MD/PhD

Started by acromonkey
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acromonkey

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10+ Year Member
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Is it easier to get into medical school if you apply MD/PhD as opposed to just MD? I've heard both sides to this argument and I'd like to get an idea from the SDNers...
 
acromonkey said:
Is it easier to get into medical school if you apply MD/PhD as opposed to just MD? I've heard both sides to this argument and I'd like to get an idea from the SDNers...
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There are many, many fewer slots for MD/PhD than for MD. The MD/PhD programs also require a lot of research experience, and since there are so few slots, usually require better stats to be competitive. MD is definitely easier to get into.
 
theseeker4 said:
There are many, many fewer slots for MD/PhD than for MD. The MD/PhD programs also require a lot of research experience, and since there are so few slots, usually require better stats to be competitive. MD is definitely easier to get into.
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Yes, it is true that there are many fewer slots, however, MANY less people apply MD/PhD than just MD. Do you think that changes anything? I mean some MD programs get 12,000 applications where MD/PhD get 500 applications (I've even seen as low as 200).
 
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I think its slightly harder to get in md/phd. The problem with it though is, at most schools, if you get rejected from it you won't be considered for just MD. Some schools will but from what I remember most do not.
 
Average stats are generally higher for MD/PHD matriculants than simply MD.

I would not base your decision on which one is easier to get into. MD/PHD is a long road and you will not be happy if you do not like research.
 
Propylene said:
Average stats are generally higher for MD/PHD matriculants than simply MD.

I would not base your decision on which one is easier to get into. MD/PHD is a long road and you will not be happy if you do not like research.
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I'm certainly not basing a decision on which is easier. I definitely have an interest in doing the program. The only thing that is a turn off for me is that it is such a long road. However, I plan to be involved in research regardless if I go MD/PhD or just MD. I think a career with a research aspect will be easier with MD/PhD and of course you cannot beat having your med school paid for!
 
nysw said:
What kind of research do you want to do?
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I'm not sure yet what I definitely would like to do. I'm currently working on the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract through a genetics standpoint, which I really like. During undergrad I worked on cancer pathways, which was also very interesting, so I'd have to investigate specific programs and see what seems most interesting. SHould I have a focus at this point?
 
acromonkey said:
I'm not sure yet what I definitely would like to do. I'm currently working on the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract through a genetics standpoint, which I really like. During undergrad I worked on cancer pathways, which was also very interesting, so I'd have to investigate specific programs and see what seems most interesting. SHould I have a focus at this point?
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I think you should have some idea of what you're at least interested in. You'll also need to have pretty substantial research experience since you'll be expected to discuss that experience in detail.

You don't need to know for certain what exactly you want to do, but I would think you'd at least have some idea with some experience substantiating that choice.
 
acromonkey said:
I'm not sure yet what I definitely would like to do. I'm currently working on the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract through a genetics standpoint, which I really like. During undergrad I worked on cancer pathways, which was also very interesting, so I'd have to investigate specific programs and see what seems most interesting. SHould I have a focus at this point?
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If you like pathways and mechanisms and you definitely want to do research, do look into MD/PhD. You should kiiiind of have an idea, but not a direct focus.. you might end up changing your mind during lab rotations, or during your interviews at the program. 😛

As for your original question, I've heard both arguments as well and I'm not really sure what to tell you..
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I am really interested in what I'm working with now...genetics...linkage, exome sequencing, etc... very interesting. But that's the hard part for me, I can't choose!!
 
I know my program's stats are usually around 3.8 gpa, 35 MCAT, at least 3 years of research for MD/PhD. It's long, and it's not for people who don't see themselves devoting 4 years to research in the middle of medical school (some people end up miserable in the PhD years, some in the MD years, some in neither). Send me a PM if you want to know more about MD/PhD programs 🙂
 
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