MD-PhD chances for '18-'19 cycle

[computerwhiz1997]

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Hey yall. I'm a senior currently with sights set on applying to MD-PhD programs for the '18-'19 cycle and want to know if this will be a futile effort. I am specifically looking at MD-PhD programs that allow engineering PhDs.

Low-income, first-generation URM (Black female)
Top 10 undergrad
cGPA: 3.6, sGPA: 3.79; steep upward trend last two years
MCAT: 523
Mechanical engineering major (am interested in more bioeng. PhD)
Research: three summers and two academic years
Presented 4 posters, gave 4 presentations
4 strong LORs (2 PIs, 1 research advisor, 1 professor)
ECs: band, engineering club, hospice volunteering, community health educator, minority student advisory board member

I really want to do MD-PhD but am afraid my GPA is too low. Any and all advice appreciated.

 

[Fencer]

You are just fine... PM me.

 

[TurtleGnome]

You're going to do really well. Apply where you want to live, and enjoy the interview season 🙂

 

[shadow522]

You're going to do really well. Apply where you want to live, and enjoy the interview season 🙂

agreed. you will be totally fine as long as your social skills are up to par, your personal statement rings true (potentially with mention in one of the many essays you write about your growth from efforts to bring that gpa up and why it fell in the first place/how you learned from that experience), etc. URM status may help with anything you consider to be a weak link on your application.

 

[computerwhiz1997]

You're going to do really well. Apply where you want to live, and enjoy the interview season 🙂

I wish! I would really love to enroll in Harvard's HST program because of it's connection with MIT but I think that's setting my sights too high given my application.

agreed. you will be totally fine as long as your social skills are up to par, your personal statement rings true (potentially with mention in one of the many essays you write about your growth from efforts to bring that gpa up and why it fell in the first place/how you learned from that experience), etc. URM status may help with anything you consider to be a weak link on your application.

My GPA was crappy my first two years due to illness, so I don't think I should mention that. However, I will definitely write about how I learned from the experience of raising my GPA.

 

[TurtleGnome]

I wish! I would really love to enroll in Harvard's HST program because of it's connection with MIT but I think that's setting my sights too high given my application.


My GPA was crappy my first two years due to illness, so I don't think I should mention that. However, I will definitely write about how I learned from the experience of raising my GPA.

You may be surprised. If I were you, I’d definitely throw an app to HST, given your interest in it. Your MCAT certainly matches what Harvard looks for.

 

[Fencer]

10 dream, 5 match, 5 safety...
Triage interviews as they come.

 

[shadow522]

I wish! I would really love to enroll in Harvard's HST program because of it's connection with MIT but I think that's setting my sights too high given my application.


My GPA was crappy my first two years due to illness, so I don't think I should mention that. However, I will definitely write about how I learned from the experience of raising my GPA.

illness is a thing that happens. you will almost DEFINITELY get asked about your first 2 yrs' gpa during interviews even if you don't mention it in your essay. maturity to handle illness and any other obstacles that life throws at you is something that adcoms do care about. mstp is not an easy path and the sooner they believe you as the applicant understand that, the better. things don't get easier after you are accepted to mstp. the path is long and treacherous and just like the night (any GOT fans here?) it is sometimes dark and full of terrors. adcoms want and need students who are going to be able to work through that.

 

[computerwhiz1997]

illness is a thing that happens. you will almost DEFINITELY get asked about your first 2 yrs' gpa during interviews even if you don't mention it in your essay. maturity to handle illness and any other obstacles that life throws at you is something that adcoms do care about. mstp is not an easy path and the sooner they believe you as the applicant understand that, the better. things don't get easier after you are accepted to mstp. the path is long and treacherous and just like the night (any GOT fans here?) it is sometimes dark and full of terrors. adcoms want and need students who are going to be able to work through that.

I completely agree with you. I'll most likely discuss this further with my PI, who luckily happens to be one of the MSTP admins for our program. I definitely want to show that I've grown a lot from this all though.