Johns Hopkins MD vs. Duke MSTP

[fresca]

I really loved Johns Hopkins, but I'm not sure if going to Duke would be the best thing financially and for my career. I think I want to still do academic medicine, but perhaps be more clinically focused. I am also interested in maybe a surgery subspecialty, so do you think the PhD will benefit me that much in residency matching?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[vwhan]

You will get an excellent education at either one of the instititions. If you go to Duke's MD/PHD program you won't have any debt after graduation, versus 4 years of loans for Hopkins. Having a PhD will open so many doors for you, and possibly matching easier. I am not sure how old you are but 3 more years of education for the PhD portion will go by quickly. I know a few general surgeons that went for their PhD during residency. I say go for it at Duke.

Hany

 

[Vader]

The MSTP route is primarily for those individuals interested in careers in medicine and basic biomedical research.

It sounds like you are having considerable doubts. I am surprised that you are unsure at this point whether to pursue an MD or MD/PhD. It seems like a decision you would have made much earlier.

The stipend and getting into a better residency are not primary reasons for spending an extra 3-4 years completing a thesis for the PhD. If you cannot see yourself doing basic research, then going through a PhD program is probably not worth it and you will likely be less than motivated to finish. Instead, you might consider going the MD route and taking a year off to do research, especially something along the lines of what you are more interested in (i.e. the surgical subspecialty).

Hope this helps.