MD/PhD or not a chance?

[quail man]

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Hey guys,
I have just finished my junior year in college, and I'm thinking about applying to md/phd programs. I looked around on the forum to get an idea of what kind of schools to apply to, but I still can't see the whole picture. Could someone let me know what they think of this:

Major: Biochem
Minor: Math
Institution: very prestigious liberal arts school
GPA: 3.53 (skipped too many intro science courses w/ AP credit)
MCAT: 32 (13P, 9V, 10B, Q)
EC/clinical: average
Research: I have been working in a bio laboratory since 2001 (mostly during summers), and I have a publication. Now I got a Howard Hughes grant, which I am using to continue my research there. The research is mostly large independent projects that are important to the lab. I had also done a paid internship at a research institute and have an abstract.
Employment: have several years of teaching/tutoring experience in math and physics.

What do you think I should expect (top, average, bottom schools? MSTP programs? Is there a chance at all?)
I'd really appreciate a reply. Thanks a lot.

 

[Gfunk6]

Your #'s are a bit on the low side for top programs but you still have an excellent chance to get into an MSTP -- particularly w/ the publication and grant.

Apply widely.

 

[Maebea]

Hey guys,
I have just finished my junior year in college, and I'm thinking about applying to md/phd programs. I looked around on the forum to get an idea of what kind of schools to apply to, but I still can't see the whole picture. Could someone let me know what they think of this:

Major: Biochem
Minor: Math
Institution: very prestigious liberal arts school
GPA: 3.53 (skipped too many intro science courses w/ AP credit)
MCAT: 32 (13P, 9V, 10B, Q)
EC/clinical: average
Research: I have been working in a bio laboratory since 2001 (mostly during summers), and I have a publication. Now I got a Howard Hughes grant, which I am using to continue my research there. The research is mostly large independent projects that are important to the lab. I had also done a paid internship at a research institute and have an abstract.
Employment: have several years of teaching/tutoring experience in math and physics.

What do you think I should expect (top, average, bottom schools? MSTP programs? Is there a chance at all?)
I'd really appreciate a reply. Thanks a lot.

The GPA is worrisome (you correctly identified the risk of skipping intro courses) and the MCAT is on the low end of acceptable. If your research is dynamite and you have outstanding recommendations, you may have a shot at some of the top programs, but they usually have a lot of applicants with great grades & MCATs on top of great research. You will probably be most successful applying to average schools, even then, the acceptance pattern will probably be random. Some places will not give you much consideration because of the GPA & MCAT, while others will take the time to evaluate your research (assuming it is top notch) and offer you acceptance. You definitely have a chance to get into a good MD-PhD program, but you should not expect to replicate the success of applicants like Titan. To echo GFunk6, apply widely to give yourself the best chance.

Good luck.

 

[SeventhSon]

There are three things that essentially determine whether or not you will get into MSTP: Research, GPA, MCAT (probably in that order). As a rough rule of thumb you need to stand out in 2 of the 3 to get into the really competitive programs. Depending on the quality of your research I would recommend retaking the MCAT and aiming to get 13's in both PS and BS and apply broadly.

I would recommend looking at the mdapps of the people on this site and get a feel of how competitive this process is.

 

[hawkeey]

You definitely have a chance. I agree with the other posters though, apply far and wide. You never know what you are going to get. Don't get discouraged either. The process is hit and miss, and you have to take what you can get.

Hey guys,
I have just finished my junior year in college, and I'm thinking about applying to md/phd programs. I looked around on the forum to get an idea of what kind of schools to apply to, but I still can't see the whole picture. Could someone let me know what they think of this:

Major: Biochem
Minor: Math
Institution: very prestigious liberal arts school
GPA: 3.53 (skipped too many intro science courses w/ AP credit)
MCAT: 32 (13P, 9V, 10B, Q)
EC/clinical: average
Research: I have been working in a bio laboratory since 2001 (mostly during summers), and I have a publication. Now I got a Howard Hughes grant, which I am using to continue my research there. The research is mostly large independent projects that are important to the lab. I had also done a paid internship at a research institute and have an abstract.
Employment: have several years of teaching/tutoring experience in math and physics.

What do you think I should expect (top, average, bottom schools? MSTP programs? Is there a chance at all?)
I'd really appreciate a reply. Thanks a lot.

 

[mdphd2b]

Hey guys,
I have just finished my junior year in college, and I'm thinking about applying to md/phd programs. I looked around on the forum to get an idea of what kind of schools to apply to, but I still can't see the whole picture. Could someone let me know what they think of this:

Major: Biochem
Minor: Math
Institution: very prestigious liberal arts school
GPA: 3.53 (skipped too many intro science courses w/ AP credit)
MCAT: 32 (13P, 9V, 10B, Q)
EC/clinical: average
Research: I have been working in a bio laboratory since 2001 (mostly during summers), and I have a publication. Now I got a Howard Hughes grant, which I am using to continue my research there. The research is mostly large independent projects that are important to the lab. I had also done a paid internship at a research institute and have an abstract.
Employment: have several years of teaching/tutoring experience in math and physics.

What do you think I should expect (top, average, bottom schools? MSTP programs? Is there a chance at all?)
I'd really appreciate a reply. Thanks a lot.

Agree w/above posters. And definitely apply to Pitt--I've served on our MSTP AdCom for 2 yr, and we really value the independent research experience