"Is this a good idea"/"what are my chances"/"advice?"

[OwnageMobile]

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I'm hoping the Speculation Doctor Network can help me out here...

The Situation:

I've been doing research full-time for about 1.5 years. It's not lab work; it's image processing with optical coherence tomography (OCT). My degree was in mechanical engineering and I do a lot of programming for this research. I really enjoy it. I applied MD and was accepted this year and given a small scholarship. I returned to my research and realized it was my cup of tea when I started writing my papers. I now want to reapply as MSTP, to programs sympathetic to my more BME imaging tastes. I have no lab research experience, it's all engineering (two smaller sessions of BME research, nothing hardcore). I'm writing two first author papers (about the program I wrote and the parameter I designed) that I believe have a decent chance in being accepted by a decent ophthalmology journal (IOVS will be the first try... The work I did is not shabby; I(we) was offered $$ and help to patent it for use in a commercial device). The papers should be submitted before July. I don't think I'd be happy without the patient contact or would be able to truly do the research I desire without the ability to "speak both languages" of the scientists and clinicians. I like teaching. I would be miserable in a job that didn't let be use my creativity and problem solving skillz.

9v (dyslexia) 15ps (engineering+dyslexia) 13bs P
3.7-ish gpa.
ECs are unique and cover the bases. LORs didn't keep me out in the first attempt.


The Questions:

If I'm not all about smashing cells and running gels is there a point to applying to top-notch programs? MSTP?

If I look into more BME-oriented MSTPs, does a guy like me stand a chance?(answers like "36.34%" get me laughing every time I see one, but make sure you cite your sources/reasons/methodology 🙂 )

Has anyone applied with similar experience? Please elaborate!

Do I need to take the GRE for any programs?

Any suggestions for good Imaging/BME MSTPs?

Should I contact the scientists whom with I'd like to study under/work? If yes, at what point in the application process?


The Caveats:

First off, I don't think the "it's taboo to reapply after being accepted" line applies too well here. I can defer from my current acceptance and apply again (I looked into this one). Another poster here has had a very similar experience and had a happy happy outcome. Furthermore, it's going from MD to MSTP, which is a bit different from MD to MD. I applied super-late during the first round--something I will definitely avoid this time.

My current acceptance's program is not a possibility. Many reasons for this one.

I'm not locked onto doing imaging, I find all sorts of stuff interesting, but mechanical/visual things are my friends.

I've got to make my mind up, pronto. Like, within the week. Warp-9 speculation, people.

Thanks,

OM

 

[Hard24Get]

I'm hoping the Speculation Doctor Network can help me out here...
If I'm not all about smashing cells and running gels is there a point to applying to top-notch programs? MSTP?

Sure, there are a lot of great programs with imaging MD-PhD types. BME needs physician-scientists, too

If I look into more BME-oriented MSTPs, does a guy like me stand a chance?(answers like "36.34%" get me laughing every time I see one, but make sure you cite your sources/reasons/methodology 🙂 )

Sure - I doubt your PhD choice will much effect your chances for acceptance if you can back it up, which you can.

Has anyone applied with similar experience? Please elaborate!

Sorry, I'm not personally into BME

Do I need to take the GRE for any programs?

Most MD-PhD programs do not require GRE, but a great score can impress if you want to shine them on

Any suggestions for good Imaging/BME MSTPs?

Several of my classmates at UPenn have done imaging, other programs I have heard of include UPitt and UWash. Almost any school with both BME and a MD-PhD program will let you do this.

Should I contact the scientists whom with I'd like to study under/work? If yes, at what point in the application process?

When you interview, you will be asked about research interests and can request people at that time. Grad school is too far removed (2yrs) to be thinking about who you will work with specifically, just make sure there are plenty of possibilities.

Though many imaging MSTP folks do radiology, since you like patients maybe rad-onc would be a nice choice

 

[OwnageMobile]

Thanks, H. Anyone else?

 

[Ersatzious]

Any suggestions for good Imaging/BME MSTPs?

Mayo's MSTP has a great BME track with heavy emphasis on imaging.

 

[JustAdocInBox]

Emory and Georgia Tech have a great BME program.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

"research full-time for about 1.5 years...image processing with optical coherence tomography (OCT)..."

In regards to your research, I think you have plently of research experience to apply to an MSTP; furthermore, I think you may be competitive especially considering you will have 2 publications, esp. first author, out of the deal. Also, you need to be able to highlight your individual contributions, demonstration your creativity and problem solving skills, and your ability to work and think independently about research. I don't think you will have any problem with this considering your background. Nevertheless, in order for this to benefit you in the process, you must be able to explain this in manner that most non-engineering scientists will be able understand, because this will be your audience for a majority of your application. When you are interviewing with BMEs and what not, sure you can talk shop, but be sure you can "dumb" it down without going too far.


"my degree was in mechanical engineering"

I know several individuals in my med school class who were/are (depending on how you look it) engineers or have engineering degrees. And in my MSTP class of 8, I think we have one with a degree in BME and plans on doing BME for his PhD here. I certainly remember running into many BMEs and the like on the interview trail, vast majority with interests in imaging.

"I applied MD and was accepted this year and given a small scholarship."

Obviously you can hack it when comes to the med stuff. So no worries there. I don't how competitive the school was, but whatever.

"I returned to my research and realized it was my cup of tea when I started writing my papers...earch, nothing hardcore)... I don't think I'd be happy without the patient contact or would be able to truly do the research I desire without the ability to "speak both languages" of the scientists and clinicians. I like teaching. I would be miserable in a job that didn't let be use my creativity and problem solving skillz."

All you have do to is be able to explain this in detail to any one that questions you on "why md/phd?", because everyone you encounter will ask you this. As an engineer, you may get a few stright MDs or PhDs be confused why an engineer wants to go this route, but by and large you should be just fine. Most should welcome it, especially you can answer ther "concerns" well.

"9v (dyslexia) 15ps (engineering+dyslexia) 13bs P
3.7-ish gpa.
ECs are unique and cover the bases. LORs didn't keep me out in the first attempt."

None of that should hold you back.


The Questions:

"If I'm not all about smashing cells and running gels is there a point to applying to top-notch programs? MSTP?"

Are you suggesting you want to want to reapply to top-tier MD only programs? I am slightly confused. Oh wait maybe you mean top notch MD-PhD programs, or MSTP?

As I say to anyone considering applying MD/PhD/MSTP, you must apply to ~15 programs and have a vast degree of variation for competitiveness of the program. So some top tier and some low tier. This app. process is a crap shoot, no guarentees. Play it safe. Based on my experience, I think you will do well, as least based on what you have presented to us on this forum.


"If I look into more BME-oriented MSTPs, does a guy like me stand a chance?(answers like "36.34%" get me laughing every time I see one, but make sure you cite your sources/reasons/methodology 🙂 )"

Yes....80.19% (Just kidding, I certainly can't estimate), but I do think you will do well and will most likely land a program. Soures...umm...I just finished my first year as a MSTP student...so I am not particularily advanced source. Take it for what you will.

"Do I need to take the GRE for any programs?"

Personally, I wouldn't bother, especially at this point.

"Any suggestions for good Imaging/BME MSTPs?"

I am not a BME guy so I don't know. I recall hearing about a lot imagine going on Mayo. I know that Iowa has decent amount of imaging research going on. I know we have BME program, and fairly sure its grants PhDs. I have several friends (MDs) who done research on imagine here, so I know it goes on. In terms of quality, I have nothing to base it on.

"Should I contact the scientists whom with I'd like to study under/work? If yes, at what point in the application process?"

No it is not neccessary to do at this point.

Good luck. Feel free to PM me with futher questions.

 

[StereoSanctity]

Look in to Wash U - I'm an undergrad BME there (my research is in OCT/imaging too). Specifically, look at Dr. Efimov (OCT of the Heart), Dr. Wang (UMOT, PAT, lots of other modalities); WU has a new Imaging Sciences Pathway, and I've been very happy with their BME Program itself.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about Wash U, I'd be happy to (try to) answer them.

As far as other schools go, I'm applying this year too - UCSD, UIUC, Emory/GATech, U Mich, U Penn... those are the places that come to mind for good BME and MD/PhD.

Goodluck!

 

[OwnageMobile]

Thanks a lot guys.

...

My lab is relatively small. I have a solid letter from my PI but don't really have access to any other letters in my lab. Do programs often require more than 1 research letter? My other two are from a physician and an engineering prof. Some say they had programs ask for LORs from each research experience. Any other experience with this?

 

[ClarinetGeek]

I only had one research letter since I had only worked in one lab for 3 years during ugrad. I didn't have any problems. (Well at least none that I was aware of.)

 

[mark-ER]

You can apply from within the MD program into MSTP, and you should have a very good chance to get in, especially if you'll get published. The big thing you'd have to consider is what you're gonna do in the year off and whether you'll hang on to your MD acceptance (you really CAN'T honestly do that if you're going to re-apply for MD/PhD). If you're applying from within, you're basically 'saving' yourself a year and not giving up that much in terms of $$. Think about it, especially if your acceptances are from good schools.

 

[OwnageMobile]

Thanks Mark, but as in the op, I believe it can be done (I e-mailed and asked) and my current acceptance's MD/PhD program will not suffice for several reasons.