Frustration... is MD/PhD right for me?? (College Junior)

[emiko]

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[Neuronix]

I only have a 3.85 overall GPA (science GPA is slightly higher but still <3.9, my major is biochemistry) I don't yet have any clinical experience besides ~ 20 hours of volunteering in a hospital (it was so boring that I quit after a week...all I did was pushing wheel chairs around and I'd rather spend my time working in the lab). I feel that my GPA is way too low for a competitive MD/PhD program at top schools and I also feel like all the applicants considering such programs are some super stars (crazy volunteering experiences, loads of clubs/sports/talents what not)

You're worried about a 3.85? What do you want your GPA to be... 5? I mean seriously, how much higher can it be? It's fine. Read the stickies at the top of the forum.

 

[StereoSanctity]

I'll try to answer what I can, though I'm only a second year.

I once considered going to graduate school but I guess seeing so many grad students or post docs freaking out about their careers is not fun and I decided quite early on that I was not going to do a PhD only program. Because the insecure nature of PhD and my interest in research, I started to consider the MD/PhD program that seems to be getting more and more popular these days. My big concern about the MD/PhD program is of course, the length of training.

This is why I decided to apply to MD-PhD programs too. The idea of the length is starting to get hard, though it wasn't really something I considered when applying... I kind of just figured "hmm, why not". Now I'm to the point where all of my med student friends are about to disappear to the clinics, and its sad. This is why I wanted to go to a larger program though; at my school we have a class of 8, and we're all pretty close, so hopefully it won't be terrible. Length is more of a concern if you're older (not right out of college), or if you have a family.

Do you get stressed out or feel like you are missing out a lot in your life by investing such big amount of time in your career? Do you like what you do? (grad/med school, residency,.. job?)

Yes. But med school sucks for everyone. I'm just trying to get out with my sanity intact.

In the end, I am also really paranoid about my stats.... I also feel like all the applicants considering such programs are some super stars (crazy volunteering experiences, loads of clubs/sports/talents what not)

Don't be. And its very important for your sanity while applying to realize that not everyone who applies is on SDN (very few are, I think). For each of the superstars, there are probably 4+ "normal" people.

All of them had some bad comments about med school and residency and many of them suggest me not to put myself through such miserable life.

Med school really does suck. I never believed people when they told me how much I'd hate it. But its a means to an end - you're sacrificing a few years for stability and job security. I hope its worth it.

Good luck!

 

[Neuronix]

(crazy volunteering experiences, loads of clubs/sports/talents what not)

Most of this is application fluff, pure and simple. What matters for MD/PhD is research experience. You should get your volunteering and/or shadowing up closer to a total of 100 hours though.

 

[calvinNhobbes]

Honestly, don't worry about the length issue. Just think of it the opposite way. Instead of working 35 years, you will only work 30 years. Sounds better now, doesn't it?

Sure you won't make as much money, but you obviosuly don't care about money because you are thinking about MD/PhD.