Is it common to switch from MD to MD/ PhD?

[EC]

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Hi Everyone,

I was wondering...does anyone know if it is common for medical students to switch from an MD to an MD/PhD program? What year do students generally switch? Is it more difficult to enter a MD/ PhD program later?

Thanks,

EC

 

[brandonite]

I applied MD to most schools with the idea of getting into the MD/PhD in later years.

You should be able to switch over in the first or second year, as the general program for MD and MD/PhD is the same. It shouldn't be a problem to get in.

The only difficulty would be funding. MSTP scholarships are very competitive, so you might have a hard time getting a scholarship to fund your MD/PhD degree. I think it is possible to get funding if you switch into the MD/PhD program, but it is fairly difficult. Well, it would be easy to get funding when you're doing the PhD part of the program, and very difficult when you go back to do your last two years of your MD (clerkships!).

Make sense?

 

[BlameItOnTheNurse]

I just had an additional question that EC did not include...

Do you lose the stipend amount that you would have gained if you started out as PhD? What i am curious is if they dont repay you for your years as just MD, or at least refund you your tuition.

Just curious, i am tired of being a lab rat so i doubt that i will be considering the option, but anyhoo

 

[brandonite]

As in, if you did a PhD after you did your MD? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be eligible for any funding like that.

The traditional MD/PhD program is:

2 years MD
2-4 years PhD (usually 3)
2 years MD (clerkship)

So, you could enter the MD/PhD during either the first year or second year. Usually they say you should apply during the first year. You might have shot at getting MSTP funding. But I really do think that your chances might not be all that good. Once you're in 3rd year of med school, you're probably too late to enter into a combined program, and thus get any funding...