Undergrad Prestige for MSTP

[mcally12]

Hi!

I'm an undergrad majoring in Biochemistry at a very average state school in the Midwest, and am looking to earn a spot in an MSTP program for an MD/PhD soon. I have a 3.84 GPA and 4 full summers of research at an independent research institution. I have some publications, but no MCAT score yet. I feel like in today's world of publish or perish, I need to complete my degrees in a good program, but I am worried about applying because my UG school is not prestigious (but I am on on a full-ride, my main reason for attending here). Would it be beneficial to do a year-long master's degree at a more prestigious school (read: a public Ivy) before trying to apply? Or, should I just go for it and apply without adding more time onto an already long path?

A side note, I have ECs up the wazoo, no worries there, and am anticipating a decent MCAT score.

Thanks! 🙂

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[aldol16]

No master's - it's not likely to help. Kill the MCAT and your publications will carry a lot of weight for MSTP programs.

 

[DokterMom]

You'll probably be a more competitive applicant at public programs as they're less prestige-driven in admissions. For them, you already sound competitive enough.

 

[mcally12]

Thank you! I appreciate the advice!

 

[Dr. Stalker]

Accepted student so I can chime in. I attended a top-tier research institution for my UG and applied both MD and MSTP (or MD/PhD) at schools. I was rejected MSTP at the school I'm accepted at for MD only. I've since reached, out and the school of medicine told me I'm welcome to apply and "transfer" from the MD into the MD/PhD, and a lot of students do that.

My home school also has a medical school, I know all the MSTP students, and half of them had to apply as a transfer into the MD/PhD program. They assured me their medical school and most MD schools across the country actually try to help MS1s and MS2s get into the MD PhD if they really do want it.

For MSTP admission you need:
1. KILLER MCAT SCORE. Let's look at an average medical school: MD student MCAT average is say, idk, 512, but their MSTP student MCAT average is 518. You NEED a top-tier score to make the adcom actually consider you for such a coveted program.
2. High GPA - same reasons as above
3. Intensive research - I had 3 full years of research in college (winter, spring, and summer break included), with an additional 2 years of research during my masters. Publication help A LOT!

You may also find more luck in the MSTP Forum.

 

[mcally12]

You won't receive funding though, if you transfer in, correct? So you would be taking on debt for tuition and living expenses for at least 8 years?

 

[Dr. Stalker]

You won't receive funding though, if you transfer in, correct? So you would be taking on debt for tuition and living expenses for at least 8 years?

No, you'd have funding after you're accepted via transfer to MSTP.

Let's say we have a student that is a MD for FIRST YEAR. At the conclusion of MS1 his application was accepted to MSTP. He will now start MS2 and thereafter under the title of MSTP and will be fully covered from that moment onward.

Additionally, that one year he was not MSTP, he paid for himself, so now what? At this point I believe its up to the school to pay the student back or tell them its all on the student, and what he paid for was non-MSTP so it can't be refunded, but all future medical school business is covered via MSTP funding. That's entirely school dependent though.

tl;dr
7 years of non-MSTP funding would turn off students from transferring in, so they do cover that money, so long as it is post-MSTP acceptance. Pre-MSTP you may or may not get your money back!

 

[efle]

Kill the MCAT. When you have such stellar research that's the hurdle to worry about, not your alma mater!

You also might be interested in this excellent thread from @Lucca. Some MSTP programs are absurdly skewed towards Ivy-type grads but most places are 40%+ from elsewhere

 

[mcally12]

No, you'd have funding after you're accepted via transfer to MSTP.

Let's say we have a student that is a MD for FIRST YEAR. At the conclusion of MS1 his application was accepted to MSTP. He will now start MS2 and thereafter under the title of MSTP and will be fully covered from that moment onward.

Additionally, that one year he was not MSTP, he paid for himself, so now what? At this point I believe its up to the school to pay the student back or tell them its all on the student, and what he paid for was non-MSTP so it can't be refunded, but all future medical school business is covered via MSTP funding. That's entirely school dependent though.

tl;dr
7 years of non-MSTP funding would turn off students from transferring in, so they do cover that money, so long as it is post-MSTP acceptance. Pre-MSTP you may or may not get your money back!

Thank you for clarifying! I appreciate the help!

Kill the MCAT. When you have such stellar research that's the hurdle to worry about, not your alma mater!

You also might be interested in this excellent thread from @Lucca. Some MSTP programs are absurdly skewed towards Ivy-type grads but most places are 40%+ from elsewhere

WOW! That is an impressive compilation of data. Thank you for the tip!

Thanks everyone, going to go kill the MCAT now!

 

[aldol16]

You won't receive funding though, if you transfer in, correct? So you would be taking on debt for tuition and living expenses for at least 8 years?

Additionally, that one year he was not MSTP, he paid for himself, so now what? At this point I believe its up to the school to pay the student back or tell them its all on the student, and what he paid for was non-MSTP so it can't be refunded, but all future medical school business is covered via MSTP funding. That's entirely school dependent though.

I believe schools generally do not reimburse you for "internal" MD/PhD entry. Prior to entry to the program, you already paid the tuition and expenses and I do not believe there are mechanisms for backpay you the tuition or the stipend. Internal entry acceptance is also contingent on how much funding the school has that year. But the good news is, if you're accepted, you'll be funded from that point on.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

Just keep in mind you'll need to write a 3,000 character essay saying why you want to pursue MD-PhD and then a 10,000 character essay describing your research. I personally do not think the 10,000 character is as hard as the 3,000 character because it's basically a record of your research work. You could even start on the 10,000 character now and make your application easier on yourself.

 

[aldol16]

Just keep in mind you'll need to write a 3,000 character essay saying why you want to pursue MD-PhD and then a 10,000 character essay describing your research. I personally do not think the 10,000 character is as hard as the 3,000 character because it's basically a record of your research work. You could even start on the 10,000 character now and make your application easier on yourself.

The 10000 character limit is the max limit. They try to make sure that everybody has enough room to write about their research - whether you've had 1 research experience or 20. So don't feel pressure to hit that 10000 character limit - especially if you feel like you're starting to repeat yourself or go off on non-research tangents. Concision is key.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

The 10000 character limit is the max limit. They try to make sure that everybody has enough room to write about their research - whether you've had 1 research experience or 20. So don't feel pressure to hit that 10000 character limit - especially if you feel like you're starting to repeat yourself or go off on non-research tangents. Concision is key.

I didn't think I had to specify since OP could do research and find out for his or herself.

EDIT: I've been told going too specific into details can inadvertently insult others' intellect so I am trying to figure out where the line is so if that was not specific enough, forgive me.

 

[aldol16]

I didn't think I had to specify since OP could do research and find out for his or herself.

I just didn't want OP or anyone else reading to be intimidated by this essay since it's not the most important one of them all. You kept saying "10000 character essay" like applicants are supposed to reach the 10000 character mark so I clarified.