PhD/MD yes, PhD first

[pathdr2b]

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I 've seen this option on quite a few web sites for medical schools ie Vanderbilt and Penn. You basically apply to the MD program after 2 or 3 years in the PhD program. However, the acceptance rates are very low. In one program while you're preparing your dissertation, you complete the first year of med school courses, defend, and begin the second year of med school with PhD in hand.

Anyone considering this option or have any feedback on this topic?

 

[Gradient Echo]

So if you are accepted, I'm assuming they give you full financial support for the med school years like NIH MSTP MD/PhD programs?

 

[Bostonienses]

Wow, that seems intense. I guess it's a cool option because you don't have to leave your classmates after 2 years of med school to do a PhD. But if I had to take first year med classes at the same time that I were preparing my dissertation, I would freak! It's not only the dissertation presentation that you have to do, it's also the 190 page thesis that you need to hand in. It's a lot of work, plus you will find that the people in your committee have very busy schedules and it's hard to get a hold of them. I was ready to have my thesis proposal meeting last month, and due to schedule conflicts the earliest I can do it is February.
And there is also the question of financial support. In most places, they'll give you full tuition plus stipend during your PhD years, and either full tuition or half tuition for med school (sometimes stipend too, but it's rare).
Also, if the chances of being accepted are low, then you are better off applying MD/PhD or getting your PhD at the institution that you want to get your MD also. I am sure that, as long as I get a decent score on the MCAT, I will be accepted at the institution that is granting my PhD.

 

[pathdr2b]

There's also the option of switching to the "regular MD/PhD" program as well which will take care of the stipend issue.

As for the med school coursework with the dissertation, most of the programs require students pursue a PhD in an area like Pharmacology or Anatomy. You also take the first year med school courses over 2 years while working on the dissertation, which when combined with a PhD program in Anatomy or Pharamcology, doesn't sound too bad to me!

I should also mention that my situation is a little different in that I'm considering going into this option having already identified a subject area (Pharmacology/Cancer Genetics) and advisors to do research with. Having been in graduate school before, I think the hardest part of the PhD process is finding something your interested in and some good to work for.