Advice Needed...

[Reasonstocontinue]

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Hello everyone,

I need some much needed advice.

I applied MD-only this cycle. For the past year, I've worked in clinical and basic sciences labs, gaining greater experience on neuromodulation projects. These labs are the same ones I've been a part of since 2020, and due to waitlist purgatory (3 II's --> 1A, 1W, 1R), I decided to start my reapplication for MD-PhD only. This change (from MD to MD-PhD) comes directly from these research experiences. Through the additional year in the lab, gaining greater research exposure, and finding my research "niche," I've realized I want to pursue this training that will allow me to work with the neurologically vulnerable and investigate such potential therapeutic avenues. Everything was all set until this morning, when a program called with an A. I'm incredibly grateful for the waitlist movement and the school taking a chance on me. However, I don't believe this program will allow me to internally apply into their MSTP - emailed program director in March - and I don't believe I will be happy if I don't pursue the combined training. My parents are no help - not in medicine - and I'm at a loss in terms of my next steps.

I now turn to you:

1. Should I just shut up, be happy for the A, and try and bury these feelings tied to the combined training?
2. Should I reach out to the school to learn more about my current stance with the MSTP (director said they don't allow internal applicants even if accepted/during M1/M2 years)?
3. Should I decline the A and continue onward with my reapplication?

 

[Fencer]

You can turn down an MD only acceptance if the MSTP indicates that they don't allow internal applicants. You need to address that in the MD/PhD or personal essay as your application strategy has fundamentally changed. I would only reach out to the MSTP director again prior to turning down the MD only acceptance. Despite that they told you that before, there is a difference between a hypothetical vs a real possible situation of considering transfer.

 

[dl2dp2]

This really depends a lot on how likely you might get into MD PhD on a reapplication, and where this school is.

I would say if it's MD only but at a higher prestige school, let's call it operationally ranked in the top 50 by US News, I would just go ahead and go because the PhD doesn't really matter that much, and you'll need to do a research fellowship anyway post-residency.

If this acceptance is from a lower ranked school, the issue is more complex. Lower lower-ranked MD makes it much harder to match at a higher academic program in neurology/psychiatry, and having a PhD can help. However, this also depends on the applicant profile, and we'd have to adjudicate this on a case by case basis.

In general though, with regard to the pattern of facts you are presented (i.e. 3 interviews and one acceptance), I would imagine that your profile is not the most competitive. In which case I say go for the MD. It's very possible that reapply and you get NOTHING.

 

[Reasonstocontinue]

You can turn down an MD only acceptance if the MSTP indicates that they don't allow internal applicants. You need to address that in the MD/PhD or personal essay as your application strategy has fundamentally changed. I would only reach out to the MSTP director again prior to turning down the MD only acceptance. Despite that they told you that before, there is a difference between a hypothetical vs a real possible situation of considering transfer.

Thank you for the advice. I am meeting with the MSTP director Monday. If the option isn't available, I will follow what you recommend for the MD/PhD essays. Two current MSTP students are reviewing the SRE, the why MD/PhD, and my personal statement essay. I am meeting with my PIs next week to discuss more.

 

[Reasonstocontinue]

This really depends a lot on how likely you might get into MD PhD on a reapplication, and where this school is.

I would say if it's MD only but at a higher prestige school, let's call it operationally ranked in the top 50 by US News, I would just go ahead and go because the PhD doesn't really matter that much, and you'll need to do a research fellowship anyway post-residency.

If this acceptance is from a lower ranked school, the issue is more complex. Lower lower-ranked MD makes it much harder to match at a higher academic program in neurology/psychiatry, and having a PhD can help. However, this also depends on the applicant profile, and we'd have to adjudicate this on a case by case basis.

In general though, with regard to the pattern of facts you are presented (i.e. 3 interviews and one acceptance), I would imagine that your profile is not the most competitive. In which case I say go for the MD. It's very possible that reapply and you get NOTHING.

Thank you for the advice. For background, I only applied to 15 programs as I didn't have the financial means to apply to more. However, I've worked and saved up the money to apply to more programs this year. My interviews were at a T20 (R), a T35 (A), and a T50 (WL). I am applying more broadly this time around.

 

[dl2dp2]

Honestly I think you should just take it, and I think the likelihood of you being able to transfer into MD PHD if you do well first year med school is quite good.

MD PhD outside of top 50 becomes a wash. The PHD adds very little at that level. Personal opinion

Thank you for the advice. For background, I only applied to 15 programs as I didn't have the financial means to apply to more. However, I've worked and saved up the money to apply to more programs this year. My interviews were at a T20 (R), a T35 (A), and a T50 (WL). I am applying more broadly this time around.