MD/PhD Community... I need your help

[Irvin]

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Here is the background:

I graduate UCI as Bio major with a 3.45 and have 29S on the MCAT (11, 9, 9)

I worked in a lab for 3 years as an undergrad and got two low tier publications. I have numerous posters and abstracts as well. I have recieved grants, fellowships, and awards for my research.

This year I am working in a different but related lab and I am hoping to get two higher tier publications.

Also, editor-in-chief of UCI Science paper, tons of clinical experience, and lots of campus involvement.

Here is the question:
I am applying this upcoming june and I am debating about retaking the MCAT. I am having an internal debate that won't let me be... and I am a pretty care free individual.

Realistically I have the time to study if I work really hard. However, I do not know how much of an improvement of 1 or 2 points will make. I would rather focus on my research and other such E.C activities now that I am out of school.

Is there a point to retake the exam if I will do marginally better? Or are my stats enough to grant an interview where I can sell myself as a scientist.

Also, I am starting a PhD Program at UCI and doing my secondaries while enrolled. I hope to transfer to the UCI MSTP or leave my PhD to pursue a different MSTP program.

Your advice is greatly appreciated. Please don't hesitate to ask for clarifications or call me a little complaining girl 😛

Be well.

 

[durfen]

Here is the background:

I graduate UCI as Bio major with a 3.45 and have 29S on the MCAT (11, 9, 9)


Be well.

My advice is to dump the non-research related E.C. activities. MSTPs as far as I know don't care if you are a member of a sports team. They do care about research, so see if you can get those pubs out.
Study for the MCAT a lot and retake it. Fact is, you need a 33-35 at a *minimum* to get into a reputable MSTP program, whatever your ECs. In any case, a score <30 is a big red flag. You seem to be good on the verbal, work on science.

 

[Circumflex]

I agree with Durfen on MCAT and research. I would also add to check out the matriculation policy at the medical schools that you are applying to. I know that some will not accept you if you are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program.

If you want to go to medical school, I would not start a PhD program. You are a good candidate. If you want to do the MSTP, work for a year in a lab that you would like to work in during the MSTP. It could make your PhD portion easier if you already have a solid project off the ground.

Plus, yo uwon't have people on the admissions committee questioning your intentions.

 

[Neuronix]

Here is the question:
I am applying this upcoming june and I am debating about retaking the MCAT. I am having an internal debate that won't let me be... and I am a pretty care free individual.

If you want to go to medical school or MD/PhD, I think you should study hard for the MCAT and retake. Why do you think you didn't do well the first time? It's likely because you didn't prepare enough, but let me know if there's other reasons.

However, I do not know how much of an improvement of 1 or 2 points will make. I would rather focus on my research and other such E.C activities now that I am out of school.

1 or 2 points won't make a whole lot of difference. 5 will. You should be shooting for mid-30s. Your ECs are stellar as they are. What more can you expect to contribute to that part of your app? Another publication or activity probably will go practically unnoticed among your many achievements. Improving your stats is going to help you alot more at this point because that's what is hurting your app. You might have a chance if you applied now, but it would be a risky app season for you.

Is there a point to retake the exam if I will do marginally better? Or are my stats enough to grant an interview where I can sell myself as a scientist.

For MD/PhD the question is if you have high stats to get the interview. Your GPA and MCAT both are pretty low. Sometimes a GPA gets forgiven with a high MCAT. Sometimes a low MCAT gets forgiven with a high GPA. Unfortunately, both your GPA and MCAT are below the averages for most (all?) MD/PhD programs and this will hurt your app significantly.

Also, I am starting a PhD Program at UCI and doing my secondaries while enrolled. I hope to transfer to the UCI MSTP or leave my PhD to pursue a different MSTP program.

This sounds like a really bad idea. Have you talked to the UCI MSTP director about this yet? Once you are enrolled in a PhD program it's really hard to get out of it. I've seen people with really good applications try to do what you're proposing and fail. MSTPs don't want to pull students out of programs they're already in for various reasons. Sometimes internal transfers work, but this is very rare and usually for someone who would have gotten in had they applied anyways. You need to really step back and make sure you're making the right decision. Not only is it very hard to transfer out once you start, but if you drop the PhD program it will be a huge red mark on all your future applications. No matter how you slice it, the red flags are going up in my mind.

 

[USCstarlett]

I'm thinking of applying to MSTP program next year. But, my GPA stats are not where I would like them to be for the program, so I've discussed alternative ways of getting a MD/PhD with a faculty mentor of mine extensively- and actually it might be better for you to try admission into a less competitive MD, and ask for a leave of absence after your first two years/transfer into the med schools MD/PhD program. If your academic performance during those two years has been good, the dean of your medical school will not likely have a problem with giving you time off for your PhD. Another option would be entering a research felloship after you completely finish your MD.

Not to deter conversation from the main thread, but I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find resources about MSTP programs, typical acceptance/matriculant statistical values etc.? I think that kind of data would be very useful to me and to the person above concerned about their MCAT/GPA.

 

[Circumflex]

Not to deter conversation from the main thread, but I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find resources about MSTP programs, typical acceptance/matriculant statistical values etc.? I think that kind of data would be very useful to me and to the person above concerned about their MCAT/GPA.

Here is the link to the NIH website with all the stats and info

http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/Mechanisms/NRSA/InstPredoc/PredocOverview-MSTP.htm

 

[USCstarlett]

Thank you. 🙂

 

[cadilakgrl]

MCAT is important, but it is not everything. That being said I had a 31 and got into UCSF and several other great programs. You could check out MD apps for the stats of people who were accepted to various schools last year http://www.mdapplicants.com/ and get a rough idea of the self-reported ranges.

Also I would highly suggest against entering a PhD program and transferring. I don't know this for a fact, but I have heard that it is highly looked down upon for quitting a PhD program so early. It would be better if you got into an MD program then transfered to MD/PhD after your second year. This happens with about 2 students every year at my school. I have also heard directly from our program director that they do not consider any applications from current PhD students.