can you change MD/PhD to MD?

[mindquick]

say you get into an MD/PhD program, but later during med school you just want a regular MD. is this possibler?

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[diosa428]

say you get into an MD/PhD program, but later during med school you just want a regular MD. is this possibler?

I think it's possible, but I'm not sure what happens with your funding. If you have gotten funding for the first 2 years of school, you may have to pay it back if you don't complete the MD/PhD program.

 

[j-weezy]

say you get into an MD/PhD program, but later during med school you just want a regular MD. is this possibler?

Yes (and depending on the program, the repercussions will vary although I don't think many will make you pay back your tuition).

My question for you: If you are already thinking about changing your mind, should you go this route?

 

[mindquick]

My question for you: If you are already thinking about changing your mind, should you go this route?

Some schools don't seem to offer any MD-only program that they allow me to apply to, but they do allow me to apply to their MD/PhD program. I wouldn't mind the MD/PhD program but it does take a long time and I might want to just do an MD-only program, since I want to be a doctor.

 

[mordounhas]

So you're thinking of applying as an MD/Ph. D to a school such as the University of Washington which doesn't like to grant spots to OOSers applying to just MD, and then dropping the Ph. D if you get in? My guess is that they would not be very happy about it, but I could be wrong.

 

[TheRealMD]

I'd be careful about that though. People that actually end up getting into an MD/PhD program are the ones that know what they are getting into. They don't want people who make a half-assed attempted at applying well knowing that many would just use it as a free-ride to med school (at a cost of an extra 3-4 years no less).

I don't think you'll ever be faced with this situation because if you don't want the PhD part of an MD/PhD program, they'll give your spot before you're accepted to someone else who does.

 

[Wanna_B_Scutty]

So you're thinking of applying as an MD/Ph. D to a school such as the University of Washington which doesn't like to grant spots to OOSers applying to just MD, and then dropping the Ph. D if you get in? My guess is that they would not be very happy about it, but I could be wrong.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

If you apply Md/PhD so you can get into a school like U Wash or a Cali school, and then you drop the PhD part, your dean is gonna suspect what's up. Remember that these folks write your Residency letters... and a well placed phrase such as "this applicant makes committments that s/he does not intend to follow to completion" will pretty much doom your Residency apps.

These things always come back to haunt you. Don't try it.

 

[Celestron2000]

Actually they do make you pay for the first 2 years, I know someone who did this, although not by choice (her adviser left.)

 

[tideleonheart]

What if you start as an MD and want to switch to an MD/PhD while in medical school?

 

[diosa428]

What if you start as an MD and want to switch to an MD/PhD while in medical school?

Your ability to do this depends upon the school. Some schools have openings in the MD/PhD program that they will let you apply to as a medical student, but you usually do not get your first 2 years covered by the stipend (you usually do get your PhD years and your last 2 years covered). Some schools will not have openings in the program, but will still let you do the PhD - this would mean you wouldn't get funding for any of your MD years, but would get funding as a PhD student.

 

[HumidBeing]

OP, do you know what I read from your post? "If I can't get in where I want by honest means, then I can use deceit and dishonesty, right?"

Your post makes me angry.

MD/PhD programs are there to encourage physician-scientists. If you have a strong desire and aptitude for research, then it's the program for you. If you use it only as an underhanded means to get into the school, and aren't dedicated to pursuing research, it's plain wrong.

To answer your question, sometimes you have to pay back the tuition, others won't allow you to change midstream. In any event, the repercussions are very strong. You would not be the first to try this. It's an all too common tactic, that they are very aware of. Do you already have a strong background in research? Have you been showing all along that is what you are truly interested in? If you have, you might be able to pull the wool over their eyes long enough to get in. You'd be doing a disservice to those are dedicated to advancing medicine through research.

Think about the word - ethics.

 

[TheRealMD]

OP, do you know what I read from your post? "If I can't get in where I want by honest means, then I can use deceit and dishonesty, right?"

Your post makes me angry.

MD/PhD programs are there to encourage physician-scientists. If you have a strong desire and aptitude for research, then it's the program for you. If you use it only as an underhanded means to get into the school, and aren't dedicated to pursuing research, it's plain wrong.

To answer your question, sometimes you have to pay back the tuition, others won't allow you to change midstream. In any event, the repercussions are very strong. You would not be the first to try this. It's an all too common tactic, that they are very aware of. Do you already have a strong background in research? Have you been showing all along that is what you are truly interested in? If you have, you might be able to pull the wool over their eyes long enough to get in. You'd be doing a disservice to those are dedicated to advancing medicine through research.

Think about the word - ethics.

HumidBeing, there's little reason to be angry, since I doubt there are many cases where a person would have gotten in MD/PhD and not MD. It just doesn't really happen often enough for anyone to care. The reverse is a lot more common though.

 

[HumidBeing]

Yes, TRMD, that's true. The post just struck a raw nerve in me. I also realize that, unless one already has a strong track record which shows interest in, and aptitude for, research, that it would be very difficult to pull off that deception, because the competition for the comparatively few spots is very strong. Qualifications for MD & MD/PhD may overlap, but they aren't quite the same.

I know that, when it comes to figuring out a way to gain admission to a person's preferred school, every wisp of hope is something to check out. I sympathize with that.