Applying to MD programs after starting a PhD

[TryingOnceMore]

Just curious; I'm applying to PhD programs, but am also very interested in the application of research to clinical practice.

Does anyone have any insight/experience in starting a PhD program, then at some point applying to MD programs?

This would mean finishing both together somehow.

Yes, yes, I know there are MD/PhD joint degree programs, but this is not what I'm asking about. I'm asking about starting a PhD, then after 1-3 years, while still immersed in the PhD program, applying to and beginning an MD program.

Thanks for any help!

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[StIGMA]

What you are explaining does not exist. Very rarely a PhD student can join an MD/PhD program, and this only occurs rarely at very few programs. The best time to join would be toward the very beginning of your PhD (year 1). You would also need to take the MCAT. If you want to pursue an MD/PhD, join an MD/PhD program.

A worse option for you would be to apply to medical school after your PhD. You will take on medical school debt and, if your PhD takes an average length of time for biomedical sciences (5-7 years), will take you 9-11 years.

 

[TryingOnceMore]

Thanks, but I'm NOT asking to join an MD/PhD program.

What I'm asking about is applying to an MD program after spending time in a PhD program. I understand the timelines, etc. I'm asking about whether anyone has tried/accomplished this, and how the application to an MD program has been received.

I should have been more clear in my original post.

 

[24thGrade]

I don't get it. You want to do 3 years of a PhD then?
1. drop the PhD and start and MD?
You can do this. It is not smart. You will: 1. not get a PhD- you will probably get a masters though. and 2. Take on the debt of Med school.


2. Finish you PhD simultaneously while doing the first 2 years of your MD? This simply isn't going to work. You might be able to get away with this your first year depending on the school but med school and actually getting research done at the same time simply isn't reasonable. No mentor in his/her right mind would be willing to fund you to half ass your lab work while doing medical school.

3. Apply to med schools while wrapping up a thesis you are predicing will only take 4 years to defend? You are going to have to pay for medical school which will suck. Also, depending on your area of research, a 4 year PhD is not a very common thing.

If you really want clinical work (in addition to research) in your life, can't get into a MD-PhD program, and don't care about a terrible debt burden then you should have applied to MD-only programs and tried to do a year of research in the middle and followed it up with research fellowships later.

 

[StIGMA]

Applying to an MD program, in the middle of a PhD program (years 2-4), while continuing the PhD, does not exist as a designated pathway.

Are you expecting to be enrolled in the MD program and PhD program at the same time, but NOT be in the MD/PhD program? Why? Or are you talking about dropping out of the PhD program to join an MD program?

Or do you plan to join the MD program once you finish the PhD? If so, look up many posts by QofQuimica.

If you want to be enrolled in the MD program while you are in the PhD program, here is a list of programs you can email (this lists contains programs that claim to take internal PhD candidates): Here

You can imagine the situation is different if you complete the PhD vs dropping out.

Search this forum, as these situations have been discussed at length.

 

[Neuronix]

Does anyone have any insight/experience in starting a PhD program, then at some point applying to MD programs?

Yes. It almost never happens. Don't even think about it. Either take the time now to apply to MD/PhD programs or get it in your mind you will have to finish your PhD and apply to matriculate only when your PhD is complete. There is almost never switching from PhD-only to MD/PhD.

 

[QofQuimica]

Yes. It almost never happens. Don't even think about it. Either take the time now to apply to MD/PhD programs or get it in your mind you will have to finish your PhD and apply to matriculate only when your PhD is complete. There is almost never switching from PhD-only to MD/PhD.

Correct.

OP, I am a PhD-to-MD. If you know for sure that you want an MD/PhD, then apply to combined programs for the reasons given above. I was extremely fortunate to be fully scholarshipped to medical school, but this is the exception, not the norm. If the problem is that your stats aren't good enough for a successful MD/PhD app, then you should apply MD-only and try to transfer internally, or else do a PhD/research fellowship after medical school. It's a lot easier to get into grad school (and have it paid for) than it is to get into medical school. So for now, focus your effort on getting into medical school. You can do grad school at any point along the way once you get that med school acceptance.

 

[TryingOnceMore]

Thank you all for taking time to help! Thank you, StIGMA for the links!

I'm just now looking at MD, MD/PhD, and PhD programs, and it would seem that by gathering as much info as possible (and it feels like it's never enough), I'll be in the best position to make a decision as to program.

Best wishes to all!