Humanities PhD to MD?

[NY Musicologist]

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This is my first post to the SDN forums; I'm glad to have discovered this resource, especially the Nontraditionals' area!

Five years (going on six) into my PhD in musicology, I'm seriously questioning my ability to sustain a long-term commitment to this field. I began my degree with a sense of excitement and possibility, but this quickly faded as I proceeded through my coursework. I thought the spark would re-ignite when I reached the dissertation phase, but I've been ABD for nearly two years and still struggle daily to muster the energy or enthusiasm to work on the document. As far as my preliminary investigations have gone, medicine--clinical practice, not research--seems a compelling alternative for many reasons (which I'll not go into here). However, for many OTHER reasons (which, again, I'll skip reciting), I have absolutely no academic background in the sciences. My path would literally have to begin with a review of elementary algebra. I don't have a specific question for the forum at this point, since I'm still just trying to gather information about what it means to practice medicine. But I'm curious: is there anyone else out there who has made, or is making, or is contemplating making, the transition from a humanities PhD to an MD? Do you feel guilt for having undertaken, and then abandoned, one rigorous and costly course of study only to begin another? I'm looking forward to communicating with anyone and everyone who can offer advice or encouragement along the nontraditional path.

Best,
NYM 🙂

 

[Sainttpk]

This is my first post to the SDN forums; I'm glad to have discovered this resource, especially the Nontraditionals' area!

Five years (going on six) into my PhD in musicology, I'm seriously questioning my ability to sustain a long-term commitment to this field. I began my degree with a sense of excitement and possibility, but this quickly faded as I proceeded through my coursework. I thought the spark would re-ignite when I reached the dissertation phase, but I've been ABD for nearly two years and still struggle daily to muster the energy or enthusiasm to work on the document. As far as my preliminary investigations have gone, medicine--clinical practice, not research--seems a compelling alternative for many reasons (which I'll not go into here). However, for many OTHER reasons (which, again, I'll skip reciting), I have absolutely no academic background in the sciences. My path would literally have to begin with a review of elementary algebra. I don't have a specific question for the forum at this point, since I'm still just trying to gather information about what it means to practice medicine. But I'm curious: is there anyone else out there who has made, or is making, or is contemplating making, the transition from a humanities PhD to an MD? Do you feel guilt for having undertaken, and then abandoned, one rigorous and costly course of study only to begin another? I'm looking forward to communicating with anyone and everyone who can offer advice or encouragement along the nontraditional path.

Best,
NYM 🙂

Greetings,

Sounds like you have an interesting story, I am in somewhat a similar situation. I am going into my last year of law school, and sometimes I feel guilty over the costly nature of my degree, and the fact that I most likely will never use it. But who knows maybe a J.D. will come in handy once I practice medicine. When do you finish up your PHD? and how old are you?

T

 

[njbmd]

This is my first post to the SDN forums; I'm glad to have discovered this resource, especially the Nontraditionals' area!

Five years (going on six) into my PhD in musicology, I'm seriously questioning my ability to sustain a long-term commitment to this field. I began my degree with a sense of excitement and possibility, but this quickly faded as I proceeded through my coursework. I thought the spark would re-ignite when I reached the dissertation phase, but I've been ABD for nearly two years and still struggle daily to muster the energy or enthusiasm to work on the document. As far as my preliminary investigations have gone, medicine--clinical practice, not research--seems a compelling alternative for many reasons (which I'll not go into here). However, for many OTHER reasons (which, again, I'll skip reciting), I have absolutely no academic background in the sciences. My path would literally have to begin with a review of elementary algebra. I don't have a specific question for the forum at this point, since I'm still just trying to gather information about what it means to practice medicine. But I'm curious: is there anyone else out there who has made, or is making, or is contemplating making, the transition from a humanities PhD to an MD? Do you feel guilt for having undertaken, and then abandoned, one rigorous and costly course of study only to begin another? I'm looking forward to communicating with anyone and everyone who can offer advice or encouragement along the nontraditional path.

Best,
NYM 🙂

Hi there,
First of all, finish your degree. Abandonment at this point would cast serious doubt on your ability to get into medical school even if you do take the required coursework. Second, start with college algebra trig and then move into your pre-med courses. You may need to take one semester of calculus for some medical schools but most do not require math beyond college algebra trig and certainly your pre-med courses (General Chemistry with lab, General Biology with lab, Organic Chemistry with lab and General Physics with lab) do not require calculus.

If you finish your degree, you will not be abandoning one course for another. If you stop short of your intended degree you might have difficulty convincing an admissions committee that you have the stamina to go the long haul of medicine. For example, after completing your pre-med work which takes a minimum of two years, you need to take MCAT and apply which takes another year. After acceptance, you have four years of medical school and then from three to seven years of residency depending on your specialty of choice. Medicine too, is a very long haul so finish what you have started and make plans to make your shift.

I went to medical school after completing a Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am now in my third year (of five) in General Surgery and I contemplate 2 years of Vascular Surgery fellowship once I am finished with residency. I also hold two law school acceptances too. I have finished every degree that I started and attended medical school on a full-ride scholarship which has given me some latitude in not having to rush into practice in order to pay back student loans.

Medicine is a very doable career no matter what your background but it is time-consuming. There is also an experience curve once you are in practice. The important thing is that there is no age limit but rather an energy limit that really knows no particular age. (Many of my younger colleagues really lack the mental staminia to push the envelope after 30 hours straight through). This hasn't been a problem for me.

Good luck
njbmd 🙂

 

[Sainttpk]

Hi there,

If you finish your degree, you will not be abandoning one course for another. If you stop short of your intended degree you might have difficulty convincing an admissions committee that you have the stamina to go the long haul of medicine. For example, after completing your pre-med work which takes a minimum of two years, you need to take MCAT and apply which takes another year. After acceptance, you have four years of medical school and then from three to seven years of residency depending on your specialty of choice. Medicine too, is a very long haul so finish what you have started and make plans to make your shift.

njbmd 🙂

I agree with the above statement, after my first year of law school I really wanted to quit, and I almost did!!! But then I began to think about it, all this money time and effort would be wasted if I did not at least complete what I started. What would I have to show for? 1 year of law school? what looks better to an adcom or even employers. I finished 1 year of law school or I finished a J.D. degree?

Additionally I think it shows some stamina to stick with a course of study no matter what. Plus just think how cool it would be to have a PHD in music as well as an MD/DO?? It shows commitment, and it will open alot more doors for you in the future. Goodluck =)

T

 

[NY Musicologist]

Greetings,

Sounds like you have an interesting story, I am in somewhat a similar situation. I am going into my last year of law school, and sometimes I feel guilty over the costly nature of my degree, and the fact that I most likely will never use it. But who knows maybe a J.D. will come in handy once I practice medicine. When do you finish up your PHD? and how old are you?

T

Thanks for responding, Sainttpk. It will take me a year or two (no more!) to finish my dissertation, depending on the scope of the project--I'm still at a stage where I can cut back if I need/wish to--which means that, at worst, I'll be on the verge of my 29th birthday by the time my PhD is in hand.

As for you--I can see (as I'm sure you can) some potential medical avenues in which you would be well served by your JD.

Best wishes!

 

[NY Musicologist]

Hey there NYM,
I was ABD for about 3 years in a humanities program (although my home dept did get transferred into the social science div shortly after I began). Luckily my particular concentration was on the interface of science and more than half my coursework and labwork was hard science. And I was a social science/science double major in undergrad so all my prereqs were already done. So my road is a slightly easier transition than it would be for you.
It's an extremely challenging and LONG road (especially since you'll have to start with prereqs) so it goes without saying, to be sure it's what you want. And make sure you have the experiences to support your decision to change fields when you're applying. That means shadowing a doc (at a bare minimum) or getting some direct patient care experience. And of course, try to have some unique extracurriculars--bonus points if they involve community service, leadership, and education. And be thinking about reference letters every step of the way.
Good luck!

Hi, amk--

Thanks for your input. I'm cautious by nature anyway, so rest assured that I'd never make such a drastic leap without thoroughly exploring as many potential positives and negatives as I can! I need to devote this summer exclusively to my dissertation, but I'm planning to launch some "extracurriculars" (incl. volunteering at the community hospital) come this fall.

Thanks again, and good luck to you.

 

[NY Musicologist]

Hi there,
First of all, finish your degree. Abandonment at this point would cast serious doubt on your ability to get into medical school even if you do take the required coursework. Second, start with college algebra trig and then move into your pre-med courses. You may need to take one semester of calculus for some medical schools but most do not require math beyond college algebra trig and certainly your pre-med courses (General Chemistry with lab, General Biology with lab, Organic Chemistry with lab and General Physics with lab) do not require calculus.

If you finish your degree, you will not be abandoning one course for another. If you stop short of your intended degree you might have difficulty convincing an admissions committee that you have the stamina to go the long haul of medicine. For example, after completing your pre-med work which takes a minimum of two years, you need to take MCAT and apply which takes another year. After acceptance, you have four years of medical school and then from three to seven years of residency depending on your specialty of choice. Medicine too, is a very long haul so finish what you have started and make plans to make your shift.

I went to medical school after completing a Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am now in my third year (of five) in General Surgery and I contemplate 2 years of Vascular Surgery fellowship once I am finished with residency. I also hold two law school acceptances too. I have finished every degree that I started and attended medical school on a full-ride scholarship which has given me some latitude in not having to rush into practice in order to pay back student loans.

Medicine is a very doable career no matter what your background but it is time-consuming. There is also an experience curve once you are in practice. The important thing is that there is no age limit but rather an energy limit that really knows no particular age. (Many of my younger colleagues really lack the mental staminia to push the envelope after 30 hours straight through). This hasn't been a problem for me.

Good luck
njbmd 🙂

Hi, njbmd,

Thanks for your helpful advice--and I hope you won't mind answering another question or two! First, let me reassure you that I do intend to finish my doctorate, and to finish it in a quality fashion. I may not see a future for myself in this field any longer, but I do feel that I owe it to myself, my dissertation director, and the topic itself to produce a valuable piece of scholarship before leaving. Second, with regard to the "long haul" and the energy threshold you mentioned: while full clinical practice is obviously the principal goal, I plan (perhaps through rosy glasses) to value the medical education process for its own sake. Years of study don't gall me nearly as much as the thought of missed opportunities for intellectual development and social contribution.

Something that DOES gall me, however, is the financial toll of a two-year postbacc, four-year MD program, and whatever additional training might be necessary afterward (I assume internships and residencies at least pay a pittance?). I imagine that you're a rarity in having earned a full scholarship, but even so, could you tell me how you managed to get that full ride? I've played my financial cards carefully, and will fortunately therefore carry minimal (or possibly no) debt by the time I finish the PhD, so at least I'll start the medical loans with a clean slate and good credit.

Thanks again for the advice, especially as regards which math to do and which to skip (at least for now).

Best,
nym

 

[njbmd]

Hi, njbmd,

Thanks for your helpful advice--and I hope you won't mind answering another question or two! First, let me reassure you that I do intend to finish my doctorate, and to finish it in a quality fashion. I may not see a future for myself in this field any longer, but I do feel that I owe it to myself, my dissertation director, and the topic itself to produce a valuable piece of scholarship before leaving. Second, with regard to the "long haul" and the energy threshold you mentioned: while full clinical practice is obviously the principal goal, I plan (perhaps through rosy glasses) to value the medical education process for its own sake. Years of study don't gall me nearly as much as the thought of missed opportunities for intellectual development and social contribution.

Something that DOES gall me, however, is the financial toll of a two-year postbacc, four-year MD program, and whatever additional training might be necessary afterward (I assume internships and residencies at least pay a pittance?). I imagine that you're a rarity in having earned a full scholarship, but even so, could you tell me how you managed to get that full ride? I've played my financial cards carefully, and will fortunately therefore carry minimal (or possibly no) debt by the time I finish the PhD, so at least I'll start the medical loans with a clean slate and good credit.

Thanks again for the advice, especially as regards which math to do and which to skip (at least for now).

Best,
nym

Hi there,
My scholarship was based on my incoming GPA and MCAT score. With a Ph.D in musicology, you should have the GPA tight. Ace your pre-med courses and do the same with the MCAT. You will find that with some good stats coming in, there is some scholarship money out there. Aim high!
njbmd 🙂