Would this help my MD-only application?

[jd989898]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm applying MD/PhD and MD-only and I have 3 LORS (two are from PIs and one from a science professor). This summer, I did an REU program that will be finishing up in ~2 weeks. Would it help either of my applications to ask my REU program coordinator for a LOR to add to my file? I think I made a pretty good impression, and I sort of feel like 3 letters is a bit low.

Thanks in advance for input.

 

[shh-pthway]

For MD PhD, you should have letter from each PI so I say yes. I cannot comment for MD only

 

[GrapesofRath]

For MD only purposes there is absolutely no need for this letter with already having 2 PI letters for the overwhelming majority of schools( Harvard is the rare example of a school that asks for letters from every PI but even for them not having a letter from 1 Summer alone is hardly lethal if combined with several other strong ones)

Bottom line youre fine

 

[jd989898]

Thanks guys. So definitely add the letter for MD/PhD programs? Even if it wasn't exactly a PI-relationship, just a program coordinator?

 

[Dormouse]

I'd even think that if your background is very research heavy, having too many PI letters will give away to the MD program that you might have applied MD/PhD, which will raise the question to them as to why you're applying to MD-only and whether that was just for backup. No school or program would ever admit someone who's unlikely to attend if admitted!

 

[Dr. Jan Itor]

What can the program coordinator say that the PI you worked with over the summer can't?

 

[jd989898]

What can the program coordinator say that the PI you worked with over the summer can't?

That's not really how REU works. You sort of are your own PI. The research coordinator helps you pick a project, assigns you a grad student you can use for guidance, suggests profs to consult with, etc. You have a lot of independence.

I'd even think that if your background is very research heavy, having too many PI letters will give away to the MD program that you might have applied MD/PhD, which will raise the question to them as to why you're applying to MD-only and whether that was just for backup. No school or program would ever admit someone who's unlikely to attend if admitted!

MD-only committee will already know I applied to MD/PhD at their schools from my TMDSAS file. My advisor told me to apply MD as well for backup. Are MDPhd applicants just expected to not do that?

 

[Dr. Jan Itor]

That's not really how REU works. You sort of are your own PI. The research coordinator helps you pick a project, assigns you a grad student you can use for guidance, suggests profs to consult with, etc. You have a lot of independence.

The REU program must have changed in the 10 years since I've graduated. We worked independentl, with grad student supervision, but we presented to the PIs at group meetings, etc. My coordinator just made sure I had all the paperwork signed and had nothing to do with the lab.

But if you really had no contact with a PI at all, ignore what I said.

 

[GrapesofRath]

That's not really how REU works. You sort of are your own PI. The research coordinator helps you pick a project, assigns you a grad student you can use for guidance, suggests profs to consult with, etc. You have a lot of independence.


MD-only committee will already know I applied to MD/PhD at their schools from my TMDSAS file. My advisor told me to apply MD as well for backup. Are MDPhd applicants just expected to not do that?

I mean what are your stats? I'm kinda somewhere in the middle on using MD only as a backup to MD/PhD and your stats are relevant to this question

 

[jd989898]

I mean what are your stats? I'm kinda somewhere in the middle on using MD only as a backup to MD/PhD and your stats are relevant to this question

3.65 sgpa, 3.7 cgpa, 33-37 MCAT (June tester)

 

[GrapesofRath]

3.65 sgpa, 3.7 cgpa, 33-37 MCAT (June tester)

Your stats are below average for MD/PhD programs in general nonetheless the higher tier ones.

So yes you absolutely need to apply to MD programs. And a number of them at that. Realize the average stats for a MD/PhD program are 3.8/35(and we aren't talking about the higher tier averages rather the average for a matriculant to a program in general)

 

[jd989898]

Your stats are below average for MD/PhD programs in general nonetheless the higher tier ones.

So yes you absolutely need to apply to MD programs. And a number of them at that. Realize the average stats for a MD/PhD program are 3.8/35(and we aren't talking about the higher tier averages rather the average for a matriculant to a program in general)

Yea trust me I know. That's why I applied to 8 in state MD programs

 

[Dormouse]

MD-only committee will already know I applied to MD/PhD at their schools from my TMDSAS file. My advisor told me to apply MD as well for backup. Are MDPhd applicants just expected to not do that?

It's complicated and you can look into this yourself in more detail. There is the belief that applying MD/PhD hurts your chances at the MD program of the same school, in particular when your file is submitted to the MD program only AFTER it has been reviewed and rejected by the dual degree committee. By the time you're reviewed by the MD committee, it's very late in the interview season and there won't be many spots left.

Even when your app is looked at concurrently by both, you'll likely be asked by the MD/PhD program how much you're really interested in research if you're willing to forgo the PhD (they're looking for people who will commit to a primarily research career). The MD program might also think you're using them as a backup, hence they may be less likely to take you if they think you'll take any MD/PhD offer anywhere else over their MD only AND they think you're likely to get in somewhere for MD/PhD. Etc.

So proceed carefully 😛

 

[jd989898]

It's complicated and you can look into this yourself in more detail. There is the belief that applying MD/PhD hurts your chances at the MD program of the same school, in particular when your file is submitted to the MD program only AFTER it has been reviewed and rejected by the dual degree committee. By the time you're reviewed by the MD committee, it's very late in the interview season and there won't be many spots left.

Even when your app is looked at concurrently by both, you'll likely be asked by the MD/PhD program how much you're really interested in research if you're willing to forgo the PhD (they're looking for people who will commit to a primarily research career). The MD program might also think you're using them as a backup, hence they may be less likely to take you if they think you'll take any MD/PhD offer anywhere else over their MD only AND they think you're likely to get in somewhere for MD/PhD. Etc.

So proceed carefully 😛

This is what I've heard. So "proceed carefully" basically means "you're screwed" ? Lol

 

[Dormouse]

No you just have to think about this beforehand and come up with good reasons for applying to both. And many schools do review applications to both programs separately. Or, you can strategically split your schools into some MD-only safeties and some combined degrees. Or, you can just go all MD/PhD. Sure, your stats are not astoundingly good, but they're not bad either.