Applying MD/PhD to some schools MD to others

[kimicurtis]

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Will AMCAS allow me to apply MD/PhD to some schools and just MD to others?

 

[SBR249]

Will AMCAS allow me to apply MD/PhD to some schools and just MD to others?

Yes, for every school, you can choose MD or MD/PhD or some other type of degree program.

 

[ImagineThis]

This is true, but I want to add that it may dilute your chances at gaining admission to MD/PhD programs. That being said, if there is a really good reason for this (i.e. your stats are on the lower end and you would rather just get in somewhere and get into research after your accepted by applying internally to the MD/PhD, doing a reasearch-intensive residency, etc) I think you are fine. However, you have to be prepared for schools to ask you about this. They want to know that you are committed to MD/PhD (after all, its a HUGE investment on their part) and applying MD-only may indicate that you haven't really made up your mind.

Other people can comment more on whether or not this actually comes up in interviews (I applied all MD/PhD so it was a moot point), but I would imagine that it would be a common question.

 

[chartreusee]

I applied to a few MD schools and mostly MD/PhD programs. I knew I wanted to do the MD/PhD program, but because of my MCAT score, I wasn't very confident that I would be competitive enough for this program.

So when I decided to apply to both, I researched exactly what med schools will know about you from your application. The biggest question for me was, do they know I applied to some MD and some MD/PhD schools? After speaking with AAMC and my pre-med advisor, the consensus was that med schools cannot see the other medical schools you are applying to and which type of program you indicated. Thus, you don't have to worry about whether the MD/PhD schools know that you applied MD only to some schools.

Having said that, it is really important that you are able to back up your decision to apply MD/PhD. Although I never received a question from an interviewer asking me why I applied MD to some and MD/PhD to others, I was always asked, "Why MD/PhD?"

Best of luck!

 

[ablavar]

Is this true? I recall from one of my interviews, my interviewer had my entire AMCAS application available on his computer in PDF form. He was scrolling through it before interviewing me. Not sure if the page that listed which schools I had applied to was on that.

 

[SBR249]

Is this true? I recall from one of my interviews, my interviewer had my entire AMCAS application available on his computer in PDF form. He was scrolling through it before interviewing me. Not sure if the page that listed which schools I had applied to was on that.

Pretty sure this is true. The only thing schools know, besides your application file, will be what schools have accepted you, and that info is only available to schools that have already accepted you and only after a certain date (Feb or March I think). At least that's what I was told.

 

[Prophetstown]

I was definitely asked multiple times which schools I was applying to and whether I was applying MD/PhD everywhere, so be prepared to answer those questions if you apply to a mixture.

 

[SBR249]

I was definitely asked multiple times which schools I was applying to and whether I was applying MD/PhD everywhere, so be prepared to answer those questions if you apply to a mixture.

Oh yeah, that happens a lot. One PD even asked me where I've been interviewed and where I've been accepted which I thought was inappropriate.

As a side note, I was actually told by an MD/PhD adcom at a school that if I only got into MD there and MD/PhD at a lower ranked school, I should pick the MD-only because I'd have better training and opportunities at that school. So there are other perspectives out there...

 

[Neuronix]

Is this true? I recall from one of my interviews, my interviewer had my entire AMCAS application available on his computer in PDF form. He was scrolling through it before interviewing me. Not sure if the page that listed which schools I had applied to was on that.

The section where it lists the programs you're applying to is omitted from that.

Oh yeah, that happens a lot. One PD even asked me where I've been interviewed and where I've been accepted which I thought was inappropriate.

It sort of is, sort of isn't. Everyone knows you're going to apply to a range of schools. This is typically asked because faculty want to know what you're looking for in a program, and want to compare/contrast other programs with theirs to sell you. I like to talk about this simply to make conversation.

As a side note, I was actually told by an MD/PhD adcom at a school that if I only got into MD there and MD/PhD at a lower ranked school, I should pick the MD-only because I'd have better training and opportunities at that school. So there are other perspectives out there...

A bizarre recruiting tool. I'd respectfully disagree with that position.

 

[SBR249]

It sort of is, sort of isn't. Everyone knows you're going to apply to a range of schools. This is typically asked because faculty want to know what you're looking for in a program, and want to compare/contrast other programs with theirs to sell you. I like to talk about this simply to make conversation.

I'm almost certain there was no effort to recruit in the case of this PD. The context in which it was asked as well as the timing more than made that abundantly clear. Not to name any names...

A bizarre recruiting tool. I'd respectfully disagree with that position.

Yes, well, I could sort of see where he was coming from seeing as how the particular graduate department that I was interested in (of which he was a member) was much much stronger at that school than at the school with the MSTP. But I would disagree as well. Since I'm rather committed to the MD/PhD route, it would be rather stupid of me to turn down a fully funded MSTP spot for an MD spot elsewhere.

 

[mtb103]

You can apply that route, but often if MD/PhD programs don't accept you, they may offer you a position in the medical school class for that school anyway. I applied both and didn't receive any interviews at the school to which I applied MD-only!

 

[kimicurtis]

Okay, I wanted to apply to some as MD and others MD/PhD because I am international and not all school offer funded MD/PhD to international students.

 

[SBR249]

Okay, I wanted to apply to some as MD and others MD/PhD because I am international and not all school offer funded MD/PhD to international students.

So if I'm understanding you correctly, you are applying MD-only to schools where you are not eligible for a spot with their MSTP or MD/PhD? Then that's a perfectly legitimate reason, just state that during your interviews when asked and enough said.

 

[kimicurtis]

So if I'm understanding you correctly, you are applying MD-only to schools where you are not eligible for a spot with their MSTP or MD/PhD? Then that's a perfectly legitimate reason, just state that during your interviews when asked and enough said.

Yes, that is my reason. Thanks.