<p>What criteria besides MCAT, GPA, Research, Recos, ECs help? in what priority order?
I am majoring in BioEN at UW Seattle (just started) and expect to graduate early, would it make sense to do be enrolled in a regular BioEN Phd program (after undergrad) for a year and then apply? that way default option is always there.
How hard is it to get into UC-SanFran or Stanford or UCSD? Have 3.84 GPA, expect to do well in MCAT, have been doing serious research since Middle School (am Davidson Fellow and ISEF Finalist), and am researching now as well, have limited ECs, but have excellent faculty Recos. what are my chances?</p>
<p>@Bugone from others I have heard that it is easier to get into Stanford than UC-San Fran because many UCs have feeder colleges such as how UC Davis must allow those of Sierra college( which is pretty easy to get into) to be in most graduate programs. An example of this is how my friends sister did not get into UC Davis but did get into Stanford despite having a stellar GPA at an Ivie llegué school . Please note though that I do not know for sure if San Fran has a feeder college but must UCs do. I live in northern California and I truly believe you would enjoy Stanford more also since your coming from North Carolina and I also used to live in the south. Stanford is beautiful but UC San Fran is as well so it just depends on the environment your seeking if you get into both. Also I’m currently applying to Davidson for undergrad so if you could give me some helpful tips that would be amazing!!! </p>
<p>For MD/PhD, the order of importance: research, MCAT/GPA, LORs, ECs.</p>
<p>Your LORs need to focus on both your abilities/potential as a researcher as well as your fitness to be a physician. You will need to provide a clear & compelling explanation of why just a PhD or just a MD will not suffice for your goals. (And liking research is not a clear & compelling answer.)</p>
<p>Enrolling early in BioE PhD really won’t help your chances for MD/PhD admissions. In fact, it could work against you. Medical schools are very reluctant to accept students who are currently enrolled in an on-going graduate program. They prefer students who are free from academic obligations and/or have completed (or will complete) advanced degrees before admission. (They view it as “poaching” from other schools/departments/professions and they feel it demonstrates a lack of commitment on the applicant’s part to start a program then abandon it when something else comes along.) Also, any graduate coursework you may take at UWash will not necessarily transfer to your future school.</p>
<p>If you want something to fill your time after an early graduation, then a full-time RA position (to gain additional research experience) or a MS degree would be more helpful.</p>
<p>Can’t say how easy/hard it is to gain acceptance at Stanford vs UCSF. For MD/PhD, the fit of your research interests with the school will trump most other considerations.</p>