Help please

[Mazework]

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I would like to apply to MD/Phd programs this cycle. I have a GPA of 3.7. Will be graduating with a double degree in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry. I took the August 2005 MCAT and scored 34. I have worked continously in a labaratory for the last three years including the summer of 2005. My EC's include volunteering at a hospital, am program director for a volunteer program on campus.

I have no papers to my name. Am I a good candidate for the MD/Phd program? I am paralyzed with fear that I will be rejected everywhere.

Also, is it true that I should apply only to MD programs or only MD/Phd programs. I ready somewhere on SDN that schools tend to reject candidates that have applied to both MD and MD/Phd programs.

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Neuronix]

Am I a good candidate for the MD/Phd program?

In general your app sounds pretty good to me. Most people starting in MD/PhD programs don't have publications. You may not get a top-5, but top-20 should be in your reach assuming everything else about you is ok.

Also, is it true that I should apply only to MD programs or only MD/Phd programs. I ready somewhere on SDN that schools tend to reject candidates that have applied to both MD and MD/Phd programs.

I would recommend picking one and staying to it, yes. It is true that MD programs tend to reject MD/PhD applicants because the MD/PhDs end up at MD/PhD programs while the MD/PhD program will question your commitment if they know you applied somewhere MD only. I wouldn't look at the MD side as being "easier" to get into in your case since you have a decent amount of research and good numbers. If that's your only concern, that you have a better chance at MD, you should apply MD/PhD IMO.

 

[Hard24Get]

Publications are not necessarily an issue, as some labs do not give credit in this way. The most important thing will be a letter from your research advisor saying that you had a significant research experience (not just tech work) and have great potential in research.

You can apply to both MD and joint programs if the honest reason is because you are into sure you will get in and may have to apply during med school (you can explain this if they ask). If it it because you're not sure, re-evaluate - joint programs are a lot of work and dropping out of them is generally not viewed favorably.

I would like to apply to MD/Phd programs this cycle. I have a GPA of 3.7. Will be graduating with a double degree in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry. I took the August 2005 MCAT and scored 34. I have worked continously in a labaratory for the last three years including the summer of 2005. My EC's include volunteering at a hospital, am program director for a volunteer program on campus.

I have no papers to my name. Am I a good candidate for the MD/Phd program? I am paralyzed with fear that I will be rejected everywhere.

Also, is it true that I should apply only to MD programs or only MD/Phd programs. I ready somewhere on SDN that schools tend to reject candidates that have applied to both MD and MD/Phd programs.

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Hard24Get]

Hey Neuronix, was not trying to gainsay/ignore you, we just both started responding at the same time. 🙂 Penn folks sure are helpful...

In general your app sounds pretty good to me. Most people starting in MD/PhD programs don't have publications. You may not get a top-5, but top-20 should be in your reach assuming everything else about you is ok.



I would recommend picking one and staying to it, yes. It is true that MD programs tend to reject MD/PhD applicants because the MD/PhDs end up at MD/PhD programs while the MD/PhD program will question your commitment if they know you applied somewhere MD only. I wouldn't look at the MD side as being "easier" to get into in your case since you have a decent amount of research and good numbers. If that's your only concern, that you have a better chance at MD, you should apply MD/PhD IMO.

 

[Hastiness]

Just to build on what's been said. You sound like a fine candidate. 34 and 3.7 is great, but you absolutely have to have strong letters of recommendation from scientists who you have worked for. As long as the letters are good, you will probably have some great choices.

I was 33 and 3.7, but I had a good first author pub, and a few co-author papers, so I didn't apply to any MD-only. I was also two years out of school, and had been doing full-time research. I thought my chances were good for a dual degree, so I put all my chips on that path. And, I don't think I was a particularly good MD-only candidate. Research was my thing.

If you really want the dual degree, and you think your research experience is strong enough and backed up by letters, I'd just go for MD/PhD apps. If that's not the case, then I would think about doing a year or two of research. I think the biggest MD/PhD acceptance factor is a demonstration of commitment to research. If you don't know, don't hesitate to email MD/PhD program directors. Sometimes they'll ignore, but often they will give really good feedback.

I would like to apply to MD/Phd programs this cycle. I have a GPA of 3.7. Will be graduating with a double degree in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry. I took the August 2005 MCAT and scored 34. I have worked continously in a labaratory for the last three years including the summer of 2005. My EC's include volunteering at a hospital, am program director for a volunteer program on campus.

I have no papers to my name. Am I a good candidate for the MD/Phd program? I am paralyzed with fear that I will be rejected everywhere.

Also, is it true that I should apply only to MD programs or only MD/Phd programs. I ready somewhere on SDN that schools tend to reject candidates that have applied to both MD and MD/Phd programs.

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Mazework]

Publications are not necessarily an issue, as some labs do not give credit in this way. The most important thing will be a letter from your research advisor saying that you had a significant research experience (not just tech work) and have great potential in research.

You can apply to both MD and joint programs if the honest reason is because you are into sure you will get in and may have to apply during med school (you can explain this if they ask). If it it because you're not sure, re-evaluate - joint programs are a lot of work and dropping out of them is generally not viewed favorably.

I wanted to thank all of you for the prompt responses. I think the applying part is harder than the MCAT exams. It is now real.

 

[dsq]

I applied MD and MD/PhD last year with very similar stats (3.8/34/2.5 yrs research/no publications). In retrospect, I should have focused 100% on the MDPhD route, since that I really what I wanted to do. I don't think that applying to both hurts you too much, but picking either MD or MDPhD will allow your application to be more focused. If you have good letters from you PIs and you enthusiasm for research shows in your application, then you should be fine.

 

[Neuronix]

Hey Neuronix, was not trying to gainsay/ignore you, we just both started responding at the same time. 🙂 Penn folks sure are helpful...

No apologies necessary! To have two people saying pretty much the same thing only makes the good advice stronger...

 

[thos]

To echo an echo, your app sounds great. No worries about pubs, but they don't hurt. My application was in line with yours (minus the clinical experiences), and I was coming from a small Bio department with few good research opportunities. However, I made the most of these limited opportunities, and my eventual PD seemed to appreciate that. Strong letters and a good understanding of your role in your research project(s) are a must.

MD/PhD or MD only, that's tough. The rule is supposed to be if an MD/PhD program isn't interested then you go into the straight MD pool. Does it really work that way, I don't know. But here's what I want to impress upon you most: do your homework when picking programs. Although I was a good candidate, I wasn't a knock-your-socks-off type. I applied to 7 total MD/PhD programs, most of them top tier. Fortunately, I included a couple of strong mid tier programs and my state school (no MD/PhD that year). I interviewed at the two mid tiers and my state school. I was accepted to one mid tier and my state school. I have absolutely loved where I ended up, but I can also see that I was pretty lucky to have included it on my list. Give yourself a good range of choices. Sure, have some "reach" schools, but also find out where your scores stand relative to a program's average. Find some of the "hidden gems," that is programs that will give you great opportunities but that aren't the big names to which everyone will apply. Finally, don't discount state schools. Best of luck.

 

[QofQuimica]

I wanted to thank all of you for the prompt responses. I think the applying part is harder than the MCAT exams. It is now real.

Applying to med school is MUCH harder, and more painful, I might add, than taking the MCAT. You've already gotten a bunch of good advice, but I just wanted to add that you can try applying to some five-year MD/MS programs as well. A few that I found out about while applying this year were Harvard's HST program, Case Western's Cleveland Clinic Lerner program, and U Pitt's Clinical Scientist and Basic Scientist Training Programs. All are programs that are oriented toward research and might be of interest to someone who wants to go into medical research. Many other schools have five-year options or tracks for people who want to do research; Baylor is one. And then Duke is a four-year program where the second year is a research year. (They have a longer M1 and finish most of the basic science coursework in that first year.) These are just the ones that I can think of off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are many more. Best of luck w/ your apps. 🙂

 

[PostalWookie]

I applied MD (7 schools) and MD/PhD (4 schools). I was pretty indecisive, but my first MD/PhD interview convinced me that it was the right program for me. It didn't hurt me for either side, but in retrospect, I wish I had committed earlier to the MD/PhD side and applied to more programs. It would have been a better application cycle. Schools don't like it when you apply to both types of programs, but nobody asked me, so I didn't say anything.

Your stats sound fine, and as long as your research was good, you'll probably get a slot somewhere. I'd say to apply for MD/PhD only, but make sure to choose a good range of schools.

 

[Thundrstorm]

If you decide on MD/PhD (and your app sounds competitive to me), I would stick with all MD/PhD applications. I am very glad I did that, especially b/c you may really like a school after interviewing there for MD-only, and wish you had applied for their joint degree program.