Applying to both

[pazan]

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Sorry, because this topic has probably been beaten to death. But, I wanted to get opinions about applying to both MD and MD/PhD programs simultaneously. There are just certain schools where I know I'm not competitive for MSTP (particularly CA schools), but have great research programs for MDs that can get me into good, research-oriented residencies after graduating. Is it realistic to expect to go down the physician-scientist path with only an MD... are there that much more hurdles to overcome with only an MD compared to an MD/PhD? Thanks.

 

[j-weezy]

Sorry, because this topic has probably been beaten to death. But, I wanted to get opinions about applying to both MD and MD/PhD programs simultaneously. There are just certain schools where I know I'm not competitive for MSTP (particularly CA schools), but have great research programs for MDs that can get me into good, research-oriented residencies after graduating. Is it realistic to expect to go down the physician-scientist path with only an MD... are there that much more hurdles to overcome with only an MD compared to an MD/PhD? Thanks.

how do you know you're not competitive?

 

[seraph524]

Agreed, don't sell yourself short...that is the worst thing you can do. If you want to be a physician scientist, just go all out and do your best!

 

[Coconut45]

I would tend to agree with the above comments...just try. Why prevent possible success? At many schools (hesitant to say most, but I think it's the case) if you don't get into the MD/PhD, you are still considered for the MD only program. If for some reason you go the MD only route, you can still do science, the training will just be different.

 

[pazan]

I didn't mean to sell myself short... I'll rephrase that part:

I don't see the need for putting myself into the (ridiculously competitive) MSTP applicant pool at schools that have excellent research reputations and opportunities for MDs (like UCLA, UCSF, etc.).

 

[Ariodant]

You should look into each school's admission process. If that school has parallel MD/MSTP admissions, like UCSF does, then give MSTP a shot, since you know you will be considered independantly by the MD adcom at the same time. If that school has a "MSTP first, if rejected then MD" policy, like UCLA does, and you truly don't want to miss out on its MD program due to ample research opportunities, then consider applying only MD.

 

[Inuranic]

You should look into each school's admission process. If that school has parallel MD/MSTP admissions, like UCSF does, then give MSTP a shot, since you know you will be considered independantly by the MD adcom at the same time. If that school has a "MSTP first, if rejected then MD" policy, like UCLA does, and you truly don't want to miss out on its MD program due to ample research opportunities, then consider applying only MD.

QFT

 

[pazan]

You should look into each school's admission process. If that school has parallel MD/MSTP admissions, like UCSF does, then give MSTP a shot, since you know you will be considered independantly by the MD adcom at the same time. If that school has a "MSTP first, if rejected then MD" policy, like UCLA does, and you truly don't want to miss out on its MD program due to ample research opportunities, then consider applying only MD.

that's a really great suggestion; it's probably what i'll wind up doing.