What can I do in the next year to separate myself for top MD/PhD programs?

[sully677]

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Hello all,

I have one year before I will be applying for MD/PhD programs. I am taking the MCAT in the spring, but in the mean time here are some stats.

3.8 GPA
At time of application, will have 2.5 years research
2 pubs by then (1st author on both)
Full time research at Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a semester
Over 50 hrs shadowing (will do more)
Over 50 hrs Volunteering (will do more)
Coach of summer baseball team
Scholarships
Several poster presentations at National conferences

What else is there that I could do to boost my app? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[alacast]

I'd suggest spending a few hours a week getting really good at Super Smash Brothers. Other than that, I think you're on an excellent track.

 

[dmblue]

I'd suggest spending a few hours a week getting really good at Super Smash Brothers. Other than that, I think you're on an excellent track.

or an actual fun video game 🙂

actually, i'm just bad at that one

 

[SplenoMegastar]

Sounds like you're in great shape. The two first author papers will help you out a lot. Especially if they're in decent journals. Just make sure your letters are solid from your long term PI, a professor that knows you well, etc. You can supplement with a letter from a doc you've shadowed if you think they can write you a good one, but that isn't absolutely necessary. Keep up the good work.

 

[sully677]

Thanks. The LOR's will come from 2 PI's, a post doc, and a math prof.

Should I do more shadowing and volunteering? Do these programs look at that much?

 

[SplenoMegastar]

Can any of those letters speak to "the softer side of sully" ie what kind of person you are outside of being good and science and math. If they know you well, they probably can, but it would probably be good to do some more volunteering/shadowing as time allows to play up commitment to service, being a relatively decent person that cares about people, etc. I don't mean to imply that I think you're weak in this area because I clearly don't know you. The med school folks tend to like to see that stuff but the MD/PhD folks will care mostly about your previous research and your letters from your PIs.

 

[sully677]

Can any of those letters speak to "the softer side of sully" ie what kind of person you are outside of being good and science and math. If they know you well, they probably can, but it would probably be good to do some more volunteering/shadowing as time allows to play up commitment to service, being a relatively decent person that cares about people, etc. I don't mean to imply that I think you're weak in this area because I clearly don't know you. The med school folks tend to like to see that stuff but the MD/PhD folks will care mostly about your previous research and your letters from your PIs.

Thanks. Yeh I have good relationships with my mentors and professors that go beyond the basics. I think they will be able to address those issues.