anyone applying for dmd/phd?

[dr bojangles]

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i've met one other guy where i work who is in a dmd/phd program. i know this is probably not the most attractive route to pursue, but just looking to get some feedback on you other applicants (are there any others?).

 

[sl2obel2ts]

I asked the same question on sdn like 2 days ago, noone answered. i am interested though.

 

[small]

I imagine only people interested in doing it would answer, so odds are slim that anyone will actually pop up on here.

 

[crrees]

i am interested in it at UW

 

[Shunwei]

i've met one other guy where i work who is in a dmd/phd program. i know this is probably not the most attractive route to pursue, but just looking to get some feedback on you other applicants (are there any others?).

Well, assuming that I get into a school and complete my degree, I would have a DDS/DMD-PhD combo, although definitely not in the usual route. However, as someone who has spent a lot of time in the academia, I can offer my two cents on this perspective.

Before you go for the combination, ask yourself straight up on why you want the PhD element. This combination degree is tailored for those who are set to join the academia, so you have to be honest with yourself on whether you want to do research and teaching for the rest of your career. Would you be happy spending most of your time at a bench? How much about research do you really know? Would you be willing to accept a massive paycut for the sake of the above? These are just some of the most important questions you have to answer for yourself.

Personally, as someone who went through a traditioinal, six-year (and what I personally believe to be the "full" PhD training), I would only recommend getting the degree if you have rock-solid reasons for doing so. The extra time investment is considerable, the personal sacrifices great. And with the current funding and employment situation in the biomedical research field, the career path is much more difficult to predict than a simple DDS/DMD. If you are set on doing so and have good reasons for it, apply to a place like Penn, Harvard, or UCSF where there is a well-established research program so that you have a good set of faculty mentors to choose from, and where resources (like funding or equipment) are relatively plentiful.

 

[sl2obel2ts]

i've met one other guy where i work who is in a dmd/phd program. i know this is probably not the most attractive route to pursue, but just looking to get some feedback on you other applicants (are there any others?).

just wondering,

do you have any research experience? do you know what phd/dds programs are looking for? I am confused.

 

[dr bojangles]

just wondering,

do you have any research experience? do you know what phd/dds programs are looking for? I am confused.

i have some, though i probably got nothing on shunwei 👍. i got a year of nephro (pub. pending), ~2 years of neuro (1 pub, 1 pending, 1 poster). doing my masters now, looking into completing a thesis. i like academia, i've been in it, its comfortable for me, i have friends/family in research. but, i know my colleagues, the PIs, postdocs, techs, etc., i know its not a glamorous lifestyle, but its a decision i'll make in time (regardless, i'm going to at least get the clinical degree). just curious to see who else is a dual doctoral masochist.
these programs are looking for the best kids (stellar gpa/dat). as shunwei said, mostly people who look to have a promising career in academia. if you just want to get in, get out, then start drilling and billing in priv prac, this is probably not in your best interest. its a lot of sacrifice, but if thats your thing, more power to you (or power to me, if i decide to)

 

[ucla2134]

i have some, though i probably got nothing on shunwei 👍. i got a year of nephro (pub. pending), ~2 years of neuro (1 pub, 1 pending, 1 poster). doing my masters now, looking into completing a thesis. i like academia, i've been in it, its comfortable for me, i have friends/family in research. but, i know my colleagues, the PIs, postdocs, techs, etc., i know its not a glamorous lifestyle, but its a decision i'll make in time (regardless, i'm going to at least get the clinical degree). just curious to see who else is a dual doctoral masochist.
these programs are looking for the best kids (stellar gpa/dat). as shunwei said, mostly people who look to have a promising career in academia. if you just want to get in, get out, then start drilling and billing in priv prac, this is probably not in your best interest. its a lot of sacrifice, but if thats your thing, more power to you (or power to me, if i decide to)

i respect ph.D (in science field) more than any kind of doctor else there.