Wants to pursue MD/PhD but unsure with current stats

[researchrocks]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone. I've never used this before but have had some questions/doubts about my current career goals and wanted to reach out here and see where I stand or if I'm just too in my head.

I've wanted to pursue MD/PhD for a while now. I have a huge passion for research (been involved in several summer programs, honors thesis at my school, on campus projects as well) but also have a passion for the patient care side. I have some ECs outside of research, volunteering as a translator at a non-profit in my community, no shadowing yet, tons of employment experience (worked 20-40 hours to stay afloat while in school).

My fear is that I feel like I have a decent application except GPA. I know MSTP averages sit about 3.8+ and I am riding a 3.5-3.6 cumulative and around that for science, max it'll be by graduation is 3.6. Currently doing tons of MCAT prep and a kap course before April in the hopes that solid scores will help but not sure if I'm being overly optimistic. Goal is to pursue an MSTP that has an epidemiology track (UColorado is my favorite program currently, been on the hunt for others) and pursue more of a public health research focus as opposed to the traditional micro/neuro/etc PhDs.

Open to any insight, advice, etc. I've considered doing a post bacc to raise the GPA a bit but it wouldn't change much because of number of credits on my end (pursuing two degrees, Biomed and Latin American Studies). If there are any other options that you all know of to increase my shot, whether you think more research or more hours or something, let me know.

Thanks in advance for your advice guys.

 

[JoaoMoutinho]

It's impossible to say without an MCAT. Get a 520 and there should definitely be some programs that will be interested in you. Get a 508 and you will have much fewer options. What kind of research experience do you have? That will be a major factor in any admissions decision, assuming you have the academic qualifications.

Also, there is a physician scientist forum on here that may be able to give you more specific advice. You can try asking a mod to move it there.

 

[rx001]

Hard to tell without MCAT.

 

[TheDataKing]

You need an MCAT score for us to give you a realistic answer. I have friends who have a similar GPA to you and got 515+ on the MCAT and have multiple MD/PhD acceptances right now.

 

[researchrocks]

It's impossible to say without an MCAT. Get a 520 and there should definitely be some programs that will be interested in you. Get a 508 and you will have much fewer options. What kind of research experience do you have? That will be a major factor in any admissions decision, assuming you have the academic qualifications.

Also, there is a physician scientist forum on here that may be able to give you more specific advice. You can try asking a mod to move it there.

Spent a summer at JHU working on a neurodegenerative disease project (my mom has the disease), did my honors undergrad thesis on the disease and its epidemiology in Latin American populations, spent a summer at Scripps doing CRISPR work on T cells, and currently working on getting another summer experience or potentially an academic year internship if I can wrap my last few classes up in the summer. Have also done a few minor, literature based projects in health care disparities through a program at my university but figured that wouldn't count for much. How do I ask mod to move (sorry first day using this whole thing)

 

[researchrocks]

You need an MCAT score for us to give you a realistic answer. I have friends who have a similar GPA to you and got 515+ on the MCAT and have multiple MD/PhD acceptances right now.

Ok. That makes me feel a little better. Sounds like overarching theme is to crush the MCAT. Will have to circle back to this sometime after April with updates. Ty guys all for responses/insight