Any point in BS/MD before MD/PhD?

[wondering2012]

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I'm currently a junior in high school. I'm considering whether or not to apply to BS/MD programs. My ultimate goal is to go to a MD/PhD program. Is it worth it to apply to BS/MD programs if I'm going to give up my guaranteed acceptance and apply to MD/PhD programs? I would have to take the MCAT and go through the application process anyway (albeit with a backup MD option). The only BS/MD program that would help me get into a MD/PhD program is Brown's, but Alpert's MD/Phd isn't an MSTP, so I don't even know if I would want to go there. FYI, I'm currently 99.9% sure that I want to go to medical school and around 90% sure that I want to do an MD/PhD program. I've worked in the lab with an MD/PhD as the PI and talked with a couple current MSTP students as well, so I know what it's like. I love both research and helping patients in person, so think MD/PhD is the right path for me. Does the 10% uncertainty justify applying to a ton of BS/MD programs? And is having an MD backup option worth it?

 

[Lil Mick]

My program had a student several years ago who had gone through a BS/MD program. It's not a common pathway, but it does happen. Be sure to check with programs to see if you would have the time and the permission to be involved in a major research project during the undergrad part (especially if you're in undergrad for only 2 years). If you have your topic of interest and would be able to work independently in a school's lab (not sure how much you've done in high school), I'd say go for it (or try to graduate early) so that you aren't spending as many years getting the BS, MD, and PhD.

 

[Neuronix]

Many reasons I would not do a BS/MD program if you are thinking about MD/PhD.

1) MD/PhD programs expect a full undergrad science curriculum in a science major. BS/MD programs typically do not provide this.

2) BS/MD programs do not integrate time for applying to other medical schools (or MD/PhD programs) in their typical tracks.

3) The cost of BS/MD programs are quite high. If you do manage to persue a PhD within a BS/MD program (BS/MD/PhD), it is very unlikely you will get more than your last two years of medical school paid for, and even then I wouldn't count on that.

4) Most BS/MD programs are not affiliated with strong MD/PhD programs.

 

[bd4727]

I would stray a bit from Neuronix's advice to you, but with the disclaimer that I am basing this 100% on two BS/MD program that I am familiar with (Baylors and Case Western).

For both of those, I feel like it can't hurt. As far as I am aware, you are accepted into their programs and then can basically do whatever you want (ie you aren't required to do any specific things other than maintain a high GPA).

I don't see why this would be a bad thing-- it is essentially a great fall back. Now for MD/PhD, you would have to take the MCAT, which I don't think Case's program requires but BCMs does. But provided you are a motivated person, then I don't see why this would be an issue. Essentially you would have to decline the BS/MD track in your senior year of college and apply like all other MD/PhDs. But for instance, if you score poorly on the MCAT then you just go ahead and do the BS/MD track and it's a nice fallback.

I will say that I am actually not a fan of the BS/MD programs, for a number of reasons that aren't worth discussing, but to me anyway it sounds like it wouldn't hurt you as an MD/PhD applicant you would just have it as a fall back in case you changed your mind about MD/PhD or it turns out you aren't a very competitive applicant.