DVM/PhD

[289359]

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Hi everyone,

I'm a junior in college and I always figured I would go to vet school, get my DVM, and practice at a small animal clinic. I spent my freshman and sophomore years gathering small animal experience. But I recently realized that a DVM/PhD is more suited to my interests and have just started looking at some of these programs. I am really late in deciding that this is what I truly want to do, I know. And should I decide to pursue getting more research experience in these coming years, I feel like I'll have to give up some opportunities in getting veterinary experience. What I can't find anywhere is what kind of stats you need for these things- Do you have to be published/have been doing independent research for 3+ years to even be considered for the joint programs? Does this research have to be with/on animals? Do they expect you to have comparable hours of veterinary experience to the normal DVM applicants? GPA/GRE scores I assume have to be stellar?

Also, in terms of applying, can you get accepted for either one separately if they don't want you for the joint program- i.e. if i don't get the joint program, do I have to wait another year to apply for just a DVM or just a PhD?

Thanks!

 

[nyanko]

Hi! Disclaimer: I am just applying to DVM/PhD programs this cycle, not in one now, so what I am saying here is that this is just how I see it, and you should for sure talk to people in your specific field of research & admissions people at your target schools.

Just like with clinical experience, you can't really be sure that what you want is a PhD unless you have some knowledge and experience with what goes into research. So the DVM/PhD dual degree programs certainly require experience with/knowledge of the research process. A question that will certainly come up, though, is "why do you need both degrees?" This is where it's important to have the clinical "traditional" veterinary type of experience as well, to be able to connect the two and see the relevance of each in the context of the other and to be able to back that up with examples rather than rhetoric. Your research experience will count as veterinary hours for many schools, so don't worry too much about it cutting into your vet experience (though you will still want some diversity in your clinical experience as well).

As far as DVM alone or PhD alone admission if you aren't admitted to a dual degree, I think all of the schools will put your application into the DVM pool automatically if you aren't admitted to the dual degree. It varies by school whether you will be considered for PhD admission alone as well. I applied to UC Davis, Cornell, Colorado State and UPenn this year, and of those only Davis has you apply to the graduate group separately in addition. If I want to be considered for PhD admission at one of the other schools independent of dual degree status, I would have to apply separately to the grad programs as well.

Hopefully I answered some of your questions. If you have any others, there are people on here who are in dual degree programs (though they are very busy people, hah!), and I can try to help if it's something related to the application process too. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Electrophile]

But I recently realized that a DVM/PhD is more suited to my interests and have just started looking at some of these programs.

So why is getting a PhD all the sudden on your radar when it wasn't before? They are likely going to expect you to have some relatively serious experience under your belt before a faculty mentor will take you on. That means presenting at symposia with posters and/or platform sessions and hopefully getting publications, not doing the traditional undergrad bitch work (aka: washing dishes, making up media, autoclaving stuff, changing mouse cages, or babysitting cells in a flask over a weekend for a grad student if you're lucky). Research can be really fun and it can really, REALLY suck. A lot. You need to be sure that's what you want to commit to.

If you really want a PhD for more reasons that just they pay for part of your schooling, also consider getting one during a residency after you graduate. That's how many DVMs who are faculty also have masters or PhDs is that they are encouraged to do so during their residency.

 

[No Imagination]

...it can really, REALLY suck. A lot. You need to be sure that's what you want to commit to.

All I have to say - before jumping into the research pool - Please get your feet wet. The "Research" part is great - I love it. But the grant writing, pub writing, poster presentation is a HUGE (if not bigger part) of research then the research itself.

Most PhD's at universities are not usually willing to admit, (to themselves either I imagine) that their job isn't what they thought it would be. Try to get an idea of what its like AFTER you have your PhD - then decide if its what you really want.

Good luck to ya.

 

[nyanko]

All I have to say - before jumping into the research pool - Please get your feet wet. The "Research" part is great - I love it. But the grant writing, pub writing, poster presentation is a HUGE (if not bigger part) of research then the research itself.

This week, I literally spent from 11 pm on Wednesday night to 8 pm on Thursday night (as in, didn't go home or sleep) in my chair in our grad student office because I had to present a poster on Friday and not only was it not done, I had to crunch some data to get something reasonably presentable for it. And then I had to pay $106 to get it printed. 🙁