Beat the System: Apply MD/PhD, Get in only MD?

[Medison]

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If I apply to MD/PhD to certain schools, however, after receiving an acceptance, can I choose to only do MD?

OR

If I apply to MD/PhD to certain schools, can they accept me only for the MD?

Basically, I am asking this because I have so much heavy research experience already and feel like that could help me apply MD/PhD as opposed to MD only, though I am only interested in achieving an MD at the end of the day.

 

[brooklynblunder]

try it. those of us who actually applied and interviewed mstp will tell you this is not a good idea, its just gonna slow the application process down a lot and if your interest for basic sci dont show you will probably not get into both

 

[ITreat]

If I apply to MD/PhD to certain schools, however, after receiving an acceptance, can I choose to only do MD?

OR

If I apply to MD/PhD to certain schools, can they accept me only for the MD?

Basically, I am asking this because I have so much heavy research experience already and feel like that could help me apply MD/PhD as opposed to MD only, though I am only interested in achieving an MD at the end of the day.

As far as I know...it is NO and Yes

 

[rockaction]

i can't believe you'd be willing to rob someone else of a fully funded position in a research program just so you can have an easier time getting into med school 🙄

if you have tons of research it'll help you in applying MD-only. bear in mind if you're worried about the MCAT or something that MSTP matriculants average a 34 while MD only average a 31.

 

[DendWrite]

You have a better chance of getting in by applying MD at a given school. Just look at the number of slots given to MD/PhD students vs. MD only applicants. Secondly, as has been said, your research experience is valued by the "top 20" research schools.

Some MD/PhD schools will consider you for MD only if you don't get the PhD, but your application is likely to get seen later in the process, so you lose the benefit of applying early and it's just going to make it tougher to get an interview spot.

Also, as has been said, you'll have to write a lot of additional essays, feign interest in academic medicine (saying you want to be a practicing MD in an MSTP interview is a big no-no unless by practicing you mean doing research nearly full-time), and go to a ton of extra interviews. Plus, if you end up getting in MSTP or MD/PhD and then decide to drop the program, you will a) most likely have to pay back the stipend and medical school tuition b) have to ask for letters of rec. for residencies from people who are not too happy about you dumping the program.

Why do you think it would be an advantage to apply MD/PhD?

 

[Medison]

I would consider the advantage to apply MD/PhD only because I have so much research experience and little clinical experience so this would be my "in" for medical school.

However, is it true that MD-only schools will also appreciate and accept me though I have heavy research and little clinical experience?

 

[Evergrey]

Why not just remedy this by taking a volunteering position at your local hospital and shadowing a few docs? Applying to MD/PhD doesn't exactly make things any easier. MSTP schools are more selective of their students based on GPA and MCAT scores.

 

[DendWrite]

How "little" clinical experience do you have and how much time before you apply? I've heard of people having good luck "cramming" clinical experience / shadowing (6 months or so before they apply) to build up hours, so long as you already have some experience beforehand. Worse case scenario, you are applying this summer....you still have a good 6 months or so and could easily rack up 200+ hours.

If you already have some clinical experience, you can always apply as MD-only but say that you'd be interested in things like clinical research...I mean, the PI of the lab where I work is an MD, not an MD/PhD. You can still do research as an MD...I'd say that if you apply to schools that value research and emphasize research in your app (maybe related to some of the volunteering you've done or your scientific interests), you'd fare better than applying MD/PhD.

 

[scapermoya]

just go volunteer at a hospital now.

you'd be fine for the next round of apps.

 

[riverjib]

I would consider the advantage to apply MD/PhD only because I have so much research experience and little clinical experience so this would be my "in" for medical school.

However, is it true that MD-only schools will also appreciate and accept me though I have heavy research and little clinical experience?

I'm glad that you recognize that you probably should have done more clinically, but bear this in mind: med schools want people who are dedicated to SOMETHING (anything, really) and clinical experience is not always as crucial as you'd think.

DO NOT go for the MD/PhD unless you're serious. Really, it's unfair to those who really ARE interested in research. And those positions are fully funded because medicine NEEDS those who are convinced that they want to go into research. Quite honestly, I considered applying MD/PhD because I spent four years doing research, presented at 19 conferences, and had a Goldwater mention on my side. I decided that it was wrong for me to pretend I wanted to be a research physician...I may do clinical research, but my bench research days will be behind me the day I graduate.

 

[thesauce]

If you already have some clinical experience, you can always apply as MD-only but say that you'd be interested in things like clinical research...I mean, the PI of the lab where I work is an MD, not an MD/PhD. You can still do research as an MD...

In fact, the VAST majority of physician scientists have only an MD.