Dartmouth vs Vanderbilt M.D.

[the_very_personal_trainer]

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I was recently accepted into both Dartmouth and Vanderbilt medical schools, and I was hoping to hear some feedback from current/past students about the schools' M.D. programs.

In particular, I am interested in:

- How easy is it to switch into the M.D./Ph.D program in your first year, with funding?
- What types of research do people typically do? Is it primarily clinical work or bench work? Do you know anybody who has done modeling/data analysis research?
- How many hours per week, on average, do you spend working with patients?
- What kind of part-time jobs, if any, do people do to make money? Are there opportunities to work as a TA (for undergraduate or medical school classes)?
- Can people TA medical school classes?
- Can students take undergraduate classes/classes in other graduate schools?
- What proportion of the student body is "traditional" students?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Chansey]

While I don't know the specific answers to your questions, Vanderbilt is the superior choice. Especially if you are set in applying internally to MD/PhD. Vanderbilt's MD/PhD program is funded by the NIH, which makes it an "official" Medical Scientist Training Program. Dartmouth's program is funded by the school, which means they can decide to cut the program at any time. Last year, they were very close to suspending their MD/PhD program. The administration actually voted to suspend it, but later changed their mind:

http://thedartmouth.com/2014/02/21/geisel-reverses-m-d-p-h-d-application-suspension/

Of course, I don't know if Vanderbilt MSTP accepts internal applicants. Your best bet is to email the MD/PhD director at Vanderbilt and explain that you are a prospective MS1 interested in applying internally. Ask him or her if the program would consider your application.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to SSD.