Fear Factor

[Pandora's Box]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,
As I am finishing off my remaining secondaries for MD/PhD, I could help but feel a little doubt growing in my mind. The more I look at my applications, the more weaknesses I seem to see in them. As the post-secondary rejections are coming up, I am starting to think wheather I should have applied to the dual programs. I keep thinking that I might be hurting myself by applying to such a competitive program. Anyone else feeling this way, or am I being paranoid? If so, how are you all dealing with this inferiority complex?

 

[Neuronix]

You're going to be considered MD at most places as well as MD/PhD and that ain't bad.

 

[FenderB2004]

How many schools consider you for both MD and MD/PHD? I heard that the MD/PHD delays your application for so long, you end up being much less competitive for MD admissions. Is this true?

 

[Neuronix]

Most, but what you're saying totally depends on the school. Some schools are really not like that at all, and some will disqualify you for MD if you apply MD/PhD. Still, I wouldn't worry too much about that. I figure if you apply to enough schools (12+) you will have a good shot at MD as well if you don't get in MD/PhD.

 

[CaNEM]

I don't know ANY successful MD/PHD applicant who didnt feel inadequate coming into this process! Do you have any 3 year old brothers or sisters you can play chess with or something? That might help fight the inferiority comples.... Or just force yourself to relax and dont think about it too much because it's going to be a looooong road. =) Keep us posted.

 

[neurotiger]

I understand the inferiority complex very well; secondaries just seem to bring it on. I applied to 14 MSTP programs, and I'm hoping I applied to enough of a range (i.e. some top programs and a few which may be slightly less competitive) though I'm sure they're all really tough.

Does anyone apply to PhD programs simultaneously? When do those applications go out? I'm about 95% sure I'd go to medical school before a PhD program, but just curious...

 

[ninebillion]

Does anyone apply to PhD programs simultaneously?

I'm interested in seeing what people have to say about this. For instance, if I apply to the Penn MSTP and the Penn bioengineering Ph.D. program, will that skew (or screw) my chances of getting into the MSTP? I'd love to go to medical school, but I want to keep my research options open.

More specifically, I've heard great things about MIT's MEMP, which is basically an extended Ph.D. with significant clinical experience. Anyone care to share their experiences with applying Ph.D.-only and to combined programs simultaneously?

Thanks!

 

[Neuronix]

ninebillion, applying to PhD programs will not at all skew your MD/PhD applications. In fact, at Penn and some other schools it would probably help if you went to the interviews and this conversation occured:
Interviewer: "Are you only applying to MD/PhD programs?"
Applicant: "Well, and a few PhD programs. I know I want to do research, so if I don't get into MD/PhD, I guess I could live with a PhD-only track."

The reason is that many of the MD/PhD programs (including Penn) measure their success by how many basic science researchers they produce. Enthusiasm about basic science research at interviews is important, and not being interested in MD-only programs is one to show that.

 

[noy]

I was told that applying to PhD programs as well, at the same schools, would signify that the medical education was not so important to you, and raise a lot of 'why medicine' questions, that could harm your application. I was advised to avoid doing it, and only after being flat our rejected my MSTP (lets hope that doesnt happen), ask the PhD dept if one could be considered for their program. By that point, they probably know applicants very well.

I asked this of an admissions person (not committee, but office type).

While I would go PhD only over MD only any day, I would not want the risk of screwing up my joint application at all.