Originally posted by JJ4:
•Congratulations academic!! That's FANTASTIC. I'm surely not as fortunate as you or anyone else here on this forum. I have not interviews as of yet. Academic, if you don't mind, I would be grateful if you could tell me your stats. I'm not applying to WashU actually cuz I thought it's way outta my lead.
Vader. It's nice to see you back. A lot of things you say are most helpful. On an admissions stand point I was wondering if you would give an honest comment on my chances at top 30 schools. My GPA=3.9 MCAT :10,10,10. Three pubs, once first authorship in submission, and a possible JCB first author on it's way (I didn't put that part on my CV though). I have about 6 yrs. of experience in the lab (I started in HS) and really wanna do an MD/PhD more than anything. Also, is it too late to start getting interviews?? Furthermore, if i don't get in this time around, what do you think I can do to increase my chances. If I pick a particular school, do you think working as a tech. maybe in a potential thesis advisor's lab is worth it? Or maybe an NIH training grant? Also, if I wanted to apply as an "in-house" what do you think are the chances of getting in on the MD side of things if I get denied MD/PhD?? (By the way, I took the August MCAT, April wasn't too hot, I'm really not the best of standardized testers.) Thanks for any comments anyone may have.•••
b4 you get all depressed, let us know when you applied, eg. when did u submit your amcas, when did it get verified, and when did you complete the secondaries for the schools you applied to? How many/where did you apply? Give me this info and I'll try to give you more constructive feedback. Don't worry bud you might have just submitted your stuff really late. It's still early in the process
Originally posted by academic:
•I just got in to WashU's MSTP.
I can't tell you HOW GOOD it feels..........
Good luck everyone and DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP no matter what!•••
Great job academic... I was also accepted by WashU MD/PhD. Right now, I'd say theres a 90% chance I will be going there. What is your top choice school?
Do you know if Brian or Andrew will email us to let us know the MD admissions committee decision (they dont meet until 11/29) or will we get a letter from the MD adcom?
Originally posted by JJ4:
•
Vader. It's nice to see you back. A lot of things you say are most helpful. On an admissions stand point I was wondering if you would give an honest comment on my chances at top 30 schools. My GPA=3.9 MCAT :10,10,10. Three pubs, once first authorship in submission, and a possible JCB first author on it's way (I didn't put that part on my CV though). I have about 6 yrs. of experience in the lab (I started in HS) and really wanna do an MD/PhD more than anything. Also, is it too late to start getting interviews?? Furthermore, if i don't get in this time around, what do you think I can do to increase my chances. If I pick a particular school, do you think working as a tech. maybe in a potential thesis advisor's lab is worth it? Or maybe an NIH training grant? Also, if I wanted to apply as an "in-house" what do you think are the chances of getting in on the MD side of things if I get denied MD/PhD?? (By the way, I took the August MCAT, April wasn't too hot, I'm really not the best of standardized testers.) Thanks for any comments anyone may have.•••
It sounds like you have some great experience and publications. Make sure each aspect of your application is superb, including personal statement, letters of recommendation, secondaries, etc. and really know your research inside and out, why you want to pursue the MD/PhD pathway, and what your career goals are. It is definitely not too late to be getting interviews, especially considering that you took the August MCAT and the holdups with AMCAS. Have you completed secondaries and sent in your letters? You can always call up the programs and ask if your file is complete. Have you heard anything from schools yet (i.e. postcards)? It would be helpful if you gave us more information on where you are in the application process.
Originally posted by gizzdogg:
[QB]
Do most programs require them (the general and/or subject versions)? What are some noteworthy MSTP programs that require them?
Or do some schools accept the MCATs as a substitute for the GRE?
What are some of the MSTP programs that don't require the GRE?
QB]••
Most MSTPs do not require the GRE, but almost all require the MCAT. The MCAT scores are usually sufficient for the admissions committees to get an idea of your academic potential (in combination with grades, GPA, letters, etc). To find out the specifics for each school, you'll have to visit their web sites. You can find a listing at: <a href="http://www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/programs.htm" target="_blank">www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/programs.htm</a>
Hope this helps. 😀
Originally posted by Original:
•They took us to dinner 3 times and loaded us on so much wine we were all Stephen•••
3 dinners? how many days did the damn interview take?
Originally posted by chef:
•
3 dinners? how many days did the damn interview take?•••
Heh heh heh... sounds like my Northwestern interview last year. 😀
Originally posted by JJ4:
•Hi guys, thanks for replying. This is the situation:
App Complete notification:
Mount Sinai
NYU
Columbia
Mayo
Einstein
Hopkins
Tufts
SUNY, Stony Brook
Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson
(Most just received my MCAT scores)
Haven't Heard From:
Pritzker
Harvard
(my letters got delayed at both of these)
Rejected:
Penn
Cornell/Rock/Ski
I do realize I should've applied to more schools, but I ended up making some wrong moves I guess. Anyways, I'll be taking the GRE's soon just in case.•••
I wouldn't get too worried if schools just received your MCAT scores. It takes time for them to go over your application once it is complete. It looks like you applied to a good mix of schools, so I wouldn't be worried about not applying to enough (most applicants I met during interviews applied to between 10-15 schools). You just have to be patient--the application process is complex and with all the delays this year things are just taking longer. Good luck and let us know when you hear about interviews. 😀
Originally posted by chef:
•
3 dinners? how many days did the damn interview take?•••
The interviews were only on 2 days (Thur and Fri) but we were taken to dinner on wednesday night as well. I left on saturday afternoon but they wellcome you to stay all weekend and checkout Shai-town on their tab.
Originally posted by Rumit:
•
I'd love to hear more about U of Chicago for those who interviewed there. What did you think of the program, and what was the area like. I've heard that it's similar to JHU in that it's not very safe if you wander off campus •••
The campus is beautiful. It's located in Hyde Park which we really didn't get to see much of. However it has that typical inner city feel to it. You can smell crime, drOugs, and prostitution in the air. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I'm just giving you the break-down 😀 . This is the price you must pay to get access to all the great things Shai-town has to offer. Another positive aspect to this is that your clinical training will be top-notch due to a very diverse patient population. The interview process is quite informal. The program director is the greatest guy. Really nice and has a brave sense of humor. Everyone interviews with him in addition to 3 or 4 other basic science faculty. They are big on the number of their grads that end up in academic medicine. They are also big on their interdisciplinary nature. You will get a formal lecture on key areas of research focus. This lecture will be given by Dept/committee heads. Most of the MSTP students are great. Dont let 1 or 2 bad experiences cloud your judgement. I wouldn't mind going there at all.
Originally posted by BME02:
•When did you interview at Duke? I interviewed there last week, and they said that they won't be sending acceptances until early March. I also was told their stipend was 20K. Just curious.
BME02•••
Hey BME02, I interviewed at Duke on Nov 7 and 8. They told us then that all acceptances will go out in late Feb or early March. I am as puzzled (though happy) as you are as to why I received an acceptance less than 2 weeks after interview. The letter said the stipend will be no less than $21,050, and that the health insurance will be $900. Hope this helps.
Originally posted by rondo:
•HOLY COW STEPHEN!!! you are so awesome, congratulations! i remember the guy i sat next to at dinner said some people get the early response. wow, and they got funding for you too!
okay, so i'm a little jealous 'cuz you found out already 🙂 but i knew you were going to get it!!!
lisa•••
Hey Lisa thanks. Oh I guess that explains why I got a letter this early. When is your Northwestern interview? I called them today to ask what's up with my application. They sounded kinda shady and really didn't give me any info. Good Luck out there 🙂 !