pay?

[moeman]

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NIH stipend level?

 

[ptiger]

I've heard that the NIH stipend is $18,500 per year. Most schools supplement this, although some (Harvard, for example) do not. Please correct me if I'm wrong, someone.

 

[Neuronix]

The NIH gives a certain number of years of funding to each school and expects the school to give additional years (slots) and boost the stipend accordingly. So, schools like Harvard and Hopkins take all of the MSTP money and give it to their few number of slots, dedicating almost no money from the institution to their MD/PhDs. A recent conversation with a site reviewer revealed that the NIH is frowning on this big time, and so do not expect the Hopkins or Harvard programs to expand anytime soon.

Almost every program increases the stipend and gives more spots than the NIH gives to the school. The stipend ranges from $18,500 - $25,000 by school. Usually the big city programs give the most money and the little city programs give the least, but that generalization doesn't go very far. URochester is giving out $21k and is more rural than UPitt at 18.5k. Also, I don't believe at any program do you know where your money is coming from--most likely it is a mix of both sources.

Hope this answers your question.

 

[moeman]

Yes, Thanks

 

[pathdr2b]

I'd like to add that if you've completed a predoctoral fellowship year at either NIH or NCI ( Pre IRTA or Pre-CRTA) you're eligible for some additional money although I'm not sure how widely known this fact is.

 

[someday soon?]

Really? How much? I have never heard about this and I have been thinking about the Pre IRTA fellowship. Can you tell me what you know about this because this may be another factor to take into consideration when I decide whether to apply MD/PhD this year or try for the 12 month fellowship and apply next year.
Thanks

Originally posted by pathdr2b
I'd like to add that if you've completed a predoctoral fellowship year at either NIH or NCI ( Pre IRTA or Pre-CRTA) you're eligible for some additional money although I'm not sure how widely known this fact is.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by someday soon?
Can you tell me what you know about this because this may be another factor to take into consideration when I decide whether to apply MD/PhD this year or try for the 12 month fellowship and apply next year.
Thanks

First, this is NOT MSTP funding I'm referring to so if you have to have the prestige of saying that you were/are an NIH MSTP MD/PhD student, this situation won't appeal to you.

NIH has predoctoral funding mechanisms that take into consideration the highest degree you have, your expereince at NIH/NCI and the year you are in a PhD or MD/PhD program. For example, I have a Master's degree in Chemistry and 1-year of expereince at NCI, so my stipend level amount when I begin my dissertation work will be about 6K higher than other PhD or MD/PhD students. So I understand your concern about the money because if I chose an MSTP program, I'd basically be poor since the funding guidelines are established and not flexible from what I see with other students. Presitge for me just isn't worth it.

 

[Neuronix]

Originally posted by pathdr2b
so if you have to have the prestige of saying that you were/are an NIH MSTP MD/PhD student, this situation won't appeal to you.

I'm not sure who you could be referring to, because nobody I have ever met has been interested in the "prestige" of a NIH MSTP MD/PhD. The only prestige there is that if you look down the USNews research rankings (the ones almost everyone looks at), almost without exception the top 30 schools have NIH MSTPs.

Here I will quote from Bert Shapiro (of NIGMS) why I suggest MSTPs: "Nevertheless, I strongly support the MSTP-funded programs as a guarantee of exacting review and oversight." This is very important, for guaranteeing graduation times, keeping you from ridiculous amounts of extra work, etc...

In this case, if you are going to get 6k/year more to do your dissertation at a non-MSTP school, I would just recommend that you be certain there are quality faculty there for you to work with. Since you have always suggested funding your own medical school, you could always foot your MD bill, then do PhD work elsewhere, even overseas. That could be a pretty exciting option.

 

[pathdr2b]

Originally posted by Neuronix
I'm not sure who you could be referring to, because nobody I have ever met has been interested in the "prestige" of a NIH MSTP MD/PhD.

Why have you taken this statement out of context and personally to boot? There are plenty of folks that don't care about stipend amounts but would rather say they are in an NIH funded MSTP rather than just a plain ol' MD/PhD program of study.

As for the Bert Shapiro quote, I'm quite familar with it as I've personally met the man and spend a moment or too a few doors down from his office on a regular basis😉

Also, I'm not specifically talking about a non-MSTP school per say. For example, I could very well retun to Chapel Hill, be an MD/PhD student, and get the higher stipend as an MD/PhD student NOT in the MSTP MD/PhD program.

It's obvious that we are never going to agree on how to get the MD/PhD. But don't allow your bias and personal feelings to negate the presentation of another side of this issue to people who need the info. I've never singled you out or attackted your views. I'd appreciate the same repect in the future.

 

[Neuronix]

Why have you taken this statement out of context and personally to boot?

I did not take your statement personally. I was simply stating my view on things. In retrospect it may have been out of context, but I still think it needed to be said because I seriously know of noone who feels that there is significant "prestige" carried with MSTP. Before Mayo become MSTP, everyone agreed that going through the Mayo MD/PhD was as good for your career as going through almost any MSTP.

Also, I'm not specifically talking about a non-MSTP school per say. For example, I could very well retun to Chapel Hill, be an MD/PhD student, and get the higher stipend as an MD/PhD student NOT in the MSTP MD/PhD program.

I was not aware that you could go to a MSTP school and not get MSTP funding without some serious hand waving, unless you footed the bill for the MD program yourself. I'm not even sure schools allow this anymore (other than Hopkins), but maybe they do.

It's obvious that we are never going to agree on how to get the MD/PhD.

I have repeatedly said there is no agreement on the best way to proceed to obtain dual degrees. Of course the other dimension to the argument as that getting both degrees is completely useless, which is something I hear with surprising frequency. I don't expect to find a concensus here.

But don't allow your bias and personal feelings to negate the presentation of another side of this issue to people who need the info.

Yes, I am a new moderator, but I have not addressed our major points of debate in any "official" way nor have I ever modified another's posts. You are free to present your side of things, as you have, the same way I am free to present my side of things, as I have.

Of course we both have bias and personal feelings towards our preferred course. However, I have never said that it would be a "bad idea" to do any of the things you have said. I have only pointed out the potential pitfalls and attempted to steer people towards MSTP (this is a pre-MSTP forum after all).

I've never singled you out or attackted your views. I'd appreciate the same repect in the future.

I didn't think I was singling you out or attacking your views, however I apologize because you have obviously become offended by some of my posts. I realize that one cannot please everyone all of the time. However, I often realize that others' perceptions of me may reflect the way I attempt to appear. To this end, I will try more to do what I can to not alienate anyone on these forums. If anyone ever has any constructive criticism for me about anything, you are welcomed to let me know.

In the end, I give my guidance freely, but I must accept the risk of doing so. Mainly, knowing that nobody knows about every option and that my advice may in truth not be the best for that person. Sometimes I make mistakes. Fortunately, with such an active community, they are very quickly pointed out so that I may correct them. I want to make sure this is a friendly place, and as such I apologize for the feathers I have ruffled with any of my opinions that may be misplaced.