Hey, I was wondering how old all of us applicants were, since we are all committing to 10+ years of training, I think it's a fair question. I am 21 applying for MD/PhD right out of senior year, but judging form other applicants I have met, I may be the minority??? Happy applying, good luck!
ages of MD/PhD applicants
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I was wondering about the same thing. I'm 24, just finishing up undergraduate studies. I took 2 1/2 years off after high school to live in Europe. At the big name programs, are most of the matriculants straight out of college or do they have significant post-undergraduate research?
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I'm 23 and I'm applying right now. When I (hopefully) start the program next fall I'll be almost 24. The biggest hurdle that I had to get over was not in whether I want the joint degree, but whether I'd be at a huge disadvantage since I'm older than most applicants. After talking to many people about this, I think starting up to, maybe, 5 years later than most is okay, but it becomes much more difficult after that since the training is so long.
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I will be 26 in February, and this is the fourth year of my PhD. I hope to matriculate med school next fall at the same school, and to finish/write up/defend in the first two summers off. All together, my training should take 8 years, so I will be ~30 when I start a residency.
PS the best time to have kids is in the grad school portion of the program-just my 0.02
PS the best time to have kids is in the grad school portion of the program-just my 0.02
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well, I'm not an applicant, but I was OLD when I did apply (matriculated at 27). As for whether it helps or not, the extra miles under my keel have helped me alot in both the lab and the clinic. Had I known that I wanted to do Phys/Sci, though, I'd have gone straight through.
Long and short - "advanced" age won't hurt in the application process as long as you haven't been screwin' around for a decade (I was productive in another career, though I would have liked to be a ski-bum instead). Neither will going straight through. It's all about how the application looks (without much regard to age).
GOOD LUCK ALL. Welcome to a great career.
P
Long and short - "advanced" age won't hurt in the application process as long as you haven't been screwin' around for a decade (I was productive in another career, though I would have liked to be a ski-bum instead). Neither will going straight through. It's all about how the application looks (without much regard to age).
GOOD LUCK ALL. Welcome to a great career.
P
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there is definately a mix of ages in the programs; i was 19 when i applied - but there are students who have taken many years off [the oldest in my years is 24 - but in other years there are older - a non-issue]. just think of it this way - to those who are interviewing and evaluating your application - the difference of age seems much less to them than to us. i think most programs defiantely appreciate those who have taken time off - it brings another dimension to their application, and more importantly, to their futures.
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i'm 23 and applying...am doing a masters degree right now.
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i'm 25 - took some years off to save some money to pay off student loans. looking forward to accumulate more loans..
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I was looking at a masters as an option if i dont get in this year. Are you doing your masters in the biomedical science area? Are they as funded as the PhD programs are?
Thanks strangeattractor.
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hey treg-
you sound like you are in a similar situation as I....25 years old, 4th year PhD student, hoping to start med school next year.
you sound like you are in a similar situation as I....25 years old, 4th year PhD student, hoping to start med school next year.
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hi TIMMY.
i'm getting my masters in biomedical engineering, biocybernetics option. and, compared to phd students, it's relatively very difficult to get funding if you're a masters student, too. i have been very lucky getting a fellowship this year (but i didn't have one last year). i'm not sure but i think the logic is this: many masters students are looking to go into industry and make more money, whereas phd students for the most part are going to be contributing years and time getting publications with the school's name on it, and then when they go into academia, they still might not necessarily get recompensed if they don't have all those years of training paid for.
best of luck - how's it lookin' so far?
i'm getting my masters in biomedical engineering, biocybernetics option. and, compared to phd students, it's relatively very difficult to get funding if you're a masters student, too. i have been very lucky getting a fellowship this year (but i didn't have one last year). i'm not sure but i think the logic is this: many masters students are looking to go into industry and make more money, whereas phd students for the most part are going to be contributing years and time getting publications with the school's name on it, and then when they go into academia, they still might not necessarily get recompensed if they don't have all those years of training paid for.
best of luck - how's it lookin' so far?
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im 23 and am starting the first yr of the MD/PhD program, although 1 yr of medschool part isnt until next yr...they advertise the program being 6 yrs, but i was told it might take 7-8...🙄
ILL be 30!!
but i enjoy school...so oh well
ILL be 30!!
but i enjoy school...so oh well
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I'm 26 now, but will be 27 next summer. 35 by the time I finish the program...plus another 3-7 years for residency...another 2-3 for a fellowship. Wow. I could be 45 by the time I strike out on my own.
Of course, by then I will have decided on a different career...
😀
Of course, by then I will have decided on a different career...
😀
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My thoughts exactly. Problem is, I'm running out of options! I already have more degrees than a thermometer, accd to my wife (who is currently tied with my total!). In fact, I just got my PhD diploma in the mail today.
But I digress.Maybe I'll become a full time flight instructor. . . a little aerobatics... Hmmmmmm
P
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HEY strangeattractor!
havent heard from most schools so far cus i took the August MCATS and they just said my file was complete and I should give em time to review it. Prob wont hear about interviews till late november, if i am lucky.
I like to have back up plans.... masters or PhD.....in case i dont get into now but I am still kinda young, 19, so I still have some 'spare time' to get some more reseaerch or clinical expreince if i need to.
Thanks and good luck to you as well!
I'm 18. I went to college when I was in the 9th grade and did high school and college at the same time. But I turn 19 in the summer, so I'll be 19 by the time I matriculate into an MSTP program! I've got time. Planning to be a neurosurgeon as of now, so I'll be the same age as most by the time I get finished. 🙂
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i'm 24 now. will be 25 when I apply, and 26 when i matriculate. ive taken 3 years off since college, and one off between high school and college. and to tell you the truth, im not worried about it. i think the maturity and the perspective that i have gained (and that goes for me, personally) over the past couple of years will help both in grad school and for pre-clin. if i hadn't taken the time off i would never have realized that i wanted to do MD/PhD anyway!
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This is an old thread but just catches my eyes.
I am 23 will be 24 this Dec (wow, my days of being 23 are numbered). am currently working at NIH (call it post-bacc training, whatever) second year. So I understand some of us (mmm... the older half) who feel a bit melancholy about finishing up at the age of 40+. But what the heck, I think my two years spending here at NIH are definitely worthy because it lets me confirm my decision in going into md/phd. And I also believe that for whatever reasons you did not go directly from undergrad to mstp/med schools, those things you do during those years difinitely make you a more mature person and more aware and sure of what you really want in life. So what if I am older?
although honestly am still a bit jealous of those young bucks. HAH HAH HAH
I am 23 will be 24 this Dec (wow, my days of being 23 are numbered). am currently working at NIH (call it post-bacc training, whatever) second year. So I understand some of us (mmm... the older half) who feel a bit melancholy about finishing up at the age of 40+. But what the heck, I think my two years spending here at NIH are definitely worthy because it lets me confirm my decision in going into md/phd. And I also believe that for whatever reasons you did not go directly from undergrad to mstp/med schools, those things you do during those years difinitely make you a more mature person and more aware and sure of what you really want in life. So what if I am older?
although honestly am still a bit jealous of those young bucks. HAH HAH HAH
I started at 21 after college, and I'm now 28, and I'll be done at 29. It's been a long road, but it did give me a few years to mature. I think it was the best road for me to go directly after college. I am still "young" and I'll be able to start residency before I'm 30. It really is a long long road though... and I couldn't think of doing it if I was 26, that would mean you would finish at 34, and you havent even started residency yet! After 4 years of residency and mebbe 2 years of fellowship you'll be 40 before you get your first job!
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First, I consider the MD/PhD program a "job" because you're paid a stipend. It's a low paying job, but I know in my current stipend, I make a dam good wage which goes up 10% or so every year.
I think most people tend to look at this the wrong way. For me, as long as I'm earning wages, I'm OK. There are a lot of people that don't get "paid" to get training in what they love and then get paid (ie resident) to do what they love.
So yes, I won't be finished my training until I'm 47 or so, BUT I will have been on a "job" becasue I'm being "paid". Plus, I' plan to be 47 anyway and I guess I'd just rather be a 47 year-old MD, PhD, MS, than a 47 year-old with an MS.
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harrah YOU GO pathdr2b!!!
BTW, from your name, I am guessing you want to specialize in pathology. If so, what kind of training will you be ( or are you) going through? Educate me. 🙂 'cuz am interested too.
BTW, from your name, I am guessing you want to specialize in pathology. If so, what kind of training will you be ( or are you) going through? Educate me. 🙂 'cuz am interested too.
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Originally posted by ImmunoANT
harrah YOU GO pathdr2b!!!
BTW, from your name, I am guessing you want to specialize in pathology. If so, what kind of training will you be ( or are you) going through? Educate me. 🙂 'cuz am interested too.
Thanks ImmunoAnt. I'm in training to become a molecular pathologist. In simple terms, molecular path is just applying what I'll call recombinant DNA techniques (genomics) and protein biochemistry (proteomics) to answer questions important in pathology. For example, I'm currently working on a project using a mitochondrial enzyme for both immunohistochemistry and SDS/PAGE/Western Blotting. Without going into too many details, the hope is to elucidate and validate a biomarker that can be used to distinguish a benign tumor from a malignant one. On the genetic side of things, PCR will be done to determine if there is LOH or loss of heterozygosity at a particular locus for this mitochondrial enzyme in normal, benign, and malignant tissue. This way we hope to present a complete picture of what's happening on a molecular level by looking at genetics and the products of genes, ie proteins.
Pathology is a great field with great people. Good Luck !!!
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Thank you very much PathDr2b. 🙂
A couple quick questions though,
1. For the genetics work, have you guys consider cDNA microarray, CGH (comparative genomic hybridization, though this is more outdated given now most people rush into microarray study)?
2. On a less research-related note, how is the training on the clinical part of the program, ie residency, etc? And how is it integrated to everything else?
A couple quick questions though,
1. For the genetics work, have you guys consider cDNA microarray, CGH (comparative genomic hybridization, though this is more outdated given now most people rush into microarray study)?
2. On a less research-related note, how is the training on the clinical part of the program, ie residency, etc? And how is it integrated to everything else?
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1) The microarray stuff is being done by one of our collaborators so I know very little at this stage about this aspect of the project.
2) I'm planning to do an Anatomic Pathology) residency since I'm sure I want a career I academia, I'm not worried about not having training in CP as well. Most residencies in path, at least here at the NIH, have a strong research component which is another reason I'm very interested in this speciality. Path residents also don't have to do an internship year and go staright to PGY-1 status after finishing medical school.
If you wan to learn more try surfing through the pathology section of SDN and also try www.pathguy.com!
