MSU-COM DO/PhD (Medical Anthropology)

[jason3278]

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I emailed MSU-COM some time ago about possibly doing a DO/PhD in medical anthropology. It isn't listed on their website as an option, but since there is a guy there now doing one in ethics, I figured I'd give in a try.

So, I get an email saying that Dr. McCormick wants to meet with me, and I am going in tomorrow to see him.

I really don't know how formal this is going to be, so I am preparing accordingly (i.e. dress clothes, CV, topics in medical anthropology in which I am interested).

Does anyone have any additional advice?

I'm not sure why he wanted to meet with me as opposed to just answering questions through email. Maybe he's just busy and thought he'd get to know me better and faster in a personal meeting?

 

[Jpc984]

I emailed MSU-COM some time ago about possibly doing a DO/PhD in medical anthropology. It isn't listed on their website as an option, but since there is a guy there now doing one in ethics, I figured I'd give in a try.

So, I get an email saying that Dr. McCormick wants to meet with me, and I am going in tomorrow to see him.

I really don't know how formal this is going to be, so I am preparing accordingly (i.e. dress clothes, CV, topics in medical anthropology in which I am interested).

Does anyone have any additional advice?

I'm not sure why he wanted to meet with me as opposed to just answering questions through email. Maybe he's just busy and thought he'd get to know me better and faster in a personal meeting?

Just remember, this may serve as an "informal" interview, so prepare as if it were a real interview. GL!!!

 

[GlobetrotterDR]

I'm also interested in DO/PhD (med anthro). What did Dr. McCormick say?

 

[theserbatron]

good luck, hats off to you!

 

[jason3278]

I'm also interested in DO/PhD (med anthro). What did Dr. McCormick say?

Not so well. My GPA/experience is good enough for the DO program, it's good enough for the Anthro program. But, it isn't good enough for the dual program. They want a 3.8-ish GPA (which I don't have). Furthermore, he said that they want to train DO/PhDs who will practice medicine AND do research in whatever it is they have a PhD in everyday. I guess this was never my idea, and so I told him that my idea would be to practice medicine and maybe teach part-time as an adjunct professor of anthropology. He advised against this, saying that being part-time in two different jobs will prevent me from getting respect or getting ahead in either field. I think I might be headed for something a bit more "applied" as far as medical anthropology, so I am considering doing the dual DO/MA in Bioethics & Humanities with my emphases being medical anthropology and possibly epidemiology. I don't know, the degree does sound a bit fruity. I really like anthropology though, and I would love to expand my knowledge of it.

 

[philosopherdoc]

Not so well. My GPA/experience is good enough for the DO program, it's good enough for the Anthro program. But, it isn't good enough for the dual program. They want a 3.8-ish GPA (which I don't have). Furthermore, he said that they want to train DO/PhDs who will practice medicine AND do research in whatever it is they have a PhD in everyday. I guess this was never my idea, and so I told him that my idea would be to practice medicine and maybe teach part-time as an adjunct professor of anthropology. He advised against this, saying that being part-time in two different jobs will prevent me from getting respect or getting ahead in either field. I think I might be headed for something a bit more "applied" as far as medical anthropology, so I am considering doing the dual DO/MA in Bioethics & Humanities with my emphases being medical anthropology and possibly epidemiology. I don't know, the degree does sound a bit fruity. I really like anthropology though, and I would love to expand my knowledge of it.

If they're going to fund you, they want to make sure that you will actually use the degree. It's a big investment to fund a dual degree student, especially so if you are unsure whether you want to actually use the PhD degree or not.

From what I understand of the program, it's a long and difficult route, and you really have to make sure you want to do it before you commit to such a educational track. Perhaps you should do an MA and then see if you really want to push forward to get a PhD. An MA will be a good thing to do if you have a side interest in a field, but don't want to continually do research and publishing. Then, if you do indeed want to continue, I would be surprised if the dual degree program wouldn't pick you up.

 

[GlobetrotterDR]

Thanks for the response Jason. Just out of curiosity, had you studied anthropology as an undergraduate? Like you, I have numbers that are good enough for the DO program and for the PhD program, but I'm not sure about the dual enrollment. Were numbers really their priority in accepting people to the program, or were they more interested in the student's potential for future research? Thanks 😉

 

[jason3278]

Thanks for the response Jason. Just out of curiosity, had you studied anthropology as an undergraduate? Like you, I have numbers that are good enough for the DO program and for the PhD program, but I'm not sure about the dual enrollment. Were numbers really their priority in accepting people to the program, or were they more interested in the student's potential for future research? Thanks 😉

I actually am majoring in Biomedical Science and minoring in Chem. My interest in Anthropology started about my Junior year. I contemplated switching my minor to Anthro, but I decided to just continue with things as planned and take as many anthropology classes as I could.

As far as numbers? I have to say that Dr. McCormick was mostly interested in GPA. There was none of that "Whole Person" stuff going on.

 

[Visoke28]

hi all...I am currently working on my PhD in Anthropology, with a medical anthro. specialization (at a different uni), and am considering transitioning to medical school. thought i might be able to give some advice about the PhD though. the PhD is a difficult and stressful degree to get. you need to have a real passion for the subject or you won't finish. anthropology - because of language requirements - is a LONG road. if you do not have an MA before you enter the program I am in, the average time to degree is 7 years. i am not sure how it works with the MD/PhD programs, but either way am sure you'll have to write your dissertation...which for anthro, 99% of the time means going to the "field" for 1-2 years. typcially, the first two years are spent working on the MA, next year finishing courswork and preparing for qualifying exams, then you take quals, go to the field in years 5/6, come home and write up. at some of the other top schools, like Uchicago, the average time to degree is 8/9 years! anyhow, just something to think about. medical anthro. is an amazing field and there is tons of interesting and diverse going on. but unless you plan to actively engage in anthropological research as part of your career, i see no reason why you should get a PhD. consider other options first, like the MA in medical anthro at case western. if you're seriously considering the MD/PhD, definitely apply to the joint program in medicine and medical anthro. at UCSF. this program is very famous and one of the few "official" med anthro. programs in the country.

Best of luck!

 

[jason3278]

I actually ended up doing an MA in an interdisciplinary medical humanities program in which I focused on medical anthropology. Much more doable than the Ph.D., especially considering that I'm also in med school.

 

[MSUDOPHD]

Hello everyone,

We have several students in the med arthro program. It is difficult to determine someones potential for a dual-degree from email. Therefore that is why he would request to meet someone. I would add that the numbers (gpa and gre and mcat) are important, although they are not sufficient to determine potential. Communication is also critical as well as a reasonable understanding of the committment.

If you have an interest in the DO/PhD program then you should be prepared to explain why you are (or perhaps how you became) interested in the particular RESEARCH field you have identified.

I hope this helps.