For those who link PhD while in MD program

[Drink Water]

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So, some medical schools allow current medical students to apply to MD/PhD program during the first two years of medical school. So, I am curious if you get into MD-PhD in your second year, does NIH/MSTP fellowship reimburse your MD tutition and two years of expenses for the first two years of medical school? Or, do they start paying you starting from your 3rd year (=1st year of PhD and then on)?

Also, is it guaranteed up to 8 years? What if you happen to take more than 4 years to finish your research? Do you need to find your own funding or do they pull you out of the program? (Or, do they cover for you given your circumstances?) If you quit being MD-PhD, do they really ask you to pay everything back? ( I assume so because it's the government money, but I thought I'd check).

Do you receive your PhD when you finish before your 3rd year of med school? Or, do they put your PhD in hostage until you will be done with your MD?

**I know this is a weird question to some of you** (more like a question no one cares especially among the younger folks) In case of female students, how does the maternity leave work with NIH? How about paternity leave? Is there such thing existed? Does getting this NIH fellowship by chance count you as a government employee?

I have a feeling that early birds probably get all the worms. Tutition reimbursement of your early MD years may not be possible. Does anyone know how this works?

Let me know.
Drink Water

 

[Neuronix]

So, I am curious if you get into MD-PhD in your second year, does NIH/MSTP fellowship reimburse your MD tutition and two years of expenses for the first two years of medical school? Or, do they start paying you starting from your 3rd year (=1st year of PhD and then on)?

Almost always the latter. If you get in in your first year they might pay you for second year.

Also, is it guaranteed up to 8 years? What if you happen to take more than 4 years to finish your research?

No guarantee. If your PhD takes longer than that your PI is responsible for paying you. Your PI is responsible for most of your grad school funding anyway.

If you quit being MD-PhD they don't ask for the money back if you're using a federally funded program.

Do you receive your PhD when you finish before your 3rd year of med school? Or, do they put your PhD in hostage until you will be done with your MD?

Depends on the program.

 

[Drink Water]

Neuronix,

Thanks for your replies. Do you know which MD/PhD programs are flexible ones and student-friendly? Are there particular MD-PhD programs that are notorious for keeping or kicking students out? (You can also PM me, if it's to much to list them all there)

Thanks,
Drink

 

[Neuronix]

Mdphd programs don't kick students out unless they are terrible. There's too much money invested to kick someone out. As for flexible, I have no idea what you are referring to. Flexibility to do what? I recommend going to a federally funded MSTP as these are regulated programs and the NIGMS tends to be student friendly.

http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/InstPredoc/PredocInst-MSTP.htm