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I am applying to MSTP programs -- but I think that this issue is generally enough for the straight MD board.
I have worked in several labs for over one year, including two labs in biology (year each), one in behavioral(>2.5years), and one in biomedical engineering (~1.5 years). In addition, I did some clinical outcomes studies for 4 months in developing country, which I presented in poster form at an international conference.
I graduated from college two years ago and have not spoke to the two bio labs in a while, though I left on good terms, I did not accomplish much. In comparison, my behavioral work earned me honors and an award, and was published with me as first of two authors. My other projects have as many as 6 publications pending, but unfortunately busy people are holding them up (understandable, but man those would be nice to have inked). Some schools want letters from every advisor, which I didn't realize until recently (bad move). I did not originally submit the bio ones because I felt they were weaker, but recently contacted them and so far have received a positive response. Is it a good idea to send these to all schools, or should I call them individually? Some schools definitely want to see them, but what about the others?
Aside from good research, my major was philosophy (~3.85 major GPA I think) and my BMCP was 3.73 from a top-40 national university. Its a good school but not elite. I've already been rejected from cornell MSTP and pritzker MD and MSTP, which I think has much to do with my B12-P10-V10S MCAT, and my failed attempt at improvement this past summer (B11-P11-V10-M. A variety of issues + burn out... not pretty, but I take responsibility and am being proactive and introspective/reflective about better family/work crisis management). Of course, there could be other issues, but I can't pinpoint them.
my current letters are from my behavioral PI, my BME PI, my epi PI, and a philosophy professor who taught me for a year and was on my thesis committee (voted for departmental honors).
With sub-average numbers including the embarrassing mcat retake, my application relies heavily on research and letters (and essays which are already in, so no use frettin' there). If the letters are strong, I should send them to everyone, right?
any advise would be great--
p.s. I have some interested leadership experiences, currently interpret Spanish in a community clinic... but my understanding is that MSTP is mostly numbers and research, so I focused on that here.
I have worked in several labs for over one year, including two labs in biology (year each), one in behavioral(>2.5years), and one in biomedical engineering (~1.5 years). In addition, I did some clinical outcomes studies for 4 months in developing country, which I presented in poster form at an international conference.
I graduated from college two years ago and have not spoke to the two bio labs in a while, though I left on good terms, I did not accomplish much. In comparison, my behavioral work earned me honors and an award, and was published with me as first of two authors. My other projects have as many as 6 publications pending, but unfortunately busy people are holding them up (understandable, but man those would be nice to have inked). Some schools want letters from every advisor, which I didn't realize until recently (bad move). I did not originally submit the bio ones because I felt they were weaker, but recently contacted them and so far have received a positive response. Is it a good idea to send these to all schools, or should I call them individually? Some schools definitely want to see them, but what about the others?
Aside from good research, my major was philosophy (~3.85 major GPA I think) and my BMCP was 3.73 from a top-40 national university. Its a good school but not elite. I've already been rejected from cornell MSTP and pritzker MD and MSTP, which I think has much to do with my B12-P10-V10S MCAT, and my failed attempt at improvement this past summer (B11-P11-V10-M. A variety of issues + burn out... not pretty, but I take responsibility and am being proactive and introspective/reflective about better family/work crisis management). Of course, there could be other issues, but I can't pinpoint them.
my current letters are from my behavioral PI, my BME PI, my epi PI, and a philosophy professor who taught me for a year and was on my thesis committee (voted for departmental honors).
With sub-average numbers including the embarrassing mcat retake, my application relies heavily on research and letters (and essays which are already in, so no use frettin' there). If the letters are strong, I should send them to everyone, right?
any advise would be great--
p.s. I have some interested leadership experiences, currently interpret Spanish in a community clinic... but my understanding is that MSTP is mostly numbers and research, so I focused on that here.
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