MD/PhD vs. PhD

[Plasmodel]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So, I have been pretty much set on an MD/PhD all throughout my undergraduate years but since, I am unable to apply for this academic year (need to retake MCATs and already late in the cycle), have begun to seriously wonder whether I should just apply for a PhD alone to matriculate next Fall.

However, my research and interests lie in infectious diseases/drug development where an MD would be extremely handy. Have people had the same dilemma? What are the considerations people have had when deciding between an MD/PhD or just a PhD? Btw, the duration of the degree doesn't matter to me as both would take me around 7-8 yrs anyway. I would just start my MD/PhD next next Fall....and my PhD next Fall. Or can you internally apply to the MD/PhD program after getting into the PHD program (Tri-I program says it allows students from a single degree program but i dont think many other schools do)_

 

[ablavar]

Your dedication to research is clear, but really question why it is you need the dual degree. Can you tell us about your career goals and what you see yourself doing after you graduate from an MD/PhD program?

 

[mtb103]

I think it's much easier to get into an MD/PhD program if you are already in medical school. I've never heard of someone joining as a graduate student.

You haven't really alluded to what research experience you have already, and specifically how you want to approach that field. If you have little research experience and a low enough MCAT score that you need to retake the exam, it will be very difficult to get into an MD/PhD program and you may need to spend that extra year working in a lab. Also, do you want to do clinical trials or translational research? Going to medical school would be very handy. Do you want to develop targeted therapies and be a structural biologist? Then a PhD is only necessary.

Re: duration. Typically a PhD does not last 8 years, although it can be argued that a PhD and post-doc might. But if you want to go to residency and fellowship, that duration will be extended significantly with an MD/PhD from 7-8 years to 7-8 years in the program plus 3-7 as a resident and another 1-3 as a fellow. So potentially twice as long to approach a faculty position. How you devote your time is dramatically different as well, as medical school has completely different pressures and time constraints from graduate school.

 

[HumanBean]

Having the dual degree will certainly open more doors for your research. I work in a research hospital and the MD/PhD's are highly respected by the practicing physicians as well as by the researchers because they have the training to view medical issues from two distinct perspectives. From my experience, the PhD researchers tend to be focused mostly on the basic science of one aspect of biology. For example, researching protein misfolding. Obviously, protein misfolding results in many diseases involving many disciplines; prion and ALS (neurology), emphysema and cystic fibrosis (pulmonology), cornea and retinal diseases (ophthalmology). Usually, the PhD mindset is to discover a way to understand and possibly prevent protein misfolding in general, whereas the MD/PhD mindset is more focused on translational medicine aimed at preventing one particular disease. For example, a pulmonologist with an MD/PhD may be the PI of a lab that is investigating many different causes of a single lung disease (genetic and environmental). Again, this is just the general trend I've seen, and by no means set in stone. In my opinion, it's important to consider how an MD degree will complement and influence your research efforts.

Many MD/PhD programs will not accept applicants from students who have more than 2 years of PhD training, but this is not true for every school. As most MD/PhD programs begin with the first two years of medical school, I think it would be rare for someone in the PhD program to begin the PhD training, then transfer to MS1 and MS2, then go back to PhD, then MS3 and MS4. Although, some schools are more flexible, I know of one school that has allowed students to do MS1 then PhD then MS2-MS4, so you never know (I think there are a few advantages to this).

 

[Lil Mick]

It would probably be better to get the MD/PhD if you're interested in biomedical research or translational research. If one is thinking of a PhD in something less related to biology (biomathematics, engineering...), med school might not be necessary (or pleasant)...

 

[Thioester]

So, I have been pretty much set on an MD/PhD all throughout my undergraduate years but since, I am unable to apply for this academic year (need to retake MCATs and already late in the cycle), have begun to seriously wonder whether I should just apply for a PhD alone to matriculate next Fall.

However, my research and interests lie in infectious diseases/drug development where an MD would be extremely handy. Have people had the same dilemma? What are the considerations people have had when deciding between an MD/PhD or just a PhD? Btw, the duration of the degree doesn't matter to me as both would take me around 7-8 yrs anyway. I would just start my MD/PhD next next Fall....and my PhD next Fall. Or can you internally apply to the MD/PhD program after getting into the PHD program (Tri-I program says it allows students from a single degree program but i dont think many other schools do)_

An MD would offer more opportunities for clinical research and patient care. A PhD would offer more opportunities for basic research.

That said, you'll need to consider the specific type of work that you desire; "infectious diseases/drug development" includes a wide range of potential careers. For example, if you're interested in drug discovery, a PhD in medicinal chemistry or organic chemistry would suffice; or, if you're intrigued by basic research and structure-based drug design, a PhD in biophysics or structural biology would be another avenue to consider. To the contrary, if you're interested in clinical trials and patient care, an MD would be necessary.

 

[Chrome19]

If you want patient care or some clinical contact, then do MD or MD/PhD. If you want absolutely basic research ONLY, then do PhD.

 

[ChemMed]

Being a PhD only right now is a difficult thing. Research jobs are hard to come by and the competition is bright and fierce for to few positions. As a clinician who does research you will pretty much always have a job.