Where to Apply: Too Many, Missing Some Essentials?

[ImagineThis]

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Hey Everyone,

So I just finished with my schools health careers committee and as I began to think about my AMCAS application I realized that it was time to make the list of where I would apply.

To give you some background about me and my stats I have a 3.9 (regular, Math/Science, and pre-med reqs... its all about the same) at an Ivy and will be applying directly from undergrad. I took the MCAT last summer and got a 36R (12, 12, 12).

In terms of research, I have been involved with one neuroimaging lab since my sophomore year of high school (5+years) which has yielded a first author MS that just finished review (I'm awaiting a decision) and my mentor and I expect to be accepted before applications go out. Additionally, I am involved in a different neuroscience (but I am doing a neuroimaging project) lab at my current institution and have been doing that since my freshman year (3+ years). This will most likely result in a MS submitted while applications are out (fall), but I probably will not be first author. I also have one poster at a national conference, but this wasn't first author (my current mentor doesn't put undergrads as first author). I will be doing an honors thesis with this work next year (senior year).

I will be applying to MD/PhD programs only. I'm pretty sure that I want to pursue my PhD in Neuroscience. Currently, I have 27 schools on my list, all of which are MSTP programs. This concerns me a bit, because I know that I am not guaranteed to get into any MSTP program. Also, I know that 27 schools is a LOT and while I am open to working really hard on secondaries. Am I going to be applying too broadly and missing out on the quality of my application?

Here is my list as of now:

Penn, Yale, Hopkins, Columbia, Tri-I, Stanford, UCSF, NYU, Sinai, UChicago, Michigan, Pitt, UCLA, UCSD, Wash U St. Louis, Emory, Northwestern, UNC, Einstein, Vanderbilt, Baylor, SUNY Stony Brook, Harvard, UVA, Duke, Case, Mayo

Should I be trying to shorten that list? Additionally, should I be applying to non MSTP programs as well? Am I applying beyond my stats? Finally, are there any strong programs in neuroscience that I am leaving out?

Sorry for hammering you all with questions, but I figured this is where I can find the best answers.

Thanks!

 

[phatlineman]

take out penn,yale,columbia, tri-I, hopkins, and harvard. Replace them with UAB, Iowa, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

 

[Pendra]

take out penn,yale,columbia, tri-I, hopkins, and harvard. Replace them with UAB, Iowa, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

Are you being facetious? I think the OP has a good shot at the top schools. I think the most important factor (besides a minimum GPA/MCAT combo, which the OP has) is evidence of sustained research involvement, and the ability to talk about one's projects in detail. The OP's 5 years in research and first-author paper will surely impress.

To the OP: I would cut the number down by at least 10, picking schools based on location, reputation, and strength in your research interests. Good luck!

 

[gbwillner]

IMHO you should apply to as many programs as you can afford. It seems like you have an outstanding resume and have a good chance at any one program. You are correct, however, that nothing is guaranteed.

If I were you, and money is not a problem, I would send in all 27 applications, and weed out programs as secondaries/interviews come around. I would base these cuts on the quality of the neuroscience dept. For example, if you really like program X but there is only one interesting professor in neuroscience there, I would avoid that program at all costs.

Now is your time to try to get to know these programs better. You should rely only so much on reputation- find out how much $$ and # of faculty each program/department has. Go see new parts of the country. I never thought I would end up picking the program I did based on its location- but boy am I glad that I gave it a chance.

 

[Neuronix]

What about 3.9/36 with 5+ years of research would possibly make you think you are "applying beyond your stats" ??? Unless there is some red flag you are not talking about, you will likely land at a top-10 program.

see: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=539268

My advice would be to prune it down to more like 15 or so based on location and strength of program/strength in your area. Do you plan on doing more neuroimaging? I know that area pretty well and can provide my thoughts by PM in that case.

 

[ImagineThis]

Neuronix... nope, no red flags, I just wasn't sure of the breakdown into MSTP programs versus other MD/PhDs as well as what type of stats you needed to apply MSTP only with a decent shot at landing a top 10 program.

Thanks for your feedback everyone, this really helps!

 

[orrghead16]

Although you most definitely are not applying to schools out of your range, MSTP admissions can be very strange at times. DON'T take off a bunch of your top schools off because of stats. I would take some off if you don't want to live there for 8 years. I think applying to 20+ schools is feasible for MD-only. But MD/PhD secondaries (and the primary) can be far more work. Moreover, the amount of interviewing/BS in one MSTP interview is probably the equality of 3+ straight MD interviews. I know I wished I had applied to less and been more picky about locations. I found myself interviewing at places I knew I probably would not be most happy with for the next decade, which was a huge mistake.

I would add just a few non MSTPs or lower ranked programs that are strong in your area of research interest. Just for a catch net.