Thinking about MD/PhD...any advice?

[lm12345]

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Hey all! Would love to hear what you guys think! I'm considering either an MD/PhD program or an MD program with an opportunity to do research.

32R MCAT, 3.69 GPA + honors from top 5 undergrad

-2+ years research (couple presentations at international conferences, 4+ first author publications)

-1+ years on committee of free clinic

-varsity athlete

-EMT-B certified +1 year volunteering

-1+ years youth basketball coach

-fluent in spanish/volunteering in mexican clinic

-some shadowing experience + clinic work

I'm open to school suggestions or general advice!

Thanks!

 

[achamess]

Looks pretty solid. Your stats are a tad lower than the average for matriculants to MD-PhD programs but your research experience and publication record look quite good. Can elaborate more on your research and the types of publications you've produced? That is a major factor of the MD-PhD application.

Good luck.

 

[vc7777]

...or an MD program with an opportunity to do research...

OP, osrry if you are already aware of these programs: but, I'm taking it upon myself to stress there are formal MD/MS or MD/research schools and programs you should consider as well (like Cleveland Clinic and U Pitt's PSTP and CSTP programs).

Good luck!

 

[Neuronix]

It's hard to say where you'd land for MD/PhD. Your stats are borderline, but the rest of your app looks very competitive. I'd guess you'll land in a MSTP (top-40 USNews Research), but whether it'll be a top one is hard to say.

For MD-only, any med school allows you to take time out for research. It's always a question if you will get any money towards med school or even that year out. CCLCM + Pitt are good options this way as they are extremely generous with the financial aid. Unfortunately the number of schools for which this is true is very limited, so I'd come to grips whether you really want to do PhD or not, and apply for that choice. Apply to a broad range of either.