The Great MSTP Faceoff

[jlamacc1]

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Alright guys, I've got two remaining slots for schools to apply to on AMCAS (I'm limiting myself to 18, and I've already decided on 16), and six schools to decide between. I'd appreciate some feedback based on my MDapplicants profile as to which of these schools might be the better choices. The schools are:

U. Washington
Hopkins
Columbia
NYU
UCSD
Pitt


Thanks in advance👍

 

[jjmack]

more info is needed. what type of location are you looking for? what research do you think you may be interested in?

 

[meowkat444]

i will put in a word for pittsburgh, as a city. much better than you might think. low cost of living, pretty, great music scene, fun place.

but like the last person said, really depends on what you're interested in.

 

[jlamacc1]

more info is needed. what type of location are you looking for? what research do you think you may be interested in?

I guess I'm looking for a nice urban environment, and innovative cancer research (I'm interested in rad onc as a specialty).

 

[j-weezy]

Hopkins - they have a great oncology department, baltimore has it's pros and cons, and with your stats you stand as good a chance as a the rest of us

 

[QofQuimica]

I don't know if you could work at Sloan-Kettering in NYC for your research years. But if Columbia and/or NYU has that partnership, I'd definitely choose those two schools.

BTW, any reason why you're not looking at TMC? MD Anderson is no small potatoes either.

 

[j-weezy]

I don't know if you could work at Sloan-Kettering in NYC for your research years. But if Columbia and/or NYU has that partnership, I'd definitely choose those two schools.

BTW, any reason why you're not looking at TMC? MD Anderson is no small potatoes either.

Doesn't Cornell give you that option? And the Op is already applying there....but yes Sloan-Kettering would be an amazing opportunity. The worst thing about MD Anderson is the location but it's also a really good hospital to be affiliated with....

 

[QofQuimica]

Doesn't Cornell give you that option? And the Op is already applying there....but yes Sloan-Kettering would be an amazing opportunity. The worst thing about MD Anderson is the location but it's also a really good hospital to be affiliated with....

The OP is attending U of Tenn and is a TN resident. It's not like Houston would be a huge change of culture or climate for him. 😉

 

[jlamacc1]

The OP is attending U of Tenn and is a TN resident. It's not like Houston would be a huge change of culture or climate for him. 😉

Oh, burn! But, I do have to admit, touche. From someone who's lived here for eight years, Ktown is pretty lame.

 

[jlamacc1]

BTW, any reason why you're not looking at TMC? MD Anderson is no small potatoes either.

Yes, MD Anderson is great, but unfortunately I can only apply to so many schools. Besides, doesn't TMC use the Texas Application?

 

[vector07]

Alright guys, I've got two remaining slots for schools to apply to on AMCAS (I'm limiting myself to 18, and I've already decided on 16), and six schools to decide between. I'd appreciate some feedback based on my MDapplicants profile as to which of these schools might be the better choices. The schools are:

U. Washington
Hopkins
Columbia
NYU
UCSD
Pitt


Thanks in advance👍

In terms of amazing places to live: U. Washington (Seattle was the best city I visited in the process!) and one of the NY schools.

Your app is very strong though, you have a shot at Hopkins.

 

[QofQuimica]

Yes, MD Anderson is great, but unfortunately I can only apply to so many schools. Besides, doesn't TMC use the Texas Application?

UT-Houston uses the TMDSAS, but Baylor definitely uses AMCAS. That's why Baylor was the only TX school I applied to last year. 😛 But you're already going to have to fill out TMDSAS if you apply to UT-Southwestern anyway, so I'm not sure why you'd be hesitating to add UT-Houston too. MD Anderson is technically affiliated with UT-Houston. But if you really don't want to fill out TMDSAS, you might contact Baylor and ask if it would be possible to do your PhD work at MD Anderson if you were a Baylor MSTP student. (I applied straight MD after already finishing my PhD, so I don't know how things would work for y'all.)

BTW, I wasn't trying to put TN *or* Houston down in my previous post; I was actually responding to the other poster commenting about MD Anderson's "undesirable" location. 🙄 😛 I'm a fellow Southerner (from FL), and I have to say that Houston is a pretty nice city. About the biggest complaint people have about it is that it's hot. Well, yeah, it *is* hot. It's hot *everywhere* in the South. And if you go up North, it's freaking cold. We all have our climate burdens to bear; personally, I'd prefer to sweat in Houston instead of shivering in New York City. 😉

 

[jlamacc1]

UT-Houston uses the TMDSAS, but Baylor definitely uses AMCAS. That's why Baylor was the only TX school I applied to last year. 😛 But you're already going to have to fill out TMDSAS if you apply to UT-Southwestern anyway, so I'm not sure why you'd be hesitating to add UT-Houston too. MD Anderson is technically affiliated with UT-Houston. But if you really don't want to fill out TMDSAS, you might contact Baylor and ask if it would be possible to do your PhD work at MD Anderson if you were a Baylor MSTP student. (I applied straight MD after already finishing my PhD, so I don't know how things would work for y'all.)

BTW, I wasn't trying to put TN *or* Houston down in my previous post; I was actually responding to the other poster commenting about MD Anderson's "undesirable" location. 🙄 😛 I'm a fellow Southerner (from FL), and I have to say that Houston is a pretty nice city. About the biggest complaint people have about it is that it's hot. Well, yeah, it *is* hot. It's hot *everywhere* in the South. And if you go up North, it's freaking cold. We all have our climate burdens to bear; personally, I'd prefer to sweat in Houston instead of shivering in New York City. 😉

Actually, according to Southwestern's website, the AMCAS is the only application MSTPers need to submit. If more Texas MSTPs were like this, I would definitely apply to more, as I've heard Texas is a nice place to live, etc. Also, I'm sure Houston is a very nice city. I'm positive, however, that Knoxville is not.
As far as MD Anderson goes, there's always residency.

 

[j-weezy]

Actually, according to Southwestern's website, the AMCAS is the only application MSTPers need to submit. If more Texas MSTPs were like this, I would definitely apply to more, as I've heard Texas is a nice place to live, etc. Also, I'm sure Houston is a very nice city. I'm positive, however, that Knoxville is not.
As far as MD Anderson goes, there's always residency.

HAHA.....I'm from Texas and even I don't want to live in Houston...I'm only applying to Baylor on the off-chance that it's the only place I'm accepted (and I think I'd get into a lower ranked school before Baylor)...

You are right however about UT Southwestern using AMCAS (hooray!) for MSTP applications. Oh, and there's no secondary (i think) - so why don't more people apply there? - oh right, this has already been covered in another thread.

 

[QofQuimica]

You are right however about UT Southwestern using AMCAS (hooray!) for MSTP applications. Oh, and there's no secondary (i think) - so why don't more people apply there? - oh right, this has already been covered in another thread.

Interesting, I didn't know that. For MD-only, you have to use TMDSAS.

 

[Sinfekl]

Your app is very strong though, you have a shot at Hopkins.

Second that. Very strong app.

OP, I just went through the process, picked Hopkins over a number of the places that you mentioned, great MSTP program, the administration there is top notch and comitted to both getting their students through in a reasonable period and giving them the research training they need, plus for cancer, especially for translational type stuff, few places can compete. I'd give it a thumbs up, too many people get scared away by Baltimore without giving the place a chance, I think you'd be surprised if you visited. Also, the bioengineering/imaging research there could dovetail nicely with a clinical interest in RadOnc.

I just went through the process with a similar app to yours and applied to a lot of the same schools, plus I'm doing cancer stuff, so if you have questions feel free to PM.

 

[Quincy]

Baylor takes AMCAS, but it's technically not affiliated with MD Anderson, so I would be shocked if they let you do your thesis work there. unless you can find joint faculty. like somebody else said, you could call baylor, but I'm pretty sure they'll say that you'd have to choose a baylor faculty member to work with.

 

[jlamacc1]

Second that. Very strong app.

OP, I just went through the process, picked Hopkins over a number of the places that you mentioned, great MSTP program, the administration there is top notch and comitted to both getting their students through in a reasonable period and giving them the research training they need, plus for cancer, especially for translational type stuff, few places can compete. I'd give it a thumbs up, too many people get scared away by Baltimore without giving the place a chance, I think you'd be surprised if you visited. Also, the bioengineering/imaging research there could dovetail nicely with a clinical interest in RadOnc.

I just went through the process with a similar app to yours and applied to a lot of the same schools, plus I'm doing cancer stuff, so if you have questions feel free to PM.

I think Hopkins just made the cut. Thanks for the info.

 

[jjmack]

I'm glad you are applying to vandy. the radonc here is very research focused and we just built a new imaging building with a 7T.

 

[jlamacc1]

I'm glad you are applying to vandy. the radonc here is very research focused and we just built a new imaging building with a 7T.

Yeah, Vandy's high on my list because of their research strengths AND because it seems like the students are very happy (I've only heard great things about the program). That's good to hear about the rad onc, too.

 

[The Leader]

cool. research rocks

 

[jjmack]

cool. research rocks

unless you want to make a living.

 

[Dr.Watson]

UT-Houston uses the TMDSAS, but Baylor definitely uses AMCAS. That's why Baylor was the only TX school I applied to last year. 😛 But you're already going to have to fill out TMDSAS if you apply to UT-Southwestern anyway, so I'm not sure why you'd be hesitating to add UT-Houston too. MD Anderson is technically affiliated with UT-Houston. But if you really don't want to fill out TMDSAS, you might contact Baylor and ask if it would be possible to do your PhD work at MD Anderson if you were a Baylor MSTP student. (I applied straight MD after already finishing my PhD, so I don't know how things would work for y'all.)

Texas MD/PhD programs appear to have changed their policy this year. AMCAS-only can be used for Baylor, UTSW, UTMB, UT-H, and A&M.
http://www.utsystem.edu/TMDSAS/ApplicationPre-Page.htm#Application

 

[hawkeey]

Let me clear up the situation with UT Southwestern:

If you want to apply only the MSTP, then you only need to submit the AMCAS and there is no secondary. If you turn it in soon enough, the turn around at UT Southwestern is pretty quick because the administration is just that good. This has been in effect for a few years already.

If you also want to apply for MD-only, then you need to apply for the TMDSAS and there is a secondary. If you are good enough to be MSTP, then just focus on the AMCAS.

For completeness, there is a single graduate school application for all programs and tracks, and it has its own website.

 

[SpeakLittleB]

Just confirming above posts by Watson and hawkeey. I was a Texas applicant and used the AMCAS last yr for baylor, uth, and utsw. However, the uth secondary IS the TMDSAS (so i withdrew the application).

Also to clarify, Baylor does not have affiliation with M.D. Anderson, so if someone wants to do their Ph.D. there, they'd need to be in the UT Houston MD/PhD program.

I vote for choosing 2 higher profile schools, since I think you already have a good range in the list on your mdapps. Specifics depend on where you'd like to live and learn 🙂