invitation to apply to MD/PhD programs?

[chitown82]

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so a bunch of schools have sent me letters saying stuff about how my experience and achievements might make me a candidate for md/phd programs...most of them are personally signed but whoever. just wondering if 1) these programs are easier to get into because there might not be as much competition (altho i would guess no cuz tehy prolly do med school and grad school admissions separate) and 2) if these are generic letters sent to tons of people and 3) if i apply and get in and after a year or so decide i dont want the phd, can i drop the grad school portion and just do med school

 

[agp4]

If you want to know more about MD/PhD, check out the MSTP forum in the combined degree section of SDN.

As far as I can remember, the only letters I got before AMCAS or the secondaries (this was last year) were from WashU (which has a incredible publicity dept apparently) and NYU. So, perhaps you've done something to earn notice. Yes, you can join the program and decide not to do the PhD later, but if you're already thinking about that, you're probably better off not applying. On a moral note, there are very few slots available, and it just isn't fair to take someone's spot just for the free meal ticket. Adcoms for MD/PhD look for two things more than anything: (1) a desire to remain in the program, and (2) a strong research experience and a drive for scientific learning/research. Check out the forum, and I hope this helps!

 

[YzIa]

I have recieved a few from schools i did not apply to, UofIL for one.
I am also recieving info from MD programs I applied to about ther MSTP programs. I assume that these are sent based on MCAT scores, or possibly other general AMCAS info.
(I am not applying md/phd)