md/phd for chemistry?

[gbu730]

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so im still at the point when im trying to decide which/how many schools to apply to for mstp.

the question is, im not sure wt i'll end up doing for my phd. i major in chemistry, and do research in organic and biochem, so this is definitely something i'll be interested in pursuing, but then again, being in a small liberal arts college, i hvn't had too much exposure to other fieldd.

should i be applying to big research institutes with lots of different projects going on to give myself more options? any recommendations for schools?

 

[GliaGirl]

Most MD/PhD programs are at big research institutes. And most programs have at least 2 required research rotations before you pick a lab to do your PhD. So you don't want to do chemistry? I would try to formulate some sort of idea what fields interest you. Most schools ask you to request faculty to meet with at interviews to discuss current research opportunities at the institution, and so it would behoove you to start thinking now about which department websites you will concentrate your searches on.

 

[gbu730]

So you don't want to do chemistry?

no i'd definitely want to try chemistry but don't know which schools i should be applying to. for instance, on AMCAS, chemistry is not even an option for SUNY downstate on the field of interest.

i guess my question is which schools hv reputation of good chemistry programs (aside from the big name ones of course)

 

[URHere]

Many schools may classify chemistry research under different department headings. For example, at my school synthetic chemistry research falls under the chemical biology heading, which in turn falls into the category of "pharmacology" and the "program in molecular and cellular biosciences".

If you want to know about specific schools, I would suggest searching their faculty listings to see exactly what types of research are being conducted. If you still aren't sure whether those labs are open to MD/PhD students, give the program a call and ask. It's a reasonable question.

 

[gbu730]

so not every lab is open to MD/PhD students???

 

[URHere]

so not every lab is open to MD/PhD students???

The issue is more that at some schools, not all PhD departments are supported by the MD/PhD program. For example, many schools will not allow MD/PhDs in the humanities. At other schools, biomedical engineering may not be supported. It really varies from place to place.

Sure, students sometimes manage to break into those departments, but there is less of an established precedent and there's never really a guarantee.

 

[gbu730]

anyone in the same boat? more comments appreciated!

 

[Neuronix]

so not every lab is open to MD/PhD students???

Frankly, no. Not every lab is. Not every lab is open to grad students either permanently or temporarily. Some labs are very biased against MD/PhD students. Conversely, some labs are very biased towards them.

My strong recommendation is to look into Biochemistry or related departments (pharm, etc...), not chemistry. Chemistry is often not sympathetic to MD/PhDs, requires a lot of coursework, a lot of teaching, and will make a you a forever year student.

In your case trying to pick schools, I'd just interview at the places that seem good to you and see who you get to meet when you interview and second look. If they can't match you, especially at neither interviews or second look, with PIs who are right up your alley (typically requested by you) don't accept the BS answer that they're "unavailable" and move on. But seriously, just apply Chemistry/Biochemistry to places that look good and pick based on your acceptances.