Downstate or PhD+another year?

[rugbyclassical]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

This is my 2nd year of rejections from MD/PhD programs.

However, I was accepted into SUNY Downstate's MD program.

I could either:

1) Continue my PhD program (at a top 5 MD school)

2) Go to SUNY Downstate (and possibly pursue my PhD at my grad institution, concurrently)


I could stomach one more year of applications, but I do not know what my chances are? That is, what do schools think about a 3rd year applicant?

I think that my problem is my 34R on the MCAT, which is a bit sub-par for top notch MD/PhD programs (especially @ my grad instutition). Other than that, I have no other feedback.

My career interests are about 50% clinical, 50% research, and SUNY Downstate has a lot of research, but is primarily clinically-focused. The school just doesn't seem to jibe with my career interests.

Anyone else going through similar choices?

Wdyt?

 

[witness23]

???????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Red Leader]

I think MD-PhD is expected to be like 80%+ research, and 20% clinical. I'm curious how it works if you are already in a PhD program and you're applying to MD-PhD programs. Do you just continue your PhD stuff 2 years later? How many years research experience do you have? You were accepted MD, but not MD-PhD, so perhaps your research is lacking?

 

[witness23]

nah man, he was rejected not due to a lack of research but because he was in a PhD program. It makes no sense to apply MD-PhD in midst of a Phd does it?

 

[Red Leader]

nah man, he was rejected not due to a lack of research but because he was in a PhD program. It makes no sense to apply MD-PhD in midst of a Phd does it?

Yeah that's why I was asking if that's even possible. You may be right that this is more of a logistical rejection.

 

[rugbyclassical]

Ya mon,

Many people who do not get into MD/PhD programs apply concurrently to PhD programs.

If the MD/PhD doesn't work out, they may start up in the PhD program & reapply.

Most MD/PhD use a ranking system that factors in MCAT scores, GPA, ethinicity, all the same jazz that MD's use. Undergraduate research is very menial, so the 'amount' of research of undergrad applicants usually does not help much. However, grad students, who may have published meaningful work, will have a greater 'weight' of research.

The advice that I have received from MD/PhD administrators is to not give up.

However, I'm posting this article to possibly reach other people with similar choices. Perhaps I'm in the wrong forum.

 

[witness23]

okay, so did you apply to phd the same time you applied to MD? or were you already in a PhD program?

I'm just saying... I got accepted to MSTP, surely grades are top priority but you can't just leave a PhD program without completing. Med schools frown on that. Don't some schools make you repay stipends?

 

[rugbyclassical]

PhD programs can be flexible - specifically between the student and the advisor. The requirements for a PhD are hard-coded, and research can be performed at the school, in a government lab, on the moon, etc. The only issue is 'funding'. Of course, your advisor (who is issuing the funding) would want you to finish your PhD, which could be done concurrently in medical school.

 

[rugbyclassical]

okay, so did you apply to phd the same time you applied to MD? or were you already in a PhD program?

I'm just saying... I got accepted to MSTP, surely grades are top priority but you can't just leave a PhD program without completing. Med schools frown on that. Don't some schools make you repay stipends?

So where did you get accepted? Congratulations. Are you going to do basic sciences or something more intense?

 

[witness23]

sinai, but I'm going MD only somewhere else. i did research full time this year in immuno but I just didn't like some of the every day little things. idk, maybe thats a mistake with the debt thing but i think i'll enjoy the clinical side better.

i really did enjoy research though 🙁. I just cannot see myself as a PI, grant working and budgeting

 

[witness23]

what are you doing your PhD in?

btw, theres actually an entire forum on sdn for aspiring physician scientists

 

[Blesbok]

Why not defer your MD for a year and finish your Phd? That would just make too much sense...

 

[URHere]

Ya mon,

Many people who do not get into MD/PhD programs apply concurrently to PhD programs.

If the MD/PhD doesn't work out, they may start up in the PhD program & reapply.

Undergraduate research is very menial, so the 'amount' of research of undergrad applicants usually does not help much. However, grad students, who may have published meaningful work, will have a greater 'weight' of research.

I agree that your second round of rejections may have had quite a bit to do with currently being enrolled in a PhD program. Almost all programs will require you to finish your current degree before matriculating, and in your case, that obviously wasn't going to happen. I understand that you may have entered the graduate program to gain more research experience, but successful re-applicants usually pursue a year or so as a tech or research assistant or go through a research heavy masters program. Entering and then dropping out of a PhD program just doesn't look good, and there are other ways to rack up experience.

Applying internally to the school where you are competing your PhD may be an option...but if this is a top 5 school, your chances are fairly unpredictable.

I think your best shot may be taking your MD acceptance and then trying to apply to that program internally. Good luck.

Why not defer your MD for a year and finish your Phd? That would just make too much sense...

It sounds like the OP is still early in his/her PhD program (as in starting second year). It would take a lot more than one additional year to finish up that program...more like 4-6...

EDIT: I just saw from the OPs other thread that they aren't in the PhD program yet. In that case, DO NOT enter the program if you intend to reapply to MD/PhD programs, it will give you even more trouble with admissions. If you want to reapply MD/PhD, get a lab job and try again or go to Downstate and apply internally.