Coursework for MD/Ph.D Program

[frosh MD]

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Hi All,
I'm second year undergrad and I'm looking to apply for the MST Program. I know that medical schools (MD only programs) want their applicants to have completed a broad range of courses such as in the humanities and social sciences, but does that apply to those who want to do MD/Ph.D as well. I ask because I would really like to start taking advanced science courses rather than continue taking general courses outside my major. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!!

 

[mcp15]

Generally in order to apply to MD-PhD programs you will have to complete the same coursework requirements as if you were applying MD-only. Schools vary in their humanities requirements, so check out their websites.

 

[frosh MD]

Yes I realize that it's the same requiremetns but I need to know how much more of these courses do I have to take. I'm already done with GEs so I thought I would be able to concentrate on science courses in my field, but that won't help if it would make me a weak applicant.

 

[Remuneration]

Requirements are requirements, it's not a matter of being a weak or strong applicant based on how many you've completed. It's about a particular school even considering your application.

To meet the requirements for many schools you need:

8 semester hours general chem with (2 of these as lab/or lab as part of course)
8 semester hours organic chem (min 2 as lab or lab included)

Although most schools are reasonably lenient about this i.e., at my undergrad two semesters of gen&orgo gave me 7gen credits (1 lab) and 10 orgo credits (3 lab), which my schools have considered acceptable

8 semester hours physics (2 lab/incl)

8 gen bio (lab incl)

an adv bio course

6-8 semester hours english (most but not all schools accept intensive writing courses in other depts if your undergrad counts it towards intensive writing)

many schools also like to see several BESS/FLAN/etc courses (as much as 16 credits), especially foreign language, ethics, race and ethnicity, etc.

However, to be absolutely certain, you must check with the school itself as to what is required. If you're particularly interested in certain schools, doublecheck their requirements now while you have time to take prereqs.

 

[frosh MD]

But wait, are you saying that once the student has completed the minimum requirements, there's no longer a difference between a student who has done the minimum and some other student who has done more than the minimum? Because like I have mentioned above, I already met the minimum non BCPM requirements for all the schools I have looked into, but I wanted to know if I should take more to be competitive for MD/Ph.D programs

 

[jammy22]

take more humanities classes if you find them interesting. Being well-rounded is never frowned upon. However, there are far more important things to make you a competitive candidate than what department you took classes in.

Also, not sure if your school is a semester school or not. But if it is, to graduate in 4 years you need to average 15 credits per semester (excluding AP credit). 15 credits of advanced science courses every semester is a bit intense. So perhaps if you have all the requirements, pick up a minor that you are interested in. Will it make you more competitive? No, schools don't care. But you'll need to get 120 credits to graduate.

 

[Ariodant]

MD/PhD programs don't have extra course requirements. In general, you can take more advanced classes to show that you can excel in those high level courses, but that's not necessary. Instead, they put more emphasis on solid research. Do you need some advanced, in-depth knowledge of biochem/genetics/cell biology to understand your project and conduct experiments effectively? I believe so, most likely. Be it your competence in science or wellroundedness, you have to demonstrate it not through the courses, but the activites you take, and what you've gotten out of them. Do they care that you forgot to take genetics when your research credentials show that you have done an independent project in a genetics lab? No, you learn in order to use it; if you have successfully applied it, you have already learnt it. Do they frown upon your lack of humanity courses after you have volunteered in a clinic in Africa? I doubt the answer would be yes.

 

[CielloStelatto]

A think much of your question has been answered above, but i'd like to add this: I agree that there is a difference between students taking the "bare minimum" and advanced courses. This should be obvious. What is not obvious, however, is what specifies the bare minimum. If you take all of the med school prerequisites, and then fill all of your remaining time with physical activity classes and intro to painting and intro psych and intro to useless classes just to avoid difficult classes, that looks bad. but if you don't take all the upper lever bio courses, no big deal. DO have some advanced science courses, in whichever area you are most interested in. If you want to be a humanities major, go for it! Take advanced courses in that area. In any case, make sure that you can show schools that you really are proficient in the sciences, usually shown with research.

 

[Neuronix]

Yes I realize that it's the same requiremetns but I need to know how much more of these courses do I have to take. I'm already done with GEs so I thought I would be able to concentrate on science courses in my field, but that won't help if it would make me a weak applicant.

What I'm reading is--you're a science major and you're wondering if you need to take more humanities. If I'm reading that correct, my answer is: no, you don't need additional coursework outside the requirements. You'll be an MD/PhD applicant. Everyone, including the MD adcoms, knows you're going to be more science focused. Your pre-med and undergrad general requirements are more than enough unless there are school specific requirements. Take the advanced courses required by your science major and whatever else looks interesting/helpful to you, whether that be science or otherwise.

This one is more of a hoop than something you're critically evaluated on.