Ox/Cam GPP and Rhodes/Gates

[kfre2435]

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I have a question about when to apply to certain organizations. I know I will apply next summer to both the GPP and my MD/PhD schools, but do you also apply to the Gates, Rhodes, and/or Marshall scholarships within that cycle or do you wait until the year before you start the PhD program? Can you defer the scholarships for two years?

 

[SBR249]

You cannot defer Rhodes/Marshall AFAIK. If you are awarded those scholarships and get into the GPP, then the NIH will let you combine the scholarships with your PhD so that you do your OxCam PhD portion first then, after you get your PhD, you can join track 3 and be funded for the next 4 years of med school through supplemental MSTP funding.

In essence you do 4+4 (Phd+MD) instead of the usual 2+4+2 (0.5MD+PhD+0.5MD). However in this case, you generally don't apply to medical schools until your last year of PhD.

 

[kfre2435]

You cannot defer Rhodes/Marshall AFAIK. If you are awarded those scholarships and get into the GPP, then the NIH will let you combine the scholarships with your PhD so that you do your OxCam PhD portion first then, after you get your PhD, you can join track 3 and be funded for the next 4 years of med school through supplemental MSTP funding.

In essence you do 4+4 (Phd+MD) instead of the usual 2+4+2 (0.5MD+PhD+0.5MD). However in this case, you generally don't apply to medical schools until your last year of PhD.

Thank you. That clears things up nicely.

 

[Piper9132]

Also just to add to the above... A lot of mstp programs may let you defer entry to medical school if you are awarded the GPP and gates/Rhodes. I would apply to all three at the same time just to cover your bases. That way if you don't get the gates/Rhodes or GPP , you still have mstp only to fall back on. There is a current incoming track 3 student this year who did that. He got accepted for all three things and was able to defer admissions to wash u mstp for four years.

 

[kfre2435]

Also just to add to the above... A lot of mstp programs may let you defer entry to medical school if you are awarded the GPP and gates/Rhodes. I would apply to all three at the same time just to cover your bases. That way if you don't get the gates/Rhodes or GPP , you still have mstp only to fall back on. There is a current incoming track 3 student this year who did that. He got accepted for all three things and was able to defer admissions to wash u mstp for four years.

That was my plan, albeit a lofty one. I'm glad to hear someone else out there made it work. It'll make for a hectic time of paperwork and essays in a year!

 

[SBR249]

If you decide to go for the trifecta, be sure to indicate that you are not applying for Track 1 GPP (which is the more traditional 2+4+2). Applicants from different tracks are evaluated in different applicant pools with track 3 students pooled with the pure PhD GPP students I believe. This is partly because of funding slot caps.

 

[Piper9132]

If you decide to go for the trifecta, be sure to indicate that you are not applying for Track 1 GPP (which is the more traditional 2+4+2). Applicants from different tracks are evaluated in different applicant pools with track 3 students pooled with the pure PhD GPP students I believe. This is partly because of funding slot caps.

I would actually email Dr. Craig Blackstone (director of the MD/PhD side of things) and ask if you could possibly be considered for both track 1 and 3... Lets say you do not get the Rhodes/Gates (also consider the fullbright too!), but do get accepted to an MSTP and the OxCam people like you too, then you could get a position as a track 1 student and not be locked in to the track 3 route.

Again, not 100% on how they handle you special people (I jokingly called the current student that at the interview dinner 😀 ).... but I am sure that Dr. Blackstone would be happy to advise you.

Let me know how things go and if you get an interview!

And FYI, not sure if you knew, but I am an incoming track 1 student this year.

SBR249... Are you a current student I assume? Will I see you in Oxford in two weeks? 😀

 

[SBR249]

SBR249... Are you a current student I assume? Will I see you in Oxford in two weeks? 😀

I'm actually in the same incoming class as you Piper, namely this fall. So we'll probably meet in a week at the NIH, then at Cambridge (if you chose to go there), then at Oxford again for the colloquium. 😛

 

[Piper9132]

I'm actually in the same incoming class as you Piper, namely this fall. So we'll probably meet in a week at the NIH, then at Cambridge (if you chose to go there), then at Oxford again for the colloquium. 😛

Awesome! I am visiting Cambridge too. See you soon 😀