starscollidehi
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- Mar 26, 2021
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Hi! I recently was accepted to both an MD/PhD program at a non-top 50 school (ranking doesn't matter to me though), it was my last choice and I wasn't sure I should apply initially. I did, and was accepted, but upon visiting, I really don't like the location/state/city the school is in (it's an 8 year program!), the research I could do is very limiting/not in my area of interest, and I also was accepted to a PhD program at one of my favorite schools and favorite programs!! Now, I realize that I probably should not have applied to that specific MD/PhD. And I realize how lucky I am to have been accepted. I in no way want to sound arrogant, but feel like I'm in quite a pickle. Since I've already been accepted (have not matriculated yet), if I end up going to the PhD program only school, what are the odds I could reapply and be accepted to med school again? (granted I retake MCAT and will have a PhD, and do not apply to that same med school I got in for MD/PhD). The solo PhD program is not in the biomedical sciences, and is more animal biology/psychology focused. The MD/PhD research part is straight biomedical sciences.
Truth be told, I am more certain about my PhD direction than the MD part. I am still debating between MD and DVM (I love behavior/neurology, know it is more developed on the MD side and more limiting on DVM side, but still...), so with doing a PhD first, I will have the flexibility to choose between DVM or MD after. But if I decide MD, will I basically not be able to get in again? Idk, as a re-applicant who was already accepted, isn't that really frowned upon (is what I've heard?) Of course if I have a half "decent" excuse, but still. I just cannot envision myself living in a city I hate, doing a PhD I am only slightly interested in, all for the financial/slightly shortened time benefits. Am I being stupid here, choosing to first do a PhD at a location I love/research I like, then waiting to do MD after? Also because I want a significant chunk of my career to be devoted to research (mostly comparative research, animal behavior/neurology), is going into all the MD loans stupid, since that will limit how much research time I can do (I have to do more clinical to pay back loans after?) Just wanted some med students' advice 🙂 Thank you very much and sorry for the long text!!
Truth be told, I am more certain about my PhD direction than the MD part. I am still debating between MD and DVM (I love behavior/neurology, know it is more developed on the MD side and more limiting on DVM side, but still...), so with doing a PhD first, I will have the flexibility to choose between DVM or MD after. But if I decide MD, will I basically not be able to get in again? Idk, as a re-applicant who was already accepted, isn't that really frowned upon (is what I've heard?) Of course if I have a half "decent" excuse, but still. I just cannot envision myself living in a city I hate, doing a PhD I am only slightly interested in, all for the financial/slightly shortened time benefits. Am I being stupid here, choosing to first do a PhD at a location I love/research I like, then waiting to do MD after? Also because I want a significant chunk of my career to be devoted to research (mostly comparative research, animal behavior/neurology), is going into all the MD loans stupid, since that will limit how much research time I can do (I have to do more clinical to pay back loans after?) Just wanted some med students' advice 🙂 Thank you very much and sorry for the long text!!