Does applying to an MD-PhD program make it easier to get into a medical school?

[Ratty]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,

I am wondering if applying to an MD/PhD program would make it any easier to get into medical school. I am very interested in research, would love to be a student for the next eight years, and so think the opportunity sounds interesting. However I am wondering if it makes it easier to get into medical school in general. As a post-bacc student, I just want to get into any medical school, and I know that my stats are going to make it harder to get in than if I was coming from undergrad so I'm looking for any little extra bit that would help.

 

[MacGyver]

I am wondering if applying to an MD/PhD program would make it any easier to get into medical school.

No.

What on earth would make you think that?

 

[WatchingWaiting]

Re: I am wondering if applying to an MD/PhD program would make it any easier to get into medical school.

No way. The general template for a competitive MD/PhD admit is a 35+ MCAT and 3.7+ GPA. You can squeeze by with less, but will have to have a very strong research recommendation. The criteria are a little different, in that MD/PhD schools will de-emphasize community service in favor of research experience, but the academic criteria and more stringent than MD admits, not less so.

 

[MysticHealer]

I was under the understanding when I was applying that 1) the avg stat's were higher for those accepted to MD/PhD programs 2) becasue they would be funding Both your Medical educationa dn Your graduate education I'd mthink you'd have to be a very good looking canidate, at least on paper. You can also apply to Md/PhD programs after your first year to do after your second year. YOu can also apply to do a summer at the NIH. I'm planning to maybe go for an MD/PhD after 2 years. I applied late in the game, around thanksgiving, so i thought to improve my chances i'd apply jsut as a MD canidate. Have you done a great deal of research prior to now?
oh well

MysticHealer

 

[Shifty B]

Agree with the above posters. It is arguably harder to get these MD PhD spots, primarily because there are many fewer and it is a very self selective group. If you are not competitive for MD only programs, you will not be competitive for MD PhD programs.

 

[SN12357]

Agree with the above posters. It is arguably harder to get these MD PhD spots, primarily because there are many fewer and it is a very self selective group. If you are not competitive for MD only programs, you will not be competitive for MD PhD programs.

There is a small group of people who are stronger candidates for MD-PhD due to their research background than they are for MD. That is, their research background is so strong that it can overcome some other deficit in their application (to pull two examples I've seen personally: low GPA, below average social skills). But these were candidates with truly exemplary research backgrounds, multiple pubs, demonstrable independent research skills, etc.

Overall I agree with what everyone has said, in general it is harder to get into MD-PhD than MD.

 

[BlueLabel]

Agree with the above posters. It is arguably harder to get these MD PhD spots, primarily because there are many fewer and it is a very self selective group. If you are not competitive for MD only programs, you will not be competitive for MD PhD programs.

Not that I disagree, but don't you think he probably figured it out at some point within the last decade? OP is from 10 years ago man.

 

[GoPelicans]

There is a small group of people who are stronger candidates for MD-PhD due to their research background than they are for MD.

This. For someone with excellent research but below average service EC's, MD/PhD might be easier to get admitted to than MD for the same school (assuming they have decent stats).

 

[swolebrah]

Just wondering, I always heard about the MD/PhD programs, what's so appealing about them? If your getting a MD title, wont you want to be in a competitive residency appose to doing clinical research?

Excuse me if I sound a little ignorant, I don't know much on the subject of md/phd route.

 

[GoPelicans]

Just wondering, I always heard about the MD/PhD programs, what's so appealing about them? If your getting a MD title, wont you want to be in a competitive residency appose to doing clinical research?

Excuse me if I sound a little ignorant, I don't know much on the subject of md/phd route.

MD/PhD is intended to graduate physician-scientists, people who want to make research the focal point of their carer. A lot of MD/PhD's do something like 80-90% research, and 10-20% medicine. The whole idea is that having medical experience gives them a perspective on certain issues that a traditional scientists might not possess. MD/PhD is tuiton-free as an incentive to attract potential applicants, but it takes 7-8 years to complete. The free tuition is a double-edged sword for adcoms because many people apply to these programs and then only go into practice full-time after they graduate.

 

[Starry]

Just wondering, I always heard about the MD/PhD programs, what's so appealing about them? If your getting a MD title, wont you want to be in a competitive residency appose to doing clinical research?

Excuse me if I sound a little ignorant, I don't know much on the subject of md/phd route.

The answer above mine is very thorough. But I'd just like to highlight why these programs are appealing to many: FREE TUITION.

I'm sure that there are many students who do MD/PhD out of genuine interest in research. There are also many who are interested in the financials. Finally, doing clinical research does not preclude you from landing a spot in a competitive residency. In fact it will usually enhance your residency application. The importance varies by specialty of course.

students thinking gimme gimme moolah plz......(>$.$)> (>$.$)> <(~.~<).....tired adcom trying to sort through the chaff

 

[Doctor Strange]

Strong necrobump.

 

[Starry]

Strong necrobump.

Oh my....did not realize. Lololol.

 

[BurberryDoc]

Hello,

I am wondering if applying to an MD/PhD program would make it any easier to get into medical school. I am very interested in research, would love to be a student for the next eight years, and so think the opportunity sounds interesting. However I am wondering if it makes it easier to get into medical school in general. As a post-bacc student, I just want to get into any medical school, and I know that my stats are going to make it harder to get in than if I was coming from undergrad so I'm looking for any little extra bit that would help.

BurberryDoc: Umm, hi, Jerry Jones? This is BurberryDoc calling, I was wondering if I could play QB for the Cowboys this week against the Bears?


When the medical school is waiving tuition entirely AND paying out a stipend, it is much more competitive. What planet were you on that you heard differently?

 

[BlueLabel]

BurberryDoc: Umm, hi, Jerry Jones? This is BurberryDoc calling, I was wondering if I could play QB for the Cowboys this week against the Bears?


When the medical school is waiving tuition entirely AND paying out a stipend, it is much more competitive. What planet were you on that you heard differently?

It's called 2003-world, buddy. OP is probably in his 30s by now.

 

[BurberryDoc]

It's called 2003-world, buddy. OP is probably in his 30s by now.

Oh gosh, whoops. I was mobile when I was reading this - not sure why it came up as a more recent thread. Odd. Well, hopefully the "thread reincarnate" will dispell any myths for pre-med students contemplating MD/PhD.

Cheers

 

[Shifty B]

You know, maybe this guy can come back and tell us how it went.

I think with the new forum format the time and date is small and not that easy to see. Plus, look below at "similar threads", and it is suggesting threads that are 10 years older or more.