MD/PhD...what is considered substantial research?

[Youngm2194]

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Just a question about MD/PhD and whats considered average and above average in terms of research. My current PI thinks I should go for this route so I'm just trying to learn more.

I currently have ~300hrs unpaid research at an ivy med school in a lab studying metabolism. Another ~300hrs (with stipend) in summer program at a public med school which resulted in a first author review paper in a peer reviewed journal w/ IF of 3 something. For anonymity the paper is about pharmacological treatments with the cholinergic system in specific disorders where it is not mainly studied. I currently am a research tech at a top 5 hospital in a new lab, which by the time I apply would be 1 year and 2 by the time I would matriculate. I am also the lab manager of this lab since I was the first person to be hired once it started. Not sure if it will be published by June, but I will be 2nd author on a paper in a journal with high IF >10.

Is this significant research experience for MD/PhD? My GPA is 3.3 but with a 3.67 avg the last two years (poor first 2 years) and MCAT of 515 128/128/131/128.

Thanks for any comments or advice

 

[Lucca]

Research checks out, GPA is low but still competitive, MCAT is spot on. Go to the Physician Scientist board on these forums and read the sticky there on WAMC for MD/PhD.

General rules:

Min:
Research Exp: 1 years +
MCAT: 513/32+
GPA: 3.6+

Likely to be admitted:
RE: 2 years +
MCAT: 515+
GPA: 3.8+

Top Programs:
RE: 2 yrs +
MCAT: 518+
GPA: 3.9+

Be sure to check out the PS forum and read all of the stickied posts about the multiple physician scientist pathways (dual degree is one great, but not only, option).

Are you a URM? GPA will keep you out of a lot of programs, I think, but with your solid research experience (with pubs) you may still be competitive at many programs, just not the very top MSTPs (MD/PhD programs fully funded by the NIH).

 

[aldol16]

First author review paper is not as strong as a research article. MD/PhD programs will be looking for original research and that's measured by publications of original research, presentations, abstracts, posters, etc.

 

[jesie]

That said, I have no publications but I've gotten seven interviews and one acceptance so far (only 1 of those 7 has started responding). Publications certainly don't hurt, but plenty of us don't have them and do just fine.

They measure your research experience by your research experience, not necessarily by pubs.


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