Is MD part of MD/PhD worth it?

[katie6794]

Hi,
I'm currently a junior biophysics (think biochemistry but more physics and slightly less chemistry) major at a top-30 research university and am starting to embark on the process of applying to MD/PhD programs. My school has a pre-selection committee where they essentially encourage students to apply to the pre-med adviser and her committee first and they determine the level of support your application will receive and right a recommendation and cover letter on your behalf as well (I'm told this is common among schools) which is due April 15 for applying to matriculate into medical school Fall 2017 (my plan). I am taking the MCAT June 2nd and am working hard this semester to finish off the prereqs (Biochem mostly) and prepare for the MCAT as well as keep up with my clinical and research duties.
Now my dilemma: I love research. I have been involved in research since I was a 2nd semester freshman but even before then worked unofficially in my mom's lab (PhD neuroscientist/endocrinologist). I have been working in a lab that does computational research primarily on drug therapies. My specific project is on a chemotherapeutic nucleic acid drug studying ways to more efficiently into cells by studying its binding affinities with particular binding proteins. I already have a publication and another on the way soon and am presenting along with the graduate student I work with at my first conference in a few weeks. So my dilemma is it worth it to go MD/PhD or maybe I'm just better suited for PhD? I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember and have had that "why I want to be a doctor" moment which for me occurred at age 17. My mom thinks having a dual degree is beneficial because a problem in science can be approached both ways and she often wishes she had a MD degree as well to help her approach her work (she consults with many MDs who often wish they had the skill set of a PhD). I can see it both ways. My plan was initially to apply to MD/PhD programs but also apply to several PhD programs as a back-up plan since they are less competitive. But now that I'm staring down the application process and studying for the MCAT which I know I must ace to be competitive, I'm wondering if it's worth it or if maybe I should just go get a PhD. I am planning to get my PhD in biochemistry or biophysics and pursue a career in cancer research primarily.
Can any MD/PhDs or students weigh in on why add MD to your name as well? Any MDs out there wish they had a PhD and can offer insight into the value of both? I consider myself one of those forever student people so the extra 4 years isn't a problem for me. I also do want to be respected by my colleagues especially in the research field which I know some have mentioned that MD/PhDs are often thought of as "fake-scientists".
Other resume facts that might help:
GPA: 3.76 approximately through 5 semester undergrad, science GPA: 4.0 (yes one of those people)
MCAT unknown but shooting for 515-520 range if I can get there
4+ semesters of research with most semesters spending 15-20 hours a week on research- 1+ publication
Clinical experience wise I have shadowed several doctors including an MD/PhD and will shadow some more over spring break this year. I am also part of a non-profit organization that pairs students with cancer patients 1-1 to help them fight through their battle with cancer everything from going to treatment with them, doctor appointments, researching clinical trials that may help, etc.- this is about a 10-15 hour a week time commitment and something I really enjoy doing- this semester the organization is pairing with the hospital and a few oncologists in an NIH pilot study
I have also applied to two NSF funded REUs and two pre-MSTP programs for the summer and am waiting to hear back.
If I'm going MD/PhD I need to start working on the application ASAP because I know the process is long and arduous. And if I'm going PhD I need to start figuring out that application process, take GRE, etc. as I hope to matriculate into a program in 2017 after my graduation.
Thanks for your help (and hopefully your promptness)!

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[Lucca]

Only if you want to see patients and practice medicine.

 

[Neuronix]

Can any MD/PhDs or students weigh in on why add MD to your name as well?

PhD = ??? job
MD = certain to have a well paying job

I know some have mentioned that MD/PhDs are often thought of as "fake-scientists".

Haters gonna hate. Seriously, everyone talks smack on everyone. I'm not worried about the talk.

Liking both medicine and research and wanting to do both is a perfectly good reason to do MD/PhD.

 

[eteshoe]

If you plan or even think you'd be interested in seeing patients then you have to do the MD. If not, a PhD is good enough.

FYI, some PhD programs are very competitive to get into - though with your stats you should have no problem getting in (GRE isn't exactly a joke, but it will make you chuckle)

 

[QofQuimica]

If you plan or even think you'd be interested in seeing patients then you have to do the MD. If not, a PhD is good enough.

FYI, some PhD programs are very competitive to get into - though with your stats you should have no problem getting in (GRE isn't exactly a joke, but it will make you chuckle)

Agree.

OP, it really depends on what you want to be when you grow up. If you have any interest in caring for patients and/or possibly doing clinical research, then you will need an MD. If you plan to have an exclusively bench research career, the MD is really not necessary. Keep in mind too that an MD without a residency is basically useless. So you're not just committing to four years of medical school; you're committing to a minimum of four years of medical school and at least three years of residency afterward (so at least seven years in all). Having gone through both degrees (and I did my degrees separately), I would say that going to med school is totally not worth it just for the knowledge part of it. You can easily read a book on any biomedical topic you like and gain the same knowledge essentially for free and in much less time.

As for people saying MD/PhDs are "fake" scientists, I don't think that's inherently true. Even for people in grad school for straight PhDs, some people's research and dissertations are "meatier" than others. And different fields just require different amounts of time and effort to accomplish something publishable or dissertation-worthy. I can tell you that my labmates and I physically spent a lot more time in the lab as organic chemistry PhD students than our analytical chem and computational chem peers did. That's just the nature of synthetic organic chem: you have to spend a lot of time in the lab in order to be successful at it. Fortunately, I liked being in the lab. 🙂