WAMC MD/PhD URM

[DizzySpells]

Based on the following, what are my chances looking like for Top 20 MD/PHD programs

cumulative GPA: 3.66
science GPA: 3.72
MCAT: N/A- I am scheduled to take it in April (Shooting for 519+)
African-American Male
State of residence: VA
Extensive amount of extracurricular and leadership activities
~3000: 3 posters (Awarded 2nd for ChemE poster), 2 abstracts, and 1 co-author publication (PRS journal),
~2000 Non-clinical Volunteering
~20 Shadowing Hours; currently employed as a scribe in Pulmonology
LOR: HMS mentor; MD/PhD and co-author on publication, MSTP director and PI from summer internship at UMich, Home institution PI, etc...

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Lucca]

Come back with an MCAT score and we can talk about chances. Score above 514 and you will have options

 

[WaitingforNonR]

Just apply and see homie. If people believe in you (your LORs), admissions will take note. Your experiences, which are incredible, will allow you to become more than just a number in this process. If you care about the "top-20" then apply to all of them and then some so you don't have regrets. You just want an option, not options. I didn't see enough URMs on the MD/PhD trail. I didn't have your GPA and certainly not a 514 and we out here.

 

[Maebea]

You should be competitive with a good research essay and an MCAT of 515 or above. A strong letter from the MSTP director will carry a lot of weight; if he says he wants you in his program, the rest of us will want to interview you. Of 672 MD-PhD matriculants last year, only 23 were African American males, so there will be a lot of interest in your application.

 

[DizzySpells]

You should be competitive with a good research essay and an MCAT of 515 or above. A strong letter from the MSTP director will carry a lot of weight; if he says he wants you in his program, the rest of us will want to interview you. Of 672 MD-PhD matriculants last year, only 23 were African American males, so there will be a lot of interest in your application.

Regarding the supplemental essays for the MD/PhD application, I am aware that the research essay is geared towards evaluating an applicant's ability to intellectually discuss the overarching goal of their research and the potential implications in medicine/science; however, what are adcoms looking for particularly that differentiates between a good and bad essay.

Additionally, Would I include my personal research interests in the research essay or would that go into why I decided to pursue a MD/Phd? (Majority of my research experiences has been in labs that are related to my own research interests or where I could gain skills for applications within the field.)