MD/PhD?

[Mulletfluf]

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In my opinion, the over all tone of the board seems to suggest that MD/PhD's fair well in the match process. The match data itself would also seem to further cement this idea, i.e programs interviewing MD/PhD's exclusively or Anderson matching only one traditional MD. However, does anyone know the number of MD/PhD's applied vs. the number that matched? Just curious thats all. Thanks

 

[radoncmonkey]

What I've heard is that about 12% of those who match are MD/PhD, but I don't know if that's right or not. I think however, looking at past match stats, that it is better to be a strong MD candidate from a top 10 school than to be a MD/PhD from a top 50 school. It seems to me that candidates from top 10 school usually get their top choice, whereas MD/PhDs can slide down their rank list or at times even be shut out of interviews from more "clinical" programs. Also, from one of the attendings at my school rad onc, I heard MD/PhDs traditionally have lower board scores and grades. This is all conjecture so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Selectin-Man]

I wouldn't say that MD/PhD students have lower grades and board scores in general. I've never seen data to suggest that was true in general.

The point is--to match in Rad/Onc with an MD alone, you need high board scores and grades, which all of us already know. It's more likely that MD/PhDs don't need those high board scores or grades to match in Rad/Onc, and as a result, you end up with more MD/PhDs who are able match with lower board scores and grades.

 

[Gfunk6]

However, does anyone know the number of MD/PhD's applied vs. the number that matched? Just curious thats all. Thanks

No idea how many apply. But according to this own forum's record-keeping from last year, ~25% who matched were MD/PhD.

Link: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=3988022&postcount=67

Obviously there is some self-selection bias going on, so take it for what it's worth.

What I've heard is that about 12% of those who match are MD/PhD, but I don't know if that's right or not. I think however, looking at past match stats, that it is better to be a strong MD candidate from a top 10 school than to be a MD/PhD from a top 50 school.

I don't think the #'s from the aforementioned thread support this statement. If you look @ many top programs who took MD/PhDs you will see many non top-10 schools represented.

 

[radonc]

i think attending a top 10 (or even 25) school, many of whom have strong radonc departments and affiliated residency programs will help you out over lower tier schools, many of whom do not have residency programs.

having good pedigree DOES matter.

 

[radoncmonkey]

If you look at the match data, all US med students have a 80% match rate. If you go on at least seven interviews then that bumps up to over 90%. MD/PHDs do better but still if you look at the field as a whole you have a better chance of matching than not. This forum seems to exaggerate. Their are over 70 programs out there. If you apply to enough places and are a good candidate, odds are you will match.

 

[Mulletfluf]

Thanks for the responses. I have some addtional questions though. Are MD/PhD's granted more research time during residency? Or is it the fact that they will pursue research after residency that makes them so coveted in our profession? Second, with the number of MD/PhD's entering the field do you feel that the number of available academic postions will decrease over time? Thanks everyone.

 

[stephew]

having agood pedigree DOES matter. However I agree that if you look at the averages/median, you'll see this forum seems to be used more often by folks above these medians, at least in terms of who posts.

 

[Gfunk6]

Thanks for the responses. I have some addtional questions though. Are MD/PhD's granted more research time during residency?

That, my friend, is the question . . .
Opinions vary. I'm of the opnion that most MD/PhD grads are generally NOT given adequate research time, even in so-called "top" programs. For a good discussion, check out these threads:

a. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=249727
b. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=249727

Or is it the fact that they will pursue research after residency that makes them so coveted in our profession?

Most people wind up in this position, unfortunately.

Second, with the number of MD/PhD's entering the field do you feel that the number of available academic postions will decrease over time?

I don't think anybody can answer this question, it has way too many "if's" attached to it.