Applying MD/Phd

[POWP]

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Does applying Md/Phd hurt your chances for gaining admission to the MD program only?

I want to apply Md/Phd this year, but I am concerned that I will be sacrificing my chances of getting into MD only....I am a rather borderline candidate....3.44 ug gpa, 3.72 SMP gpa, 31 Mcat, 2 yrs. research experiences, 1 publication....Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

[URHere]

At some schools, yes. At other schools, no.

The question you need to ask yourself is whether or not you really want to go the MD/PhD route. If you don't get into any MD/PhD programs this year, would you rather reapply next year or go into an MD-only program, even if you weren't guaranteed a transfer into the program internally? If you aren't sure how to answer this question, then I'm not sure you're ready to apply MD/PhD in the first place.

 

[POWP]

well...i am willing to do MD/Phd because I want a career in research. However, I will not sacrifice my chance to attain an MD b/c of my desire to get the Phd. I realize that a career in research can be accomplished with an MD alone.

 

[fairalexfield]

That's absolutely true, there are many successful MD-researchers; however, debt is significant and a research career doesn't pay too well (hence the point of the MSTP). In many instances, the MSTP committee will have first dibs on your application if you apply MD/PhD and you're application isn't sent to the MD committee until they're done. This will cause a significant delay in your application that may put you at a tangible disadvantage.

You seem to have a great GPA and research experience, but your MCAT might be a problem in MD/PhD committees (depending on where you're aiming)

 

[POWP]

I appreciate the insight...Well my goal is to find schools which say specifically, "applying to our md/phd program does not hurt your MD application in any way"... I hope that includes the time of review by MD only committees not being a problem like you indicated....


Do you know of any lower tier programs that might accomplish this? I realize I won't be competitive at any top schools.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

Does applying Md/Phd hurt your chances for gaining admission to the MD program only?

I want to apply Md/Phd this year, but I am concerned that I will be sacrificing my chances of getting into MD only....I am a rather borderline candidate....3.44 ug gpa, 3.72 SMP gpa, 31 Mcat, 2 yrs. research experiences, 1 publication....Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

I think you're going to have an uphill battle because of the GPA/MCAT. I had a similar GPA but a 40 MCAT and I was not even considered by most top-10s and a few 10-20s. With both low in your case, you will not be competitive for likely the top 40 MD/PhD programs. Can you boost your MCAT to something substantially higher? That could change things radically.

 

[Ariodant]

This question gets asked a lot, maybe we should add it to the sticky. The short answer is, there's no universal rule, it all depends on the school. I don't think anyone has a complete list of schools' admissions processes, and if it's an important issue to you, then you need to make a list of schools you are potentially interested in (acceptable location, right fit for research, etc.), and look on their websites or call their offices. It's a legit question.