Need some advice for MD after PhD.

[elegans]

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[kayak30]

I think there are a couple people on here that we're in a similar situation. A friend of mine with a PhD in cancer research (also well published) just applied this cycle and didn't have much luck due to her low undergrad gpa but high MS and PhD. She has a 35MCAT and applied to 20+ schools (top school). She's taking the year to do more clinical work and get more patient contact before applying again next cycle. One thing she mentioned was that the interviewers wanted to hear less about research and more about patient contact/desire for medicine. Not sure if this helps...

 

[QofQuimica]

Hmm, can't think of anyone on this entire website who did a PhD-to-MD.... 😉

Might I recommend that you peruse my PhD-to-MD sticky? I think you'll find that most if not all of your questions are answered there.

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

A 30 is only bad on SDN, where MCAT scores start at 46 and go up from there. In real life it isn't bad at all. It would help to know your exact GPA, but a 30 is going to be good enough for all DO and most MD schools.

 

[anguisette]

Hi, I was wondering if there was anyone out there with a similar situation like mine. I just finished my PhD in neuroscience, I have a first author Cell paper and a bunch of other publications and research fellowships. My GPA is great. Unfortunately my MCAT is not very good: 30. I have about 300 hours worth of clinical experience and some volunteer work. Has anyone else applied to MD after PhD? If you did, did you try and really sell your research experience or did you focus more on your clinical work if any? If anyone knows anyone in a similar situation I would like to hear about it.

Thanks.

Of course, listen to QofQuimica 🙂 I don't have a PhD, but I do have a relatively strong research background (academically and professionally). I made sure the strength was obvious in my application, but once it got to the interviews--I was never asked about it. None of my interviewers wanted to know about my research projects or presentations or publications. They mostly wanted to know "my story." My research was only relevant in the sense of "so why are you leaving it? how does this tie in to your journey to medicine?" Your research background is certainly be a strength, but I think it may be more important to focus on how it relates to your overall "story." Good luck!

 

[Gastrapathy]

Here's the data:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/267622/data/mcatstudentselectionguide.pdf

Your MCAT might keep you out of a very top school but assuming a solid GPA, you'll get in somewhere with your background.

Go for it.