Just for giggles.

[duncanfj]

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I've seen quite a few "what're my chances" posts, so I thought I'd do my own. Non-trad, grad from James Madison with a 3.4 and honors. Been working in research for the last 4+ years.

First job:
Worked on a project trying to develop a murine model of inflammatory myopathy (Academic lab). Second author on a review.

Second job:
Helped design polymer-bound enzymes to degrade nerve agents and pesticides (Industry).

Current job:
Transplant immunology lab at the Starzl Transplantation Institute. Some projects:
1. The isolation and characterization of dendritic cell (DC) populations in the rhesus monkey mobilized with fms-like tyrosine 3 kinase ligand (Flt3L). A paper generated by this work (?Dendritic cell subsets in blood and lymphoid tissue of rhesus monkeys and their mobilization with Flt3 ligand.?) has been accepted by the journal Blood.
2. The isolation and characterization of dendritic cells from Flt3L mobilized murine kidneys, and their ability to prolong fully-mismatched heart grafts.
Soon to be submitted to Transplantation.
3. The in vivo effect of cyclosporin and rapamycin on Flt3L mobilized murine renal dendritic cells.
4. The chemokine receptor and migration profile of renal and peripheral blood dendritic cells in the Flt3L mobilized mouse.
As these are soon to be submitted, they are the only ones I feel comfortable sharing. I'm also working on five other projects, including one of my own. Eight or nine abstracts.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot my stellar MCAT score: 28P.

Okay, hit me with your best shot. Wasting my time or do I have a shot?

 

[Neuronix]

It's always hard to say. In your case I feel that your stats are very low but your research is excellent. You could try, but I don't think it's going to happen for you.

The thing is though, is that you can fix those stats. Retake the MCAT with alot of prepartion and boost that score over a 34. Does your GPA have an upward trend or a good excuse with it? If not, try to take some high level science classes to boost your GPA and prove your ability to perform.

If you apply the way you are now, I think it's possible you could get into a MSTP. It's hard to say where. You always hear about the top schools overlooking numbers, but it's very rare when they do. It might also be possible that you'd be picked up by a non-funded MD/PhD, because the numbers for that are much lower, but I don't think that's something you would want.

Good luck!

Edit: Yes, Primate is right. I suggested the non-funded MD/PhD because in general the MD/PhD programs that don't provide funding for the MD or only limited funding are not very competitive. I've heard from students at these schools that those spots are even less competitive than medical school seats. This is partially about the money and partially that these schools are not major research institutions.

As for applying to medical school, I worry that your low numbers will get you cut based on numbers at everywhere that has a good MD/PhD program. Even at a 3.4/28, you are pretty low for an allopathic medical school.

 

[Primate]

You might also be able to get an MD/PhD that is funded by non-MSTP $ (not just an unfunded one). Some state schools have this type of program. I don't know your location, etc. so you'll have to do some checking.

The other option is to apply for the CD and if you don't get it, go to med school and apply for the combined degree from within. Typically, you'll have a much better shot from within and can at least get the last half of med school funded (better than none of it, for certain).

Give it a shot - you won't get what you don't ask for.

Best of luck,
P

 

[surge]

Yes, your numbers will make it difficult. While I'm sure that there might have been cases of people who got in with your stats, I feel an obligation to be realistic. It's hard to say.
You should definitely try retaking the MCAT. A score of 34< would change everything.

My other question, however, has to do with your research. From what you wrote, it is hard to believe that you are a driving creative force behind 7-8 projects. It sounds more like you are a tech doing some work on other people's projects. Be very, very careful about how you portray this in your application. It can have the opposite effect of what you intended. Make sure it does neither come off as padding, nor water down your own real project. You might want to rethink mentioning all these.
Then again, I truly don't know your situation, so I may be speaking out of ignorance.

Good luck either way.

 

[duncanfj]

The things that are said in ignrance....

I know you were only trying to be helpful surge, so I am giving you the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that techs only help other people and are incapable of performing their own cutting edge research without someone else telling them what to do.

I was and am a driving creative force on those projects. There were two of us performing the bulk of the work on those projects, a post-doc and myself. He's now back home on the other side of the world while I finish up the projects.

Thanks for the replies. I figured it would be an uphill battle, and if worse comes to worst, I'll apply again after my first or second year in med school. I'm a stubborn bastard.

 

[canadagirl]

Hey Duncanfj - if that's the case, then I would think that Surge's comment is all the more helpful! If he read it that way, then so might people on the adcoms. Now you know that it's an important thing to make clear on your applications! 🙂

 

[duncanfj]

You're right canadagirl, and I have worded it differently on my apps. I've also included the abstract and paper citations so that they could see for themselves that I wasn't claiming these as solely my projects. Guess I'm a little touchy due to some experiences I've had with MD/PhD students and their ideas of what and who a tech is. That and the fun of the application process.