Prospective MD/PhD applicant

[KaylaRay]

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Hello all,
I've been searching around the internet for some info that might help me decide if MD/PhD is the best thing for me. Here are my stats:

Black female attending a HBCU, sophomore
3.7 GPA
no MCAT yet
Lots of ECs (tutoring, mentoring, co-founder of community service club, etc)
Two research posters, however, one was done in hs.
Going to participate in research this summer at UO
Participating in exchange program for one semester to another state school

If anyone had any suggestions on how I could improve my resume or how I can be a better applicant, please let me know! I am all ears.

I am also possibly considering a Postbacc if necessary, however, I would rather matriculate right after college.

 

[Neuronix]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/what-are-my-chances-read-before-asking.539268/

 

[KaylaRay]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/what-are-my-chances-read-before-asking.539268/

Thank you for that. I should probably add that though I love research, it is extremely hard to participate in it at my university. Because it's an HBCU and STEM is probably some of the weakest programs, there is little to no funding for most professors. And the research being conducted is very basic (creating thalidomide or aspirin) and I feel like that's not enough, though that's all I have access to here. It's one of the reasons I'm doing the exchange program...hoping to gain more meaningful research.

 

[gutonc]

If that's a real issue (and not simply a matter of you not finding the research that's actually going on) then you need to consider a transfer to somewhere that you can do research. A semester, or a couple of summers, of research is not enough. You need a consistent (2-3 year) progressive, relatively independent project. If you can't get that where you are (or at a lab at another school across town), you need to go somewhere that has such a thing.

Alternatively, you could bag the MD/PhD altogether, go to med school and then do a research residency/fellowship.

 

[ValentinNarcisse]

If that's a real issue (and not simply a matter of you not finding the research that's actually going on) then you need to consider a transfer to somewhere that you can do research. A semester, or a couple of summers, of research is not enough. You need a consistent (2-3 year) progressive, relatively independent project. If you can't get that where you are (or at a lab at another school across town), you need to go somewhere that has such a thing.

Alternatively, you could bag the MD/PhD altogether, go to med school and then do a research residency/fellowship.

I do not recommend you transfer, there are special summer programs for URMs (Cornell, Yale etc) that would supplement your research experience. If you stay on this trajectory, you will be highly sought after by MD/PhD programs.

 

[Fencer]

Agree with ValentinNarcisse ... do not transfer for actively seek pre-MSTP summer (paid) opportunities. Study hard for the MCAT, and take a preparatory course.

PM me if you need.

 

[plumazul]

Hello all,
I've been searching around the internet for some info that might help me decide if MD/PhD is the best thing for me. Here are my stats:

Black female attending a HBCU, sophomore
3.7 GPA
no MCAT yet
Lots of ECs (tutoring, mentoring, co-founder of community service club, etc)
Two research posters, however, one was done in hs.
Going to participate in research this summer at UO
Participating in exchange program for one semester to another state school

If anyone had any suggestions on how I could improve my resume or how I can be a better applicant, please let me know!

I highly recommend an intense summer research program such as those offered by The Leadership Alliance or Amgen. These programs and others like them, can help you to decide if an MD/PhD is right for you. You must start the application process early (previous Fall).
Best of luck.

 

[KaylaRay]

I do not recommend you transfer, there are special summer programs for URMs (Cornell, Yale etc) that would supplement your research experience. If you stay on this trajectory, you will be highly sought after by MD/PhD programs.

It's an exchange program, only participating for a semester and then going back to my HBCU.

 

[KaylaRay]

I highly recommend an intense summer research program such as those offered by The Leadership Alliance or Amgen. These programs and others like them, can help you to decide if an MD/PhD is right for you. You must start the application process early (previous Fall).
Best of luck.

Hey, thank you. I applied to many internships summer after my freshman year of college, including TLA, was not accepted. I'm thinking about taking a gap year because of my lack of research experiences. I know that many programs look for a strong research background, however, even if I participate this summer, next semester, and the summer following my junior year (application time) would that be enough?