What are the chances?

[snowlake]

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Hi all:

I have a humble question. I am a 32 old non-trad student and taking April 05 MCAT. Ideally, I would love to do a M.D/Ph.D (ph.d in molecular bio). The only reason I hesitate to even think about M.D/Ph.D is that my undergrad GPA (Electrical engineering) was pretty bad - just over 3.0. I am doing very well in my pre-med courses and gotten mostly A, and A+. And honestly, perhaps because I love biological/chemistry sciences much more, I am usually in the top few in the class. I hate to say that because it sounds arrogant and with low undergrad GPA, it sounds like an excuse or something.

But I would love to give it a try if there is any chance.

In order to Apply to MD/Ph.D do you have to take GRE as well? Also, when I apply to med schools, can I apply to both M.D and M.D/Ph.D programs? Or do you have to specify one or the other?

Thanks a lot.

 

[ninebillion]

In order to Apply to MD/Ph.D do you have to take GRE as well? Also, when I apply to med schools, can I apply to both M.D and M.D/Ph.D programs? Or do you have to specify one or the other?

1. No, only a few programs require the GRE, and that's mostly in the case of biomedical engineering.

2. Yes.

 

[DrYo12]

Hi all:

I have a humble question. I am a 32 old non-trad student and taking April 05 MCAT. Ideally, I would love to do a M.D/Ph.D (ph.d in molecular bio). The only reason I hesitate to even think about M.D/Ph.D is that my undergrad GPA (Electrical engineering) was pretty bad - just over 3.0. I am doing very well in my pre-med courses and gotten mostly A, and A+. And honestly, perhaps because I love biological/chemistry sciences much more, I am usually in the top few in the class. I hate to say that because it sounds arrogant and with low undergrad GPA, it sounds like an excuse or something.

But I would love to give it a try if there is any chance.

In order to Apply to MD/Ph.D do you have to take GRE as well? Also, when I apply to med schools, can I apply to both M.D and M.D/Ph.D programs? Or do you have to specify one or the other?

Thanks a lot.

Most programs don't require the GRE because they have agreements with the graduate groups that MCAT scores can be used instead.

Typically, people's undergrad major will have something to do with the research experiences they're applying with and if this is not the case, hopefully you've thought about which graduate group you're interested in when applying for MD/PhD. Not all schools, but some will ask you to select a graduate group when you apply and if your background is in engineering but you want to do something unrelated, your research experiences and justification for your selected graduate group will be important.

For most programs, you will need to specify one or the other on your AMCAS. However, there are programs where you are not put into the MD/PhD applicant pool until you have already completed the secondary. It depends on the school.

Just some 411 to make your decisions...

 

[DrYo12]

oh yeah, the other thing...age isn't a factor in admissions decisions, but it will become something that you personally should think about. Think about how long this process will take (anywhere between 7-10 years) and that you'll still have to do a residency and postdoc afterwards. If you're still mentally prepared to do all that training when you're done, they shoot for the stars! But, if you are just doing the MD/PhD for the free $$$, think long and hard about the committment you're making.