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- May 5, 2008
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Hi everyone - first off, let me thank you for contributing to this forum. I'm a first year student strongly considering oncology, and it's been really informative reading thru these pages.
My situation: My medical school allows us a third year off from academics (so much for anonymity) in order to pursue a dual degree, basic science research, or clinical research. Though I am a first year student, the groundwork for these plans needs to be laid soon. I have a moderate though not definite interest in pursuing academics. I put in several years of hard work with basic science research during undergrad but ended up with a negative and ultimately unproductive outcome. In contrast, I have a strong interest in clinical research now and am seriously considering devoting the ten months off to this. However, I also have an interest in public health, and before learning of the necessity of strong research for RadOnc, it was always my intention to pursue the MPH degree.
So - what would you choose? I am examining the choice from the perspectives of 1) utility in a future career in RadOnc, and 2) assistance in the match process.
I know that the MPH offers training in statistics, epidemiology, and clinical research methods. Also, I would likely be able to complete a clinical research project working part time along the way, but the research outcome would likely not be as strong. In addition, based on data from NRMP Charting Outcomes in the Match, additional graduate degrees other than PhD's actually had a negative association with match success in 2007 (though a small sample size). So what do you all "in the know" think with respect to these two considerations?
Thanks!
My situation: My medical school allows us a third year off from academics (so much for anonymity) in order to pursue a dual degree, basic science research, or clinical research. Though I am a first year student, the groundwork for these plans needs to be laid soon. I have a moderate though not definite interest in pursuing academics. I put in several years of hard work with basic science research during undergrad but ended up with a negative and ultimately unproductive outcome. In contrast, I have a strong interest in clinical research now and am seriously considering devoting the ten months off to this. However, I also have an interest in public health, and before learning of the necessity of strong research for RadOnc, it was always my intention to pursue the MPH degree.
So - what would you choose? I am examining the choice from the perspectives of 1) utility in a future career in RadOnc, and 2) assistance in the match process.
I know that the MPH offers training in statistics, epidemiology, and clinical research methods. Also, I would likely be able to complete a clinical research project working part time along the way, but the research outcome would likely not be as strong. In addition, based on data from NRMP Charting Outcomes in the Match, additional graduate degrees other than PhD's actually had a negative association with match success in 2007 (though a small sample size). So what do you all "in the know" think with respect to these two considerations?
Thanks!