Matriculation date MD/PhD

[VitaminVater]

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I've been searching this forum but haven't gotten a clear answer.
Do MD/PhD programs start in the summer of the matriculation year or in the Fall like traditional MDs?

 

[K31]

Depends on the school. Some require a lab rotation the summer before MS1, others don't so you start with the rest of your med school class. You'd have to contact the individual programs to get the definitive answer.

 

[VitaminVater]

Depends on the school. Some require a lab rotation the summer before MS1, others don't so you start with the rest of your med school class. You'd have to contact the individual programs to get the definitive answer.

Thanks for the answer. Just to not waste a thread, I noticed you're an MD/PhD student, how are you liking it so far and how did you decide to take this path rather than MD alone? I've been trying to weight my options and while I do want to become a physician scientist I don't know if the 8+ years of the MD/PhD would be worth it.

 

[K31]

Thanks for the answer. Just to not waste a thread, I noticed you're an MD/PhD student, how are you liking it so far and how did you decide to take this path rather than MD alone? I've been trying to weight my options and while I do want to become a physician scientist I don't know if the 8+ years of the MD/PhD would be worth it.

That's a complex subject that has been discussed many times on this forum, most recently in this thread.

I'll simply say it was the right decision for me at the time and I have never regretted doing an MD/PhD, but if I could go back and my goals were the same then as they are now I probably wouldn't do it again. 8 years is indeed a long time (I'm 4 months from graduating with my MD, so I feel very qualified to say this), and it is difficult to predict how your goals will change over that time.

However, if your goal is to become a physician-scientist (and by that I mean having the bulk of your career be spent in basic science research, with clinical work a distinct minority of your time) I still feel MD/PhD is the best pathway for that.

 

[debateg]

As others have mentioned, it depends on the program. At my program, you have the option of doing a research rotation the summer prior. I chose to do so, and I regret it. My time would have been much better spent doing something fun unrelated to research. You're expected to do something work-related pretty much every summer for the rest of your life. This is seriously the last summer vacation.

While you do get to move to a new city and set down roots, there will not be that many people around so your free time will be somewhat boring.

With regards to whether or not the MD/PhD is worth it, definitely read the thread K31 posted as well as the "How to Fix the MSTP." It's full of many somewhat jaded opinions that no one else is going to tell you, but I think contain a tremendous amount of truth.