Extra Degrees and Residency Acceptance

[amccague]

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Im curious if having other degree besides your MD/DO helps you get into a good residency.

I have my MSc now and will be starting a DO program. Would that give me any advance to people with just DO?

What about DO/Phd or MD/Phd do these guys have better chances getting residencies?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Winged Scapula]

maybe at more academically oriented programs but in general, advanced degrees do not confer a significant advantage in residency placement.

 

[Fermata]

maybe at more academically oriented programs but in general, advanced degrees do not confer a significant advantage in residency placement.

If this is true, then I wonder why so many MD/PhD's match as well as they do.

 

[Fermata]

Im curious if having other degree besides your MD/DO helps you get into a good residency.

I have my MSc now and will be starting a DO program. Would that give me any advance to people with just DO?

What about DO/Phd or MD/Phd do these guys have better chances getting residencies?

Thanks,

Andrew

Decide for yourself:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=112378&highlight=match

 

[Winged Scapula]

If this is true, then I wonder why so many MD/PhD's match as well as they do.

An advanced degree is not an isolated variable in residency selection. MSTP and MD/PhD candidates/holders may:

a) attend more prestigious medical schools (which again, I do not believe is a significant SOLE contributing variable);

b) have more research/publications during their undergrad years which may help their residency application;

c) have better "connections" due to a) and b);

d) perhaps they are better scholars and have higher USMLE scores (note I said "better scholars" and not "smarter");

e) may be more desirable as candidates in this day and age of relative disinterest in research.

So, while it is my own opinion, I still believe that having an MD/PhD in and of itself is not the sole significant factor in residency selection.

 

[Fermata]

An advanced degree is not an isolated variable in residency selection. MSTP and MD/PhD candidates/holders may:

a) attend more prestigious medical schools (which again, I do not believe is a significant SOLE contributing variable);

b) have more research/publications during their undergrad years which may help their residency application;

c) have better "connections" due to a) and b);

d) perhaps they are better scholars and have higher USMLE scores (note I said "better scholars" and not "smarter");

e) may be more desirable as candidates in this day and age of relative disinterest in research.

So, while it is my own opinion, I still believe that having an MD/PhD in and of itself is not the sole significant factor in residency selection.

I don't think it would be the sole factor.....but I think it would definately be an advantage.

 

[amccague]

Very interesting.
I guess intuitively i would think that my MSc would help a little especially since its in a research oriented field.
It sounds from most posts to me that residency selection is based alot on personality. After USMLE/COMLEX scores personality sounds to be higher than other factors like additional secondary degrees, etc.
Ill keep asking around to residents.

Thanks for all your feed back.

Andrew

 

[tofurious]

.
I guess intuitively i would think that my MSc would help a little especially since its in a research oriented field.

If you want your MSc to be taken seriously for its scientific merit (or your training for that matter), you might want to consider going to an MD school instead of a DO school.

 

[MustafaMond]

If you want your MSc to be taken seriously for its scientific merit (or your training for that matter), you might want to consider going to an MD school instead of a DO school.

You are a total troll.
You have no respect, man. I'd like to see you on rounds next to a couple of good DOs and see how far you'd get.
You may be an MD but you are still a tool.
👎

 

[DocWagner]

A DO with a degree in Physical Therapy would be in high demand in PM&R...an EMT/Paramedic fits well in EM.

 

[amccague]

Well. My degree is in Molecular Modelling and Bioinformatics.
I do cheminformatics now at a Scientist level for a pharmaceutical company.
I guess this background might prime me for a Medical Informatics position but im thinking more clinical actually.
I guess if two guys had the exact same credentials and COMLEX/USMLE scores then the MSc might be an extra nudge.

I ask because i hear residency programs look for research and/or that helps.
So im doing research but its pre-MS1 so might not be as significant.

Who knows, we'll see I guess.

Thanks for your replys.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I don't think it would be the sole factor.....but I think it would definately be an advantage.

If you'll read my OP you'll see that I don't disagree that an advanced degree can be of some advantage. However, this generally tends to be at more research oriented institutions and the degree must be in a field which nicely dovetails with one's residency goals. I base this opinion on my experience here and prior to medical school working as a researcher and seeing who was and was not desired as a residency candidate. Doing research and being published and/or holding a PhD was a boost, Master's degrees and undergrad research without publication generally was/is not, IMHO.

All else being equal, an advanced research degree might be some advantage to a residency candidate. However, I would not encourage someone to obtain such a degree or think that having one would *significantly* help an otherwise less than stellar application.

 

[amccague]

Thanks for your information.
This answers my question.