First, wow. I'm so glad there is a MD/PhD section on this forum, and that I found it.
Before I start and explain whats been on my mind, I want to say thanks in advance for anyone who sees this and helps me out.
I'm a 4th year undergraduate student. I did part of my undergrad in the states and then transferred to the UK. I''m just about finishing up my last term.
Recently I was offered a PhD position to stay here at Oxford for Medical Physics. It is a really great opportunity; I like the Group a lot and especially the research I'll be doing.
On the other hand, for some time now I've been really interested in the MD/PhD programs that we have back in the States. Ordinarily, I would just apply to these programs and see if I get in somewhere. I don't have that luxury. Applying to MD/PhD programs would mean an almost 2 year gap for me.
Where I do my research is really important. If I don't really have a shot at the top notch MD/PhD programs, then I wouldn't want to apply and waste their time. I would go with the PhD in the UK, save myself a years time and decide later on down the road if I'm still keen on medical school.
So I want to know is if I have a fighting chance at some of these top programs. I'd love to shoot for Harvard/MIT, Stanford, Duke and Yale. These places are really the only schools that are doing the type of physics I'm interested in.
I have a 3.81 gpa in Physics. I have not taken the MCATs yet, which is another huge thing I know. I have just submitted the revisions of my paper for my first peer reviewed journal. I'm the first author and the paper is going to Biophysical Journal (fingers crossed). I worked as an EMT for ~3 years. I enjoy being in a clinical setting and around people. I will say that I'm much more interested in translational medical research than clinical medicine. I'm really keen on radiology and radiation physics. I would love to get the medical eudcation/background that comes with it. That's me in a nutshell. I have a few department awards and grants here and there. I was nominated by my school for the Goldwater (didn't make it any further). I'll apply for the Rhodes and Marshall later on this year (fingers crossed). That's it.
To be honest, and i'm not saying this in self-pity but I don't think I have too much of a shot at these top notch places. I'd be very happy to take what I have now, do my PhD first and then apply to medical school later on down the road if I'm still keen. What do you guys think? Should I just save my time and money?
Thanks so much.
Before I start and explain whats been on my mind, I want to say thanks in advance for anyone who sees this and helps me out.
I'm a 4th year undergraduate student. I did part of my undergrad in the states and then transferred to the UK. I''m just about finishing up my last term.
Recently I was offered a PhD position to stay here at Oxford for Medical Physics. It is a really great opportunity; I like the Group a lot and especially the research I'll be doing.
On the other hand, for some time now I've been really interested in the MD/PhD programs that we have back in the States. Ordinarily, I would just apply to these programs and see if I get in somewhere. I don't have that luxury. Applying to MD/PhD programs would mean an almost 2 year gap for me.
Where I do my research is really important. If I don't really have a shot at the top notch MD/PhD programs, then I wouldn't want to apply and waste their time. I would go with the PhD in the UK, save myself a years time and decide later on down the road if I'm still keen on medical school.
So I want to know is if I have a fighting chance at some of these top programs. I'd love to shoot for Harvard/MIT, Stanford, Duke and Yale. These places are really the only schools that are doing the type of physics I'm interested in.
I have a 3.81 gpa in Physics. I have not taken the MCATs yet, which is another huge thing I know. I have just submitted the revisions of my paper for my first peer reviewed journal. I'm the first author and the paper is going to Biophysical Journal (fingers crossed). I worked as an EMT for ~3 years. I enjoy being in a clinical setting and around people. I will say that I'm much more interested in translational medical research than clinical medicine. I'm really keen on radiology and radiation physics. I would love to get the medical eudcation/background that comes with it. That's me in a nutshell. I have a few department awards and grants here and there. I was nominated by my school for the Goldwater (didn't make it any further). I'll apply for the Rhodes and Marshall later on this year (fingers crossed). That's it.
To be honest, and i'm not saying this in self-pity but I don't think I have too much of a shot at these top notch places. I'd be very happy to take what I have now, do my PhD first and then apply to medical school later on down the road if I'm still keen. What do you guys think? Should I just save my time and money?
Thanks so much.
