How to handle MD interview for MD/PhD applicants rejected from combined program

[z31]

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Hello!

I am an MD/PhD applicant who was rejected from the combined program of school X but was accepted for an MD-only program interview. I like this school a lot, so I would be willing to go to this school's MD program and then pursue a PhD separately...but all my recs and essays are written as someone committed to a combined program. Any tips for suddenly interviewing as a single degree candidate?

 

[URHere]

I like this school a lot, so I would be willing to go to this school's MD program and then pursue a PhD separately.

This is really all you need to tell them. When I was applying, I declined an MD/PhD acceptance in favor of an MD-only acceptance at a school more in line with my research interests. I explained that I was committed to a career as a physician scientist, but that I wanted to be at a school that would present me with the research opportunities that I wanted - even if it meant reapplying to the program internally, or fitting research into the summers and MS1/MS2 years of the MD program.

I wouldn't suggest hiding your research interests from the program in order to appeal to the MD program. Just let them know that you value their school for many reasons, including their research reputation, and that an MD-only acceptance wouldn't be a deal-breaker for you with their school.

 

[jckut10]

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[z31]

Thanks guys!

Regarding applying internally to the MSTP, I know I will, but I wonder if saying this makes you look a bit naive? Essentially, you would be putting all your hope on a still competitive process. This school takes only 1, max 2, internal MSTP applicants per year.

 

[URHere]

I think the point is to make it clear that you would try to apply internally, without seeming smug about your chances or conveying that it would be end of the world if the school ultimately didn't accept you as an internal transfer.

Although - at the end of the day, would you be OK with pursuing an MD without the PhD? If your answer to that question is no, I wonder if it would be worth it to decline the interview and reapply to MD/PhD programs during another cycle.

 

[z31]

I definitely want enough research training to eventually run my own lab, such that a PhD is very likely to be helpful but not absolutely necessary. I have two solid MD/PhD acceptances this cycle but not at the level of school X, so although my strong preference is towards an MD/PhD the choice is not quite clear enough to me at this point to decline....

Thanks tons for your help

 

[Neuronix]

I have two solid MD/PhD acceptances this cycle but not at the level of school X

Are they fully-funded spots at a MSTP? Don't make a stupid decision based on a few USNews ranks.

 

[z31]

Are they fully-funded spots at a MSTP? Don't make a stupid decision based on a few USNews ranks.

They are fully funded but I have a particular qualm with each -- one is only a so-so fit with my research interests, the other's clinical training seems weak. I feel like it would be overly confident to decline the MD interview at a great school and trust that I will get more MD/PhD acceptances.

That said, rankings are indeed what I meant by 'level'. Thanks for a sharply put reminder to consider them only for what they're worth 👍

 

[Neuronix]

the other's clinical training seems weak.

What clinical training do you get in med school? How would you know this as a pre-med anyways? Sorry for the unasked reality check here bud, but that is certainly not worth $50k or whatever the first year somewhere else is going to cost you.

 

[z31]

What clinical training do you get in med school? How would you know this as a pre-med anyways? Sorry for the unasked reality check here bud, but that is certainly not worth $50k or whatever the first year somewhere else is going to cost you.

Uhhhh ohhh maybe that word doesn't mean what I think it means. I meant learning to interview and examine patients, providing direct patient care, learning about the relevant ethics and legal issues, and clinical clerkships. Or simply put, the non-research part of medicine. (What should I have said?)

 

[wordswordswords]

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[Neuronix]

Uhhhh ohhh maybe that word doesn't mean what I think it means. I meant learning to interview and examine patients, providing direct patient care, learning about the relevant ethics and legal issues, and clinical clerkships. Or simply put, the non-research part of medicine. (What should I have said?)

Any medical school is going to give you this. There are no schools that are *weak* in this aspect. Any judgments you're making on this likely have no basis in reality and this perception would be more related to the interview day dog and pony show.

 

[z31]

wordswordswords - hello again, on this thread! yes, I liked tri-I a lot. If I were to consider the research side of things alone, it will probably be at the very top of my list when March and April roll around.

....which actually is a great segue into:

Neuronix - I've heard this before about the clinical training being the same at all medical schools, but is there evidence for this? Some schools have more diverse patient populations and better equipped teaching and simulation facilities, for example, and some students do better with different styles of teaching. It would surprise me if those differences were just dog and pony show.