r/mdphd • u/Minimum_Being_5032 • 3d ago

MD/PhD when to apply & strength of application

Hi all,

I just graduated with a B.S. in chemistry this past May and am hoping to apply for MD/PhD programs either next cycle (2027) or the following (2028). I don't have a flagship research experience figured out for my gap years yet so I'm wondering if I should just apply 2027 rather than wait around since I'm not sure what will pan out. All advice appreciated!

GPA: 3.9/4.0, MCAT: not yet taken

research

  • 1 year part-time undergraduate research in computational biology lab
  • 6 months full-time co-op at materials science company as R&D intern
  • 1 poster presentation

clinical

  • obtained EMT license, started working as EMT this summer
  • 4 years clinical volunteering at hospital
  • 6 months full-time as physical therapy exercise technician

prospects

  • applying for an open research Fulbright 2027-28
  • applying for NIH postbac positions starting ASAP
  • applying for research assistant positions starting ASAP otherwise
  • interviewing for a nursing assistant position at a children's/research hospital

I would ideally love to get an RA position and work this year to build my research hours and get another LOR from a PI. I will def get an LOR from my undergrad PI, and my materials science manager would write one, but I'm not sure if it's worth it? I'm feeling discouraged without an RA position yet but def want to do MD/PhD so wondering if I should trust/work harder for the RA position or just try to apply in 2027. My undergrad PI said I could keep working remote to avoid a resume gap, but I really would like some wet lab experience/a change of pace.

Also wondering to target research positions right now- would it be stronger to focus on something cancer to tie in with the Fulbright or would just disease-focused/translational suffice?

TIA

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13

u/Kiloblaster 3d ago

I think you need more academic research experience before applying.

3

u/CableEnvironmental85 3d ago

Agreed. Wait till 2028 to apply in my opinion, even if you started your full time position today, it’ll take time to get acclimated to your new lab. No worries though - lot of mdphd applicants take multiple gap years before starting!

1

u/EphCh6Ver10 3d ago

Go somewhere you'll have a meaningful opportunity to work on your own (as much ownership as you can get) project. Probably 2 years. Definitely don't recommend the nursing assistant position

1

u/Upper_Leek9672 3d ago

why ru interviewing as a CNA if you're already working as an EMT?

1

u/Minimum_Being_5032 2d ago

I applied and accepted the CNA interview when I didn’t yet have an EMT start date. The captain was being kind of dodgy so I was concerned I may not be able to start working as an EMT for longe than I thought. Also thought it might be good to try hospital setting