I've often read SDN during the application process, posted a bit, but haven't really had a big question to gather sage opinions upon until recently, so here goes:
My 2004 MSTP application has been going alright (5 interview offers so far), and right now I am "on hold" at one school and "waitlisted" at another (which I suppose is the same thing?) and won't hear back from the third until March. I still have two interviews left and haven't heard back post-secondary from several schools.
I have also just been offered the chance to finish a PhD at a school in Europe. I originally signed on there as a researcher last year, started to take classes, did well, worked quickly and designed my own series of experiments. My project there was basically the PI and myself, so I had a lot of opportunity for creativity. I knew I would want to come back and apply to MSTPs (so only worked on a six month fellowship), and I returned to the US to do that this last summer.
The school I worked at publishes well and often. I love the city and the people. According to the PI, with the work I have done so far (a year of experiments and classes) if I return this spring I will be able to finish the PhD in two and a half years.
questions
I am wondering what programs in the US generally make of foreign Neuroscience PhDs (provided there is a good publication record). This goes for post-doc as well as MD programs.
I am also wondering whether there is funding out there for the MD after this PhD, or whether I would then have to foot the bill of my MD education.
Basically, I think I would still prefer the "traditional" MSTP route (funny to say that regarding an MD/PhD), as I would be guaranteed funding for my entire education. But it is really tempting to be able to have a PhD in two years after working in a beautiful place.
Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks everyone.
My 2004 MSTP application has been going alright (5 interview offers so far), and right now I am "on hold" at one school and "waitlisted" at another (which I suppose is the same thing?) and won't hear back from the third until March. I still have two interviews left and haven't heard back post-secondary from several schools.
I have also just been offered the chance to finish a PhD at a school in Europe. I originally signed on there as a researcher last year, started to take classes, did well, worked quickly and designed my own series of experiments. My project there was basically the PI and myself, so I had a lot of opportunity for creativity. I knew I would want to come back and apply to MSTPs (so only worked on a six month fellowship), and I returned to the US to do that this last summer.
The school I worked at publishes well and often. I love the city and the people. According to the PI, with the work I have done so far (a year of experiments and classes) if I return this spring I will be able to finish the PhD in two and a half years.
questions
I am wondering what programs in the US generally make of foreign Neuroscience PhDs (provided there is a good publication record). This goes for post-doc as well as MD programs.
I am also wondering whether there is funding out there for the MD after this PhD, or whether I would then have to foot the bill of my MD education.
Basically, I think I would still prefer the "traditional" MSTP route (funny to say that regarding an MD/PhD), as I would be guaranteed funding for my entire education. But it is really tempting to be able to have a PhD in two years after working in a beautiful place.
Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks everyone.
