MSTP vs. MD/MSTP application

[Arista.MD]

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Hello everyone,

I am one of those people who took time off between college and graduate school. Since I graduated (2000) I worked for a big biotech company (in research) and I have a paper out and some in manuscript already. I have a 32Q on April 2003 MCAT (V8, P12, B12 - English 2nd language) and 3.75 gpa. I am applying for 2004 admission, and I am trying to decide whether I should apply to MD and MSTP or to the MSTP only. I noticed on the Wash U application that they have the option of ?either MD or MSTP?, ?MD only?, ?MSTP only?. Would it look terribly suspicious if I chose to apply to both MD and MSTP? I know that the MSTP is very competitive. I am really interested in medicine, and if I do not get into an MSTP I would really like to still go to medical school. Also I am a little worried about the MCAT score, is it competitive enough?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Dana.

 

[surge]

The score in itself is not going to help you, but it's not going to necessarily hurt you either (yes, even at the infamous WashU).

There is nothing wrong with applying MD and MD/PhD. I think most people do it. Just be ready to back it up if it comes up in the interviews. The truth is that while the PhD gives you substantial research training, you can do much the same (and many do) with an MD alone. Just two different paths to the same destination.

Good luck.

 

[saco]

I also had a 32 on my MCAT (8V-11P-13B- English 2nd language). Very similar to yours as you can see. That verbal is quite tough for us foreigners. I applied to a number of both MD and MD/PhD programs. Got into four MD/PhD and some MD only. With reasonable research experience and good GPA - both of which you have - you are still quite competitive. Also, many school will ask you if you want your application forwarded to the medical shool admission office in the event it is rejected by the MD/PhD. For example, in the case of Mount Sinai one of the four interviewers for MSTP is an MD, so that you do not have to come in for more interviews if you app is handed to MD only admission office.
Best of luck

 

[surge]

Saco, out of curiosity, where did you get in?

 

[psyuk]

i would choose the "md or mstp" option, and let the committee decide where your application belongs. with all things considered you should be competitive, even more so if you do well on the interviews.

 

[saco]

I did not aim all that high, but I am quite pleased. I'm moving to Mount Sinai MSTP in few weeks. I also got into MD/PhDs in Tufts and the two state schools that are part of UMDNJ. For MD only I had a chance to go to Hopkins or Cornell. I know, somehow I did not submitt MSTP app to these two at that time. But it was crazy last year as I took the August MCAT and had to fight all deadlines. However, I like Sinai, its location and most of all - nothing beats The City.

 

[Arista.MD]

Thank you very much for all your answers.

 

[saco]

I do in fact have a green card. I came to the US in 99, a month before starting college. I doesn't change the fact that the verbal is troublesome for non-native speakers for many reasons, which would be lenghty to explain.

 

[Nuel]

Well Saco, your resident status helped. I'm international so I've got a little bit of struggling to do. I understand your claims concerning the harshness of the verbal, but it always seemed to be my trouble. But to my alarm, before coming to the states I took the ACT and got a 25 with the reading portion and math section my highest (28/28); I didn't practise either. So I really don't know if it is a problem for me. There is also this idea hovering around that the MCAT is more of an achievement test, hence the "practice, practice, practice" phrase. Good luck at Sinai.

 

[saco]

practice-practice! Certainly true. I studied evenings for 2.5 week and that didn't help. But sufficient for my needs. Maybe the 4.0 helped.