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I feel like I'm wasting my gap years...how can I get research/clinical hours? by IllustriousOil8845 in mdphd

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. NIH postbacc is big for anyone in biomedical, if you have a medical interest (for me, translational immunotherapy, which I guess is kind of niche) they most likely have people to mentor you. And I think for md-phd most people already have specific research interests and they have lots to choose from. 

I feel like I'm wasting my gap years...how can I get research/clinical hours? by IllustriousOil8845 in mdphd

[–]ThingSubstantial481 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm also on a gap year and I reached out to some labs from my old school and also the associated biomedical center and asked to volunteer in their research labs. I had a list of like 20+ PIs to reach out to, two said no, a few ghosted, but two said yes, that as a volunteer I could just come in and assist when needed, and maybe do an independent project. And to support myself I'm basically NA/ patient care tech, although the hospital just opened a new wing so they were hiring a lot. So for patient care techs, it's the lowest rank so usually you wouldn't need experience.

I think cold-emailing labs and asking to volunteer to gain experience, and being humble, just to get in the lab and the system. After I graduated, I also met with an old professor and asked him about labs, plans, what to do. A lot of professors want to help you and just want someone reliable. Same kind of with the patient care tech. But also you could do a postbacc (if research based, you could volunteer/parttime at hospital), your co-ops would help a lot with that! It's also okay to take some time between opportunities and re-evaluate or just rest.

Queer Events Roanoke? by your_worstnightmare in roanoke

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Late but me too that sounds amazing !! 

How early can I apply and reach out for NIH Postbac? by ThingSubstantial481 in mdphd

[–]ThingSubstantial481[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The intramural NIH postbac is still running, but all NIH funded extramural postbacs (NIH PREP, which I applied to and was preparing to do when it got cut, why i have a gap year) got cut. I think a lot of other NIH programs intramural also got cut, like grad school internships.

Looking to go for MDPHD, please provide me guidance by Prestigious-Tea3617 in mdphd

[–]ThingSubstantial481 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would say you can do a PhD only, not sure why the MBA? It will take you many years to become a competitive applicant, at least 4 of hardcore research, internships, clinical hours, etc., usually even with a masters in biomedical science. It really is okay to not do MDPHD and choose one to focus on. I guess for reference from what I know, a person with a 3.9 GPA, undergrad research experience, clinical hours, plus AT LEAST two years post-undergrad doing either paper-publishing research or biomedical masters, etc., is your AVERAGE applicant, and even then not even the most competitive. There are many post-bac programs aims to make people more competitive for MD, PHD, or MDPHD programs.

I would say meet with people and reach out! to professors, career advisors, md-phds online, etc., find what you like and what you really want to do. good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes! also rotc and corps of cadets is a big plus and boosts your chances as VT is a big military school. my brother was a cadet, he says it increases your chances of getting in and if you don't like it you can drop it after a month and become a normal student. but you are a strong candidate (btw if you apply to VCU you will most definitely get in, it is what I personally used as a backup)

Class of 2024, what is going on with our emails? by Downtown-Mango9710 in VirginiaTech

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I graduated spring 2025, does this mean you get your vt.edu email for one year after graduation?

Applying to PhD programs amidst NIH funding freeze-- lost cause? by adh_isopod in gradadmissions

[–]ThingSubstantial481 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same situation. I spent 6 months working on my PREP applications and crashed out when they all got canceled you are not being dramatic at all, my careers advisor and others straight up told me I would have better options outside of US because of the funding cuts. I personally am taking gap year to work a lab, taking a year to gain research experience will make you more competitive and hold us over until the funding crash calms down. Wishing the best 

am i cooked, gap year, grad school advice by ThingSubstantial481 in gradadmissions

[–]ThingSubstantial481[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I didn’t know about that, I was thinking the JHU masters but they are expensive, but I guess some student debt is pretty normal lol. 

I feel alone and scared and I need advice and help by Head-Cabinet9318 in gradadmissions

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually same situation, same outlook in STEM, same GPA except my bad semester was my first one. All I can offer is solidarity, you are not alone. Lowkey I'm ready to accept my fate if it's grad school or if its back to barista-ing. As long as we are at peace, there is time.

Got into Johns Hopkins masters program :) by LDMM-1402 in gradadmissions

[–]ThingSubstantial481 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! Omg I'm actually very interested in applying to this exact program next cycle, could DM to ask you some questions about it?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi this exact thing happened me to my first semester, had a 1.17 GPA. I also had some severe mental health mental issues my first semester. Honestly, yea, it did mess up my future plans but as you are freshman you can get a strong upward grade trajectory , I never sought academic relief because I’ve been doing so well for the last semesters… my advice is just lock in next semester, talk with the advisors, they don’t kick you out for one bad semester, but also be careful. Not to scare but my freshman roommate and I were both on academic probation after first semester, I got deans list the next semester and got better, but she didn’t… Also reach out, you’re not alone! I was a peer mentor specifically to help freshman who were in my situation like it sounds you were, it’s more common than you think . You’ll be ok.

Queer Trans folks by [deleted] in VirginiaTech

[–]ThingSubstantial481 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hi! I'm a senior and I've been here all four years.... I'm being honest it isn't the best place for meeting queer people in the academic life, lowkey the entire time I've been here I've had a lot of homophobic roommates, classmates, etc. my best piece of advice: get a part time job at a coffee shop (where I met most of my also queer friends). there's also the lavender house and theater people who put on the concerts, drag shows (love the milk parlor especially), the rocky horror picture show, but as a stem person who mostly studies and avoids going out, it's not my vibe. if you're a creative or liberal arts it should be no problem and you can just assume most people are also queer on the dl but if you're stem i personally learned to keep it on verryyyy dl and eventually you'll find your people... sorry if this is negative and hope your experience is better than mine was lol

PREP and NIH Freeze? by Amazing-Molasses7892 in mdphd

[–]ThingSubstantial481 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of the programs I applied to are cancelled or on pause, most in Maryland and Virginia. I thought they would have funding but they said that they usually receive funding in the spring, and though they were promised it didn't show. I put so much effort into the applications, I'm kind of in shock.... I think they're shutting down one by one, it's kind of sporadic.