, but a low score is not insurmountable.

3.53/36 isn't even low... lol. i'm pushing the limits this coming cycle with a 3.4ish/33, and seeing how much my research can compensate. i'll keep the boards posted.