MD/PhD Chances, 3.6 GPA, Extensive Research

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Medical Swimmer

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Hello! I'm interested in applying to MD/PhD programs. I have extensive research experience, but I am concerned my GPA makes it challenging. Assuming I do relatively well on my MCAT given that I have been scoring 517-520 on practice tests, what else can I do to boost my chances? I feel like i'm just lacking clinical exp, does my MS GPA help in admission?

B.S. Biological Science (CA State school)
M.S. Computer Science (Top 10) exp. grad 2022 / I want to do comp bio research

Undergrad GPA: 3.6
MCAT - yet to take

Research Exp.
  • University Research / 4 years (~30 hours a week)
    • Bioengineering, microfluidics, 3D printing, virology
    • Pioneered school-wide COVID-19 testing center with research prof., and lead team of >10 students
    • 3 publications in mid-term journals 1 first author.
    • Over 13 poster and oral presentations at National/state/local conferences
  • Summer Research Fellowship at Top 5 medical school (~40 hrs/week for 10 weeks)
    • Neurodegeneration and immunotherapy
    • Award for poster
    • Possible authorship in a high profile Alzheimer's paper
  • Funding and Grants
    • Received 8 university and small national grants totaling ~$30,000
    • All independently drafted and finalized, no this is not a joke I gained excessive exp in writing proposals
Awards:
  • Prestigious university wide award for future success in science
  • Poster honorable mention at summer fellowship
  • Published non-science article for summer research on COVID-19
Clinical / Volunteering
  • Shadowing (~90 hours) Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology
  • Hospital ER Volunteer (~50 hours)
  • Quarterly medical missions to Mexico, been on 5 trips
    • (48 hours each trip, 250 hours total)
    • Work in pharmacy, lab, and take simple vitals
    • Can this be counted as clinical since I directly work with patients
Work Exp.
  • Study Session Leader - extensive tutoring for 1st, 2nd year students In STEM classes.
Misc.
  • Former Division I swimmer (been swimming for 14 years)


Anything helps! Thank you!

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