A Detour

[DHB4077]

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I am reaching out to people who might have a similar experience and suggestions for me. I graduated from [X] in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I received Honors in Chemistry and was elected to Sigma Xi, with a Dean's List honor for a couple of semesters over my four years. I achieved an overall 3.273 GPA, with an overall Science GPA of 3.619, and an overall Chemistry GPA of 3.654. On the GRE, I was ranked in the 80th percentile for Verbal, 69th for Quantitative, and 50th for Writing.

Because of my success in Chemistry, I was encouraged by several people at the beginning of my senior year to apply to graduate doctoral programs in chemistry. I am currently finishing my first term as a doctoral synthetic organic chemistry student at an Ivy League school.

Before deciding on this path, I had always wanted to go to medical school, and that is an aspiration I still deeply hold (I have done research at a couple of major academic medical centers and I have the unwavering support of a practicing physician faculty member at each institution, with additional substantial volunteer work during my undergraduate years, as well). Thus, I feel that I am relatively well-connected to and potentially qualified for the profession of medicine (please do not take this as being entitled; nothing is ever guaranteed).

I am interested in hearing from people who might have gone through a similar path. I quite frankly don't see myself as a practicing chemist. Would an admissions committee look unfavorably on my application for electing to leave with an MS in lieu of the PhD, or am I better suited completing the PhD?

I appreciate any serious suggestions or anecdotes from individuals who have gone through a similar path. Thank you for your time.

 

[SN12357]

I am reaching out to people who might have a similar experience and suggestions for me. I graduated from Hamilton College in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I received Honors in Chemistry and was elected to Sigma Xi, with a Dean's List honor for a couple of semesters over my four years. I achieved an overall 3.273 GPA, with an overall Science GPA of 3.619, and an overall Chemistry GPA of 3.654. On the GRE, I was ranked in the 80th percentile for Verbal, 69th for Quantitative, and 50th for Writing.

Because of my success in Chemistry, I was encouraged by several people at the beginning of my senior year to apply to graduate doctoral programs in chemistry. I am currently finishing my first term as a doctoral synthetic organic chemistry student at an Ivy League school.

Before deciding on this path, I had always wanted to go to medical school, and that is an aspiration I still deeply hold (I have done research at a couple of major academic medical centers and I have the unwavering support of a practicing physician faculty member at each institution, with additional substantial volunteer work during my undergraduate years, as well). Thus, I feel that I am relatively well-connected to and potentially qualified for the profession of medicine (please do not take this as being entitled; nothing is ever guaranteed).

I am interested in hearing from people who might have gone through a similar path. I quite frankly don't see myself as a practicing chemist. Would an admissions committee look unfavorably on my application for electing to leave with an MS in lieu of the PhD, or am I better suited completing the PhD?

I appreciate any serious suggestions or anecdotes from individuals who have gone through a similar path. Thank you for your time.

I haven't walked that path specifically, but I have enough familiarity with academia to speak to some of the issues.

I do not think anyone will look poorly on you for leaving with a terminal MS. The funding environment in academia is brutal right now; people understand that if you discover the pure research life is not for you, you need to leave. After getting the MS is the natural point to do this.

Just make sure you have the appropriate ECs to demonstrate understanding and interest in the medical profession.

Another potential concern is that your undergraduate GPA is not good; graduate classes don't affect your undergrad GPA. You will need a truly stellar MCAT (35+) and/or engage in some undergraduate GPA repair to strengthen your chances.

 

[Goro]

Unfavorably? No. People have the right to change their minds and persue their dreams.

You WILL have to prove to us that you won't bail on Medicine like you did with your PhD, though.

I am interested in hearing from people who might have gone through a similar path. I quite frankly don't see myself as a practicing chemist. Would an admissions committee look unfavorably on my application for electing to leave with an MS in lieu of the PhD,


Only you can answer that. What does your heart tell you???

or am I better suited completing the PhD?

 

[beBrave]

I am reaching out to people who might have a similar experience and suggestions for me. I graduated from Hamilton College in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I received Honors in Chemistry and was elected to Sigma Xi, with a Dean's List honor for a couple of semesters over my four years. I achieved an overall 3.273 GPA, with an overall Science GPA of 3.619, and an overall Chemistry GPA of 3.654. On the GRE, I was ranked in the 80th percentile for Verbal, 69th for Quantitative, and 50th for Writing.

Because of my success in Chemistry, I was encouraged by several people at the beginning of my senior year to apply to graduate doctoral programs in chemistry. I am currently finishing my first term as a doctoral synthetic organic chemistry student at an Ivy League school.

Before deciding on this path, I had always wanted to go to medical school, and that is an aspiration I still deeply hold (I have done research at a couple of major academic medical centers and I have the unwavering support of a practicing physician faculty member at each institution, with additional substantial volunteer work during my undergraduate years, as well). Thus, I feel that I am relatively well-connected to and potentially qualified for the profession of medicine (please do not take this as being entitled; nothing is ever guaranteed).

I am interested in hearing from people who might have gone through a similar path. I quite frankly don't see myself as a practicing chemist. Would an admissions committee look unfavorably on my application for electing to leave with an MS in lieu of the PhD, or am I better suited completing the PhD?

I appreciate any serious suggestions or anecdotes from individuals who have gone through a similar path. Thank you for your time.

I bailed on my PhD and never looked back (okay sometimes I do and wish I had Dr. in front of my name for bragging rights, which is a terrible reason). You went into a Chem program for the wrong reasons. If your gut said Medicine, then you should not have chosen Chem. The benefit of your decision however allowed you get a taste for the program. Its unlikely they will care if you chose to get an MS instead of a PhD (and that's if they even notice).

Consider the time frame carefully though, if the MS is achievable in 2 years then I say go for it; if it isn't, and you fully intend to apply to Medical school, then I suggest leaving the program entirely work on EC's, complete any needed Pre-req's (if you haven't done so already), take the MCAT and then apply. Just have a good reason explaining why you left your program and you should be fine. I completed multiple semesters in my program until I finally bit the bullet and withdrew; I would encourage you not to make the same mistake.

 

[DHB4077]

Hello Everybody,

thank you all for your candid opinions. I apologize for not replying sooner, but, like a good graduate student, I have been slaving away in lab completing reactions all hours of the day and night.

I looked into the details of my program, and an MS is possible, and the three requirements are some coursework at the graduate level, teaching at the undergraduate level, and an orally-defended thesis. If I'm efficient, I can certainly complete these requirements in two years, maybe a little longer. As a result, I definitely envision myself leaving with some graduate degree, the question is what level am I willing to achieve.

With regard to the prerequisites, I have completed all of them during my undergraduate studies (the standard science, math, and literature coursework, in addition to social sciences and Spanish). After looking, it appears that meeting those application requirements are not at issue in this case. In the interim, I'll plan on looking for various meaningful volunteer activities I can engage in during my free time (which I admit is not much).

Thanks again for everyone's input on this issue. I very much appreciate it!

DHB4077

 

[QofQuimica]

You're not interested in being a chemist, so it's ridiculous for you to spend the time to get a PhD. You don't get bonus points on your med school application for having one. I do think it's a good idea to finish the MS though, especially since you can't apply to med school this year now anyway. Plan on taking the MCAT some time before June 2014 and apply next summer to matriculate in 2015.