Are you supposed to already know?

[MedSchoolChica]

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Do adcoms for MD/PhD programs already expect you to know the area in which you would specialize and do your PhD? Or is there room within the process you go through as a student in grad school/med school to decide what you'd like to do? Also, if your research activities as an undergrad are in an area different than the area you may want to pursue in grad school, does this work against you?

 

[OddNath]

You don't need to know for sure yet. You'll have more time to decide when you do lab rotations (if your school does that), and during med school.

Most of my research in undergrad was in optics/engineering, and I showed a strong interest in neuroscience when I applied, and that's the department I'm going to join. It didn't work against me-- just be prepared to explain what about the new field interests you.

 

[anka24]

I think it is important to have an idea about what interests you and express that interest, but not necessarily tie yourself to that topic. Your interviewers want to know that you have been thinking about research, but certainly not pigeonholing yourself into something with no flexibility.

Do adcoms for MD/PhD programs already expect you to know the area in which you would specialize and do your PhD? Or is there room within the process you go through as a student in grad school/med school to decide what you'd like to do? Also, if your research activities as an undergrad are in an area different than the area you may want to pursue in grad school, does this work against you?

 

[Hard24Get]

Do adcoms for MD/PhD programs already expect you to know the area in which you would specialize and do your PhD? Or is there room within the process you go through as a student in grad school/med school to decide what you'd like to do? Also, if your research activities as an undergrad are in an area different than the area you may want to pursue in grad school, does this work against you?

most programs ask because they will have you meet with a few researchers in your stated area of interest during your interview. They absolutely don't care if you have experience in that area or not. I interviewed as molecular biology, came back for my 2nd visit (after acceptance) interested in Neuroscience, and switched to immunology (which I had almost zero experience in) before grad school started... 😎

And no one asks what you want to specialize in - you have 6+ years to decide!

 

[MedSchoolChica]

Okay, thanks everyone!