MSTP in which grad program for rad onc?

[TheMightyAngus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

1) Which grad program would be the most applicable for an MSTP student interested in rad onc?
2) Does it matter as long as it's a PhD?

 

[Gfunk6]

There seems to be a misconception among pre-meds and med students that a PhD in Physics is the "best" way to go for RadOnc. Definitely not the case.

Among the current MSTP grads as residents there is a broad diversity of fields represented. Of course it would be nice to be involved in oncology-related research or perhaps even radiobiology. Ultimately, it does matter to do some related work in the field but a PhD is a PhD -- particularly if you have good pubs.

EDIT: One interesting thing I've noticed on the trail -- ERAS does not distinguish b/w full-length articles and abstracts. All of them are simply listed under the heading of "publications." Some attendings don't seem to recognize this. I've been told "you sure have a lot of publications" even though many were abstracts.

 

[DrBowtie]

Interesting. I was thinking about doing an MD/PhD in Med. Physics.

 

[stephew]

i think anything under the catagory of "something relevant" is attractive. but actually physics isn't considered very sexy; bio related stuff is. BUt frankly, do what you want. Achievement and accomplishment is what matters and talking soullessly about some molecule that you don't care about isnt the way to get a spot.

 

[Pewl]

Interesting. I was thinking about doing an MD/PhD in Med. Physics.

Medical physics is definitely the most applicable topic to radiation oncology. You will then have thorough knowledge from both the medical and physics standpoint of radiation oncology.

 

[stephew]

i dont think being a medical physict over other particularly high achievements in oncology will give you brownie points. Its nice enough to bring to the table but i dont think its more attractive per se than perhaps a molecular bio or nanotechology interest if you were trying to cherry pick the most attractive track for radonc.

 

[Gfunk6]

Agree with stephew. Anecdotally, I know two candidates this year with very strong physics backgrounds from undergrad + post-graduate (pre-medical school) job experience. Neither matched.