MD/PhD decision: Duke MD or Baylor MSTP

[AndyMD]

So, here's my situation:

I have a full offer at Baylor COM, and I have been waitlisted for the program at Duke (accepted to the med school), but those are my only options at this point. Can anyone comment on whether he or she thinks a Duke education/reputation (even if it is just the MD) would be more valuable to me as a potential researcher than that of a Baylor MD/PhD?

Some people seem to think that my opportunities after med school (in terms of residency placement, winning grants, etc.) coming out of Duke will be much better than at Baylor. My rather uninformed opinion, however, is that the reputation of a school (when it is good) might serve to band-aid over the mediocrity of individual students, but real talent and dedication in a student will shine through no matter which school he or she attends. That being said, I do believe there is value in attending a high power school like Duke (which is not to say that Baylor is not good), not least of which would be the kind of classmates I would have, and the unique educational opportunities/clinical experiences I might enjoy during med school
itself and beyond.

Since I'm only wait-listed to Duke's program, however, my only option there is to accept the MD offer and apply to the MD/PhD again, internally. I personally don't think the odds of being admitted to the MD/PhD at Duke as a second cycle candidate are high enough, though; apparently, availability of slots for internal candidates is dependent on sort of 'left-over' funds, so it's highly variable from year to year. Therefore I think I'd be better off accepting what I know I have at Baylor, regardless of any deliberations about which one is better. In terms of research interests, mine are varied enough and still sufficiently unfocused that I see comparably interesting avenues to pursue at either school, though perhaps more personally relevant ones at Baylor.

Some people have suggested that I ought to consider giving up on the idea of a combined program, just go to the better school and plan to do research anyways with an MD or just do a postdoctoral fellowship after residency, etc. if I can't get into the MD/PhD program from within -- I'm particularly dismissive of this plan, though, because I'm pretty certain I want the formal training and research experiences of real graduate study, and I'd rather not take on more debt than I have to.

Any advice?

For background, I'm originally from Texas and went to undergrad in Houston, but I'm trying not to let that guide my hand. Currently, I'm working as a post-bacc IRTA at the NIAID.

Thanks for your help, people!

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[paramus]

Baylor...no question. If you were talking about MD/PhD at Middle of Nowhere State University, then I could see a possible advantage to choosing Duke. Otherwise, there is no reason to choose them. Although Duke MD students may place slightly better for their residencies than Baylor MD students, I would be willing to wager that a Baylor MD/PhD will trump a Duke MD most of the time. Plus you get all that formal training and no debt.

 

[JETER]

I have (had) a similar situation to yours: Accepted Duke MD, waitlisted MD/PhD and accepted to other MSTPs. During my interview, I actually discussed the possibility of internally gaining admission into the MSTP, and I was told the chance was "extremely small." While I loved Duke, I think you will get much more of a chance to "shine" as a MD/PhD student at a very respectable school than MD alone at Duke. I have my roots in Texas, too, and Baylor is not your run-of-the-mill school. But I think you've already made the decision:

I'm pretty certain I want the formal training and research experiences of real graduate study, and I'd rather not take on more debt than I have to.

I'd take the MSTP and run. Good luck!

 

[dr.z]

Baylor...no question. If you were talking about MD/PhD at Middle of Nowhere State University, then I could see a possible advantage to choosing Duke. Otherwise, there is no reason to choose them. Although Duke MD students may place slightly better for their residencies than Baylor MD students, I would be willing to wager that a Baylor MD/PhD will trump a Duke MD most of the time. Plus you get all that formal training and no debt.

Yeah, I would take Baylor too.

 

[Vader]

No question: Baylor.

 

[sab73sab]

That being said, I do believe there is value in attending a high power school like Duke (which is not to say that Baylor is not good), not least of which would be the kind of classmates I would have, and the unique educational opportunities/clinical experiences I might enjoy during med school
itself and beyond.

OK first of all, the kind of classmates you will have at Baylor are going to be of the same caliber as your classmates at Duke. The fact that you're having difficulties choosing between the two institutions should tell you that other students are also making this choice and coming down on both sides of the fence (granted your choosing b/w MSTP and MD, not as common).

Second the kids entering Baylor's program this year are awesome, I've seen the list.

Your fellow (potential) Baylor MSTP classmate

 

[GeneGoddess]

A technical question: will you be funded as a Baylor MD/PhD? Not everyone in the Baylor program is funded. I would make sure that you were funded FIRST.

 

[AndyMD]

I appreciate the responses, people. 🙂

A technical question: will you be funded as a Baylor MD/PhD? Not everyone in the Baylor program is funded. I would make sure that you were funded FIRST.

Yes, Baylor's offer is fully funded. Sorry, I forgot to specify.

 

[TommyGunn04]

I'm a current Duke student so I thought I'd weigh in here.

Baylor is a great school. If you have a full ride there and are committed to the PhD, as it clearly seems you are, I don't see any reason to choose Duke. If it were straight MD at either school then I'd say Duke could definitely give you a leg up for residency spots, especially for really competitive programs like radiology, ortho, derm, etc. But if you're doing a PhD and can do so for free at Baylor, vs. paying for just the MD at Duke, I think it'd be crazy to turn down the Baylor offer.

In any case, it's a pretty enviable position to be in! Good luck with this win/win decision!!! 🙂

 

[milliardo_L]

Definitely Baylor. Even though they are not as big a name as Duke, their research is solid. Beats a non-funded Duke MD option. 👍

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Baylor definitely.

Baylor MSTPs match at some damn good places.

 

[Dr. Chiquita]

Go with Baylor MSTP! The only way I would even think about sticking with Duke MD is if I wasn't sure about my desire to go for the combined route and if I hated Texas.

Plus, Baylor shares the TMC with UT-Houston, the world's biggest medical complex. Research opportunities are endless. I think in the research world, Baylor might actually hold a better reputation than Duke. If you are into cancer research at all, there's an MD Anderson Cancer Center, a top notch. Can't go wrong with Baylor both in terms of medicine and research.

 

[bluegrass_druid]

Go with Baylor MSTP! The only way I would even think about sticking with Duke MD is if I wasn't sure about my desire to go for the combined route and if I hated Texas.

Plus, Baylor shares the TMC with UT-Houston, the world's biggest medical complex. Research opportunities are endless. I think in the research world, Baylor might actually hold a better reputation than Duke. If you are into cancer research at all, there's an MD Anderson Cancer Center, a top notch. Can't go wrong with Baylor both in terms of medicine and research.

Exactly what I would have said. You will have such amazing opportunities in Houston. The only reason I am not going there is that my girlfriend is from there and I don't want to see her parents every weekend. Otherwise, I would definitely put up with the oppressive heat and Texas vibe for that program! Congrats!!!