Too Late for MSTP?

[southchem]

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So I started off my undergraduate career wanting to do a PhD, but recently after volunteering and shadowing I'm much more inclined to involve clinical work in my future. However, I spend the majority of my time in the lab instead of class (inmature "grad school gpa only needs to be good enough and nothing more" kinda thinking). So I end up with a 3.1 cgpa. Planning to take the mcat this summer. I have 1 3rd author pub, and a second author pub, with another one coming on the way. One school poster presentation and a regional poster presentation. Too late for me? Should I consider a postbacc? I'm really interested in both doing research and clinical work, but it seems that only the most competitive applicants do a md.phd. Is even my research competitive? So confused!

 

[AGG]

Publications are less important than you might think when it comes to MD/PhD admissions. In my experience, the biggest deciding factors in terms of getting interview invites are (in rough order): (1.) MCAT; (2.) undergrad GPA; (3.) the quality of your research (i.e., well-known PI, reputable institution, etc.), your ability to communicate your research, and the maturity of your understanding of your research; (4.) reputation of your undergrad institution (3.1 from princeton >>> 3.2 from montana state).

Also, I believe your post-bac and/or grad school GPA is often considered separate from your undergrad, so it might be tough to make up for a 3.1 cgpa with just a post-bac. You'll need a really great MCAT score and some really great research essays. Definitely not trying to discourage you, but be aware that it will be a steep uphill battle.

 

[CrossCurrent]

Apply broadly and widely

 

[debateg]

Unfortunately, your application is weak even with a strong MCAT score. You should try to crush the MCAT. You're going to have a hard time getting interview offers at MD/PhD programs, and you may struggle with MD programs as well. If you really want to do an MD, I agree with CrossCurrent that you need to apply to as many schools as possible, including several backup schools, both MD and MD/PhD, pretty much everywhere in the country. Be OK with accepting MD-only and getting into research later on in life (either by transferring into the MD/PhD program, doing a masters, or during residency/fellowship).

 

[Kira]

Honestly it's never too late. Questions you have to ask yourself are how hard you're willing to work, and how many cycles you're willing to go through in order to achieve it while remembering that training takes at least 8 years.

Never let anyone tell you you can't do something.
I would recommend getting a private tutor for the MCAT to help you make correlations and focus your studies.

 

[moosetracks]

Publications are less important than you might think when it comes to MD/PhD admissions. In my experience, the biggest deciding factors in terms of getting interview invites are (in rough order): (1.) MCAT; (2.) undergrad GPA; (3.) the quality of your research (i.e., well-known PI, reputable institution, etc.), your ability to communicate your research, and the maturity of your understanding of your research; (4.) reputation of your undergrad institution (3.1 from princeton >>> 3.2 from montana state).

Also, I believe your post-bac and/or grad school GPA is often considered separate from your undergrad, so it might be tough to make up for a 3.1 cgpa with just a post-bac. You'll need a really great MCAT score and some really great research essays. Definitely not trying to discourage you, but be aware that it will be a steep uphill battle.

Don't publications speak to the quality of one's research?

 

[Neuronix]

Don't publications speak to the quality of one's research?

As an undergrad publications speak more to your connections and being in the right place at the right time. We don't put much emphasis on them, particularly when they are not first author. Middle authorship on a paper reflects that your PI and other superiors are generous to include you and you may have followed instructions well, but that authorship means little. Additionally, well known PI and reputable institution also speak more to your connections than your own abilities. Independence in your research and a thorough understanding of your work reflect promise on you to become an independent thinker later.

Far more important are your letters of recommendation, essays, first author work, and how well you understand your work at the time of interview. First author work should be published either at national/international conferences in your field of research or peer-reviewed field journals. Publishing in your undergraduate journal or presenting at your university's research conference is not impressive.