WAMC MD/PhD (514 MCAT, 3.84 GPA)

[okbuy37]

Hey everybody! First-time applicant here and a bit unsure of which schools I should target. I want to apply MD/Ph.D. but am very concerned about my clinical work and MCAT for these programs. I'm just trying to find schools that should be a good target. Any help would be appreciated

1. cGPA 3.84, sc GPA 3.89
2. MCAT 514 (128/128/128/130)
3. TX
4. White
5. T20 non ivy
6. Hospital Volunteer ~50hrs (still in progress, committed to 250hrs for the year) work in surgical ICU, assisting nurses, nursing aides, and physicians in day-to-day activities
   Note: due to COVID during my undergrad my clinical volunteering was delayed, I have hours from high school but don't think I should add those to the app. In addition, I start ski patrol and mountain rescue training in June.
7. Undergraduate Research ~3000hrs (3 yrs same lab), conducted an independent project for a tissue scaffold to be used in ACL repair, resulted in thesis, undergraduate research awards, Goldwater nomination, 7 national conference presentations
   AMGEN Scholar ~500hrs will be a co-author on an upcoming pub, working with drug delivery system. Research assistant ~1300 hrs, currently employed full-time, work in an orthopedic lab conducting research on osteoarthritis, 1 abstract (maybe one pub coming up, tbd)
8. Shadowing: Orthopedic oncology~10hrs, General Surgery~5hrs, ENT ~5hrs (upcoming in OBGYN ~10)
9. Junior League~30 hours (continuing will have about 60hrs when I apply) Volunteer with multiple community organizations and assist in planning events
10. Paid employment:
    Teaching assistant ~400hrs taught undergrad intro bio lab and structural biochem, implemented informational scholarship and fellowship presentation each quarter highlighting campus resources, (fun fact brought my dog to OH for destress vibes)
    
    Processing Assistant~1700hrs, during undergrad I was employed in a cleanroom and taught staff and outside users how to use in-house machinery. In addition, I did processing work (making semi-conductors) for academic and commercial users. Leadership: Sorority President ~700 hours, managed a large chapter, negotiated contracts, managed insurance, chaired multiple committees, instilled new confidential feedback system, chaired large-scale philanthropic event
11. Goldwater nominee, AMGEN Scholar, Distinction in senior thesis, department award, university award
12. Advocacy~100 hrs(ongoing) I work with local legislators to draft bills to reform healthcare billing. 1 bill introduced to the state house floor. LOR 3 PIs, 1 prof I worked for, 1 mentor

Context/Why I want to pursue medicine: I've cared for a family member who had a procedure that rendered her unable to lift her arm and complete daily tasks largely due to scar tissue. Throughout caring for her, I came to understand-through her appointments and talking to her physicians- that the issue of scar tissue formation was only something that could be minimized post-surgically not wholly prevented. This experience largely guided me to want to pursue medicine as I want to create and implement techniques that will reduce excessive scar tissue formation post-surgically.

Possible schools :

I have four dream schools: Yale and Stanford- (I think these are super reaches but both have research interest), UTSW, and UCLA (I love the curriculum and research available at both)

As for other schools, I'm a bit undecided as I don't know which schools I should target given my stats and experience. I would appreciate any advice

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[Mr.Smile12]

Bumping up in case people have skipped this.

I definitely like the research portfolio, but I'm not sure about the clinical exposure (80 hours?). I would want to know why you want to pursue the MD/PhD, as I'm unsure the story about pursuing medicine connects with the research interest. How is the MD/PhD valuable towards your career goals?

 

[deleted1065184]

At least for my school's program, 80 hours is fine. MCAT could be a bit of a limiting factor for some schools, but there are several MSTPs where you're firmly in their 25th to 75th percentile ranges. You're right at UTSW's 25th percentile and you're actually above UCLA's median. You're below Yale/Stanford's 25th but above their 10th. Worth adding them as "reach" schools.

Some other MSTPs I think you should look into are Emory, Baylor, Indiana University Medical College of Wisconsin, Medical University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina, Ohio State, University of Alabama, Oregon Health & Sciences University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Maryland, and Virginia Commonwealth University (newest MSTP).

There are honestly quite a few MSTPs where you are reasonably within their commonly accepted stat range, so just apply broadly and try not to be too picky about location up front.

 

[Peritus_Medicus]

Rising MD/PhD MS2 here - I had very similar stats to you, and got a total of 9 interviews (out of 35 secondaries). With your stats, I would not expect an interview from any of your reach schools. I'mInDer! gave some fantastic suggestions (I actually interviewed at 4 of the schools he listed with several acceptances). You've definitely got a good shot with non-"elite" MSTP programs. Also your hours look fine, in my humble opinion. Best of luck!