<p>How competitive is it to get into a "good" MSTP program (ie Pritzker, Michigan, Case Western, etc). What are the typical scores/gpa/mcat/research/etc one needs beyond the MD applicants? I've looked on mdapplicants.com, but that' wasn't particularly helpful. Also, about how many students per graduating class from a school such as Michigan or Berkeley might choose to go to such a program? And is this path particularly helpful if one wants to go into academic medicine or become a PI and own a lab?</p>
<p>3.8+, 35+, publications</p>
<p>You can become a PI or do research with just a PhD or a MD though.</p>
<p>It is helpful for such a path but not necessary. My class, I think, has 17 MSTP's and 5 of them are from public schools.</p>
<p>If you assume that about 1/3rd of MSTP's are from public schools and that there are 450 MSTP spots each year, about 150 of them come from public schools.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_Scientist_Training_Program%5B/url%5D%5B/B%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_Scientist_Training_Program</a></p>
<p>What is the main purpose for both degrees? What kind of career do MDPhD's generally pursue?</p>
<p>Researchers, I'm guessing?</p>
<p>As you said: academic research, having your own lab where you're the PI.</p>
<p>woah, isn't 17 MSTP's in one class abnormally high?</p>
<p>And also, if you apply as an MD/PhD but don't quite cut it, does the adcom still consider you for just the MD program?</p>
<p>Yes (national mean is about 3.7) and usually, respectively.</p>
<p>Is it possible to transfer into MD/PhD within the med school for the second year or transfer into the program in another med school?</p>
<p>in certain med schools (not sure exactly which ones at the moment) it is definitely possible for a med school student to transfer into the md/phd within the same med school, though i don't think it's very likely that you'll be able to transfer into the porgram in another med school (or there's no "formal" way to do it, at least). if you research the med school's website it will probably say if it is possible to transfer.</p>
<p>Also, I have heard that students can apply for some special grants that provide them with funds for performing research for 1 yr. Are these good programs to have? Say that you receive the grant during your tenure in college, would it be wise to activate it after you finish college and before you start med school. I hear from professors saying how prestigious they are, but would it help you from a research standpoint if you have been working in labs non-stop since junior yr. of high school. I just want your opinion and/or advise. Thanks.</p>
<p>The extra research would be helpful if you're pursuing a research track, as an MD/PhD is.</p>
<p>Is this not obvious?</p>
<p>I know what you mean, but some just may not be too willing to do this because the program is already 7 yrs. in med school and then residency and fellowship and all of that. So most ppl would just be willing to conserve every year and just get further experience while working.</p>