"Diverse" MD/PhD majors?

[coriannegirl]

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Is it even possible to be accepted to an MD/PhD program with an non-science major? I graduated in '04 with a music major and have since finished a post-bacc program with nearly a 4.0 GPA and am waiting on my MCAT score. I've done a year of research in an o chem lab on antibacterial synthesis of beta lactams and am touring UMN in a couple of weeks to look at their program. I KNOW I want to pursue a dual degree, but I've never seen an MD/PhD student profile with an undergrad major that wasn't science related. Is anyone/does anyone know of anyone who was accepted without the 4 year science background?

Thanks so much!

 

[OddNath]

It's been done-- there's a guy in my year of our MD/PhD program who was a Plan II (liberal arts) major from UT-Austin undergrad. And there's a voice major in my med school class.

I think that with a non-science major, it would be important to have some upper level science coursework to show what you can do. And, for MD/PhD applications, more than one year of research might be helpful (but that's just my opinion and I've never been on an admissions committee, there will be people who know alot more about that than me).

 

[xanthines]

I think this has been discussed pretty thoroughly before, but yes it is possible. I think most MSTP-er's are interested in science by default and therefore usually major in science.

I majored in History.

-X

 

[Maebea]

Off the top of my head, I can think of 7 MD-PhD students in top-10 programs who were music majors in programs at Eastman, Peabody, Curtis, etc. A postbac experience with a research component definitely helps.

Good luck.

 

[coriannegirl]

I think this has been discussed pretty thoroughly before, but yes it is possible. I think most MSTP-er's are interested in science by default and therefore usually major in science.

I majored in History.

-X

Sorry if I'm re-hashing old material. I'm very new and very nervous.

 

[hawkeey]

Is it even possible to be accepted to an MD/PhD program with an non-science major?

Thanks so much!

There are some MD/PhD programs that will even allow you to pursue a PhD in a non-science field. UIUC MSP is one of the largest that many people pursuing PhDs in fields such as English. There are certainly many MD students who are coming from non-MD fields.

The greatest concern I would be thinking of is would you be comfortable applying to a PhD alone in a scientific field given your background? Admission committees will be asking that question if you do attempt to do so. Why do you want to pursue a PhD in science? PhD students are expected to come with a certainly baseline of in depth knowledge of the subject they intend to research. Do you feel that you are qualified to pursue research at the graduate level in that field?

 

[coriannegirl]

would you be comfortable applying to a PhD alone in a scientific field given your background? Admission committees will be asking that question if you do attempt to do so. Why do you want to pursue a PhD in science? PhD students are expected to come with a certainly baseline of in depth knowledge of the subject they intend to research. Do you feel that you are qualified to pursue research at the graduate level in that field?

That's an excellent point, and I appreciate the insight into what an admission committee is looking for. I'm looking for a degree in neuroscience, and as an undergrad, I minored in psychology. I took graduate level courses in things like neuropharmacology and neurobiology, but got poor marks for various reasons. (Reasons that do not include not understanding the material.) In addition, I worked in the neuropharmacology lab as a research assistant, which was the nice title for my lab tech work which involved cleaning rat crap out of 500 cages every day. However, I made it a point to be apprised of what was going on the experiments being performed. I also did some independent research on neurotransmitters in the retina, which I plan to continue this summer, but was not very extensive. The bottom line is that I feel confident that I would be able to handle the work load/intensity of a PhD program, I just don't feel confident that I can prove it.

 

[tr]

That's an excellent point, and I appreciate the insight into what an admission committee is looking for. I'm looking for a degree in neuroscience, and as an undergrad, I minored in psychology. I took graduate level courses in things like neuropharmacology and neurobiology, but got poor marks for various reasons. (Reasons that do not include not understanding the material.) In addition, I worked in the neuropharmacology lab as a research assistant, which was the nice title for my lab tech work which involved cleaning rat crap out of 500 cages every day. However, I made it a point to be apprised of what was going on the experiments being performed. I also did some independent research on neurotransmitters in the retina, which I plan to continue this summer, but was not very extensive. The bottom line is that I feel confident that I would be able to handle the work load/intensity of a PhD program, I just don't feel confident that I can prove it.

Hm. I know of a few nonscience majors in MD-PhD programs; but all of them had several years of research experience between college and med school.

If I were reviewing your app, I would be concerned that you didn't have enough of a science background to know whether you really wanted to do the program or not. One year of research is not really enough even with an undergrad science background. With a non-science major and postbacc, I would want to see good grades in at least two upper-level science courses and at least one more year of solid research before I would even recommend an interview.

This is because the program is a long haul and the motivation has to be very strong, otherwise burnout is likely.

I wouldn't even recommend an MD-PhD for someone in your situation anyway. Why bother? By the time you beef up your experience enough to a) be sure you want it, and b) get accepted, you could have been halfway through a regular MD program. Take the extra year and do research during med school. You'll save yourself a lot of time.

 

[xanthines]

Sorry, I wasn't bustin your chops or anything! I just meant you could use the search function and probably bring up several pages of info, opinions, and blah blah blah. I think as long as you can explain the research you've done well and convey a sincere committment to research, you should be OK. Well, obviously you need a good GPA and MCAT score too. 😛

Good luck!

-X

Sorry if I'm re-hashing old material. I'm very new and very nervous.

 

[dfsdiego]

The bottom line is that I feel confident that I would be able to handle the work load/intensity of a PhD program, I just don't feel confident that I can prove it.

If you can be a part of just one project that you really feel comfortable explaining in detail that should be enough for the "proving it" part. I was a cognitive scieince major(neuroscience/psychology/soft core computer science) and will be starting an mstp with a planned focus in molecular biology...not as drastic as music to neuro, but still a pretty significant jump. my mol bio experience has all been in a lab i started working in after graduating. i have been part of a couple projects, but one in particular that i could discuss at all my interviews...doing this seemed to prove my competency/readiness for the phd part. all the best to you!