Warning! I write long responses, but I try to give thorough answers so bear with my long-windedness.
When it came to deciding where to apply, I sort of just applied everywhere. My PI at the time, who was involved with MD/PhD admissions at my undergrad, said apply everywhere and see what you get. My reasoning is apply to as many places that you have the time and money to apply to. (This is something to consider, b/c I ran out of money to go to my last two interviews, so I had to turn them down.) It will cost more time and money to reapply. I applied to 14 schools initially. I wouldn't be so focused, because it was during interviews and talking to students that I started to see what I liked and didn't like between different programs. I started with locations that I liked (think where you'd like to live now and when you're 30?), schools known to be strong in my area of interest (asking advisors and other faculty can help with this), and rankings to get an idea of what is considered a reach, in range, and safety so that this list is diverse.
Back to your bullet points:
*Location: As far as stipend, those can to change so I wouldn't worry about it until decision time. At interviews, you get a better sense of how students manage live on the stipend. I don't want to call out programs specifically (you can PM me for that), but I did decide against some schools in very expensive cities (NYC or Boston in particular) because I suspected that it was very hard to live in the city on the stipend unless I stayed in the dorms or lived in a tiny apartment. I was not loving the idea of being 30 and in a cruddy dorm. I would advise you to watch out for very expensive cities. (I will say Hahvahd has very nice dorms, but still...)
Regarding better experience, that probably is true that you'll see more variety of cases in cities. A lot schools definitely use it as a selling point. Also schools affliated with major medical centers are going to have a lot of variety because people travel from all over to be treated there.
*Curriculum: Penn actually has formal courses about the integration of science and medicine for its MSTP students, I can't remember if any other schools did. I have mixed feelings about extra courses and requirements. I think its very important to learn how to integrate science and medicine and I was all for anything formal to support that, but now that I'm a first year those extra courses, if not done right can detract from all the other stuff you have to learn and become really annoying. I'm a particularly grumpy first-year so it just might be me. ;-)
Most programs seemed to have the clinical refreshers, shadowing type programs during research years, I do think these are great to have. What might be ideal is if the programs offer but don't require additional things. Flexibility in a program is BIG. What you find important now and once you've started school could be very different, so flexibility can really help you get what you need out of the MSTP. During the application cycle, I really wanted to have a curriculum that allowed me clinical rotations before going into the research years.
*Extracurriculars: At most places you can absolutely be involved. I have a lot of friends in my programs doing other things. You don't have tons of free time, but you will have it and you can do what you want with it.
*Ranking: People may disagree with me, but all I will say is use this to make sure your list is diverse, but don't not apply somewhere b/c of rankings or scores. You have no idea how well (or not so well) things will go. I fully didn't expect to end up where I did, almost didn't apply. Just make sure you've got safeties too.
*Stats: I can't say much for stats besides, for MCAT 30 is the magic number. People absolutely get in with less (so don't give up if you don't reach that target), but if you can get at least 10 in each section you'll have an easier time. Your grades aren't bad, I think schools factor in your major and your undergrad institution when considering GPA. I have no idea how they do that though.
There's stuff that you want to consider while you're interviewing an deciding (I'll leave that for another long winded post though), but for now keep it general. Maybe look at the cost of applying and figure out how many schools you can afford to apply to. Once you have the number then you can get an idea of how many reaches and safeties you can have.
Hope this helps!
I greatly appreciate your responses and willingness to help. Thank you so very much!
For starters... how did you decide to which programs to apply? My plan is to compare programs to make an applying list then research those on the list in detail to better prepare for applying to each. However, I'm not sure how to make a good apply list.
Things I've considered so far...
*Research - I'm really into immunology, so I have been looking into the faculty research interests in this area at different MSTPs. However, I am also open to other areas (except genetics, physics, or engineering). What is the best way to determine how strong programs are in specific areas?
*Location - Honestly, if the program's really strong in my area(s) of choice, weather isn't going to matter to me. However, I would like a program in a city where I can reasonably survive off the stipend. Do you know of any programs in particular where I should expect to not be able to live comfortably off of the stipend alone?
*Curriculum - I've been looking into how well the programs integrate medical and graduate years, including clinical refreshers during the graduate years, as well as the special requirements of MSTPs. Any other things I should be considering?
*Extracurriculars - It's really important to me to be able to get out and get involved in the community regardless of how busy I am with school. My ideal program would be one that encourages students to get involved, especially in the health of their surrounding community. Am I being to idealistic? Do MSTPs really have/make time for this?
*Program Rank - US News and NIH funding
=> I am below average for all programs (3.5 BCPM, 3.65 AO, 3.55 Cum... Taking MCAT in spring) but I'm not giving up hope... just trying to strategize a way of applying that maximize my chances as well. Any suggestions?
*Other Ideas? - I know that I must be missing alot of important things to consider in applying.
Again, thanks for your help!
