Summer Programs and MSTP

[silvermuse]

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Is there a disadvantage to not doing any of the nationally competitive summer programs when applying to MSTP programs?

I'm currently a sophomore and I applied to six summer programs, but wasn't accepted to any of them. Instead, I'm planning to do research in the Immunology lab that I've been working in since last August and study for the MCAT.

Is that going to hurt my application and should I consider just applying for MD? I know MSTP is even more competitive than MD only, but I am interested in academic medicine and translational research.

 

[CielloStelatto]

I'm not really sure. I worked in a lab through a summer research program (summer fellowship thing, with applications etc), though I'm not sure how well known the program is since it's not directly affiliated with any undergraduate institution or medical school.

In any case, I'm applying for MD/PhD programs as well, and I'm sure they don't require that you attend one of those programs. If you do the research, and it is good research (and you are able to discuss it intelligently at interviews) I'm fairly certain that should be good enough...barring all other obstacles of admissions.

Good luck!

 

[Bcblazer]

You don't necessarily have to do a "summer" research program. If you're working in a lab at which you're making a reasonable contribution, then you'll be fine. I didn't end up doing any summer research (although I did have plenty of research during the school years in undergrad), and I'll be starting in an MD/PhD program in the fall.

 

[URHere]

This is anecdotal, so take this with a grain of salt, but I was never asked by anyone on the interview trail why I didn't have a "nationally competitive summer program" on my application.

If you have the research experience, and you can talk about it well, I think you'll be just fine.

 

[fastrandstrongr]

frankly i think spending time in a lab that you will be at for more than 2-3 months is much more beneficial than saying that you were part of a "nationally competitive summer program." having continuity in your research is fairly important.

 

[bd4727]

Is there a disadvantage to not doing any of the nationally competitive summer programs when applying to MSTP programs?

I'm currently a sophomore and I applied to six summer programs, but wasn't accepted to any of them. Instead, I'm planning to do research in the Immunology lab that I've been working in since last August and study for the MCAT.

Is that going to hurt my application and should I consider just applying for MD? I know MSTP is even more competitive than MD only, but I am interested in academic medicine and translational research.

No one will even look at whether or not you were in a formal "program." Even if they did look, they wouldn't care.

 

[orrghead16]

Is there a disadvantage to not doing any of the nationally competitive summer programs when applying to MSTP programs?

IMO, there is a disadvantage to doing them. The best way to rack up a possible publication(s) and multiple abstracts/presentations is to find a good lab early and stick with it. Jumping around might get you tacked on to stuff, but that is << than getting high authorship(s) because you were faithful, even if you have a million publications, presentations, etc. where you are tacked on.

Further, and more importantly, your grasp of your own research will increase exponentially if you stick with it rather than jumping around. Rather than being stuck in lag-phase when moving from program to program, lab to lab. IMO, best MSTP applicants are going to know a lot about very little research wise rather than vice versa. The ability to have an in-depth and well-thought out argument/conversation about your research is a very good thing. And I think that is less possible in a ten-week program.

Of course, this doesn't apply if you get into a "bad" lab or a wrong fit, etc.

 

[silvermuse]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I feel much more reassured. I like the lab I'm in right now, it's doing some really interesting work with miRNA and the PI is awesome. I definitely don't mind working there over the summer. I'm only bummed because of all the work/stress that the applications involved, but I guess that was good practice.

Slightly on a tangent, why is there so much competition for the summer programs then? I know they receive hundreds/thousands of applications for only a handful of spots.

 

[Ok2Panic]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I feel much more reassured. I like the lab I'm in right now, it's doing some really interesting work with miRNA and the PI is awesome. I definitely don't mind working there over the summer. I'm only bummed because of all the work/stress that the applications involved, but I guess that was good practice.

Slightly on a tangent, why is there so much competition for the summer programs then? I know they receive hundreds/thousands of applications for only a handful of spots.

Probably mainly the money. You get to go to an institution and work with faculty members you otherwise most likely would not have had access to, and almost everything is paid for. You get generally 2-3 thousand dollars for the summer, plus in most cases room and board, food, and your round trip expenses out there covered.

 

[britishmafia]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I feel much more reassured. I like the lab I'm in right now, it's doing some really interesting work with miRNA and the PI is awesome. I definitely don't mind working there over the summer. I'm only bummed because of all the work/stress that the applications involved, but I guess that was good practice.

Slightly on a tangent, why is there so much competition for the summer programs then? I know they receive hundreds/thousands of applications for only a handful of spots.

It's really a chance to live somewhere else for awhile, get jumpstarted on some research experience, and get paid while doing it. A lot of programs have many formal training aspects, and it also can look good being a part of them at an institution where you'd like to end up.

One example is the Gateways program at Tri-I - great way to make connections with the ADCOM early on.

Other than that, it varies - I did the same summer program (BBSI) for two years in a row, while sticking with that lab before, during and after. However, I did this program at my home institution, so it was like receiving a summer grant for just continuing my undergrad research.