PhD in Electrical Engineering to MD.....

[engrtoMD]

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I am in the 4th year of a PhD program in Electrical Engineering, and I absolutely do not see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I started out pre-med as an undergrad and switched to engineering, since at the time I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue medicine. I would do things differently if I could go back. So now at 26, I'm contemplating applying to med-school. I've thought about quitting the PhD, but with only another 18 months to go, I'm gona suck it up and finish the degree and work towards applying to med-school simultaneously. I took all my chemistries and biology as an undergrad, but will audit some of these classes again to help me study for the MCAT. I worked as a unit secretary in the NICU while doing my undergrad and am hoping that will count towards clinical exposure. I could use advice on pre-reqs and clinical experience. Anyone else out there in the same boat? Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[maddscientist]

I am in exactly the same boat you are in-fourth year graduate student (biochemistry) finishing up the PhD. I am applying now and will be finished before I start med school. My advice to you is to tell your advisor what you are doing and then start working in a lab or shadowing a doc in your spare time. Study your ass off for the april MCAT and start applying next june. Once you have a time line your advisor/committee will feel the pressure to let you graduate and get on with your life. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

 

[pseudoknot]

I'm a soon-to-be-fifth year grad student (ouch, first time I've written that!) in biology, applying in this cycle. I had already satisfied all the prereqs with my undergrad major and I took the MCAT this April; I think the analytical & critical thinking skills you develop in grad school really help with the MCAT. I don't really have any advice to give since I'm just going through the process myself, but good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Enginerd42]

I'm a soon-to-be-fifth year grad student (ouch, first time I've written that!) in biology, applying in this cycle. I had already satisfied all the prereqs with my undergrad major and I took the MCAT this April; I think the analytical & critical thinking skills you develop in grad school really help with the MCAT. I don't really have any advice to give since I'm just going through the process myself, but good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Hey Jrdn, you mentioned that you'll be fifth year grad student. You mean Ph.D. candidate, right? I'll be graduating from undergrad in may and was planning on taking the mcat in april so I could apply next year for fall 07. From fall 06 to spring 07 I was planning on getting my master's (in either biochem, chemical engineering (which is my undergad major), or BME). Am I a fool for hoping to get my master's in two semesters? I think most programs require 30 credit hours if I'm not mistaken. Plus, I need to do something between graduating undergrad and (hopefully) going to med school.

 

[pseudoknot]

Enginerd42,

I would check with the program(s) you were thinking about attending to find out if it can be done in two semesters. Master's programs are typically more finite, and I've heard of coursework-only MSs being done in a year, but two is more typical.

Also, why the MS? Is it just to have something to do in your year off, or to make yourself more competitive for med school, or to have a backup career plan? In those situations, I might suggest a job, a special master's program like the SMP at Georgetown or BU (check the postbacc forum for more info), or something else, respectively.

 

[Learfan]

I am in the 4th year of a PhD program in Electrical Engineering, and I absolutely do not see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I started out pre-med as an undergrad and switched to engineering, since at the time I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue medicine. I would do things differently if I could go back. So now at 26, I'm contemplating applying to med-school. I've thought about quitting the PhD, but with only another 18 months to go, I'm gona suck it up and finish the degree and work towards applying to med-school simultaneously. I took all my chemistries and biology as an undergrad, but will audit some of these classes again to help me study for the MCAT. I worked as a unit secretary in the NICU while doing my undergrad and am hoping that will count towards clinical exposure. I could use advice on pre-reqs and clinical experience. Anyone else out there in the same boat? Look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome the the club. There are a modest number of people here who are or will shortly be PhDs who have chosen to obtain a medical education. As many have found through harsh experience, a PhD is often a road to boredom, frustration and career stagnation. I obtained a PhD in chemistry in 1987 and have worked in various research and business capacities for a large oil, refining and petrochemical company for 18 years. I will start the MS1 year in two weeks.

There are several threads concerning the PhD experience and its shortcomings on this forum that were posted in the last few weeks. It should be possible to locate them through a search.

The key prereqs are well defined and you most likely have them covered. For a large proportion of schools, these include one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, the labs associated with these classes and one year of mathematics with calculus being one of the two math classes. Statistics is often acceptable for the second math class but this is not always true. A few schools prefer a year of calculus. Many schools like you to have at least one semester of English with a second semester being desirable. Advanced bio classes such as physiology, anatomy, cell bio, immunology, etc. are helpful but definitely not required.

As far as clinical experience it is helpful to shadow doctors in several specialties and put in some time in a volunteer capacity in a hospital or clinical setting. I have seen volunteer experiences mentioned here that run from the classic serving as an orderly on a ward to serving as an HIV counselor to going on a medical mission to South America. The adcoms just want to know that you grasp what the field entails.

The MCAT is a crucial test. Invest whatever effort it takes to crush this exam as that will open doors for you.

If you would like to know any more about the special issues confronted by PhDs transitioning to the MD just PM me. We have to answer a few more questions when compared to people just emerging from the undergrad experience.

 

[Enginerd42]

Enginerd42,

I would check with the program(s) you were thinking about attending to find out if it can be done in two semesters. Master's programs are typically more finite, and I've heard of coursework-only MSs being done in a year, but two is more typical.

Also, why the MS? Is it just to have something to do in your year off, or to make yourself more competitive for med school, or to have a backup career plan? In those situations, I might suggest a job, a special master's program like the SMP at Georgetown or BU (check the postbacc forum for more info), or something else, respectively.

jrdnbenjamin,

I'm interested in the MS because I have Stafford loans. If I graduate and start working, I need to start paying off those loans. Now, granted it may be possible for me to pay off that loan in one year of working (the loan totals $11,000), but staying in school and not "getting out of the groove," so to speak, I feel would be more beneficial for the transition from undergrad to medical school. I would love to take a year off and be an EMT or something along those lines. Since it is only a one-year span between schools, what do you suggest? Also, which would be more beneficial to fill that time if I want to apply for the MD/PhD combined program?

 

[BIBI]

jrdnbenjamin,

I'm interested in the MS because I have Stafford loans. If I graduate and start working, I need to start paying off those loans. Now, granted it may be possible for me to pay off that loan in one year of working (the loan totals $11,000), but staying in school and not "getting out of the groove," so to speak, I feel would be more beneficial for the transition from undergrad to medical school. I would love to take a year off and be an EMT or something along those lines. Since it is only a one-year span between schools, what do you suggest? Also, which would be more beneficial to fill that time if I want to apply for the MD/PhD combined program?

Most placed won't accept students into MD/PhD program if they already have an PhD. Plus 11K is not a big loan. MS will be 100-200k easy.

 

[engrtoMD]

Thank you all for your feedback. It is very encouraging to know that there are others out there in similar situations and that this is very doable. I've already spoken to my advisor about my plans and he seems supportive. I will definitely try to get some volunteer work in. Learfan, congrats on your acceptance to med school. Where will you be attending? jrdnbenjamin and maddscientist good luck with finisihing up the PhD. Do you happen to know if med-schools want the PhD completed before they accept or if they rely on you getting it done before you start med-school?

 

[Enginerd42]

At the very least, your core classes will take up that year in between, but you may have university residency issues if you start med school halfway through. Not to mention writing your thesis and getting it defended the first year of med school would be tough. Could you take a double major for your B.S. to keep you in classes for 1 more year? Then you could also keep from paying back your loan.

Good point, I could look into that. I'd feel like Tommy Boy though... next year will be my 6th year of undergrad (don't ask, transferred to different schools and credits didn't, changed majors a few times, etc.). The thought of continuing my undergrad education for 7 years is nauseating.

"Lot's of people go to school for 7 years, they're called doctors."

 

[neutech]

I am in the 4th year of a PhD program in Electrical Engineering, and I absolutely do not see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I started out pre-med as an undergrad and switched to engineering, since at the time I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue medicine. I would do things differently if I could go back. So now at 26, I'm contemplating applying to med-school. I've thought about quitting the PhD, but with only another 18 months to go, I'm gona suck it up and finish the degree and work towards applying to med-school simultaneously. I took all my chemistries and biology as an undergrad, but will audit some of these classes again to help me study for the MCAT. I worked as a unit secretary in the NICU while doing my undergrad and am hoping that will count towards clinical exposure. I could use advice on pre-reqs and clinical experience. Anyone else out there in the same boat? Look forward to hearing from you.

I noticed that this was written 12 years ago. How did everything turn out?

 

[JustAPhD]

I noticed that this was written 12 years ago. How did everything turn out?

Considering OP last was on SDN 6 years ago I'd say your curiosity is going to go unanswered.


On another note, it's cool to see pseudoknot write "I'm a fifth year grad student" and now have a "verified physician, verified PhD" badge.

 

[Lawpy]

I noticed that this was written 12 years ago. How did everything turn out?

Necrobump wasn't really needed man. You could just PM the members.

Considering OP last was on SDN 6 years ago I'd say your curiosity is going to go unanswered.


On another note, it's cool to see pseudoknot write "I'm a fifth year grad student" and now have a "verified physician, verified PhD" badge.

Just having that verified physician badge is a job well done. That's the plan!