Does masters or md/phd help on residency match, and how much?

[cbc]

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I've asked this question in the internal medicine and subspecialty forum, but no one is really contributing there? What do you think? If these degrees do help, by how much are they valued by PDs?

 

[coldchemist]

Usually what I have heard during my interview visits is that 90% of MD/PhD program graduates (or maybe MSTP grads?) match to their top choice, and close to 99% match to one of their top three. Someone else may give you slight variations on these numbers, but the numbers are impressive nonetheless. I'm not sure about master's degrees combined with MD...

 

[Newquagmire]

i doubt a masters really helps at all. these days it's generally considered useless. just my guess though.

 

[Joe N]

My apologies to all Masters, but 8 years ago this degree was described to me as the "booby prize". Originally it was designed as a teaching degree or for someone that did not complete a PhD. I'm not sure what it means now. It will help you for med school, but not beyond. Unless of course you've done some research in your future field. As for a PhD, if you complete one based in biomedical research and apply to a residency within a 2 year time frame, you will be highly rewarded for your endeavors with interviews at the best schools.

-Joe