MD/PhD general q's

[wjin06]

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Realistically speaking, how possible is it to get into an MD/PhD program without having published papers and done any clinical or clinically-related research, the only research being half a school year and a summer of non-clinical research? On top of that, very little hospital experience? Do MD/PhD programs look for clinical experience as much as just MD programs do, and given what was listed above, is it a long shot getting in anywhere? Do stats (GPA and MCATs) factor in as much as an MD program?

 

[MahlerROCKS]

I will soon be applying to MD/PhD programs, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Most schools stipulate on their websites that they are looking for 2 years of research, and although publications aren't required, they are a testament to the success and quality of your research

 

[strangeglove]

Most MD-PhD applicants have done basic research before applying, for about 1 year or more. Some have publications, but not all. The single most important factor, after grades and test scores, is the quality of the letter from your research adviser attesting to your commitment in research. Basic research experience is preferred over clinical research experience, since your PhD will likely be in a basic science. If you are not interested in basic research, then do not apply to MD-PhD programs.

 

[meowkat444]

based on what i have heard, your amount of reserach is a much bigger problem than your clinical experience. get a lab job and apply next cycle?

 

[OncDoc19]

although publications aren't required, they are a testament to the success and quality of your research

I don't entirely agree with this statement. A good part of getting a publication depends on the lab, the project and most of all luck.

 

[wjin06]

Thanks for the input thusfar. Can we elaborate more on how much clinical experience is "required" to get into an MD/PhD program?

 

[solitude]

I don't entirely agree with this statement. A good part of getting a publication depends on the lab, the project and most of all luck.

In another thread, Maebea (who I gather is a program director at a top program?) has stated that very few applicants/matriculants, even to his/her program, have first author pubs or pubs at all. From this, one could surmise that adcoms recognize your point and somewhat devalue publications accordingly.

 

[tbo]

Most MD-PhD applicants have done basic research before applying, for about 1 year or more. Some have publications, but not all. The single most important factor, after grades and test scores, is the quality of the letter from your research adviser attesting to your commitment in research. Basic research experience is preferred over clinical research experience, since your PhD will likely be in a basic science. If you are not interested in basic research, then do not apply to MD-PhD programs.

Strangeglove, this is a topic that seems to be contested here from time to time. Do you have any information/evidence that there is a bias towards basic over clinical research? Anecdotally, most program directors probably favor basic science. However, as PhD fields broaden for MD/PhDs (Epi/Public Health, Anthropology, History of Medicine, etc), the truth is the PhD training provided is not always in the basic sciences. Do you have first-hand information on this? I would be very interested to hear your take.

 

[flaquita69us]

Thanks for the input thusfar. Can we elaborate more on how much clinical experience is "required" to get into an MD/PhD program?

No specific amount of clinical experience is necessary. You need to be able to show that you know what it means to be a doctor - superficially of course. Some programs really focus on clinical care and others really don't. You might benefit from figuring out which ones don't. I had really minimal clinical experience and I did fine. I did basic science research in a pathology lab one summer where they let me watch an autopsy and I sat in on rounds with them in the mornings, but that was the extent of it. For MD/PhD programs, they are really much more interested in your research, but you need to have a reason to do MD/PhD and not just PhD.

 

[questionstoask]

hey, would an applicant be competitive to md/ph.d programs if he had mediocre gpa, very high mcat, and 2years of research during his master's thesis program? i.e. he would work 2years on a masters and most of the time would be spent working on some project in basic science? let's say he could get a publication during the application cycle. would it be impressive or would it be the bare minimum? also, would the md/ph.d. programs want him to have aspirations to continue research in the same area? would it be a red flag if he did research in immunology but was interested in biomed engineering?
thanks!

 

[SpeakLittleB]

tbo, there are in fact many phd programs that you could potentially combine with an md... however, for the NIH funded MSTPs there is a strong bias towards basic science interest, mainly because that is what the government is trying to fund.

questions, doing a 2 yr masters program sounds like a great idea. whether it is the "minimum" or quite good depends on how much the applicant puts into the work and the PIs letter that results. You can do research in any field you like, as most md/phd programs do not require application to a particular program. most people coming in without being set on a program. even if you say you know exactly what you will be doing, they'll likely take your words with a grain of salt anyway. interests change 🙂

 

[tackett26]

Hi everyone,

My name is Zach and I am strongly considering an MD/Ph.D program, but I had a few general questions. Lately I have been reading "Med School Confidential" by Robert H. Miller and Daniel M. Bissell, and I was wondering if there is an equivalent book to talk about admission to MD/Ph.D programs.

Secondly, I was wondering if it matters where you do your MD/Ph.D. On the one hand it doesn't seem to mater where you went to med school. You take the same boards regardless of if you went to Harvard or a local medical school, but that doesn't seem to be the case for graduate school.

Please give me any advice that you can.

Thanks
Zach

PS: I don't know if this will email me when someone responds to this thread. If so everything should be fine. If not email me at [email protected]