MD/PhD in Anthropology Advice Please

[veglarry]

Hi everyone! I've been silently reading these premed threads for a while, but I worked up the courage to post because I really need some advice. I really would love to pursue an MD/PhD in Anthropology, but I'm unsure if my qualifications are up to par for such a program. I would love it if someone gave me some honest feed back as to whether I should take a shot or I'm being foolish...so here goes:

-Dual degree: Biology/Anthropology

-MCAT- 511...C/P: 127 CARS: 128 B/B: 128 P/S: 128

-Overall GPA: 3.76 BCPM: 3.68 AO: 3.93

-Research: 2 years total

Research Assistant: 1500 Hours

-240 Hours: with that same project in another professor's lab who was collaborating with my PI

Laboratory Technician in same Lab: 1360 Hours (up to now, still working there)

-PI has allowed me to continue on that previous project (on the side) as well as mainly work with one of the grads on
his project

-Honors Thesis completed and approved by committee: done with the work completed as research assistant

-And I have the other extracurriculars as well, some of which involve working with an Anthro professor

So my main concern is whether I'd be okay to take a shot at applying with those stats or whether I should just go for regular MD...

Thank you so much for your help!!!

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[SpartanWolverine]

Your numbers are on par for MD PhD applicants and your research experience, though apparently light on publications/presentations (?), looks significant.

Seems like a situation where your justification for "why PhD on top of MD" or "why MD on top of PhD" would be important.

 

[veglarry]

Your numbers are on par for MD PhD applicants and your research experience, though apparently light on publications/presentations (?), looks significant.

Seems like a situation where your justification for "why PhD on top of MD" or "why MD on top of PhD" would be important.

Yea the first publication that I would be on (second author) is being worked on now, but it's still in writing process so I didn't think I could mentionn that. In terms of presentations I've done a poster presentation and a departmental presentation for the honors thesis hopefully that'll help somewhat.

Anyway, thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[asrw77]

I would recommend against it... The schools that offer MD/PhDs in anthro are limited and the ones that do are mostly associated with highly competitive medical schools (UCSF, HMS, Duke, UChicago, etc.). Your stats are not really competitive for these institutions so depending on your state of residence you might only be able to reasonably apply to 1-2 of these programs. Your best bet is to just apply to regular MD and get involved with anthro research as a medical student (there's plenty of opportunities in fields like global health). I'd also try to do some more reflection on what your career goals are and if an MD/PhD in anthro is really necessary for them. If you decide that you really need the extra 4-5 years of anthro research training and the school you end up also happens to have an MD/PhD program in anthro, you could always apply internally once there.