Applying both to medical schools and graduate schools..?

[shin2na86]

Hello,
It is my second time applying to medical schools (graduated in May) and I'm starting to get worried since I'm still waiting on replies from schools. I applied ~10 schools and so far got 2 holds and 2 rejections. Because it's already October, I started to get anxious that I thought I might need to come up with some kind of backup plan. I can try reapplying next year, but because I cannot waste another year, I decided to study for GRE and apply to Ph.D programs for next fall semester, so I can be at least IN SCHOOL.

So, my plans are:
If I do get interviews while applying to grad schools this winter and miraculously get accepted to medical school, I am definitely going to med school.

If I do not get accepted to med schools and get accepted to grad school, I will take MCAT again in January or April and reapply during summer while I get ready for a new semester in grad school.

So here are some questions I want to ask..
1. Do you know anyone who does/did the same thing as I'm doing?
2. If I really happen to attend grad school and later got accepted to med school, is it possible for me to switch to MD program?
3. Would it look bad on my grad school applications if they know that I'm also in process of applying to med school which would show my intention to go to med school if possible?
4. If I get into PhD program first, then is it possible to reapply for MD/PhD program at the same school if it offers? I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle that, but just wondering..

It's not that I've never thought of going to grad school. I do have some research experience and know what it is like to be in grad program, and I think I will be actually enjoying researching. It's just that I can't just give up on going to med school bc it's the only thing that I've been thinking and preparing for last 4 years.. so I'm gonna try it for one more time--with a backup plan this time.

I'm so sorry about whining and all that, but i'm just getting so stressed out when I hear people saying they've already been to interviews.. Well, congratulations for those of you who at least got some interviews 🙂 and I would really appreciate it if ya can answer to those questions! Thank you-

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[schrizto]

I've heard of applicants for MD/PhD programs also applying to PhD programs.

Many schools will allow their graduate PhD students to apply internally to their MD/PhD programs. The last three pages of this MD/PhD guide list which schools allow that practice:

http://www.aamc.org/members/great/resources/mdphdtrainingandcareers.pdf

I would say that if you apply to an MD program that is unaffiliated with your PhD institution while you are in grad school and plan on abandoning your PhD if you get in may be a disadvantage because it doesn't show good commitment.

 

[Stratego]

What are your stats? Why submitted to so few med schools? Have you applied to DO med schools also? Did you call the med schools that rejected you last year to find out why? Consider posting the details of your application in the "What are my Chances?" subforum if you have an interest in further input.

 

[shin2na86]

I'm Bio BA major with GPA ~3.81. My highest MCAT score is 29 (PS and BS are all fine, but my verbal score is low..) and it's not even a recent one. Last one I took was in May, and also thought of taking it one more time in July but I didn't b/c i wanted to apply early this year. I applied really late last year, and most of schools suggested me to apply early without taking another MCAT. I do have couple of clinical experiences, both volunteer and employment, as well as undergrad research experience.. The biggest thing that's holding back my app is my MCAT scores.. some schools said they will consider the fact that my first language is not English, but I know that I have to be VERY lucky to be considered that way..sigh. Oh, and I think I initially applied to ~17 schools, but was not able to complete some of schools secondary applications, so I think completed ones are about 13. I completed primary in July and secondary applications by the end of August.

I did some research on getting in to DO schools, but most of schools required a shadowing experience of DO physician which I do not have.. T.T

 

[cher25]

If you matriculate into grad school, med schools will not accept you unless you can prove that you will graduate prior to med school entry. Some even require letters from deans of departments and/or graduate advisors indicating that you will complete your degree requirements prior to matriculation. I know that this has been the case with every school that I applied to. Maybe you should contact each school you're interested in applying to (if you by some chance don't make it in this year) and ask about their policy on applying for med school while in a grad school program. You can also visit their websites. They generally list the requirements for grad students applying to their MD program.

Hope this helps.

 

[Food]

This is a really good question - I feel like if this cycle doesn't work out too well by the time it hits November, I'm going to apply for a PhD and re-apply 3-4 years down the line. I see no sense in a 3rd application for me...I'll basically have nothing left to add except grades - and I'd much rather get those in a PhD program which actually grants a degree as opposed to an SMP which might / might not work and doesn't give a degree (a useful one, anyway).

 

[p30doc]

I did some research on getting in to DO schools, but most of schools required a shadowing experience of DO physician which I do not have.. T.T

You should have done more research. I never shadowed a DO nor did I have a DO LOR. I was accepted to 4 DO programs..

 

[Food]

You should have done more research. I never shadowed a DO nor did I have a DO LOR. I was accepted to 4 DO programs..

My undergrad school's letter service requires DO applicants to have a LOR from a DO. Not sure why...

 

[armybound]

I applied to med school and graduate school (masters programs) at the same time. It was difficult for me because I ended up waitlisted at medical school and couldn't commit to the graduate school, which really pissed off the program director (he had scholarship money and needed to know if I wanted it or if he needed to get someone else to come in).

As far as getting accepted PhD and switching to MD/PhD, I've never heard of it happening, though I don't suppose it's impossible. I would not commit to a PhD unless you're sure that's what you want to do, since it can often take 5+ years to finish, and most medical schools require you to finish your graduate degree before they will accept you if you're already in grad school. If you're serious about a PhD you should have been applying MD/PhD the whole way, or considering adding in the PhD in the middle of med school.

 

[Lokhtar]

This is a really good question - I feel like if this cycle doesn't work out too well by the time it hits November, I'm going to apply for a PhD and re-apply 3-4 years down the line. I see no sense in a 3rd application for me...I'll basically have nothing left to add except grades - and I'd much rather get those in a PhD program which actually grants a degree as opposed to an SMP which might / might not work and doesn't give a degree (a useful one, anyway).

That's a very long way to go about it - and probably the worst way. Grad school grades don't count much, and as the average GPA keeps increasing, you won't get in then if you don't get in now. PhD is a nice EC as far as med schools are concerned.

Focus on your grades. Much better chance. Unless you want to go into research, in which case, sure, get a PhD.

 

[Food]

That's a very long way to go about it - and probably the worst way. Grad school grades don't count much, and as the average GPA keeps increasing, you won't get in then if you don't get in now. PhD is a nice EC as far as med schools are concerned.

Focus on your grades. Much better chance. Unless you want to go into research, in which case, sure, get a PhD.

so what can I do for my grades? Take more UG classes? I can maybe post-bac into a new degree/major.

 

[Lokhtar]

Yea, more UG classes, either just separately or a second degree or post-bac.

 

[Parts Unknown]

I decided to study for GRE and apply to Ph.D programs for next fall semester, so I can be at least IN SCHOOL.

Believe me, I understand this mentality (I used to share it, when I was your age), but beware. The only reason to get a PhD is if you want a PhD. As a path to medical school it is a poor choice.

For one, PhD programs are generally not easy. They are long and arduous, with extremely high attrition (think 50% or more at many places). You can also expend 6 years or more to complete one. That's a lot of time, effort, and uncertainty just to be in school.

For two, graduate students who want to apply to medical school find they have unwittingly trapped themselves. Many medical schools will not look at your application until you have finished, so that can eat up an extra year. When you do apply, you will usually ask for a letter from your PI, who may or may not be happy that you are not doing a post-doc. And you will find yourself reluctant to simply drop out because of how that looks to med school adcoms.

If you have to do grad school, stick with a Masters program.

Frankly, your best option would be to plan an MCAT retake in March or April, and do about 60,000 practice tests in the interim. If you need work, find a job you can leave in a heartbeat without guilt or other ramifications. And make sure your LORs are strong.

 

[Food]

Believe me, I understand this mentality (I used to share it, when I was your age), but beware. The only reason to get a PhD is if you want a PhD. As a path to medical school it is a poor choice.

For one, PhD programs are generally not easy. They are long and arduous, with extremely high attrition (think 50% or more at many places). You can also expend 6 years or more to complete one. That's a lot of time, effort, and uncertainty just to be in school.

For two, graduate students who want to apply to medical school find they have unwittingly trapped themselves. Many medical schools will not look at your application until you have finished, so that can eat up an extra year. When you do apply, you will usually ask for a letter from your PI, who may or may not be happy that you are not doing a post-doc. And you will find yourself reluctant to simply drop out because of how that looks to med school adcoms.

If you have to do grad school, stick with a Masters program.

Frankly, your best option would be to plan an MCAT retake in March or April, and do about 60,000 practice tests in the interim. If you need work, find a job you can leave in a heartbeat without guilt or other ramifications. And make sure your LORs are strong.

Thanks for the perspective. What would you suggest getting a Masters in if my undergrad degree was a BSc in Chemistry? Would a MS in Chem be okay? The other option is for me to get another UG degree in another major...and I don't even know what to get it in.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

So here are some questions I want to ask..
1. Do you know anyone who does/did the same thing as I'm doing?

No

2. If I really happen to attend grad school and later got accepted to med school, is it possible for me to switch to MD program?

Doubtful

3. Would it look bad on my grad school applications if they know that I'm also in process of applying to med school which would show my intention to go to med school if possible?

Yes

4. If I get into PhD program first, then is it possible to reapply for MD/PhD program at the same school if it offers? I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle that, but just wondering..

Doubtful


Most of the other posts cover this but there are some serious issues with this plan
-Med schools will want to know if you are enrolled in grad school, and they will not look kindly on the idea of you dropping out of a PhD program to go to med school (in fact some schools clearly state that they will not accept a candidate who drops out of another program).
-There is only one reason to go to a PhD program: because you want a PhD and want to research in that field. It is NOT a route to medical school

 

[brooklynblunder]

Masters in chemistry is a pretty rare thing nowadays.

 

[Lokhtar]

Thanks for the perspective. What would you suggest getting a Masters in if my undergrad degree was a BSc in Chemistry? Would a MS in Chem be okay? The other option is for me to get another UG degree in another major...and I don't even know what to get it in.

Biology is usually a good choice....

 

[Parts Unknown]

Thanks for the perspective. What would you suggest getting a Masters in if my undergrad degree was a BSc in Chemistry? Would a MS in Chem be okay? The other option is for me to get another UG degree in another major...and I don't even know what to get it in.

I was also a chemistry major, and I was accepted to multiple biomedical science graduate programs. You may be surprised what you are qualified for with a background in chem.

 

[shin2na86]

Thank you all for good responses, they really helped me. So what I'm thinking now is to apply DO schools--thanksfully I've summited a primary application to UNTHSC TCOM (i'm a texas resident) and the deadline for their secondary is Oct. 15th. I will finish this first although it is pretty late, and fill out AACOMAS as well. I will also keep studying for GRE, just in case. I am actually getting pretty interested in getting PhD and think it is worth trying if that's what i'm destined to do. lol. I guess it's just a matter of timing from now on..sigh