Is MD-PhD over for me?

[binderpaper]

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After a lot of trying to convince myself to go just PhD, I’ve realized MD-PhD is really want I want in this life!! So I want to improve my application in every way that I can in the next year and give it my best shot. I’ll be a bit of a non-traditional applicant with a low GPA and would appreciate any advice on applying and making a realistic school list (and also honesty on whether I even have a shot)

Stats:

uGPA: 3.1

SMP GPA: 3.6

DIY post-bacc (20 units): 4.0

MCAT: 520



Other:

ORM, CA resident, around 500 clinical volunteering hours plus shadowing and plenty of non clinical volunteering

Research: All my research has been bench/basic science and I’ve been working full time in research post-grad, so will be 8000+ hours by the time of application, several small posters, likely 1-2 mid author publications in CNS-level journals. (Area of research interest is genetics/gene editing)

Undergrad research at Berkeley (2.5 years, letter from junior faculty with famous pedigree), full time research at biotech startup (2 years, letter from MD-PhD co-founder), and full time research at MIT (letter from big-name PI, but more basic/fundamental science)

All 3 letter writers are very well known in the field/commonly found at the same conferences/run in similar circles

Tldr; I have the academic clout/pedigree and hours but my GPA is holding my back 🤷🏼‍♀️

 

[dl2dp2]

I don't think so.

I think your numbers/credentials are completely fine actually. Go ahead and apply very broadly. Maybe 50+ schools.

You should have already submitted all your applications. If not 6/30 at the very latest.