MSTP chances? LATE, but reasonable stats...

[busybee1122]

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Female, 22yo

GOOD:
BSN, RN, 2 yrs PCU experience
BS Molecular Biology (May 2013)
Cumulative GPA 4.0, MCAT 40R

MEDIOCRE:
Clinical research: 1.5 yrs, neuropsychology (posters and conferences)
Basic research: 1.5 yrs, molecular parasitology (honors thesis)

BIG PROBLEM:
Submitted AMCAS August 31 🙁

Should I give up applying to MSTP and just try to enter MD/PhD after acceptance to MD program?

Been stalking this thread for a while: you guys are great, would greatly appreciate some advice.

 

[FalconSlice]

Female, 22yo

GOOD:
BSN, RN, 2 yrs PCU experience
BS Molecular Biology (May 2013)
Cumulative GPA 4.0, MCAT 40R

MEDIOCRE:
Clinical research: 1.5 yrs, neuropsychology (posters and conferences)
Basic research: 1.5 yrs, molecular parasitology (honors thesis)

BIG PROBLEM:
Submitted AMCAS August 31 🙁

Should I give up applying to MSTP and just try to enter MD/PhD after acceptance to MD program?

Been stalking this thread for a while: you guys are great, would greatly appreciate some advice.

I would say give up because I do not want to go up against the likes you during my application/interview trial haha.

But seriously, you have amazing stats and lots of research exp. so go for it. I don't think it's too late.

 

[StIGMA]

Make sure you get your secondaries in very quickly, as I presume your AMCAS won't be verified until October. If you want to pursue MD/PhD, then matriculate into an MD/PhD program. Internal routes are never guaranteed, and you will accumulate 1-2 years of medical school debt.

If you came here earlier, I would have suggested that you apply next year with an additional year of research experience. 1.5 years of labwork experience, coming from a separate career, may be a tough sell to MD/PhD programs.

Still, you will most likely do well this cycle, if you apply broadly (15-20 programs). Be prepared to have interviews in December, January, and even February, so plan accordingly.

Lastly, you may get MD-only interviews at top programs, meaning you may get accepted to a top 10 program's MD-only track but also acceptances at less prestigious MD/PhD programs. At that point, it is your call whether you want to pursue an MD or MD/PhD (if MD/PhD, go to the MD/PhD program!).

 

[busybee1122]

StIGMA and Hopeful, thanks for the replies 🙂

Based on your advice, I think I'll raise the number of MD/PhD programs I'm applying to from 11 to 15. I am super nervous about not getting into even one because of my tardiness.

The MD/PhD is what I truly want, something I inadvertently discovered while spending long hours in the hospital and in the lab. I started out at a small liberal arts college that didn't offer much in the way of research, which is why I only started while pursuing my second bachelor's...