MD/PhD Questions

[atxgirl]

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Hi everyone! I am a freshman neuroscience major at a top-50 research institution. I made a 4.0 GPA for my first semester of college, in which I took Calculus I, General Chemistry I, & General Cell Biology. I've been doing research in a neuroscience lab and really enjoy it! Thus, I am considering pursuing an MD/PhD in the future and have a few basic questions:

1) Why MD/PhD? What opportunities will it give me that just getting an MD or PhD wouldn't?

2) Does the choice of undergraduate major matter for MD/PhD programs? I know it doesn't for MD programs, but it seems like MD/PhD programs would want to see science majors.

3) Are there any extra recommended classes that I should take to be a competitive applicant?

4) What kind of stats (GPA, MCAT, etc) are ideal to have a good shot at MD/PhD programs?

Thanks so much!! 🙂

 

[KPCOFGS]

General information about the MD/PhD degree, including answers to "Why?" and "How is it useful?" are given on the AAMC website:

https://www.aamc.org/students/considering/exploring_medical/research/61032/mdphd/

For your GPA/MCAT questions see

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

As for the others, there is a fantastic guide available online somewhere, but I couldn't find the link so I attached it here. It should answer most of your "why" questions. If you have others beyond that, then ask away!

I should add that the attached file is from 2004 and so is a bit outdated. In general, integration of medical and graduate curriculum has increased, and stipends are now in the $25,000-$30,000 range. Most stuff should still be pretty accurate though!

 

[obscurehero]

I may have no idea what I'm talking about, however as a freshman you're usually still taking your "gen-eds", right? Also, while I've met freshman who were actually engaged in research themselves they are FEW and far between. That is to say, there's a lot to 'doing' research than the little bit you've seen in the past few months.

If there's one thing about MD/PhD's, its that they're passionate and dedicated. They need to be, as they graduate medical school 3-4 years behind their peers. They also have to compete against full-time research faculty and still practice medicine (most, at least). It's a lot to swallow, and a lot to wrap your mind around.

So... I'd suggest you find some MD/PhD's at your research institution, in-town, or at a research hospital nearby. Shadow them, interview them...just figure out what real life physician-scientists are doing. what does the career actually look like? ALSO, shadow some MD's who are doing research. While a PhD makes things easier, plenty of MD's are doing wonderful cutting-edge research. Many schools have research tracks for MD students, and there is a lot of private and public funding (not to mention institutional) to encourage doctors to do clinical and basic science research. Just because you love research AND medicine, doesn't mean an MD/PhD is for you.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

You're young, and very early in your education. Find a good mentor, and just explore the many opportunities you might have interest in.

As cliche as it is, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

 

[MiniPanda]

Hi everyone! I am a freshman neuroscience major at a top-50 research institution. I made a 4.0 GPA for my first semester of college, in which I took Calculus I, General Chemistry I, & General Cell Biology. I've been doing research in a neuroscience lab and really enjoy it! Thus, I am considering pursuing an MD/PhD in the future and have a few basic questions:

1) Why MD/PhD? What opportunities will it give me that just getting an MD or PhD wouldn't?

2) Does the choice of undergraduate major matter for MD/PhD programs? I know it doesn't for MD programs, but it seems like MD/PhD programs would want to see science majors.

3) Are there any extra recommended classes that I should take to be a competitive applicant?

4) What kind of stats (GPA, MCAT, etc) are ideal to have a good shot at MD/PhD programs?

Thanks so much!! 🙂

Hey OP!!
That's so exciting that you are considering the MD/PhD route. I'm a senior applying to programs right now, and I commend you for being so on the ball! Here are some thoughts I have about your questions. If you have more, PM me and I'll talk to you some more... I'm a MD/PhD adviser at my college.

2) Although I don't think there's a rule that you have to be a science major, I think almost everybody is, and I imagine that programs expect it. I guess the mentality is that if you're really into science, you would major in science... Also at many schools there is a required thesis for the science major, which schools like to see. Double majors with something very different would probably be appreciated. But it is WAYYYY more important to do one major well than do two average-ly. I have an unusual minor that has gotten a lot of comments. Show that you're well-rounded academically, but keep your focus on science.

3) Neuroscience programs are very different at different colleges. If yours is one that has a lot of its requirements in psych, maybe balance that out with some upper div molecular biology or adv. cell bio.

4) Strange things happen every day, but I think a good generalization is that you shouldn't have worse than a 32mcat OR 3.4gpa to be truly competitive. If you're weaker in one of those two, the other had better make up for it or you should have some other strength. Schools will forgive for extenuating circumstances or very strong research and recs.

Some things you didn't mention... GPA and MCAT is all good, but don't forget about letters of rec!!! And summer research programs.. are you applying to them for this upcoming summer? The deadlines tend to be late January/February. They're usually paid, and it would help you judge from a more intensive experience if you really do like research. Make sure to check if programs take freshmen though bc a lot of them don't. Here's a great one that I did after frosh year, in neuroscience... but the deadline is in a week!
http://www.cbn-atl.org/education/brain.shtml