mstp and age

[not respect]

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I heard from my friend recently that MD programs discriminate applicants heavily based on young age, not sure if that is true. But I would imagine it wouldn't matter as much for MSTP? Hopefully someone knows 😛

 

[tiedyeddog]

I heard from my friend recently that MD programs discriminate applicants heavily based on young age, not sure if that is true. But I would imagine it wouldn't matter as much for MSTP? Hopefully someone knows 😛

I think with MD programs the real bias comes in when someone graduates super quickly, like in two years. The problem isn't the person is two years younger than your average applicant but that applicant hasn't had enough time to do EC's, get a nice MCAT, and study for classes... There are always outliers but in general, yeah.

Not sure how if there is a bias for MD/PhD programs. I would guess it isn't about your age but more about your resume.

 

[ratherberocking]

there's definitely bias of age in atleast some md/phd programs. i was told by a top tier school to not even bother applying because even with two years of research experience, they wouldn't take in a 19 year old unless he/she was some genius. they want mature, older students.

 

[NiCad089]

I heard from my friend recently that MD programs discriminate applicants heavily based on young age, not sure if that is true. But I would imagine it wouldn't matter as much for MSTP? Hopefully someone knows 😛

I don't think that age would matter that much unless it was obvious that you rushed to graduate. I know several people 18-20 who were accepted to mstp programs, and they were not geniuses.

 

[QofQuimica]

I heard from my friend recently that MD programs discriminate applicants heavily based on young age, not sure if that is true. But I would imagine it wouldn't matter as much for MSTP? Hopefully someone knows 😛

I don't agree that MD programs "discriminate against applicants heavily based on young age." There has been one student who started at age 17 since I've been here, and we've admitted several others in your age range (20-21 when they started med school). Younger applicants tend to be very accomplished and have excellent academic records just as you do; they wouldn't be applying at a young age if that were not the case. If anything, the problem that many applicants run into (and this is not just young applicants, but all applicants) is that they are too one-dimensional. Anyone who has focused exclusively on school will not do well in the app process, even with a perfect GPA and MCAT score. But a well-rounded, high-achieving poised 19-year-old will not be "heavily discriminated against."

 

[GliaGirl]

I was accepted as a 20 year old. I didn't feel very discriminated against at the time, but now I realize why Hopkins and Harvard never got back to me. 😛

Seriously though, its all about your stats, your research, and how awesome/interesting you are.