Leaving PhD program for MD/PhD

[sean1984]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am currently a PhD student in physics and will be taking the MCAT and applying this coming summer. I plan on changing my enrollment to the master's program, but was going to wait until the fall. Does dropping out of a PhD program significantly hurt one's chances of getting into a MD/PhD program? Or, can the damage be controlled by the personal statement or some other means? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Scottish Chap]

I am currently a PhD student in physics and will be taking the MCAT and applying this coming summer. I plan on changing my enrollment to the master's program, but was going to wait until the fall. Does dropping out of a PhD program significantly hurt one's chances of getting into a MD/PhD program? Or, can the damage be controlled by the personal statement or some other means? Any advice would be appreciated.

Well, you're leaving with a terminal M.S. degree so you're not really dropping out for the sake of dropping out. If you leave in the middle of a program, it can hurt your application because there is nothing more damaging to a professional career than the perception of a commitment not being honored. My advice would be honesty with your current P.I. A strong letter will help your case, so don't burn any bridges.

If you spin it the right way, a change of heart will be fine. I know a couple of people who left the PhD program in biosciences for MD/PhD, and it worked out.

You'll need to do well on the MCAT and gain meaningful contact with physicians via volunteer or paid work.

Good luck!

 

[Neuronix]

Unless one of your letter writers mentions it, there's no reason anyone has to know. You list on your transcripts that you have a master's and you can talk about your masters degreee when you interview. My advice is to try not to let it be known that you started the PhD and then left it.

 

[QofQuimica]

Unless one of your letter writers mentions it, there's no reason anyone has to know. You list on your transcripts that you have a master's and you can talk about your masters degreee when you interview. My advice is to try not to let it be known that you started the PhD and then left it.

Agree. Don't ever lie about it if an interviewer should ask you, but don't volunteer the info if you don't have to, either. And you absolutely, positively *must* try to get your advisor on board with your plans if you possibly can. You will need this person to write you a LOR, because if you don't have one, adcoms will wonder why. If you haven't already talked to your advisor, please do it soon, and try very hard not to burn bridges with him or her. Also, as ScottishChap said, make sure you prepare thoroughly for the MCAT. You should aim to get somewhere in the 30s; med schools care a lot more about your MCAT score than most grad schools did about your GRE. to you. 🙂