Accepted but considering grad school

[bkroy]

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MCAT 28
GPA 3.9

I've been accepted to an MD program. I've also been accepted to a masters program and have applied to a couple PhD programs (after my med school acceptance). I really like the MD school, but I am unsure as to whether or not I want to pursue a PhD prior to going to med school. I know I want to do research. I also know I want the rewards that come from working with patients. I don't have enough undergraduate research experience (and probably not a high enough MCAT) to get accepted into an MD/PhD program at the moment, so that's not really an option. What are your thoughts on not going to med school right now, doing a PhD (which would be fully funded with a stipend), and reapplying afterwards? I know this would mean retaking the MCAT. If I go this route (PhD before MD, rather than MD before PhD) I believe I would save some money, as I would start making money sooner after med school (and avoid increasing interest while doing a PhD). Another thought would be to do the masters program(not funded) and reapply to MD/PhD programs, which could possibly save even more money. Do you think I would need to retake the MCAT if I went this route (I know some schools are going to start accepting only the new MCAT soon)? Is a 28 too low to get into MD/PhD programs? Would I be crazy to give up my med school acceptance this year? Sorry, this is a really long post with a lot of questions. Hoping someone might have some helpful insight. Thanks!

 

[Mr Interesting]

MCAT 28
GPA 3.9

I've been accepted to an MD program. I've also been accepted to a masters program and have applied to a couple PhD programs (after my med school acceptance). I really like the MD school, but I am unsure as to whether or not I want to pursue a PhD prior to going to med school. I know I want to do research. I also know I want the rewards that come from working with patients. I don't have enough undergraduate research experience (and probably not a high enough MCAT) to get accepted into an MD/PhD program at the moment, so that's not really an option. What are your thoughts on not going to med school right now, doing a PhD (which would be fully funded with a stipend), and reapplying afterwards? I know this would mean retaking the MCAT. If I go this route (PhD before MD, rather than MD before PhD) I believe I would save some money, as I would start making money sooner after med school (and avoid increasing interest while doing a PhD). Another thought would be to do the masters program(not funded) and reapply to MD/PhD programs, which could possibly save even more money. Do you think I would need to retake the MCAT if I went this route (I know some schools are going to start accepting only the new MCAT soon)? Is a 28 too low to get into MD/PhD programs? Would I be crazy to give up my med school acceptance this year? Sorry, this is a really long post with a lot of questions. Hoping someone might have some helpful insight. Thanks!

You can do plenty of research with an MD only but if you really want a PhD, you may be eligible to apply for one after your first year of med school. Just check with your school to see what options are available.

 

[Chansey]

If you don't have that much undergraduate research experience, how do you know you want a PhD?

I strongly suggest going to medical school now. PhD programs have a very high drop out rate. For medical school, its hard to get in, but (relatively) easy to finish. For PhD programs, its easy to get in, but hard to finish. So many PhD students end up leaving with only a masters.

If you're set on an MD/PhD, I would do research your first year of medical school, and apply internally to your school's MD/PhD program, if one exists. Do not give up this medical school acceptance.

 

[ridethecliche]

Good luck ever getting into med school if you turn this down.

 

[C@lidoc]

You don't need a PhD for research. You can always try and get accepted after your first year. Take the MD and do the research later.

 

[deleted577188]

From what I've gathered it's easier to do research with just an MD than it is to be a medical doctor with just a PhD lol. Take the acceptance!

I'm just a pre-med though, don't take my advice too seriously.

 

[Mad Jack]

You will very likely never be accepted again if you walk away from your current acceptance. Schools generally don't waste their time interviewing people with a record of walking out on acceptances, regardless of the reason.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Some MSTPs accept medical students after their second or third years. You may be eligible to do some research during your time as a medical student (lots of schools help their students do research projects) and then from there apply to the MD/PhD program.

 

[wannabeMD38]

Go to medical school... The End

 

[referee3]

You have a lot of good advice above. Take the acceptance, do research in med school and go on from there. Getting a MD does not really close any research doors. And like others have said if you decline this acceptance your chances of getting another one in the future are slim to none.

 

[MrLogan13]

Declining an acceptance to reapply at a later date is unwise and, in all likelihood, will result in no future acceptances. Run with your acceptance. You can always do research later as an MD.

 

[caffeinemia]

lol at your thought that it's wise to reject and MD acceptance with a 28 mcat. it's like turning down the 1million dollar lottery and because you think you'll win the 100 million dollar lottery,

 

[PrettyIvy]

Keep in mind that rejecting an acceptance into medical school to enter a PhD program can come off like you are more interested in pursuing a career in research over medicine. This will put you in a disadvantage when re-applying because it may have schools question whether you are truly interested in the medical field. As mentioned above, there are ways to be involved in research without an MD/PhD.

 

[ridethecliche]

lol at your thought that it's wise to reject and MD acceptance with a 28 mcat. it's like turning down the 1million dollar lottery and because you think you'll win the 100 million dollar lottery,

I'm sure OP will get a 40 in mcat retake and get into an MSTP program next cycle!



Or not....

 

[sithmoo]

A professor at one of my colleges advised me that even if research was my goal, MD is a very strong place to start because it gives you access to patients, while PhDs play with mice.

 

[NeuResurgens]

A professor at one of my colleges advised me that even if research was my goal, MD is a very strong place to start because it gives you access to patients, while PhDs play with mice.

Agreed. The MD is the harder of the two to get an acceptance. It will open avenues for you.