Non-trad MD/PhD applicants?

[PathToMDPhD]

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Hello all,

I just joined SDN and thought I would post a little introduction about myself.

My original degree was in Journalism, and I worked in the writing/editing field for several years. Like many of you, the idea of being a physician had been on my heart and mind for many years (since high school, actually). In my late 20s I decided to make that dream a reality. I completed a formal post-bac program last May and then took a year off to save up money for applications.

A physician I shadowed early on (before I even started my post-bac) got me a summer research lab position, and I fell in love with it. Simultaneously, I was volunteering as a Spanish medical translator at a free clinic, and loving that as well. After much deliberation, and continuing both my clinical and research work, I decided I wanted to pursue an MD/PhD.

So here I am, taking the MCAT in May and applying in June, at the age of 31.

Right now I'm in the process of studying for the MCAT, narrowing down my school list, and getting my application together. I'm also working at a research lab and doing some writing on the side.

I don't really have any big questions, other than wondering whether there are any other non-trad MD/PhD applicants wandering around here.

Thanks for reading, and good luck to all in the upcoming application cycle!

 

[wholeheartedly]

I'm still on the fence myself I guess. I know I want research to be part of my career. However, I'm not sure about MD/PhD just yet at this age. I'll be just shy of 32 when I apply. If I was a few years younger I would definitely, without a doubt, apply MD/PhD. I'm finishing up an MPH in epidemiology and I really would like the extra training because with as much as I've learned, I still feel like there's a lot more I want to know. I can fill up a big long list of classes at my school that I'd really like to take and projects I'd like to spend more time on.

The thing is, I do have a good start to doing research with my prior experiences and current degree. The problem is starting medical school at 32 then spending 8 years on MD/PhD puts me at 40 starting residency, which isn't terrible, but then I'm interested in ID so that's 3 years IM residency plus 3 years ID fellowship with research putting me at almost 47 trying to take off running with my research. I don't see myself as the retire at 65 type, but life happens in ways we can't predict.

Another factor is that while I like basic science research, I'm definitely more interested in the clinical/population type research and some more translational stuff. The vast majority of MD/PhD programs are basic science focused, although this is shifting a bit and there are programs with a more clinical/translational focus. So I'm still considering it, but I'm focussing more on finding medical schools with solid opportunities for research built in or a research year during medical school, and then focusing on residency/fellowship programs where I'll be able to continue down that path without spending the extra 3-4+ years in the unpredictability of a PhD program. I know of several MD only folks doing great research so that helps.

But it sure isn't an easy decision to make.

 

[PTPoeny]

If you are committed to running your own lab and spending 80% of your time in the lab and seeing patients for half a day a week go for it. If you are considering any other research/clinic mix, spend some time researching your MD only options to get to the same point. There are a lot of pathways to medical research without an MD/PhD.

Also, there are several threads from other non-trad MD/PhD hopefuls in the physician scientist forum, you might find them interesting.

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm a nontrad MD/PhD but did my degrees separately. There aren't a ton of people who start MD/PhD programs in their 30s, but there are some. Make sure you apply broadly and have a backup plan, especially if your MCAT and GPA aren't stellar (3.7+ and 35+). Being over age 30 as an MD/PhD applicant definitely does not work in your favor.

What kind of research career are you envisioning? If it's basic/translational, a PhD can be useful but isn't essential. You can always do a research fellowship after a regular MD/DO, which has the added benefit that you get paid as a physician rather than as a grad student. If you want to do clinical research, you definitely don't need a PhD, and you should be considering MD/DO plus/minus an MS in clinical research instead. Again though, the clinical research training can be done after your MD/DO if you so choose.

 

[jwleverington]

hey there *^_^*
i am 28 and (will be 29 when i) take the mcat in may - i am considering applying in june as well.
i wish you much success!

 

[kayak30]

Hi, I initially hoped to apply MD/PhD, however, my gpa is too low...I would probably have to do a research MS first. At this point I'm being realistic, (im 31) and I think DO is my only shot...I did get alot of insight from my lab PI who informed me that I will still be able to do research with just a medical degree...so I'm aiming towards that and take it from there, but I too LOVE research 🙂