MSUCOM DO/PhD & Other School Suggestions - International applicant (ORM) w/ lower stats (3.6/509)

[FrankLei]

Hey everyone,

This is my first post on the SDN. I'm currently exploring DO/PhD & MD/PhD (although I know my current stats are definitely not enough for MD) programs and would really appreciate any insight into the MSUCOM DO/PhD program—especially as it's one of the few physician-scientist options available to me as an international student. I’m also looking for advice on whether I should apply this cycle.

Quick Stats:

• Undergrad GPA: 3.6 (Double major in Biomedical Engineering & Economics, Biology minor — T50 school)
• Master’s GPA: 3.5 (MS in Biomedical Engineering — Top 3 in BME major) Note: Had a difficult first semester due to an unexpected family loss, but strong upward trend across the last three semesters.
• MCAT: 509 (130/123/125/131)

Research Experience:

• Two publications:
  • 4th author (accepted, peer-reviewed)
  • 1st author (conference paper)
• Currently working full-time as a research assistant at a top-tier medical research institute
  • Aiming to submit a first-author manuscript before July
• Presented at BMES Conference
• ~2500 hours of research across 5 different labs/projects

Clinical Experience:

• Observed 3 neurological surgeries (craniotomies in epilepsy/seizure patients); likely 1 more soon to get more inspiration for my PS and interview
• Currently shadowing a DO neurologist
• Administer cognitive neuroscience tests to EMU patients as part of my RA position
• Projected ~100 hours of shadowing and ~200 hours of direct patient interaction before application

Extracurriculars & Volunteering:

• International orientation leader
• Middle school homework tutor
• Lead academic peer tutor
• Vice President of the badminton club

Letters of Recommendation:
Confident I’ll receive 4 strong LORs from:

• My current PI (MD neurosurgeon)
• Shadowing DO neurologist
• Two previous PIs I’ve worked with

If anyone has experience with the program or general advice about my competitiveness as an international applicant, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I would be more than happy to share additional info about myself if needed.

Thanks in advance for your time and feedback!

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Have you talked with the program director at MSU? I think you have a good shot, though I would want more service-oriented activities than being a tutor, orientation leader, or badminton club officer. If you can volunteer, it should be in food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation, as approved with your "work" status. You must pass the DO adcom's preferences.

Otherwise, check out the Physician Scientists forum where most of the MD/PhD's hang out. I think APSA is also open to the DO/PhD's at MSU.

 

[FrankLei]

Hello, thanks for replying!

No, I haven't talked to the program director at MSU, although I have been actively browsing through their research labs and already found a couple of ones that I am strongly interested in. Just would love to have a word of advice, what kind of questions should I ask if I were to meet their program director?

Also, could you please tell me what APSA stands for?

 

[FrankLei]

Welcome to the forums.

Have you talked with the program director at MSU? I think you have a good shot, though I would want more service-oriented activities than being a tutor, orientation leader, or badminton club officer. If you can volunteer, it should be in food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation, as approved with your "work" status. You must pass the DO adcom's preferences.

Otherwise, check out the Physician Scientists forum where most of the MD/PhD's hang out. I think APSA is also open to the DO/PhD's at MSU.

I am also currently working on getting permission from the hospital to get more clinical-related volunteering experience other than just tutoring I did before.