MD/PhD Chances Thread

[ADW1994]

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Long time lurker first time poster. I just wanted some input on schools that you believe I'd be a good match for this cycle as an MD/PhD hopeful with a hope for my PhD in Neuroscience (Neuroinflammation and its contribution to disease states especially).

GPA: 3.93 (Double Honors Major in Neurobiology & Spanish with Minors in European Studies & Global Health at Big10 School)
MCAT: 35 (PS: 11, V: 10, BS: 14)
Extracurriculars: Hospital Volunteering, Biology Peer Mentoring, Science Outeach at Schools/Hospital, Mentor to Students from Abroad, AMSA member, New Editor at Undergraduate Research Journal, Study Abroad Internship at Hospital in Spain
Research: Just received Grant for research in lab that I've been in since sophomore year to fund Senior Honors Thesis, publication submitted, presented 2 posters, Adding another lab through stem cell fellowship, participated in prestigious honors biology curriculum.

Therefore, how many programs should I apply to? Am I competitive for top programs/GPP program? Lastly, what schools do you recommend for my research interests?

I'd especially love to hear from @Neuronix and @Fencer if possible.

I did read other threads, however I was just hoping for a more personalized response.

 

[Neuronix]

Did you read the sticky?

 

[ADW1994]

I did...I was just hoping for a more individualized response as well as some insight into program choices (how many? which ones?) that fit my field of interest keeping in mind my statistics.

 

[Nanorust]

I'm applying this year, too, so grain of salt etc.
Of the people I know and have seen who have applied with numbers and experience like yours, most applied broadly and have had at least one acceptance from an MD/PhD of some kind. Some had only one or two acceptances from safeties and state schools. Others had multiple acceptances from MTPS and a few from top tier schools.
For example, check out Wash U's statistics page:
http://mstp.wustl.edu/admissions/Pages/Statistics.aspx
They are easily a top tier school (with a strong neuroscience focus) and they interview MCAT 35-40 and GPA 3.6-4.0 pretty evenly as a percentage of applicants.
Like Neuronix likes to point out, you've got the basic numbers, so it's hard to guess which schools are best without seeing your essays and interview skills. Those will be the swing factor for all of us, so I say apply broadly. Here are the numbers suggested to me: safety (3-4, think your state schools and non-MSTPs), match (5-10, most public and mid-level private MSTPs), and reach (~10, big name, mostly private schools; the ones that make you nervous) [credit Fencer and others], and that seems a good way to go.
I hope to see you around when interview season comes!

 

[ADW1994]

Thanks @Nanorust for the detailed response! Hope to see you on the interview trail as well!

 

[Neuronix]

I asked about the sticky because it's not clear to me how many years of research you will have by the time you plan to apply. I could maybe infer it from what you posted, but I'd rather you just tell me directly.

 

[ADW1994]

My apologies for the ambiguity. I will have conducted research in my main lab for 2 years by the time I apply this June. This summer will then entail conducting research in 2 labs which I plan to continue through my Senior year. However, I do regret not beginning research my Freshman year. I just didn't realize it was my passion until I started the Advanced Biology Curriculum in which we design and conduct our own independent experiments running the gamut from ecology to genetics to cellular/molecular biology to animal/plant physiology.

 

[Neuronix]

Therefore, how many programs should I apply to? Am I competitive for top programs/GPP program? Lastly, what schools do you recommend for my research interests?

I generally recommend around 15 (+/- 5) programs, with a range of program competitiveness (combination of location and USNews research ranking). Yes you are competitive for top programs, though MCAT and research aren't great so you may not get top-tier. Probably any MSTP will have good neuro labs for you.

 

[Fencer]

I will PM you later tonight but the answer by Nanorust and the sticky thread by Neuronix are on target. As a Neurologist, I suggest to focus on the Immunology component during PhD and bring that basic skill-set into Neurology. The combination is not unique but there are less than 200 active clinician-scientist in that area. Keep in mind that we have about 15,000 neurologists in the US, and only about 1000 are active clinician scientists (broadly defined).

 

[ADW1994]

Thank you both! That's very helpful!