Only 1 year of research? Do I stand a chance?

[JDAD]

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Yes, here is my thread asking the people of SDN to become crazy predictors of my future.

I am applying MSTP to my number one school. Initially, I did this to looke like I am super interested in the program, BUT I have spent some considerable time looking into the program and it is really appealing.

My problem is that I don't have the research experience. I am currently a senior, and I have spent the last three years playing NCAA Div 1 Baseball. My baseball left no time for research. I decided baseball wasn't for me and began research in a molecular biology lab this summer and I will be continuing this throughout the year.

Is this enough research experience to realistically have a shot at MSTP? Everything else about my app if pretty good, (>3.9gpa and >33mcat major EC is baseball, but i have shadowed, volenteered, and worked as a dental assistant etc....). Will my lack of research hold me back?

Thanks

 

[huseyin]

Yes, here is my thread asking the people of SDN to become crazy predictors of my future.

I am applying MSTP to my number one school. Initially, I did this to looke like I am super interested in the program, BUT I have spent some considerable time looking into the program and it is really appealing.

My problem is that I don't have the research experience. I am currently a senior, and I have spent the last three years playing NCAA Div 1 Baseball. My baseball left no time for research. I decided baseball wasn't for me and began research in a molecular biology lab this summer and I will be continuing this throughout the year.

Is this enough research experience to realistically have a shot at MSTP? Everything else about my app if pretty good, (>3.9gpa and >33mcat major EC is baseball, but i have shadowed, volenteered, and worked as a dental assistant etc....). Will my lack of research hold me back?

Thanks

Usually, MSTP programs look how well you know what you are going into. As you know, MSTP path is quite different than just MD. I feel like MSTP schools usually demand 1.5-2.5 years of research experience, because they want you

1- Test yourself that you really wanna do research.
2- You are commited to research.
3- You can work independent, use your own judgment, think critically.

I mean with one year research, you can have a very good experience, but it largely depends on you. If you can show in front of the comitee that you are comitted to be a medical researcher, you have the skills to be an independent researcher, then you do not have any problems. On the other hand, I feel like most of the people when they first start a lab, they need at least 3-6 months to just understand what we are doing in the lab. I do not know in which phase you are in terms of this developement, but the time that you can start asking questions in the lab meetings or critizing people's work, then I feel like you are ready in terms of research.

huseyin

 

[dave613]

Yes, here is my thread asking the people of SDN to become crazy predictors of my future.

I am applying MSTP to my number one school. Initially, I did this to looke like I am super interested in the program, BUT I have spent some considerable time looking into the program and it is really appealing.

My problem is that I don't have the research experience. I am currently a senior, and I have spent the last three years playing NCAA Div 1 Baseball. My baseball left no time for research. I decided baseball wasn't for me and began research in a molecular biology lab this summer and I will be continuing this throughout the year.

Is this enough research experience to realistically have a shot at MSTP? Everything else about my app if pretty good, (>3.9gpa and >33mcat major EC is baseball, but i have shadowed, volenteered, and worked as a dental assistant etc....). Will my lack of research hold me back?

Thanks

Truthfully, if your one year of research was solid, then I could definitely see you getting into one of the lower tier mstp programs. However, the mid tier and upper tier usually like at least 1.5 years of research no matter how high your mcat and gpa is. Definitely apply, you'll have a good shot, and if not mstp, apply for the non-mstp--they're good too.

 

[JDAD]

Thanks for the help. Compared to the other research programs I have seen, I would think my research is pretty good. I am currently working closely with NIH and some of our findings have already been used and published by the people at NIH. (My research mentor wasn't that impressed, NIH published their paper using our mutant promoters before we were published)

I am still going to apply, but I am not getting my hopes up.

 

[Neuronix]

I am still going to apply, but I am not getting my hopes up.

In addition to what others have said here, consider carefully whether you want to go to any MSTP now, or you would wait a year or two to go to the MSTP you really want to attend.

If you really want to go to a certain set of competitive schools, only apply to those schools without "safeties". Remember that if you only get in one place, you're going to be expected to go there and be virtually blacklisted in future years from applying again. Meanwhile, if you only apply to top-tier schools and don't get in, it will actually look like you're perservering by applying again and this looks good for next year's application.

On the other hand, if you just want to get in somewhere, apply broadly. For example, try schools that are MSTPs but aren't really well known, remembering that this will be the next 7 - 8 years of your life.

Edit: Actually, upon reading your post a little better, it seems that you're applying now for MD programs as well. Keep in mind that you can switch into MD/PhD from the MD program at many schools. Consider at which schools it is common for this to happen if you have a choice among MD programs.