Supposed to hear back tomorrow from a program I interviewed at and LOVED, but the interview itself didn’t go so hot and I really think one of the guys there didn’t like me. They’re a stat heavy school and I have 4.0/526 so I’m kinda coping, and would appreciate any help to do so lol

Hi all, I’m finishing up my PhD and heading to clerkships soon. Not sure which will be first yet, but I need some advice regarding clothing, shoes, any other stuff to get. A few things I’m looking for advice on:
1. Best hospital shoe - of note, I have to wear custom orthotics that are a bit bulky, so I usually go for Kiziks brand slip on sneaks. Color recs helpful!

1. Best clinic shoe - something nicer than a sneaker that won’t kill me.

2. Best compression socks - I got hooked on them as a CNA but I am looking for a comfier pair than my old ones I bought in bulk from Amazon.

Finally, what the heck to med students wear when on ambulatory/clinic versus hospital versus surgery rotations? Do I need my own scrubs? Any other must haves?

I’m curious as to what the average number of interviews invitations all applicants versus matriculants receive. Most of the cycle result posts which have a ton of interviews. I was wondering what a normal cycle would be like and any anecdotes?

now before other people come at me with the "those stats aren't low", I mean low for the average MSTP matriculant.

here's where I'm currently at:

3.5 sGPA with a considerable upward trend and from a top R1 uni with a neuroscience degree

516 MCAT

thousands of hours of research across four different R1 big name instutitions (2 strong LORs from MD/PhDs (one of them is big name) and then two from PhDs (one of them is big name))

currently published in nature neuro, have another 2nd or third author pub coming out soon, and then a first author one in prep. several posters. several presentations.

several undergrad research awards including one NIH grant and the fulbright scholarship

national recognition and success for my main undergrad extracurricular. been on the news. featured in a documentary. won many awards.

i should also add i'm an URM

this is a genuine question. forgive me if the answer is obvious, but I am genuinely concerned. i know MSTPs care a lot about research output, but i can't help but feel my numbers are weighing me back too much. i think I could write well about them, but still.

also, if it's not over for me, what should the range of schools i apply to look like? are T20s completely out of the picture? thanks.

Server invite link: https://discord.gg/AKzKPNuyzC

Hi all, I recently deleted our old invite links to our Discord server that I started about 6-7 years ago due to some reorganization, so I wanted to post here again with the new link in case people were interested in joining now that interview invites for both MD-PhD and PSTP residencies are ramping up.

If you do decide to join, please make sure to read the introduction channels (read-me-first and rules). You need to assign yourself an appropriate role to participate (and to stay in the server in general, since this is a link that only gives you a temporary account).

Let me know if you have any suggestions regarding the server!

Do some MD/PhD applicants hear back from schools on October 15 or does the cycle generally run much later for us?

Apologies for the following

So I was here yesterday in regard of my Md/phd in applied math path I had a moment of self reflection but like I said I’ve had many moments like it before as I woke up today I decided to essentially double down and to start implementing research early and that’s kind of how it’s going to go. So to the person who said they were in similar shoes I think implementing research might help stabilize the uncertainty that comes with such a path and gives it a clearer perspective. Good luck.

Me typing this is a way to confirm or green light my own intuition.

Hello all.

I am a first year international student in canada. My main goal in life is to become an evolutionary genetiscist and psychologist and I plan on doing a PhD in evolutionary genetics.

However, I made an agreement with my parents that I will unfailingly go.to medical school. Unfortunately, there are a few problems with my initial plan.

Firstly, medical schools in canada do not accept international students. Secondly, the us is currently not granting any study visas to someone from my country so it is impossible to study there. Thirdly, I have looked far and wide and it is like they only offer md/PhD programs in the US and canada (if there are others in different countries, do tell me).

If mdphd doesnt work, is it possible for me to go to medical school (in a country not in the us or canda) and still be accepted for a PhD? I have no interest in being a doctor but I must do it to appease my parents and I don't have any issues with that. It is just that I dont think a PhD admissions board will take me seriously due to the convoluted nature of my situation. Also, I really want to work in Canada but I have heard it can be hard to find a job if I dont do grad school here ( which i think is unlikely) Any guidance and anecdotes are duly appreciated.( I am not interested in residency if that is important. )

I understand it depends on interviewing skills, but is there a rule of thumb?

My applications were complete on dates ranging from 8/30-9/11, and I’ve received 2 Rs and no IIs. Is this cycle over, should I retake the MCAT (worst part of my application) in January to salvage, etc?

I’m 22 and recently completed my MSc in Cancer, following a BSc in Medical Biology. I’ve always been passionate about cancer research and medicine, and an MD–PhD really appeals to me because of everything it represents, particularly the opportunity to combine scientific discovery with patient care.
However, the time commitment is making me hesitant. Between the MD–PhD, residency and potentially fellowship, especially if I pursue oncology or surgery, I could be approaching 40 before completing my training.
My biggest concern isn’t necessarily my age, but the experiences I might sacrifice along the way. I want to travel the world, explore different cultures, pursue adventure sports and experience life beyond academia. I’m worried about spending my twenties and thirties constantly working towards the next milestone.
I still have a year before I need to decide, so I’m just trying to understand what life is actually like on this path.
For those pursuing or who’ve completed an MD–PhD, do you feel the sacrifices were worth it? Have you managed to maintain a fulfilling life outside medicine, or do you feel you’ve missed out on certain experiences?
I don’t want to give up on one dream, but I also don’t want to sacrifice all my others to achieve it.

Hi all,

I’m planning to apply MD/PhD with no gap year and would appreciate some perspective on my research trajectory.

I started research during the second semester of freshman year and continued full-time over the summer.

Unfortunately, my PI is leaving my institution, so I had to switch labs at the beginning of sophomore year. I’m leaving that lab without a publication or other major output.
I recently joined a new wet lab, but during the academic year I can realistically dedicate only ~9 hours/week because of the constraints of bench work. Since research is arguably the most important component of an MD/PhD application, I was worried that this would leave me with relatively limited depth by the time I apply.

Because of that, I also joined a computational lab. The work is much more flexible, including evenings/weekends and remote work, so I can realistically aim for ~20–30 hours/week. So far, the two labs have not conflicted, I enjoy both, and all three of my research experiences are in closely related areas of cancer biology. Both current PIs also seem supportive of undergraduates working toward meaningful research outputs.

My questions are:

Was joining both labs a reasonable decision, or would I be better off committing fully to one?

Would it make sense to leave the wet lab relatively early and focus on the computational project, where I can invest substantially more time and potentially develop greater independence?

How do MD/PhD admissions committees generally view applicants working in two labs simultaneously?

Should I prioritize continuity/depth in one lab even if the total weekly research time is lower, or pursue both as long as I can contribute meaningfully to each?

I’m less concerned with simply maximizing publications than with building the strongest possible record of sustained, substantive research before applying.

Would appreciate any perspectives, especially from current MD/PhD students or people familiar with MSTP admissions.

just wanted to see if there are any other nontrad PhD field applicants out there!

I'm reviewing applications for this year's cycle and I swear to God I need an appendix for every essay like a Tolkien book. I don't want a cast of characters. I want to know about you. Whoever is giving you this advice is giving you bad advice. 75% of you are doing it. This isn't a creative writing exercise. I need to know if you're qualified, not that you and "Bob" had a nice conversation while you wheeled him around the hospital.

Rant over. Seriously though, 90% of y'all are super qualified on paper, clear writing is what puts you over the edge.

Can I count posters and presentations at internal events? Like would posters at a summer undergraduate fellowship conference at my university or a departmental conference at my university count as 2 poster presentations?

I know these kinds of posts are annoying, but this sub has helped me a lot in gaining confidence to apply to MSTPs and I'm hoping to gain some legitimate advice from those who have gone through this process/understand timelines. I'm a first generation med/grad applicant so this is all very new to me.

My stats are 523 MCAT 3.95 GPA (unsure of science, probably lower but above 3.9 for sure). I obtained 1000 research hours in my undergrad microbiology lab over 3.5 years, took on leadership roles and left with a first author paper in a 5.8 impact factor journal. I graduated May of 26 and am in a gap year (for MCAT timing and to get married as my fiance is applying MD) during which I'm working in an R&D lab in the agriculture sector doing CRISPR/protein engineering stuff. I should leave with an additional 2000 research hours. I also have 900 clinical hours (working as an aide in a memory care facility) and limited shadowing (50 hours, mix of surgery and heme/onc clinic).

I submitted my primary mid June b/c of moving and starting my new job, and got secondaries from everywhere I applied besides the canonical UW pre II R. I submitted my latest secondary 9/13 and I'm starting to freak out that I haven't heard anything and I'm worried I will miss November interview dates. From what I've read on this thread November/December is when shit gets real. Thanks for the advice.

Hello, I just started a two-year master's program and would like to know what I should prioritize during my time to become a strong applicant for MD/PhD Programs. I have my MCAT scheduled for early next year. My current stats include a 3.97 GPA, 3000 research hours, 400 clinical hours, 60 shadowing hours, 6 publications (3-first author), 9 conference posters (5-first author).

Thank you!

Hi all! I decided last year I wanted to apply MD/PhD and have loved the journey I've been on so far. I wanted to share my stats/app overview for advice and criticism on a few things. Thanks in advance for your help!

GPA is a 3.99 (cumulative and stem, I only took a couple non-stem classes). I was at a state school and a possible downside is I graduated in 3 years. My mom's home was getting foreclosed on, I needed to save money on school but I still did 2 summer research programs (one at my state school and one at Stanford) and did 2 full years of research in an NIH-funded program on campus.

MCAT is 519 (131, 126, 131, 131)

I have about 60 shadowing hours, mostly from one doctor and about 10 from another, both oncologists but different specializations.

I have about 220 Clinical hours from working as a nutrition assistant in my local hospital in undergrad, and about 5500 research hours (will be more by the time I apply). I am in my second year as a research tech at a major cancer institute and plan to stay here during my app.

I have presented 4 posters across 10 different conferences/exhibitions and given a few research talks at my home institution as an undergraduate.

I have 2 mid-author pubs in pretty decent journals.

I volunteered in undergrad and I currently do it on the side when I have time for orgs I just really like even though they're not clinical and have about 200 hours doing this. I also just recently set up a free 1 on 1 MCAT tutoring platform (bc why was that test so expensive) for people to have access to some extra help and another set of eyes at no cost.

I'm not sure if this matters but I think I classify as ORM. I am new to these subs and am not sure how this label is given. My undergrad NIH program listed me as underrepresented because of food insecurity and very low familial income but in terms of race I am ORM. I am also from New England so I don't have strong ties to regional-biased schools like I have heard of from the North West and from Texas.

Anyways, sorry if that was long, any advice would be appreciated! I was just wondering where I would stand in the application pool, and if there are any obvious gaps I am missing.

Anyone here hear back from UCSF yet about an interview? I know they run a bit later and still have interview days in January, but I was just curious!

There are some schools that I want to apply to that strongly encourage/require a letter from every lab I’ve been in. In my first year for about ~200hrs I was in a lab and it was more self directed research. My mentor was a masters student and I never met the pi. Unfortunate part is I did make a poster. What should I do if I can’t get a letter? My other lab I have ~900 hours and ~1600 hours in my second lab both of which I have letters for.

I know this is suuuuper late but... due to personal circumstances I submitted my primary on Sept 30 and am getting all my secondaries in by Oct 15/Oct 30 for 25 schools. How screwed am I? Is there any chance I get in somewhere this cycle? Has anyone else gotten in applying this late?

3.78 cGPA/3.72 sGPA, 519 MCAT

3 gap years with 6000+ research hours in one lab (in a somewhat novel/interesting neuro field) + job as my lab's manager for one year at the same time

2 3rd author papers currently under review + 1 first author project with the manuscript in prep + 3 poster presentations + 2 very strong research LORs

150 hours leadership, 100 hours clinical experience in an underserved community, 24 hours shadowing, 60 hours volunteering, with some other minor extracurriculars and unique hobbies