Due to a weak research background in the field I'd like to get my Ph.D. in, I'm planning on trying to get into a MD program first then matriculate into the MD/Ph.D program within the school I'm accepted at. Do you think that this is a good idea? Only downfall I could see is the debt from either the first year or second year of medical school. Maybe if I'm lucky, schools could have some sort of retroactive scholarship seeing as how I'm spending the rest of my time within the MSTP program? What are your thoughts and opinions?
Matriculating into MD then applying for MD/PHD?
- Thread starter pk2016
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This is usually not an issue. What is your research background? What is your interest?
Not usually. For most people I recommend applying MD/PhD from the outset. You'll be essentially be just as qualified for MD/PhD as an MS1 as you were as an applicant.
The other thought that immediately comes to mind is that MD/PhD acceptance from inside the MD program is not a sure thing. Different programs view it differently as to how likely it is. Some programs *only* accept MD/PhD transfers after the second year. Some programs it is quite common. For others, it is very rare.
That almost never happens.
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Seconded what Neuroni
Seconded what Neuronix said. Exactly zero of the schools that I applied to this year offered anything like this. Some schools have ways for you to pay off your debts or reduce your tuition, but all of them involve TAing or some other form of work that will take time away from research. And those opportunities are for all MD students, not just potential MD/PhDs.
Seconded what Neuronix said. Exactly zero of the schools that I applied to this year offered anything like this. Some schools have ways for you to pay off your debts or reduce your tuition, but all of them involve TAing or some other form of work that will take time away from research. And those opportunities are for all MD students, not just potential MD/PhDs.
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This is highly dependent on the school. I happened to matriculate to a school where this happens fairly regularly and the administration is very supportive. N = 1, but I spent most of MS-1 doing research in a lab and I've been offered a spot in our program (which I'd still have to apply for).
The best plan of action is probably to apply both MD and MD/PhD (since usually you'll be considered for both), and then to contact the MD/PhD program directors and ask them about the possibility of an internal transfer. They're the only person who really knows how common it is at their institution.
My interests are in comp. biology and by the time I'll apply to medical schools I'll only have a years worth of research on my belt. The worry is from applying to MD/PHD's from the outset is due to the fact those who don't get into MD/PHD's immediately fall into the medical school applicant pool very late, where there might be no more spots and won't be as attractive, or the school rather give the spots to others, and might even see the fact that I didn't get into the MD/PHD position negatively.
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Others might disagree but I don't think a year of research is enough to apply for MD/PhD. I had 2 years of research, a few awards and 3-4 pubs (none first author) and still didn't get accepted this past cycle. The feedback I got (and besides bad luck) was that my research was not as in depth as other applicants. If you're dead set on MD/PhD as your training of choice I would highly suggest a year or more of full-time independent research before applying.
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I completely agree. I have been harping on this point for at least 10 years on these forums. Adcoms generally care about *time served* and *depth of experience* in basic science, not publications or other metrics.
So pk2016, your best course of action is a gap year 100% dedicated to research then reapply next year. You could take a chance applying internally to MD/PhD if you matriculate MD with ~2 years of research experience under your belt, but acceptance as a transfer won't be certain, and if you are successful in transferring, it's likely that 1-2 years of medical school will be unfunded.
Your stats will still be scrutinized at every step of this process. It would be best if you shared your stats for the best advice. Broadly, your chances at MD/PhD will be better with the modern day equivalent of a 4.0/40 than a 3.4/34 for someone with only 1-2 years of research experience.
