MSTP (MD/PhD Programs)

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Study TillYou Drop

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What is considered strong research experience for an MSTP (MD/PhD) Program? Especially at schools such as Columbia, UPenn, etc.

How many hours, publications, presentations (and which conferences), etc?

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The recommendation is anything in the four digits will get your foot in the door. However, roughly half or more of the class takes one or two years off to pursue research full time (in addition to undergrad). Hence, you will be competing against people who have roughly 2000-4000 hours just from a job alone.

As for publications and presentations, that varies wildly from applicant to applicant (some will have 0, others will have first author pubs in CNS). The variability shows that you don't need them to be considered a strong applicant; however, like most things having it will definitely give a boost to your app.

At the end of the day, the application process is more about a narrative than a list of accomplishments. If you have faculty who are willing to write a strong letter and are encouraging you to enter the field that can outweigh a lot of other things.
 
The recommendation is anything in the four digits will get your foot in the door. However, roughly half or more of the class takes one or two years off to pursue research full time (in addition to undergrad). Hence, you will be competing against people who have roughly 2000-4000 hours just from a job alone.

As for publications and presentations, that varies wildly from applicant to applicant (some will have 0, others will have first author pubs in CNS). The variability shows that you don't need them to be considered a strong applicant; however, like most things having it will definitely give a boost to your app.

At the end of the day, the application process is more about a narrative than a list of accomplishments. If you have faculty who are willing to write a strong letter and are encouraging you to enter the field that can outweigh a lot of other things.

Echoing this.
 
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