HELP!!! M.D. / Ph.D. Scholars program???

[DrLalich]

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Shortly after being accepted to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, I received a letter offering me an opportunity to enroll in the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program. The Ph.D. options include the following: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology/Physiology and Therapeutics. I had not considered this option, even though I have a fairly extensive research background. The program adds on an additional two years, which is not a big deal because I am fairly young. I am just not sure if I want to delay practicing medicine. I am aware that this is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. I definitely have reservations about passing it up. I am just not sure if academic/research based medicine is right for me. Any thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

 

[2DEG]

If you like research, taking additional classes etc, I think you should consider it. I am sure you already know, doing Ph.D in addition to your MD program will demand many things including completing Ph.D requierments, writing thesis etc. I really think you should do it only if you are sincerely interested - not just to add another degree.

Two additional years is not a big deal - you will gain much more by doing a Ph.D. Also, you will probably get full financial support.

Best wishes! I miss Minnesota.. too bad they didn't take me!

Shortly after being accepted to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, I received a letter offering me an opportunity to enroll in the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program. The Ph.D. options include the following: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology/Physiology and Therapeutics. I had not considered this option, even though I have a fairly extensive research background. The program adds on an additional two years, which is not a big deal because I am fairly young. I am just not sure if I want to delay practicing medicine. I am aware that this is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. I definitely have reservations about passing it up. I am just not sure if academic/research based medicine is right for me. Any thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

 

[chandelantern]

Shortly after being accepted to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, I received a letter offering me an opportunity to enroll in the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program. The Ph.D. options include the following: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology/Physiology and Therapeutics. I had not considered this option, even though I have a fairly extensive research background. The program adds on an additional two years, which is not a big deal because I am fairly young. I am just not sure if I want to delay practicing medicine. I am aware that this is an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. I definitely have reservations about passing it up. I am just not sure if academic/research based medicine is right for me. Any thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

Only 2 years extra? Do they pay for your tuition if you do the program? I would strongly consider it. Academic medicine is pretty awesome...you get to clinically see patients as well as conduct research and possibly teach. bench research isn't personally for me, but I definitely enjoy clinical research and want that to be a part of my career. In academic medicine your really encouraged to continue learning all the time...they pay for you to go to conferences, contribute to medical literature, and educate the next generation of physicians. Of course, all of this is to better serve the patients (which needs to stay central, in my opinion) but if that's something you're interested in I would definitely do it! What field are you leaning towards at this time? If you think you would be happier in private practice, then I would probably skip the phd.

 

[DrLalich]

Only 2 years extra? Do they pay for your tuition if you do the program? What field are you leaning towards at this time? If you think you would be happier in private practice, then I would probably skip the phd.

The Ph.D. portion is credit based, so it can take as few as 2 years and as long as 3 years. There are various stipends/grants/other funding available; depending on the department you are working with. Currently, I am leaning towards specialty surgery, radiology (my research was in micro-CT imaging), urology (specializing in pelvic reconstruction), or infectious disease (Can you tell that I think way too much about medicine?). I am not sure where and how I want to practice at this point.

 

[chandelantern]

The Ph.D. portion is credit based, so it can take as few as 2 years and as long as 3 years. There are various stipends/grants/other funding available; depending on the department you are working with. Currently, I am leaning towards specialty surgery, radiology (my research was in micro-CT imaging), urology (specializing in pelvic reconstruction), or infectious disease (Can you tell that I think way too much about medicine?). I am not sure where and how I want to practice at this point.

With those specialties in mind, you probably are looking at living in a city (ie - the twin cities if your planning on living in MN) because I don't know too many midwestern rural parts that have a budget for urologists specializing in pelvic reconstruction! More than likely you will want to be at a tertiary care hospital if you specialize that much, and the atmosphere in those hospitals is pretty pro-research. This isn't the rule, but just giving you some ideas to think about.

When do you have to decide? You can still do research even if you do not get a phd, so if your unsure, I wouldn't commit to it. However, if they're going to give you a free ride and living stipend, I would do it!

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

I would do it. You're only 20, so even if you end up in a longer residency you won't be too old when you're done.

 

[DrLalich]

When do you have to decide?

I have to send a letter of intent before matriculation. After that, I must decide which department to work with by the end of my second year. I never thought that I was going to have to make a decision like this, as well!

 

[jjmack]

The Ph.D. portion is credit based, so it can take as few as 2 years and as long as 3 years. There are various stipends/grants/other funding available; depending on the department you are working with. Currently, I am leaning towards specialty surgery, radiology (my research was in micro-CT imaging), urology (specializing in pelvic reconstruction), or infectious disease (Can you tell that I think way too much about medicine?). I am not sure where and how I want to practice at this point.

I have never heard if a credit-based PhD. Seems like an oxymoron to me. So they are basically giving you a masters and calling it a PhD. If you are interested in research go fo r it If not it will be a waste of your time.

 

[Doctor&Geek]

http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/users/mebadi/md_phd/overview.html

Sounds like you "still" need to a dissertation.

 

[ClarinetGeek]

http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/users/mebadi/md_phd/overview.html

Sounds like you "still" need to a dissertation.

I am sure where the extra 2 years came from...but if you read the link, it is a full fledge MD/PhD program. It will take a least 7 years to complete.

 

[DrLalich]

I am sure where the extra 2 years came from...but if you read the link, it is a full fledge MD/PhD program. It will take a least 7 years to complete.

When I say additional 2-3 years (depending on summer courses/research involvement), that means in addition to the 4 years of medical school. You complete the MS-1 and MS-2 years. The completion of the first 2 years results in 44 credits of the 90 required for the Ph.D. One then would defer the MS-3 and MS-4 years to complete the additional 46 credits, additonal research, and the dissertation. Once the Ph.D. requirements are met, then one finishes the MS-3 and MS-4 years (for a total of 6 or 7 years).

If you were to read the link (and the additional information that was sent to me), one can easily finish in 6 years, if they are comfortable working through the summer breaks.

 

[Aptamer]

When I say additional 2-3 years (depending on summer courses/research involvement), that means in addition to the 4 years of medical school. You complete the MS-1 and MS-2 years. The completion of the first 2 years results in 44 credits of the 90 required for the Ph.D. One then would defer the MS-3 and MS-4 years to complete the additional 46 credits, additonal research, and the dissertation. Once the Ph.D. requirements are met, then one finishes the MS-3 and MS-4 years (for a total of 6 or 7 years).

If you were to read the link (and the additional information that was sent to me), one can easily finish in 6 years, if they are comfortable working through the summer breaks.

I think you should discuss this with the adminstrators at UND. It seems that your perception of graduate education is off, no offense.

From reading the webpage listed above, you need 90 credits to graduate...44 credits come the med school, right? The other 46 credits comes directly from your bench research...not any classes (you might have to take a couple, depending on your department)...it's just like any other PhD program. The 46 credits is used solely for the graduate schools accounting purposes. It's not how many credits, like undergrad, you need to graduate; it's whether or not you are able to produce quality original research, something that is rarely, rarely, rarely done quickly in the life sciences (if you get out quickly, count your lucky stars). You, your advisor, and dissertation committee will dictate when you graduate...something that is based on your research progress.

If I was a betting man, I would bet that you would finish in seven years, minimum, if not 8 or more. Seriously.

Don't focus on the number of credits you need for a PhD; it doesn't matter. Focus on whether or not you like research and if you want that in your career.

 

[Doctor&Geek]

I wouldn't count on my lucky stars if everyone knew my PhD was subpar.

 

[Gfunk6]

I am just not sure if academic/research based medicine is right for me.

If you still feel this way, then I definitely would not take the plunge. If you still decide you want to do research after finishing the MD at UND, then there will be mechanisms for you to do that.