I have neuroscience research interests, but am not interested in spending full-time or even near full-time in academia. So I ruled out MD/Phd as most describe their jobs as primarily being research and clinical being secondary.
My personal preference is to have clinical work as my primary position and research as secondary. I figured an MD/MS would prepare me to collaborate with a Phd or MD/Phd as I probably would not have the statistical knowledge, experimental background, or even the time to run my own lab.
So I called a local university to get more information and was told by the dean of graduate studies that MD/MS degrees would not confer me any benefit unless the concentration was public health, epidemiology, or infectious disease. My research interests are in neuroscience and despite qualifying for their MD/MS (neuroscience) program, the dean encouraged me not to apply to it and just do MD/Phd if I had research interests.
Our conversation was brief, so I don't think they realized that I want research work as secondary to clinical work.
Is MD/MS worth the extra cost?
Will I get any benefit from it or should I just do regular MD with research oriented fellowship?
My personal preference is to have clinical work as my primary position and research as secondary. I figured an MD/MS would prepare me to collaborate with a Phd or MD/Phd as I probably would not have the statistical knowledge, experimental background, or even the time to run my own lab.
So I called a local university to get more information and was told by the dean of graduate studies that MD/MS degrees would not confer me any benefit unless the concentration was public health, epidemiology, or infectious disease. My research interests are in neuroscience and despite qualifying for their MD/MS (neuroscience) program, the dean encouraged me not to apply to it and just do MD/Phd if I had research interests.
Our conversation was brief, so I don't think they realized that I want research work as secondary to clinical work.
Is MD/MS worth the extra cost?
Will I get any benefit from it or should I just do regular MD with research oriented fellowship?
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it isn't that other programs are directly competing and therefore are inferior because there is no discount for the tuition. If you know at this stage your are certain about research, I agree it doesn't make sense to consider other programs. However some people do not realize their interest in research until further in the process or perhaps fact little exposure before med school. Many programs will provide formal training or help connect you with good mentors. 
