- Joined
- Jan 29, 2017
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- Medical Student (Accepted)
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Hello SDN-ers:
In the Spring and Summer of 2015, I applied to twenty-five M.D. & PhD combined programs across the country. I graduated with my BA in Spanish (summa cum laude) and BS in Biology in 2014 from the University of Michigan with a GPA of 3.764. In 2016, I graduated with my MS in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and completed a two-year research based thesis still at University of Michigan with a GPA of 4.000. At the end of June of 2016, I was unfortunately accepted to a single M.D. only program, but since I would have had to start at the end of July I contacted the school and asked for a deferral and my request was granted.
I submitted my American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by November 1st, 2016 to the school as a delayed matriculant. However, I have had second thoughts the entire time throughout this process because I want both degrees still. I have until March of 2017 to change my mind, but I am worried about the potential problems it could cause between the school and me applying again in the future. I am facing a dilemma and need the advice of you SDN-ers. I need to make one of these three decisions about my future career path this month:
Plan #1:
First, attend the school I was accepted at (26-29 years old). Second, complete residency training (30-33/37 years old).
Plan #2:
First, attend a school for a PhD (27-32 years old). Meanwhile, I would get my paramedic license (26-27 years old). Second, attend medical school (32-36 years old). Third, complete residency training (36-39/43 years old).
Plan #3:
First, get a PhD out of state in California (Berkeley, Stanford, or University of California San Francisco) or at an Ivy League institution (Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, or Yale) (27-32 years old). Meanwhile, I could get my paramedic licensure (26-27 years old). Second, attend medical school (32-36 years old). Third, complete residency training (36-39/43 old).
The first plan is an obvious choice to my family and friends, but it does not get me a PhD. I cannot stop wondering if I will be the best possible physician I can be without conducting research and obtaining a PhD. Maybe it's my ego, but I strive for excellence in academics and want to make contributions to the field of medicine beyond the bedside. Personally, I think I have a chance of getting into a top ten medical schools, if I did better on the MCAT. I am still really upset with myself over my first score (12 (BS) / 6 (VR) / 12 (PS)). I got in due to my extracurricular activities, grades, including sixteen A+s, and letters of recommendation.
The second and third plans would require me to take the GRE, but I do not think that would be too big of an obstacle.
In making my decision, I need to consider my personal well-being with regards to my emotional-mental, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. If you have any advice, please respond to this message thread!
In the Spring and Summer of 2015, I applied to twenty-five M.D. & PhD combined programs across the country. I graduated with my BA in Spanish (summa cum laude) and BS in Biology in 2014 from the University of Michigan with a GPA of 3.764. In 2016, I graduated with my MS in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and completed a two-year research based thesis still at University of Michigan with a GPA of 4.000. At the end of June of 2016, I was unfortunately accepted to a single M.D. only program, but since I would have had to start at the end of July I contacted the school and asked for a deferral and my request was granted.
I submitted my American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by November 1st, 2016 to the school as a delayed matriculant. However, I have had second thoughts the entire time throughout this process because I want both degrees still. I have until March of 2017 to change my mind, but I am worried about the potential problems it could cause between the school and me applying again in the future. I am facing a dilemma and need the advice of you SDN-ers. I need to make one of these three decisions about my future career path this month:
Plan #1:
First, attend the school I was accepted at (26-29 years old). Second, complete residency training (30-33/37 years old).
Plan #2:
First, attend a school for a PhD (27-32 years old). Meanwhile, I would get my paramedic license (26-27 years old). Second, attend medical school (32-36 years old). Third, complete residency training (36-39/43 years old).
Plan #3:
First, get a PhD out of state in California (Berkeley, Stanford, or University of California San Francisco) or at an Ivy League institution (Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, or Yale) (27-32 years old). Meanwhile, I could get my paramedic licensure (26-27 years old). Second, attend medical school (32-36 years old). Third, complete residency training (36-39/43 old).
The first plan is an obvious choice to my family and friends, but it does not get me a PhD. I cannot stop wondering if I will be the best possible physician I can be without conducting research and obtaining a PhD. Maybe it's my ego, but I strive for excellence in academics and want to make contributions to the field of medicine beyond the bedside. Personally, I think I have a chance of getting into a top ten medical schools, if I did better on the MCAT. I am still really upset with myself over my first score (12 (BS) / 6 (VR) / 12 (PS)). I got in due to my extracurricular activities, grades, including sixteen A+s, and letters of recommendation.
The second and third plans would require me to take the GRE, but I do not think that would be too big of an obstacle.
In making my decision, I need to consider my personal well-being with regards to my emotional-mental, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. If you have any advice, please respond to this message thread!
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