Nontraditional applicant friendly schools

[scooter31]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Was hoping to get an idea of schools that tend to not find person's age or unorthodox past as a red flag. I know there are plenty that kind of frown upon us older folks with 'alternative' experiences, so hoping there are a few that might even see it as a strength, assuming numbers look respectable (GPA/MCAT).

Thanks!

 

[Build]

Don't know how "alternative" your application is, but I don't think that your background will hold you back if you present it in the right way. Think of what adcoms are looking for: maturity, creativity, motivation, demonstrated ability and commitment to science and medicine, etc. More life experiences (or really unique ones) can often be spun that way. Work experience = maturity, responsibility, tested-out-the-waters-and-figured-out-what-you-want.

or something like that...

My point being, just apply broadly and reasonably like most do and you'll have a decent shot.

Good luck!

 

[scooter31]

Thanks Build for the reply.

To uh, build upon it, I guess my concern is my age, lower GPA, and other degrees (healthcare related), and the fact I hemmed and hawed over my desire to go to med school. I had a first and second career, so I guess my issue is with youthful indiscretions in the portion of my past they focus their decision on, and finding schools that will take that time of my life with a grain of salt.

I've done some cool stuff, have a cool story, but I realize that is just gravy, not the meat and potatoes.

 

[StIGMA]

It will be more important for you to explain why you need both degrees, what you plan on using them for, and why you can not do this with just one of the degrees. You may be asked a timeline for you life. Let's assume you are 29 now, 31 when you begin classes. Graduate at 38 if you are lucky, finish residency/fellowship at 43-44, perhaps a few years for postdoc, and you may be applying for faculty positions at 44-46 if you are lucky. R01 2-5 years after that, if you are lucky. In my opinion it is not discriminating to judge based on an applicants age for MD/PhD programs, because their expressed purpose is to produce researchers... so do not be surprised if these things come up in your interviews. And you will be asked to compare your goals with MD vs PhD vs combined. The focus is on moving forward, not your past (which you seem focused on at the moment).

 

[Neuronix]

To uh, build upon it, I guess my concern is my age, lower GPA, and other degrees (healthcare related), and the fact I hemmed and hawed over my desire to go to med school. I had a first and second career, so I guess my issue is with youthful indiscretions in the portion of my past they focus their decision on, and finding schools that will take that time of my life with a grain of salt.

I think it's impossible to comment really without knowing your age, GPA, MCAT, research experience, and other unusual circumstances. I see some people post mild concerns who really have little chance, and people who post worries who really should have no difficulty.

 

[QofQuimica]

I think it's impossible to comment really without knowing your age, GPA, MCAT, research experience, and other unusual circumstances. I see some people post mild concerns who really have little chance, and people who post worries who really should have no difficulty.

I agree.

OP, if you want individualized comments, you'll have to provide more details. It would also be helpful to know what your career goals are, because as others have already suggested, you may not even need both an MD and a PhD.

 

[Lil Mick]

I've known a few other MD/PhD students who are a bit older than straight out of college (some with MS degrees, research, career switching...). It seems to be more normal than for MD-only programs...

 

[QofQuimica]

I've known a few other MD/PhD students who are a bit older than straight out of college (some with MS degrees, research, career switching...). It seems to be more normal than for MD-only programs...

I'd be really surprised if it were more "normal" for MD/PhD students to come in as nontrads compared to MD-only students. And the MD-only nontrads are a lot more extreme as nontrads. For example, I don't know of any 40+-year-old MD/PhD students, but I do know several MD-only students in that age bracket.

 

[URHere]

Although I don't know your specific story, and I certainly don't know a darned thing about overall MD/PhD age trends, I am going to throw out there that OHSU is very non-trad friendly in terms of both MD and MD/PhD admissions. Our MD classes are somewhat notorious for their higher mean student ages (usually 26-27 for MS1 students), and I'd say that the vast majority of the MD/PhD students in our program were pushing 30 when they started (I'm a 3rd year and I'm still the youngest person in our program).

Take that for what it's worth.

 

[derail]

I was at an MD/PhD information session for Mayo Clinic a couple weeks ago, and they commented on age. They don't like to take older students because, like another poster said, older students won't graduate and begin their careers for a long time. The presenter said they would wonder why they took so long to apply, and why what they're currently doing right now isn't enough.

 

[Neuronix]

As true as what derail said is... The vast majority of posters I see on this forum who consider themselves "nontraditional" and "too old to apply" are applicants in their mid-20s. Nobody is going to dislike you for applying in your mid-20s.

 

[derail]

As true as what derail said is... The vast majority of posters I see on this forum who consider themselves "nontraditional" and "too old to apply" are applicants in their mid-20s. Nobody is going to dislike you for applying in your mid-20s.

Yes, you're right. Mayo said they rarely took anyone over 30, but under that is fine.

 

[scooter31]

So, more info- by the way, thanks everyone for their input. As I previously mentioned, I knew there were plenty of places that I knew I would be a longshot, but wanted to see of the opposite were true elsewhere.

Low undergrad GPA (3.1ish), bolstered by nice upward trend due to recent postbac work (postbac = 3.8). Excellent grad GPA (I know it means squat). Taking MCAT next year.

Career changer- played pro sports, and this was my main focus in undergrad. I am hoping that this will help explain the odd Gentleman's C in my transcripts from 10-17 years ago.

Did and doing lots of neuro stuff, and have 6 pubs (none 1st author, but that is in the works). Was hoping to take what I already dabbled in as far as lab/career and graduate work (MPH and MS), and expand on it, while having an eye on using it in a translational/clinical line of work, hence both the PhD and MD.

Thanks again!