Internal transfer from PhD to MD-PhD - which unis?

[s4lt]

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Hi, undergrad here at Cornell and aspiring to be a biomedical researcher. I am very interested in immunology / virology at the moment. I still have some time to decide before I apply for grad school, but I have some questions.

I will definitely pursue a PhD in grad school, but after hearing about the MD-PhD, I think it fits my interests as well! However, as of now, I have not fully decided if I am willing to commit to the MD-PhD Program, as I don't really have much interest in becoming a physician. However, receiving clinical education benefit me leaps and bounds in my aspirations. I want to keep my options open!

As such, I have 2 questions:
1. I am wondering if it is possible to transfer internally from a PhD program into MD-PhD program?
2. Which universities provide such opportunity? (So hard to find online...)

I'm an international student, so I understand my chances are much slimmer. However, I want to remain in the States for grad school.

Thank you all! 🙂

 

[eteshoe]

If you don't want to be a physician then the dual degree path is kind of a waste of your time.

To answer your questions:
1. Almost never works in this direction. It's typically far easier to transfer from a MD to a MD/PhD.
2. See answer #1

As an international student, there are plenty of universities that will gladly take you since the research enterprise of this country runs on cheap, smart labor (aka grad students+postdocs). Focus your search on the private research universities.

 

[s4lt]

Thank you for your prompt response!

Hmm... Statistics online show that most MD-PhD graduates eventually devote their time to biomedical research, which means most people don't turn out to be physicians. In that case, is this totally untrue?

In that case, should I not bother with MD-PhD at all, since PhD to MD-PhD is near impossible?

 

[Neuronix]

Thank you for your prompt response!

Hmm... Statistics online show that most MD-PhD graduates eventually devote their time to biomedical research, which means most people don't turn out to be physicians. In that case, is this totally untrue?

Please provide reference ? We've reviewed the data many times on this site. The statistics demonstrate that around 80% of MD/PhDs continue to practice clinically. Only 20% overall stop practicing clinically. 50% of MD/PhDs have majority or totally research careers, but the majority still continue to balance medicine and research in some way.

I think MD/PhDs in more recent times are being much more strongly pushed towards clinical medicine since the research funding boom times of the 80s and 90s has evaporated, seemingly permanently.

Regardless, even based on the available data your statement is totally untrue. In addition, you do have to train in clinical medicine in medical school and residency. You could join the very small percentage of MD/PhDs who don't do a residency, but that is quite rare.

In that case, should I not bother with MD-PhD at all, since PhD to MD-PhD is near impossible?

If you want to do MD/PhD, do MD/PhD. PhD->MD/PhD transfers are extremely rare, and many programs forbid them or strongly discourage them.

 

[s4lt]

Huge apologies - I read the 80% and 20% wrongly!

50% of MD/PhDs have majority or totally research careers, but the majority still continue to balance medicine and research in some way.

I didn't know about the 50% part though; thanks for letting me know.

If you want to do MD/PhD, do MD/PhD. PhD->MD/PhD transfers are extremely rare, and many programs forbid them or strongly discourage them.

Hmm... May I ask why is this so, when MD -> MD/PhD transfer isn't as rare?

In that case, I'll still keep my options open until I graduate, and see whether an MD/PhD still interests me. If I do, I'll most likely join the very small percentage who don't do a residency.

Thank you all for your responses! 🙂

 

[Neuronix]

What is an MD without a residency going to do for you?

 

[Lucca]

An MD without a residency is just a bunch of classes and exams you take For no reason. Clinical rotations themselves are more of a means to an end than a fully-fledged clinical education (you get that from, well, residency).

You would be better off using the 4 years you spend on the MD degree in a postdoc if your ultimate goal is to be a scientist instead of a physician scientist.

 

[Fencer]

AAMC data indicates that MDs (including MD/PhDs) in basic science departments still earn about 20% higher than PhDs.

 

[Neuronix]

Fencer, I'm willing to bet correlation is not causation on that one.

 

[s4lt]

Thank you all for weighing in!

Now it really seems like I should just work for my PhD 🙂