non-trad MD PhD - should I apply?

[science_fanatic]

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So here is my story:

I'm an older applicant (almost 30, yikes!) considering going the MD PhD route. I graduated from a top 10 university in 2010 with a sub-par GPA (3.45 cumulative), having struggled my freshman year with a strong upward trend, especially junior and senior year. As un undergrad I completed both translational and basic science research every summer, but with no research publications.

I then completed a masters in public health from another top 10 university, as a Master's student I worked with a non-profit organization to help increase access to healthcare in Africa by partnering with governments at the local and national level. Also, my thesis research led to a publication in a well regarded journal of medicine, where I'm listed as an author alongside my thesis advisor.

After completing my Master's I spent 3 years living in one of Africa's poorest countries, continuing my work with the same NGO to increase healthcare access. I even remained in the country during a crippling infectious disease outbreak, which was the worst the region had ever seen. I worked with my team to literally save lives; it was a profound life experience. While I couldn't help infected patients directly, my skills were put to use alongside medical professionals. My team specifically gained the attention of a past US president and a nobel peace prize winner, both of whom I eventually met with.

I was forced leave Africa after receiving orders to evacuate the region along with my coworkers, as it was deemed unsafe for us to remain in-country because of this disease outbreak. All the while I was away in Africa, my family back in the US had barely seen me. My old advisor suggested I do something with domestic healthcare, so I ended up working for a management consulting firm where I interfaced with large hospital systems and even global pharmaceutical companies -- I gained a great deal of perspective on the US healthcare system as well as healthcare on a global level. I even considered continuing on as a healthcare consultant, as it was interesting and allowed me to be close to my family. But after another 3 years working as a consultant, something still felt incomplete in me and I knew I wanted to go back to school, but wasn't exactly sure which route to proceed. PhD, MD, both?

I knew I would need to prepare more if I were to change paths. I decided to conduct basic science research at what many would consider one of top universities in the world, where I am expecting to have a publication out in a highly regarded research journal by the end of the year. I have also recently started shadowing a medical scientist research physician at the adjoining hospital, and will collaborate with him on a research project that might lead to another publication.

Now in 2017, I am considering going the MD/PhD route. I have not yet taken the MCAT but will do so in the next 4 - 6 months, and will probably apply in 2019. I am confident my letters of rec will be strong ones. I know I have an interesting story to tell application committees (at least I think so!). And my passion for science and healthcare are made tangible in the form of published research in well known journals, and extensive time working to improve healthcare in low-resource settings under extraordinary circumstances.

So after reading my story, what do you think, should I bother with the MD/PhD route? Does a sub-par undergrad GPA (3.45) leave me out of the running for a MD/PhD? Would a high MCAT score + strong commitment to research along with meaningful life experiences offset a low GPA from 7+ years ago? Any thoughts would be more than appreciated!

 

[Meridian32]

No one has replied yet, so I'll chime in. Why MD/PhD and not MD? You have had some interesting experiences, but in your post above I don't see the compelling desire for an academic research career that MSTP admissions committees look for. Your experiences in Africa and consulting are interesting, but unrelated to basic science research, so won't help with MSTP admission. In addition, your undergrad GPA, while not unreasonable for MD, is low for MSTP.

 

[science_fanatic]

No one has replied yet, so I'll chime in. Why MD/PhD and not MD? You have had some interesting experiences, but in your post above I don't see the compelling desire for an academic research career that MSTP admissions committees look for. Your experiences in Africa and consulting are interesting, but unrelated to basic science research, so won't help with MSTP admission. In addition, your undergrad GPA, while not unreasonable for MD, is low for MSTP.

Hi Meridian32 -- first off, thank you for replying! I appreciate your response. Let me attempt to answer your question and respond to your concerns as best as I can.

First, I truly do want to focus on research that also has an impact on humanity, so having the rigorous research training of a PhD along with a medical education would allow me to do that. (Apologies in advance for my lengthy response below, I want to paint as complete of a picture as possible)

As an example, I’m currently working in a neuroscience laboratory where I’m trying to unlock the function of a protein in an animal model, and being able to do so would have implications for treating human neurodegenerative diseases. The MD-only route would serve me well if I wanted to focus on treating patients, and the PhD-only route would be perfect if I wanted to focus more on expanding the pool of knowledge in this area. But deep down, I know I want to do both. I think it’s possible to accomplish this just as an MD, but without the intensive training of a PhD it would be a longer road to achieve my goal.

Second, I’ve recently started working with a physician scientist on a research project; he has been kind enough to also allow me to shadow him in a clinical setting. On a daily basis I’ve witnessed him apply his knowledge gleaned in a laboratory setting to real-life human patients. He has literally saved lives and eased suffering. Also, watching him present at basic science research conferences about his findings at the gene (or protein) level and linking that optimizing treatments for patients is inspiring.

I’m also fully invested in my research. I’m helping to put together a few papers to be submitted for publication in high-impact journals. They should be published well before I even apply. This would be in addition to my two publications from research I did as a Masters student.

My GPA is definitely low. My grades suffered as a freshman, but picked up dramatically in my sophomore year with my final two years never dipping below a 3.7. There is a clear upward trend. I don’t have any extenuating circumstances, other than I was simply unprepared for the reality of leaving my small town to move across the country for college, but I excelled academically once I found my bearings. I’m now a decade wiser, achieved a stong GPA in graduate school (though I don’t think that counts for much) and am planning to offset any doubts with a higher than average MCAT.

Curious to hear your reaction to what I wrote above! Do you think that I have a shot at MD/PhD. My impression is that MD/PhD admissions committees are more inclined to look at the “whole picture” since the application is more self-selected compared to MD-only.

 

[RustBeltOnc]

Pick one: MD/DO or Phd. It's too late to do both and real deal clinical training and the heavy lifting of initiating a research program.

 

[kraskadva]

I'll jump in here to second @RustBeltOnc , pick one, and tell you what I wish somebody had told me before I tried applying MD/PhD - It ain't gonna happen, so don't waste your time/energy/money trying to go down that route.
The MD/PhD apps are waaaaay more competitive then just MD, the average gpa is 3.7 and the median is higher than that. So a 3.4 is not going to cut it. Also, for MD/PhD, 24 is considered old to start, and 30+ acceptees are so rare as to be statistically negligible. You're almost certainly not going to be the outlier.
That said, and to not entirely crush hopes and dreams, your experiences and background coupled with a good to high MCAT score would make you an excellent MD candidate. It is also more than possible to do all the things you say you want with an MD. MD's do research all the time (look up med school faculty and NIH investigators, lots of MDs there) and most schools with research programs will give you the option to take a research year in the middle of your training to improve research skills, either at home or at an outside institution like the NIH (some even have special funded programs for this - see CLC at Case Western and RWJMS for some examples). Multiple schools also allow you to internally apply for their MD-PhD programs after the first or second year of med school, if that still feels like the right path after you've managed to get your foot in the door.
But don't mistake the end goal for the path to get there. The option to be a physician and a scientist is on the table, but the route for you does not go through initial MD/PhD program admissions.

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, assuming you can get a competitive MCAT score, you would be a fantastic candidate for a five year research MD program like Case's CCLCM or Pitt's PSTP. Given your age and your GPA, I suggest that you look into going that route.

 

[WGSgrad]

But if you decide to apply for an MD/PhD program, just know folks older than you have done it and been successful. Just gonna sit this story about an alum right here: At 45, ex-detective shifts investigation skills to medicine | Cornell Chronicle

Disclosure: I recognize why you got the advice you did from the above folks. They're not wrong. But given that most people work well into their late sixties these days, particularly researchers, the idea that it is "too late" for you at not even thirty...GTFOH (Okay, it might be too late for you to become a Olympic gymnast). That being said, the advice above may be more practical if you want a family, have a partner, etc. I'm single, don't have a partner, or kids and have the time and energy to put into doing whatever I want. If you find yourself in a similar position with similar freedom (I recognize that folks may have other constraints) then do what you need to do to go down that path. I'm not saying it will be an easy path; it will most likely be very difficult. But why sink five years into something that's not really what you want?