Hey guys,
So I've been accepted into two MSTPs my first time applying. I must say I felt ecstatic AND relieved when I received my acceptances. As all of us who have gone through this long and, I feel, sometimes grueling, application process, I think we were all proud of ourselves when we achieved our goals. Being accepted into a MSTP program, at least for me, would give me the opportunity to achieve my dream of pursuing clinical and research work.
Recently, though, the PhDs in the laboratory in which I work in have greatly tampered this enthusiastic though balanced mentality towards my future. To give an overview, I am staying for only a short time in this lab and am working more for the experience than anything else. I have a professional rapport with the people in my laboratory, but I must say it is hard for me to become closer to them, especially after a couple of incidents.
Inititially they all seemed enthusiastic about my application to MD/PhD programs. But MSTP or not, they made sure to note that only certain ones had "good science programs." One graduate student noted, "Why do a PhD at all if you don't go to a prestigious school?"
When I let them know of my first MSTP acceptance, NONE of the graduate students, who all initially voiced great curiousity into which schools I got interviews at, congratulated me. One of them asked me whether I actually had a list of potential rotation PIs in mind. I gave them a list and explained to them the reasons I chose my first rotation PI. Response? A stare followed by silence.
Another graduate student made a subtle jab at the state in which I was going to do my PhD in. The same graduate student noted with a sour face, "What kind of PhD is a four-year PhD?" I told them that I knew a number of MD/PhDs who do great scientific AND clinical work simultaneously. Her response: "Yea, and there are also a number who do awful jobs."
The graduate student whom I work with, whom I didn't respect entirely from the very beginning (think along the lines of curious interpretations/treatment of data), didn't question my decision to potentially go to one of the graduate schools I was accepted into, but would pester me about why I would go to a certain MD/PhD program.
Ok, in short, all of the graduate students upon hearing my acceptance and matriculation decision ignored the fact I seemed excited by my academic future. Initially voicing interest and friendly concern over a colleague's application process, they became rude once the results were in.
I wanted to share my experience with you all because a lot of us have interests in academia. How do PhDs regard MD/PhDs? What is the MD/PhDs status - both in resources and in prestige - in academia? (because let's face it, academic can be harsh and shallow) Has any other MD/PhD encountered "antagonism" from a PhD over their career choice?
So I've been accepted into two MSTPs my first time applying. I must say I felt ecstatic AND relieved when I received my acceptances. As all of us who have gone through this long and, I feel, sometimes grueling, application process, I think we were all proud of ourselves when we achieved our goals. Being accepted into a MSTP program, at least for me, would give me the opportunity to achieve my dream of pursuing clinical and research work.
Recently, though, the PhDs in the laboratory in which I work in have greatly tampered this enthusiastic though balanced mentality towards my future. To give an overview, I am staying for only a short time in this lab and am working more for the experience than anything else. I have a professional rapport with the people in my laboratory, but I must say it is hard for me to become closer to them, especially after a couple of incidents.
Inititially they all seemed enthusiastic about my application to MD/PhD programs. But MSTP or not, they made sure to note that only certain ones had "good science programs." One graduate student noted, "Why do a PhD at all if you don't go to a prestigious school?"
When I let them know of my first MSTP acceptance, NONE of the graduate students, who all initially voiced great curiousity into which schools I got interviews at, congratulated me. One of them asked me whether I actually had a list of potential rotation PIs in mind. I gave them a list and explained to them the reasons I chose my first rotation PI. Response? A stare followed by silence.
Another graduate student made a subtle jab at the state in which I was going to do my PhD in. The same graduate student noted with a sour face, "What kind of PhD is a four-year PhD?" I told them that I knew a number of MD/PhDs who do great scientific AND clinical work simultaneously. Her response: "Yea, and there are also a number who do awful jobs."
The graduate student whom I work with, whom I didn't respect entirely from the very beginning (think along the lines of curious interpretations/treatment of data), didn't question my decision to potentially go to one of the graduate schools I was accepted into, but would pester me about why I would go to a certain MD/PhD program.
Ok, in short, all of the graduate students upon hearing my acceptance and matriculation decision ignored the fact I seemed excited by my academic future. Initially voicing interest and friendly concern over a colleague's application process, they became rude once the results were in.
I wanted to share my experience with you all because a lot of us have interests in academia. How do PhDs regard MD/PhDs? What is the MD/PhDs status - both in resources and in prestige - in academia? (because let's face it, academic can be harsh and shallow) Has any other MD/PhD encountered "antagonism" from a PhD over their career choice?