does major matter for MD / PhD?

[pioneer22]

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Does undergrad major matter for MD / PhD, provided you have great grades, MCAT, and significant research experience / interest?

I am interested in computer science and english, with a possible PhD in bioinformatics / genomics, with research experience since freshman fall of u-grad...

Ie. is a student shunned for majoring in English / non-science major (CS?) if they apply MD / PhD?

Thanks

 

[efle]

I think you'd be fine with a partially humanities degree, as long as you had extensive research experience in bioinformatics/genomics labs during college. It's just rare to see because most people that enjoy BCPM research also enjoy BCPM studies

 

[jesie]

I've got a major that is essentially unknown, but I did mostly humanities, the premed requirements, and then a decent amount of stats. It hasn't stood in the way as far as I can tell. 7 MDPhD interviews so far, 4 of which were top 20, so the major certainly doesn't count you out.


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[pioneer22]

I think you'd be fine with a partially humanities degree, as long as you had extensive research experience in bioinformatics/genomics labs during college. It's just rare to see because most people that enjoy BCPM research also enjoy BCPM studies

You don't count Comp. Sci a BCPM?

 

[efle]

I do that's why I said partially humanities !

 

[aldol16]

The bottom line for MD/PhD programs is that you have to demonstrate a commitment to research related to the biomedical sciences. Your narrative has to convey that and you have to have substantial research experience. Simply saying that you want to do research doesn't matter.

 

[Danbo1957]

Who should I consider between an applicant with a 3.80 degree in Microbiology with lab research from a Tier 1 university and an MCAT in the 90th percentile, or an applicant with a 3.80 degree in Art History from a liberal arts college with an MCAT in the 90th percentile? I'll consider both for an MD, but only the applicant with the Microbiology degree for the MD/Ph.D.

It's a medical school Ph.D.

 

[Lawpy]

Who should I consider between an applicant with a 3.80 degree in Microbiology with lab research from a Tier 1 university and an MCAT in the 90th percentile, or an applicant with a 3.80 degree in Art History from a liberal arts college with an MCAT in the 90th percentile? I'll consider both for an MD, but only the applicant with the Microbiology degree for the MD/Ph.D.

It's a medical school Ph.D.

would you consider the art history major with extensive biomedical lab research experience for MD/PhD?

 

[Danbo1957]

would you consider the art history major with extensive biomedical lab research experience for MD/PhD?

Now, how would an art history major get extensive biomedical lab research experience? If it were so, I'd want to talk to that applicant, just for the novelty of it... 🙂

 

[aldol16]

Now, how would an art history major get extensive biomedical lab research experience? If it were so, I'd want to talk to that applicant, just for the novelty of it... 🙂

It'd probably be easiest for a humanities major to commit to extensive research because they have freer time constraints. The only problem is getting into a lab, which wouldn't be a problem if they started early and expressed their desire to enter a research field.

 

[Doctor-S]

Now, how would an art history major get extensive biomedical lab research experience? If it were so, I'd want to talk to that applicant, just for the novelty of it... 🙂

At my school, some MD/PhD labs have some non-science majors (e.g., pre-med students who have graduated with a psychology, English, computer science, or engineering degree) working as research assistants - and they are doing a fine job. All of them are working in these rigorous labs to acquire much more intensive and substantial research experience before they apply to medical school in the future. Although some of them may not be admitted to an MD-PhD program, for whatever reason, they're definitely showing commitment/potential as aspiring applicants. Otherwise, they would be dismissed from the labs. Just saying.

 

[Danbo1957]

... working as research assistants - and they are doing a fine job.

Yep, and I couldn't be happier for it. But, think about what the requirements are for entering into any university Ph.D. program... the very few M.D./Ph.D. spots are the most selective in medical school (only 39 U.S. medical schools grant the combined degrees). We do have students and others with research experience who obtain higher level degrees in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

 

[pioneer22]

Now, how would an art history major get extensive biomedical lab research experience? If it were so, I'd want to talk to that applicant, just for the novelty of it... 🙂

you wouldn't consider CS good prep for a computer-heavy field like bioinformatics or genomics?

 

[pioneer22]

And take this example.

Student: 3.8+ GPA, 95+% mcat, extensive research and reason for md PhD.... English major, with all prereqs, CS / bioinformatics minor, courses in genetics, physiology.

This student wouldn't have a great chance for md phd solely because of the major?

 

[eteshoe]

And take this example.

Student: 3.8+ GPA, 95+% mcat, extensive research and reason for md PhD.... English major, with all prereqs, CS / bioinformatics minor, courses in genetics, physiology.

This student wouldn't have a great chance for md phd solely because of the major?

You'd have to convince the PhD program that as an english major you'd have what it takes to be successful. It's not impossible by any means but just keep that in mind. For an MD major doesn't matter but for the PhD major may matter.