A late switch to MD/PhD prep -- viable?

[Hesychast]

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Hi all!

I've read through the FAQs and whatnot, but since my status is somewhat unusual, I'd like to ask the board a few questions directly:

I'm going to graduate in 2007, but I need to make an important decision very soon: Do I drastically change my schedule for the Fall term, introducing Bio I and Organic Chem I, in order to switch to a pre-med track and prepare for the August 2006 MCAT? (Presumably I want to take the MCAT after these classes.)

Heretofore I have been prepping for application to programs in theoretical condensed matter physics and materials science, but I've come to realize that 1.) bio/med is much more of a growth field than physics, and 2.) the academic physics job market is absolutely brutal. However, I think I would like to continue in materials science, and to that end I think I might drop plans to take all the math classes necessary for theoretical physics, pick up some orgo, bio, and biochem, and apply to a mix of Materials PhD and MD/PhD programs. I think I can position myself for biophysics, biomaterials, biomechanics, etc. (i.e. the intersection of physical science and bio-med.) Additionally, as I read books about biomechanics, evolution, etc., I find my curiousity and enthusiasm concerning the subject is growing markedly...

However, given that I have not been preparing for med school application, my ECs are weak and I have no clinical experience. However, I think I could volunteer next term, though Orgo + Bio + Quantum Mech + Research Class on top of volunteering might make for a rough semester. (However, I handled the max credit load in engineering every term throughout college so far -- which possibly wasn't a good idea, as it didn't leave me much time to get research done during the regular school year. )

Speaking of research, all of it has hitherto been ten week summer stints at REU programs. While I thoroughly enjoyed the work, ten weeks isn't enough time to secure a coauthorship and certainly isn't the sort of continuous work adcoms are looking for. However, my curriculum (materials eng/physics) requires a senior project/thesis, and I hope I can get a pub (in materials science) by the time I apply.

So, assuming I have maybe one pub, two terms of clinical volunteering, an MCAT score in the upper 30s,* and a GPA >3.90, do I have a good shot at MD/PhD, or should I not bother? Additionally, if adcoms care, I'll have another, non-science major (Philosophy.) Is biomaterials a good fit for these programs? I'm particularly worried my volunteering and ECs will be weak (I'm not in any leadership positions, for instance.) Will adcoms look askance at my late switch into a pre-med track?

I appreciate the input! 🙂

* I don't know about the biosci part of the MCAT, but I'm reasonably sure I can score 13-14 on physical sciences

 

[JETER]

Since I was pretty much in your shoes a few years ago, I will try to help:

I'm going to graduate in 2007, but I need to make an important decision very soon: Do I drastically change my schedule for the Fall term, introducing Bio I and Organic Chem I, in order to switch to a pre-med track and prepare for the August 2006 MCAT? (Presumably I want to take the MCAT after these classes.)

As for the classes next semester, I would not worry about the ochem, if you are taking just to prep for the MCAT. The Ochem section will be the second easiest (next to p.science) to study for. The biology might not hurt, though. If you have no background in biology, it might be a little difficult to study the required amount for the test. Just a thought, though.

However, I think I would like to continue in materials science, and to that end I think I might drop plans to take all the math classes necessary for theoretical physics, pick up some orgo, bio, and biochem, and apply to a mix of Materials PhD and MD/PhD programs.

Stick with the physics major, if you like it. I was a double major in physics and chemical engineering, and I did it in four years, and had time to do enough research to pay the bills and boost the cv. I might suggest you drop the philosophy major, and use the free'd time to fill in with the pre-reqs. You might even be able to do the double major in biology. At my school, I was a class and a lab from getting a ba in biology. Don't worry about covering the prereqs for a PhD program now. If you know that you want to do, say biomedical engineering, your material science program should suffice. Since you're taking quantum next semester, you will most certainly have the required year of newtonian and year of quantum (plus E&M?) required for most doctoral programs in physics. Seems like you are fine.

However, given that I have not been preparing for med school application, my ECs are weak and I have no clinical experience. However, I think I could volunteer next term, though Orgo + Bio + Quantum Mech + Research Class on top of volunteering might make for a rough semester.

Don't worry too much about the volunteering/EC stuff. If you are dead set on MD/PhD, it really doesn't matter TOO much, but it is important that you have some clinical experience. Volunteer for a term, if possible, but don't worry about setting records in engineering community service.

Speaking of research, all of it has hitherto been ten week summer stints at REU programs. While I thoroughly enjoyed the work, ten weeks isn't enough time to secure a coauthorship and certainly isn't the sort of continuous work adcoms are looking for.

Engineering is probably much easier to conduct research in than some other fields. And, it is not as difficult to publish, in my opinion, which is not the case for physics. Find a lab, and work as much as possible. You still have a year or two before applications need to be turned in. Just make sure you have some quality time with the PI so he/she can write a letter that will shine. This is much more important than some EC club everyone joins to 'stand out.'

Will adcoms look askance at my late switch into a pre-med track?

All they will care about is RESEARCH, that you didn't flunk outta your courses, and a competitive MCAT score. When you switch will be more or less transparent to them.

I don't know about the biosci part of the MCAT, but I'm reasonably sure I can score 13-14 on physical sciences

Studied for about a day and a half for the PS. Got a 15. Verbal, now that was a totally different story. Just stay busy, find a lab, spend enough time in a hospital so that you can at least talk about it, and you'll be fine.