PhD question

[WEF]

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First post.
Hi everybody. I am here to learn a little more about PhD/MD education routes. I was wondering if it is expected for applicants to have a masters degree before applying.

 

[GellaBella]

Nope, there is no requirement for a student to have a masters before applying to MD/PhD programs in the USA. You are just expected to have excellent grades and extensive research experience.

 

[Lil Mick]

Generally, no. However, there are a few programs with PhDs outside the science areas (anthropology, sociology, mathematics...) in which you must meet that department's admissions requirements (and some require a master's).

 

[WEF]

Generally, no. However, there are a few programs with PhDs outside the science areas (anthropology, sociology, mathematics...) in which you must meet that department's admissions requirements (and some require a master's).

Hey, thanks for the replies you guys! I have since come up with another question though. I have noticed that some universities only have a few programs that I would be interested in, while others have a slugload of them. I am really interested in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genetics (Craig Venter is my hero basically). I guess I was wondering what the repercussions would be if someone recieved a degree in Biochemistry, as opposed to a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology (or some variant of the two).

 

[gbwillner]

Hey, thanks for the replies you guys! I have since come up with another question though. I have noticed that some universities only have a few programs that I would be interested in, while others have a slugload of them. I am really interested in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genetics (Craig Venter is my hero basically). I guess I was wondering what the repercussions would be if someone recieved a degree in Biochemistry, as opposed to a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology (or some variant of the two).

None. It doesn't matter what your Bachelor's degree is in. See stickies.

 

[WEF]

None. It doesn't matter what your Bachelor's degree is in. See stickies.

I meant PhD programs. Not Bachelor.

 

[StIGMA]

It matters who you work with (the professor), not the name of the department. You are apprenticing under an individual, and that person matters far more than the department you choose. The department matters only because of the graduation requirements (classes you are required to take) and who may be sitting on your thesis committee. Many professors are part of more than one department, in which case you may want to join the department with the less tiresome graduation requirements.

As a separate note, think about other scientific heros. Venter is some people's minds is solely a businessman who takes credit for other people's scientific work that he happened to fund. If asked to name a hero on an application essay, I would not name him first.

 

[WEF]

It matters who you work with (the professor), not the name of the department. You are apprenticing under an individual, and that person matters far more than the department you choose. The department matters only because of the graduation requirements (classes you are required to take) and who may be sitting on your thesis committee. Many professors are part of more than one department, in which case you may want to join the department with the less tiresome graduation requirements.

As a separate note, try picking a different scientific hero. Venter is some people's minds is a talentless businessman who only takes credit for other peoples scientific work that he happened to fund. If asked to name a hero on an application essay, I would not name him.

Thank you for the very helpful and informative post!

ah yes. I used Venter as a reference point to explain where my interests lie. Guess I should have selected a different word than hero. My app will reflect the profound respect that I have for my grandfather, who is without question one of the kindest people that I have ever met.

 

[obscurehero]

As to the OP question about the degree, I'd echo Stigma. It should be said, that your field of research will also have a lot to do with your thesis work, and ongoing research interests. Your degree doesn't matter quite as much from what I understand.

As for the OP's motivation to do research and research fields, I'd suggest finding another reason to want to do research than that you want to be like Craig Venter. I have no idea what place you are in your education, but I'd definitely get some research experience doing some molecular biology, biochemical, or genetic research and seeing what it entails. Just putting your finger on something as broad as those three disciplines is good. I might suggest, though, getting your feet wet in one of those fields. Then you can write about how "X" excites you and how disease "Y" is fascinating because of "Z"...etc. etc.

my 2 cents.