MD/PHD program

[Medglory]

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Hi,
I am enrolling this fall into medical technologist program at University of central Oklahoma. I am an international student with a F1 visa. My goal is to get into the MD/PHD program after finishing my bachelor. However, I have some questions:
Shall I take the prerequisites of a normal pre-medicine program?
How will my chances increase, by having a high GPA or by being involved in undergrad research?
Is biological research that doesn't concern the human body fine? ( animals, ecosystem...)
And finally, what are my chances to be accepted by a top school after finishing my bachelor in Oklahoma?
Thanks

 

[SBR249]

1) All MD/PhD programs require that you complete the premed prerequisites, check on websites of schools you may be interested in for specifics.

2) Your chances will be much better with good grades and research experience is a requirement for MD/PhD programs.

3) It depends on the type of research. Basic science and certain social sciences (for programs with PhD departments in those fields) will be fine. I don't think something like economics or political science research will be very useful. Just remember that during the application process you will be asked about your current and future research interests, if they don't exactly fit in with what's offered by an MD/PhD program (especially your future interests), then it's a red flag.

4) Many NIH funded MD/PhD programs (which are usually the top-ranked schools) do not accept any student who is not a US citizen or permanent resident due to restrictions on their federal government funding. That limits your choices. Otherwise, it's way too early to tell your chances. That depends on your GPA, MCAT, research/volunteer/clinical experiences, etc.

 

[Neuronix]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=539268

Shall I take the prerequisites of a normal pre-medicine program?

Yes.

Is biological research that doesn't concern the human body fine? ( animals, ecosystem...)

Generally you should do research that is directly biomedically applicable or applies to basic sciences (chemistry, physics). Some exceptions do apply.

And finally, what are my chances to be accepted by a top school after finishing my bachelor in Oklahoma?

What do you care if it's a top school or not? In any case, where you want to undergrad matters little if at all.

 

[Medglory]

Thank you for your answers. Another question comes to my mind:
What is the normal length of the program? I mean the 7 years are the total including the three years of residency?

Thanks

 

[Fencer]

College/pre-med = > 3, typically 4 years, sometimes 5

MD/PhD program = 7 or 8 years (length depends upon PhD, sometimes longer)

Residency = depends upon specialty from 3 to 7 or 8 years

Post-residency postdoc = 1-2 years (sometimes part of residency)

Assistant Professor = 5-8 years

Associate Professor = 5-8 years

Full Professor = until dawn of career.....


I just got started on this last step. The ride has lots of ups and downs just like a rollercoaster but it is a lot of fun, and I still have at least 20-25 years of professional career left in the tank! I am just getting to be 48 years of age.

 

[Medglory]

College/pre-med = > 3, typically 4 years, sometimes 5

MD/PhD program = 7 or 8 years (length depends upon PhD, sometimes longer)

Residency = depends upon specialty from 3 to 7 or 8 years

Post-residency postdoc = 1-2 years (sometimes part of residency)

Assistant Professor = 5-8 years

Associate Professor = 5-8 years

Full Professor = until dawn of career.....


I just got started on this last step. The ride has lots of ups and downs just like a rollercoaster but it is a lot of fun, and I still have at least 20-25 years of professional career left in the tank! I am just getting to be 48 years of age.

Wow, thanks.

Shall I understand that after finishing the MD/PHD program, I'll be more research oriented and won't have to do the residency?

 

[Stixman28]

Wow, thanks.

Shall I understand that after finishing the MD/PHD program, I'll be more research oriented and won't have to do the residency?

ooh buddy, you got a lotta research to do. There is plenty of info about the md/phd track on sdn and many other sites if you do a little searching.

briefly, you never have to do a residency, and the truth is that some md/phd grads opt not to pursue one, and instead do only a post-doc. But if you want to be a fully licensed independent physician, you will need to complete your residency. (an additional 3-7 years after the 7-8 of med/grad school as Fencer explained)

If you only want to do research, and have no interest in the clinical aspects from the get go, you may want to think hard about why you're interested in the combined program.

 

[Medglory]

Thank you for your answers 🙂

 

[Silverfalcon]

I agree with Stixman28. At least based on what you described, you will be much better off just doing PhD in ecology or other general biology. There are a lot of "gaps" in your posts on what is needed for MD/PhD, let alone just MD.

 

[Medglory]

I agree with Stixman28. At least based on what you described, you will be much better off just doing PhD in ecology or other general biology. There are a lot of "gaps" in your posts on what is needed for MD/PhD, let alone just MD.

I am more interested on the PhD than the MD. The dual degree has an interesting stipend that will allow me to have a family. Also, being an MD will be advantageous in my country. That's why I am interested in the dual degree, especially when it's only two more years than a normal PhD.

My main goal is to do medical research.

 

[BrightandClear]

Thank you for your answers. Another question comes to my mind:
What is the normal length of the program? I mean the 7 years are the total including the three years of residency?

Thanks

I am more interested on the PhD than the MD. The dual degree has an interesting stipend that will allow me to have a family. Also, being an MD will be advantageous in my country. That's why I am interested in the dual degree, especially when it's only two more years than a normal PhD.

My main goal is to do medical research.

Most PhD programs (in the US) also comp tuition and pay you a stipend...

 

[Choculitis]

That's why I am interested in the dual degree, especially when it's only two more years than a normal PhD.

You can't look at it like that, because for the MD to be useful you need to do a residency, which is a minimum of two years after graduation,, and really more like 3-6.

 

[SBR249]

I am more interested on the PhD than the MD. The dual degree has an interesting stipend that will allow me to have a family. Also, being an MD will be advantageous in my country. That's why I am interested in the dual degree, especially when it's only two more years than a normal PhD.

I sincerely hope that's not what you will be telling the admissions committee 🙄

In any case, most PhD programs in the sciences waive tuition and pay a stipend which in some cases are actually higher than the stipends MD/PhD students get during medical school years at the same institution.

Choculitis: I think the OP is also thinking about practicing medicine in his/her home country which may have different time requirements for certification and licensing.

 

[Medglory]

You're right SBR249, in my country things are different from the US. I don't need to do my residency in the US.

I'll take the pre-medical prerequisites so I can really decide after finishing. I guess that in both PhD and PhD/MD, a research experience and good grades will be required in order to be accepted. My way is quit clear for the next four years.

 

[Choculitis]

I'll take the pre-medical prerequisites so I can really decide after finishing. I guess that in both PhD and PhD/MD, a research experience and good grades will be required in order to be accepted. My way is quit clear for the next four years.

Yeah, in some ways the criteria for PhD and MD/PhD are very similar. However, there are some things that you'll need for MD/PhD that (to my understanding, at least) aren't very important for PhD, like clinical experience, leadership, and volunteering. To keep your options open, it would be a good idea to shadow a doctor, get involved in some clubs, etc.

 

[Silverfalcon]

I am more interested on the PhD than the MD.

Then don't do MD/PhD.

The dual degree has an interesting stipend that will allow me to have a family.

Already explained above by another user.

Also, being an MD will be advantageous in my country.

Why don't you just get your MD training back at home?

That's why I am interested in the dual degree, especially when it's only two more years than a normal PhD.

You are incorrect in so many ways here. Another reason why you shouldn't pursue MD/PhD.

My main goal is to do medical research.

Again, just stick to PhD here if you make that far.