dual degree programs = higher acceptance % ????

[DrMattOglesby]

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I am applying to dual degree programs at every school which has them available...
i have already heard back form ATSU-Kirksville and they want to talk to me more about their program. Anyways, I was just wondering if any of you knew if people who applied for a dual degree were more likely to get accepted?

 

[JWE27]

I am applying to dual degree programs at every school which has them available...
i have already heard back form ATSU-Kirksville and they want to talk to me more about their program. Anyways, I was just wondering if any of you knew if people who applied for a dual degree were more likely to get accepted?

When I was considering this option (DO/PhD), I was officially told it's not an easier acceptance route. However, even though there are fewer spots for these options, there will also be fewer applicants; so, that may increase the acceptance %. In the end, it's probably a wash and I would assume it's not any easier to get accepted (unless you have something in your experience/file that predisposes you to that dual degree - e.g., a lot of research experience for a DO/PhD program, etc.). If it's something you want over just a DO degree, than likelihood of acceptance really shouldn't be much of a deciding factor. What you want to do shoud be the motivation - not odds of getting in... IMO

 

[DrMattOglesby]

umm ya.
i am motivated for this. i didnt think i had to bring that up...didnt think that would have been in question.
i was just looking for any numbers that might be out there.

 

[gasapple]

Definitely not IMO. I looked into the MD/DO-PhD option and it's significantly more competitive and there are actually quite a few who apply to these programs - so although the proportion of applicants is smaller compared to "straight" medical school, the ratio of applicants to seats is extremely high - at least it's verifiably that way at allo schools where I inquired so I'd imagine it's similar at DO medical schools.

If I decide to pursue research (PhD) with the DO, I'm going to do so at a later time and inquire with partnered research schools after I'm farther along in the actual medical program. It couldn't hurt to develop some relationships through general research as a med student in order to win support for the combined DO/PhD track.

 

[EEL08]

I actually don't know but I would guess it depends on the program. Are you interested in doing a DO/PhD or something like a DO/MPH?

 

[Creightonite]

maybe sidetracking a little bit. But what do DO/PhDs do? Is it equivalent to MD/PhD in the type of research and clinical work they can do?

 

[superfan56]

just curious, would it ever be worth it to have a DO/PhD if you intend to do clinical work? From what I know, all the PhD does is allow you to teach as well as an easier route to secure grant money for research.

 

[biggiesmallsiz]

um...its D.O....how much higher % do you want. they are already much higher than MD programs. this isnt a MD vs. DO, but i'm just stating the facts. i think the DO : DO/PHD ratio is ~ MD: MD/PhD ratio.

 

[EEL08]

just curious, would it ever be worth it to have a DO/PhD if you intend to do clinical work? From what I know, all the PhD does is allow you to teach as well as an easier route to secure grant money for research.

I honestly don't think it would be that beneficial if at all. One DO at my school teaches, sees patients and runs research projects and brings in plenty of grant money all without a PhD.

 

[MossPoh]

um...its D.O....how much higher % do you want. they are already much higher than MD programs. this isnt a MD vs. DO, but i'm just stating the facts. i think the DO : DO/PHD ratio is ~ MD: MD/PhD ratio.

It isn't really "much higher", only slightly. I know plenty of people who were denied D.O. and got into MD. It happens.

I'm kind of interested in the numbers for DO/MPH. Doesn't matter much to me, but I am still curious.

 

[gasapple]

I honestly don't think it would be that beneficial if at all. One DO at my school teaches, sees patients and runs research projects and brings in plenty of grant money all without a PhD.

It definitely would be beneficial (if research is your thing) and is much more apparent if you're coming from a research background and know the game. As someone already mentioned, advantages exist with regard to grants as well as clinical trials, among others.

Other Examples:
-Excellent research experience. Few MDs/DOs get the type of experimental know-how that a PhD gets.
-Strong basic science background for clinical problems. This translates into insight for difficult clinical cases.
-A minor advantage is graduating medical school with little or no debt. It's almost an irrelevant advantage though, you'd be making real money 4 or 5 years earlier if you didn't go the combined MD or DO/PhD route. The stipend alone is not reason enough to go the MD or DO/PhD route.

 

[gasapple]

Those were some of the advantages. There are disadvantages, too.
Might as well post those in all fairness (courtesy of studentdoc.com):

-Time. The MD or DO/PhD program typically takes 8 to 10 years to complete. By the time you're done with your degrees, the people you started med school with are finishing their residency. Some may even be on the faculty of the med school.

-You're not done. Before you can practice medicine or do research you have another 4-7 years of training. If you do a residency you'll be able to practice medicine; if you want to do research you'll have to do a fellowship. The alternative to doing a residency is to do a scientific post-doc. You'd be able to move into a faculty position sooner, but your pay would be that of a PhD, and you wouldn't be able to practice medicine.

-You're no more competitive than a single-degree job candidate. If you're looking for a faculty position in a clinical department, an MD/DO with a fellowship is much more appealing than an MD or DO/PhD with just a residency. If you're looking for a position in a basic science department, your doctoral degrees matter less than the quality of your research and your recommendations. In the end, if you're good you could probably cut 4-5 years off your training and still end up in the same position.

Admission Requirements

Admission to MSTPs is competitive. It usually requires good grades (3.6 or better), high MCAT (10 or better per section), a good GRE score (1300 or better), significant research experience (publications are a big plus), and strong letters of recommendation.

 

[EEL08]

It definitely would be beneficial (if research is your thing) and is much more apparent if you're coming from a research background and know the game. As someone already mentioned, advantages exist with regard to grants as well as clinical trials, among others.

Yes but superfan was talking about doing clinical work, not hardcore research.

 

[gasapple]

Yes but superfan was talking about doing clinical work, not hardcore research.

Still "can" benefit that situation. 👍 I think the advantages/disadvantages are still very relevant here. It can be done "without" but having worked with a few dual-degree folks, it tends to work to their advantage as well as the respective organization. 😀