<p>So I've read a few posts on here and it seems that people are very helpful and knowledgeable about getting into an MSTP. I went to my Pre-professional advising center at my university and they really didn't know anything about MD/PhD just handed me all of these pamphlets and papers for MD programs.</p>
<p>I just finished my sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati and have been doing research since September of last year (basically my entire sophomore year until now). I found that I really enjoyed research and in December started thinking an MSTP would be for me. The research work was a paid position in my first lab until the grant ran out and I lost the paid status. As recommended by my PI there I moved to a different lab and have been working there in a full time paid position all summer. I should have my name on a publication from the first lab and the post doc in my new lab says there is a strong possibility that I will have 1-2 more within the next year in this lab.</p>
<p>I believe I have a strong research background thus far but I know this isn't the entire application. My GPA slipped a little bit my sophomore year because I was working about 20 hours in the lab, 5-10 hours on another part time job, and I was the president of a social organization. I realize that maybe it would have been better to have focused on grades, but my GPA now stands at a 3.39 (ouch, I know). </p>
<p>This year I am focused on keeping up research and bringing up my GPA (I have a lot less stressors in my life; working full time this summer has alleviated the money stress) but I am worried that it is too late for my GPA to be fixed and that schools won't even look my way because of it. Is this true? How much do they value my research experience?</p>
<p>Additionally, I will be taking an MCAT review course and studying hard, but would a good score make up for my GPA?</p>
<p>I would appreciate any input, thank you.</p>
<p>As you know already MSTPs and funded MD/PhD programs are extremely competitive. </p>
<p>Publications are nice, but it’s important to have significant research responsibilities within your research group. TBH, some research groups pump out lots and lots of pubs and everyone down to the glassware washer/animal feeder gets put on the paper. The quality of your research experience is more important than the quantity, and, unless you are first or second author, than the number of pubs bearing your name . Also the name of the journal where your work is published is important. Not all journal publications are equal. If it’s at all possible, you should try to do an independent senior research thesis.</p>
<p>MSTP MCAT scores tend to be higher than those of the average applicant. Significantly higher, esp at top 40 schools. The mean MCAT for successful MD/PhD applicants in 2103 was 34.5.</p>
<p>Your current GPA is going to hurt you since the mean GPA for MD/PhD matriculant is ~3.8. A good MCAT score will not make up for a subpar GPA. </p>
<p>Here’s a AAMC chart of average MCATs/GPAs for MD/PhD applicants & matriculants.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/download/321548/data/2013factstable35.pdf”>https://www.aamc.org/download/321548/data/2013factstable35.pdf</a></p>
<p>(NOTE: it’s more useful to look at the data for matriculants since those are the ones who actually got accepted.)</p>
<p>Thanks that is very informative. I will be a second author on the publication from my first lab. As for my new lab we have only a handful of people so my involvement has been rather major. My PI is hopeful for getting published in Cell, but this is just talk as of now. </p>
<p>I certainly will be working on getting a good MCAT score and boosting my GPA as much as possible over my two years I have left.</p>
<p>Thanks for the data sheet as well, very helpful.</p>
<p>Some MD/PHD programs also require you to take the GRE, because you are essentially applying as agraduate student as well. You should see if the schools that interest you require the GRE.</p>
<p>GPA is low even for the regular MD programs. You need about 3.6+ to have a resonable shot at any Med. School. I woudl not focus too much on the MSTP now. Focus on getting an A in every single class, which should have been a goal from the very first semester of freshman year, which is a goal for most pre-meds. There is no guarantee at most top 20s Med. Schools even if you have something like 4.0 / 35, some will consider you and others will not. But MSTP programs are more selective than top 20s.</p>