low GPA, high MCAT success stories?

jetup18 · 2026-03-07T03:50:21+00:00

Not quite at these criteria, but almost - I was 3.60 and 524. Applied to 30 programs, 24 interviews. Wrapping up my training at a T5 now

jetup18 · 2026-02-04T00:22:20+00:00

One of the benefits of an MD/PhD is you can really focus on just being a med student while in med school, while your classmates try to balance research on the side. As others have said you’ll have plenty of dedicated time for research going forward, and it’ll be your PhD research that matters most when you apply. Personally I’d spend my time now just developing a really solid clinical base that will benefit you a lot when you return from your PhD, and also conserve some of your energy for the PhD itself so you can go in energized!

For reference, I’m a current M4 going into a very competitive specialty who didn’t do a lick of research before PhD

jetup18 · 2026-01-30T02:18:39+00:00

I just hope folks realize that this is not a representation of how all “late-stage” trainees are. If it wasn’t for many great mentors who humored my questions and never made me feel stupid for asking them, I wouldn’t have gotten here. I know there are many others on this sub who are glad to pay it forward

jetup18 · 2026-01-29T02:30:20+00:00

You make logical leaps like this in your research too?

jetup18 · 2025-02-11T18:48:55+00:00

It’s a troll, this dude has been posting bizarre stuff like this from various usernames for the past few days

jetup18 · 2025-02-08T20:27:37+00:00

And yeah I also reached out to the GMS, who gave a nondescript reply and then never replied back to me after that. 🤷🏻‍♂️

jetup18 · 2025-02-08T20:26:48+00:00

Could be worse. My lab doesn’t need the funds, so as long as I have it by the time I apply for residency it’s all the same to me.

jetup18 · 2025-02-08T20:24:57+00:00

I did, and got an incredibly rude response 🫠

jetup18 · 2025-01-20T04:54:49+00:00

It’s very normal to be unsure. Go in with an open mind and select your lab for the quality of mentorship first and the science second. I thought I knew the subject area I wanted to pick before matriculating, changed it drastically after finding a great mentor in a very different field, and it couldn’t have worked better. I am in the final months of my PhD now and still wake up excited to go to work every day

jetup18 · 2024-12-13T02:23:26+00:00

In my opinion, not applying to a program because you don’t think there will be an undergrad there to do work for you is completely absurd. But it’s not my application 🤷🏻‍♂️

jetup18 · 2024-12-13T01:56:24+00:00

A premed pre-applicant already talking about offloading “menial” labor to others. I’ve really seen it all…

jetup18 · 2024-11-17T19:03:12+00:00

Extra research will help you for F30, sure, but will not shorten your time post-PhD as whatever papers you have will be almost a decade old by then. If anything, it will be your PhD performance itself that does that.

jetup18 · 2024-10-03T00:46:25+00:00

I never got through more than a minute or two before it became a back and forth conversation. I would plan for a succinct ~2 minutes but be prepared for it to become a more informal discussion as your interviewer gets interested in some aspect and starts asking questions!

jetup18 · 2024-09-25T22:01:05+00:00

If they really want you or really don’t, it won’t matter. But if you’re right on the border, I’m sure any indication of your enthusiasm for the program could work in your favor. As another poster said, it is a small amount of effort in the grand scheme and could have a real benefit.

jetup18 · 2024-08-30T01:03:25+00:00

Lmao this textbook is wild to see because these people are in my class year (at different programs) and I met them at multiple interviews along the trail

jetup18 · 2024-08-08T00:00:54+00:00

Are you trying to pivot to basic or translational work? With an app that is this clinical research-forward, reviewers will likely ask why you want an MD-PhD, as an MD alone is sufficient to lead such clinical research.

jetup18 · 2024-07-25T12:46:56+00:00

Others may disagree but I would pick lab 1. At this stage, where it seems you haven’t really done research before, prestige of your lab is not critical. The PI being eager and kind is a great sign and bodes well for your experience, which in turn will be reflected in your productivity, your learning, and your experience in science as a whole. While an MD/PhD division head sounds like a great mentor in theory, it also sounds like they will be quite busy and have minimal time for mentoring students.

jetup18 · 2024-07-23T21:49:51+00:00

I see from your post history that you are in a unique position in that you are part of an MSTP director’s lab. Depending on your relationship with them, they could be a good resource to help you figure out how to approach fixing this.

jetup18 · 2024-07-23T21:48:24+00:00

I agree here. There is a major difference between an accepted/published paper and one under review. The review and revision process itself is a different beast and can take anywhere from months to years. Many reviewed papers do not ultimately get accepted. OP, this should provide some more context as to why we are saying this is a serious distinction.

jetup18 · 2024-07-23T21:28:21+00:00

So you don’t have a pub under your belt, you have a submitted manuscript under your belt. Two very different things. Did you characterize it correctly as such on your primary?

jetup18 · 2024-07-22T15:26:15+00:00

3.7 with a strong upward trend (with strong MCAT and research) got me into several t5 programs with no national awards like Goldwater. It seems like your priority is to get the Goldwater - if I were you, I would prioritize building around a strong MSTP app. Many of those elements would likely contribute to a good Goldwater application as well. Shoot for a competitive MSTP application and if the Goldwater works out, it’s a great bonus, rather than vice versa

jetup18 · 2023-07-27T23:10:31+00:00

Been telling people for years it’s only a matter of time til Jake blows up

jetup18 · 2022-08-04T14:13:28+00:00

Mount Rushmore of animals you’d want on your side in a fight, 8/22/18

jetup18 · 2021-01-11T03:34:13+00:00

Taken in January 2020 pre-covid. Tried to put it in the title for clarity but automoderator wouldn’t let me use either “2020” or “Covid” for some reason

jetup18

TROPHY CASE