some better "low tier" md/phd programs

[Borrow]

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hey guys i am looking for your opinions on some of the lesser known md phd programs. its tough getting this type of information because many schools websites are not the complete/ they are not that focused on the program.

i'm looking for programs that have established md/phd programs (doesn't have to be mstp) and full support+tuition for all years in program. also programs that are "active". i don't really wanna go to a place that has 5 md phd students.

3.65cum 3.75sci
36 mcat, 3 years research. couple of posters at undergrad conferences.
all the other pre-med stuff

heres my list (tentative)

umass
suny stony brook
uconn
florida (do they have residency requirement?)
utah
uc davis
penn state
ohio state

do you think pitt, irvine, ohsu, unc, or ucsd would be in my range?

 

[ariels]

Seems like SUNY downstate would fit that list

 

[24thGrade]

look into UT Houston's MD-PhD program. It's affiliated with MD Anderson so if cancer is your thing it's probably a great place to be. It will also not be as competitive as the MSTPs mostly due to the lack of exposure it gets because many ignore it because it doesn't have that label.

 

[BarmyArmy]

Iowa and Colorado has some fantastic research going on.

 

[Borrow]

thanks guys. any programs on my list that you think shouldn't be? i'm a little limited on money so i have to be smart with my applications. i was thinking of adding colorado but their average gpa is 3.77. think it's out of reach with my 3.65 cum?

also, i was wondering what you thoughts were about irvine? do you think i would be competitive?

 

[jc235693]

Have considered Temple? They've got a brand new medical science building that is going to bring in a ton of research. I know they are looking to really expand in neuroscience and pharmacology. They aren't mstp but might be a good addition to your list.

 

[ariels]

Apply For an application fee waiver. No one who matters will know, and worst case they say no

 

[BarmyArmy]

In my experience, Irvine and SD is tough. However, I would not sell myself short if I were you. Your stats are not bad at all and sounds like you have solid research experience. I would take out some of the non-MSTP programs and replace them with colorado and iowa and some of the UCs. I would apply to Pitt as well, they seem to be less stat centric.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

do you think pitt, irvine, ohsu, unc, or ucsd would be in my range?

I have some experience with OHSU so I'll just speak to that point...

Based just on your GPA/MCAT, I'd say that OHSU sounds like it's in your range. You'd almost certainly get an interview with those stats, but at OHSU there's a rumor that once you get an interview they start relying much more heavily on intangibles... so if there's someone who had a 30 MCAT and they interviewed better than you, your 36 wouldn't count for anything anymore.

Portland's amazing, and OHSU is too. I got my PhD at OHSU, and now I'm starting my MD there in August (alas, I'm doing them separately... I hadn't ever really considered medicine until I was a grad student at a medical school). If you like beer, skiing, music, bicycling, or anything else that's awesome, you should check it out!

 

[Maebea]

OP- Your numbers are at the mean for any program, even the so-called elites. Pick schools based on your area of interest. If you are looking for a big program, consider Illinois, which takes upwards of 20 students a year.

jc235693-The presence of shiny new buildings no longer necessarily equates to a burgeoning research enterprise. With faculty start-up packages in the $2million range, many schools that were caught up in the building frenzy of the past 15 years have found themselves unable to afford new faculty to fill the buildings. Often, they just shift labs from older buildings to new ones. I do not know that this is the case with Temple, but applicants should look at the research opportunities that are currently available, not the promises made by program directors.

hopefuldoc97239- All programs forget about the MCAT & GPA once you get to the interview stage. Interviewees are evaluated on intellectual rigor, curiosity, creativity, research productivity, interpersonal skills, passion for research, perseverance, development potential, and suitability for the medical profession. Programs routinely reject an individual with a 42 MCAT while accepting another applicant with a 30 MCAT because the former did not score as high in these metrics as did the latter. An yes, Portland is an awesome place.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

hopefuldoc97239- All programs forget about the MCAT & GPA once you get to the interview stage. Interviewees are evaluated on intellectual rigor, curiosity, creativity, research productivity, interpersonal skills, passion for research, perseverance, development potential, and suitability for the medical profession. Programs routinely reject an individual with a 42 MCAT while accepting another applicant with a 30 MCAT because the former did not score as high in these metrics as did the latter. An yes, Portland is an awesome place.

This is, of course, what I suspect about other schools as well, but I didn't want to make any sweeping generalizations.

 

[tortuga87]

Yeah, just want to reiterate to apply broadly. If the school has your research and a fully funded MD/PhD program, I would apply to it. You never know, you might get into a reach or somewhere might surprise you

 

[Neuronix]

I do not know that this is the case with Temple, but applicants should look at the research opportunities that are currently available, not the promises made by program directors.

Temple's facilties were so old and cramped in the early-mid 00s that the medical school was put on probation in large part as a result. In response, they have the new facilities and came off probation.

In any case, I agree with Maebea. The 3.65 GPA is not going to be a limiting factor, even at top programs. 36 MCAT is strong, 3 years of research is decent as well. Apply to a good range of programs, but not much is really out of the realm of possibility. You don't need to focus on applying to the "lower tier".