any D.O./Ph.D.s out there? M.D. input welcome too!

[gclax30]

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hey yall~

I'm considering transferring into a D.O./Ph.D. program after this year (MSII) and I guess I'm wrestling with all of the typical issues of the combined program, i.e. worth the time, financial benefits, job prospects, LIFESTYLE, etc. Any general input on these would be very helpful (I've read the other threads on this, great stuff, thanks!)

!.) Specifically, I'd like to know what sort of typical job opportunities are available to D.O./Ph.D.s that I wouldn't get with just the D.O., because as I understand it you can do as much research with just the med degree as you can with the Ph.D.

2.) Is it possible to get these academic + clinical medicine jobs at M.D. schools as a D.O./Ph.D.? I'd like to eventually get back home to the northeast and have a fighting chance at the more prestigious medical university jobs even though I'm not a traditional M.D.

3.) How much weight does undergrad GPA, MCAT, etc. have on my application since I'm already a MSII? Would COMLEX/USMLE have more weight than those?

4.) Anyone at OUCOM? That is where I am considering transferring to and just wanted some general info. I'm looking at Dr. Grijalva's lab in tropical infectious disease...

5.) Any other sage advice, I'm all ears (or eyes)...

Thanks for all previous and future input....

 

[dl2dp2]

steve,
it's very difficult to get appointed to a basic science department these days, esp considering that your intended school's basic biology department is probably less than reputable.

Have you thought about doing research after your medical school training at NIH and so forth? I think it's probably a better pathway for you at this point, esp if money isn't an issue.

 

[housecleaning]

steve,
esp considering that your intended school's basic biology department is probably less than reputable.

agreed. if you're going to do a phd then go to a good school. don't do it at an osteopathic school.

michigan state is probably the closest to being acceptable, but it's still at the very bottom as far as grad schools go.

hc

 

[gclax30]

house and sluox,

thanks for the reply... I guess I just figured that since I'm already at an osteopathic school (not sure if I got that across in the first post) it would be much easier to transfer into the D.O./Ph.D. program than something else. plus my advisor here has contacts there and will help me as much as possible. I have some research experience (no publications), and I'm working on a project this semester here, but this isn't exactly the best equipped school for basic science research either.

I know I shouldn't jump into something I'm not 100% about but I don't want to pass up on something that could turn out to be an incredible opportunity. Research after/during residency would probably be a better route, I agree. But wouldn't the Ph.D. make me a more competitive applicant for the match?

I am very interested in international medicine, especially tropical infectious disease. And I know that some of the best research and training in that area is going on at places like Johns Hopkins, Harvard, etc. so I'm just trying to make myself as competitive as possible, that's all.

Again, thanks for your input, anything else you could suggest would be much appreciated.

 

[dr.z]

I know one DO/Ph.D at my university who is a faculty. I think he only does research. I know of few more DOs who are faculty in the medical school of the same university. So it is possible to attain faculty position with just DO at an allopathic medical school.

 

[gtleeee]

agreed. if you're going to do a phd then go to a good school. don't do it at an osteopathic school.

michigan state is probably the closest to being acceptable, but it's still at the very bottom as far as grad schools go.

hc

I Wonder why the old phrase "useless as tits on a boar" springs immediately to mind when I read your silly, useless posts? Can you help explain that houseckeaning?

 

[Ursus Martimus]

http://www.stjude.org/radiation-oncology/0,2539,431_2344_3357,00.html