MD/MFA Programs

[james1988]

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Are there any programs that allow one to pursue a combined MD/MFA? An MFA is a Master of Fine Arts, and I probably would be pursuing an MFA in creative writing. If there aren't any formal programs that do this, would it be possible to perhaps arrange for a personalized track at a university that offers both degrees (I know this is done for certain PhD programs, something I'm also considering)? Lastly, if I decide to go for an MFA before I apply to medical school, would this look bad on my application? Has anyone done this??

 

[mountainhare]

Are there any programs that allow one to pursue a combined MD/MFA? An MFA is a Master of Fine Arts, and I probably would be pursuing an MFA in creative writing. If there aren't any formal programs that do this, would it be possible to perhaps arrange for a personalized track at a university that offers both degrees (I know this is done for certain PhD programs, something I'm also considering)? Lastly, if I decide to go for an MFA before I apply to medical school, would this look bad on my application? Has anyone done this??

I've never heard of any formal MD/MFA programs, but I know of a guy who simultaneously pursued MFA (poetry) and MD degrees at Columbia; he graduated with both degrees in '06. In general, I think Columbia is an example of a school that's relatively open to the idea of students pursuing MFAs and MDs at the same time, and both its MFA & MD programs are highly reputable; if you e-mailed the people at Columbia's Program of Narrative Medicine (e.g., Dr. Charon), they could probably put you in touch with someone who could give you more info about the details, the timing, the application processes, etc. If I were you, I'd check out the websites of universities whose MFA programs you're specifically interested in and then e-mail medical humanities people at the associated med schools. Off the top of my head, there exist plenty of universities that have both "good" med schools and "good" writing programs: Columbia, Hopkins, UMich, Brown, BU, NYU, UVA, etc. Try to contact people at these med schools.

And certainly no one will look down on you if you go for an MFA before medical school. There's a girl at my school who did this, and she says her interviewers were highly interested in her experience and viewed it in a very positive light. Actually, now that I think about it, I can think of two people at my medical school who did this. So, while it's rare, it's certainly not unheard-of, and it's definitely viewed as a good thing.

 

[andythegolfman]

having an MFA before you apply will really help you stand out among other applicants

i'm not sure about simultaneous programs but i'm sure there is something that can enable you to do this

 

[james1988]

thanks
i just wish there were a program that was a little more concrete and organized
does anyone else know of any universities would allow you to do this?