Getting PhD at another institution while a med student?

[skiing42]

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I'm a current MD student. I'd like to do a PhD in a department that's not very strong at my institution and was wondering if anyone knows of someone has done their PhD at a university that is different than their medical school, while a medical student? I'm not worried about getting MSTP funding - I just want to get my PhD in 4 years or less.

 

[Petypet]

Unfortunately, there is no way to get admitted to another university concurrently while receiving another degree. I recall when I applied to my PhD program that I was not allowed to take part in any other schooling or jobs for that matter. Also, funding should be a major concern. If you are on loans now, there is no way to defer those payments for 4 years, as most loan programs allow up to only 1 year of deferment for like an MBA or masters.

I do know a student that went outside the traditional MSTP program to find an advisor in a different field that was not traditionally offered as an MSTP type collaboration. If you enroll in an MSTP program you can likely complete a PhD in 4ish years, but a stand alone program can not guarantee that, as many standalone phd programs can vary from 5-7 years.

I hope this helps. I am very grateful I have my PhD, but I would seriously think twice about completing it again just due to the lost income of 4+ years of research. Also, when applying for positions, just having a PhD is a huge conversation point, and honestly most people say what field is your phd in, not where did you go. Even if your program has just a few advisors in a field of interest, then go talk to them. Your PhD topic will not define your career goals, but instead will give you a greater understanding and ability to do research in the future, regardless of the institution you attend.

 

[skiing42]

Thanks. I'm just worried about getting a great education in this field, not just getting a PhD to have one.

I know my medical school will allow me to leave for a period of time for my PhD, so my question is more on the PhD side vis-a-vis admissions and timeline.

Also - I don't know if it adds to the conversation, but I don't have student loans.

 

[doctorasoy]

I'm a current MD student. I'd like to do a PhD in a department that's not very strong at my institution and was wondering if anyone knows of someone has done their PhD at a university that is different than their medical school, while a medical student? I'm not worried about getting MSTP funding - I just want to get my PhD in 4 years or less.

excellent question. I also a medical student and want to get a law degree. A friend of mine is a Judge at one of the Tribunals, and is part of a committee to create a new satellite law school campus of an already existing law school. My Judge friend told me would like to see me in the new law school campus which should occur in about a year. I think about it alot

 

[Petypet]

This seems very unlikely but maybe possible in an extreme circumstance. Maybe if your university does not have faculty in X area then it would be feasible. However, it would be unlikely that your faculty would support you going to another university to get a degree that your university offers, mostly because of competition and pride issues. Further, I am not sure the accepting PhD university would support you unless you were fully graduated, keeping in mind that they would have to pay your tuition and supplemental stipend. Keep in mind PhD programs are really saturated with students, so it would behoove them to accept a student that doesn't have to be done in 4 years, but instead can possibly stay longer should they feel you need more time. Few PhD programs will say upfront, if you spend 4 years here we can guarantee you a degree, and if they do I would be wary of their provided education.

There are students that get MBA/masters, but those are usually not associated with substantial leave of absences. I can't imagine a school that has a medical school not being able to give a decent education in a phd program. Keep in mind the PhD education is based on your hard work, initiative, and publications.

In retrospect, I sound pretty negative and that was not my intention to discourage you. This just sounds like a very large, uphill battle, that if I was considering it (and had I not gone through it) would be wish I was advised appropriately.

 

[mvenus929]

So... one of my classmates is getting a PhD in medical history at another institution. I think he was working on it during the first two years, and now is taking a year off to write his thesis. I know he wasn't allowed to get credit for his MD because it was at another institution, but he was able to get the degree. Not sure how it worked logistically.

 

[OddNath]

I'm a current MD student. I'd like to do a PhD in a department that's not very strong at my institution and was wondering if anyone knows of someone has done their PhD at a university that is different than their medical school, while a medical student? I'm not worried about getting MSTP funding - I just want to get my PhD in 4 years or less.

I know one person who has done this, many years ago- applied to PhD programs during MS1, then left for 4 years for her PhD, then returned to med school. This is probably institution dependent- see if the PhD programs you're interested in are ok with you taking a hiatus from med school. And then, of course, make sure your med school would allow said hiatus 🙂