Next Steps? Please excuse the naivety

[conscientious]

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Hi all,

I am a current college freshman planning to pursue an MD-PhD/MSTP program in the future. I am slightly concerned about my current progress and competitiveness, but the Health Professions Advising office at my university was not very helpful. Any advice or suggestions about steps I should be taking in the near future would be much appreciated.

Some basic information:

• Double-major in biology (with a "focus in neuroscience and behavior") and psychology (+ minors in chemistry and ethics, haha...).
• I am currently working in a cognitive/behavioral neuroscience research lab. I'm involved in several projects and we primarily use EEG, ECG and other physio measures (ICG, PEP), fMRI, and some genetic analysis. I began in the winter of my freshman year and I will probably continue working with this lab for at least two years total.
• My most significant activities at this point are involvement in a Peer Health Advocates program (volunteering) and regular science outreach (also volunteering). I do plan on becoming more involved with my university and joining campus organizations such as the Global Health Club, Chemistry Club, etc. I will be doing some clinical volunteer work this summer as well.
• GPA of 4.13. I think it translates to a 3.96 excluding A+'s, though. :/
• I intend on applying for summer research programs after sophomore year (to get a broader and more intensive research experience), in addition to doing independent research in my current lab. I will be doing an honors thesis as well.

As a freshman, I feel somewhat naive, but luckily I have a lot of room to gain experience and build up my application. I would appreciate any input on the following questions:

• Should I leave my lab at some point to get more of a basic research, wet-lab experience? I feel torn because I enjoy my current work quite a bit, and there is a lot of room to explore and expand my interests along with opportunities to do independent research within this lab. But I am also concerned that this is too far from "basic research", although I do want to pursue neuroscience.
• Aside from research, what kind of activities should I become involved with? I was looking at "just MD" programs previously, but I know this differs significantly between the two, so I'm a little bit lost.
• Silly question--I saw some user mention that taking classes at a community college can "look bad." Is this true? I will be taking sociology and philosophy at a community college this summer (so, just gen eds). I definitely wouldn't want to take science courses/pre-med requirements at a CC, but I wouldn't think gen eds would matter that much. Am I wrong?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Neuronix]

• Should I leave my lab at some point to get more of a basic research, wet-lab experience? I feel torn because I enjoy my current work quite a bit, and there is a lot of room to explore and expand my interests along with opportunities to do independent research within this lab. But I am also concerned that this is too far from "basic research", although I do want to pursue neuroscience.

But seriously, if you like what you do and you want to keep doing it--Do it. You will go interview at MD/PhD programs and tell them you want to do that or similar stuff in neuroscience. It's basic science enough I think based on what you've written. If you want to get more bench research because you're curious or whatever, now's the time to explore.

• Aside from research, what kind of activities should I become involved with? I was looking at "just MD" programs previously, but I know this differs significantly between the two, so I'm a little bit lost.

MD/PhD is more formulaic: GPA, MCAT, research. You should still have some volunteering, shadowing, whatever. I tell people to aim for 100+ hours of patient interaction. But don't feel like you have to measure up to the ridiculously long (and typically padded/inflated) CVs of the top-tier MD-onlies. That said, if there's a club or an opportunity you like, now's the time to explore.

• Silly question--I saw some user mention that taking classes at a community college can "look bad." Is this true? I will be taking sociology and philosophy at a community college this summer (so, just gen eds). I definitely wouldn't want to take science courses/pre-med requirements at a CC, but I wouldn't think gen eds would matter that much. Am I wrong?

A few soft general requirement classes like sociology or philosophy at a CC won't raise any eyebrows. Try to take all your pre-med courses and hard science at a 4-year University.

 

[carpediem22]

Should I leave my lab at some point to get more of a basic research, wet-lab experience? I feel torn because I enjoy my current work quite a bit, and there is a lot of room to explore and expand my interests along with opportunities to do independent research within this lab. But I am also concerned that this is too far from "basic research", although I do want to pursue neuroscience.

Nowadays, social science MD/PhDs are not even uncommon. My class at a top 20 school has ~25% social science PhDs. So, no, you have absolutely nothing to worry about with your research (which isn't even social science). Do what you like.

 

[nonamesleft]

• I am currently working in a cognitive/behavioral neuroscience research lab. I'm involved in several projects and we primarily use EEG, ECG and other physio measures (ICG, PEP), fMRI, and some genetic analysis. I began in the winter of my freshman year and I will probably continue working with this lab for at least two years total.

• Should I leave my lab at some point to get more of a basic research, wet-lab experience? I feel torn because I enjoy my current work quite a bit, and there is a lot of room to explore and expand my interests along with opportunities to do independent research within this lab. But I am also concerned that this is too far from "basic research", although I do want to pursue neuroscience.

If you're looking to switch into a more basic science lab when you're in the MD/PhD program, having some basic research now could help you understand what you're getting yourself into. However, it's not necessary. Most undergrad science courses come with lab component (?.. mine did, not sure elsewhere) so you've already had some exposure to the techniques/analysis.

 

[conscientious]

But seriously, if you like what you do and you want to keep doing it--Do it. You will go interview at MD/PhD programs and tell them you want to do that or similar stuff in neuroscience. It's basic science enough I think based on what you've written. If you want to get more bench research because you're curious or whatever, now's the time to explore.



MD/PhD is more formulaic: GPA, MCAT, research. You should still have some volunteering, shadowing, whatever. I tell people to aim for 100+ hours of patient interaction. But don't feel like you have to measure up to the ridiculously long (and typically padded/inflated) CVs of the top-tier MD-onlies. That said, if there's a club or an opportunity you like, now's the time to explore.



A few soft general requirement classes like sociology or philosophy at a CC won't raise any eyebrows. Try to take all your pre-med courses and hard science at a 4-year University.

Thank you so much; this was very informative and reassuring! I couldn't help but notice you majored in bio and psych during undergrad as well. Would it be alright to ask what your undergrad research experience was like?

 

[Neuronix]

I worked over two years in a sensory/cognitive neuroscience lab, kinda similar to what you're doing. I then worked a year or so full-time in a molecular neuroscience lab doing cell culture stuff and probing protein interactions.

After MD/PhD acceptance, I did a rotation in a big name cell/molecular neuroscience animal lab at my MSTP and decided to try something different. I am pretty good with a computer, so I ended up doing my PhD in molecular imaging and enjoyed that.

 

[raiderette]

One of my closest friends did basis research in the summer. Explore programs that allow for that and consider a gap year research job

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