phd to MD personal statement

[Petypet]

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Thank you in advance for any help, and yes I did try a search but didn't find any concrete answers to this. (maybe this is better suited for Q's thread in the researching clinicians forum)

So going from a PhD to MD, I know the inevitable question will be why now. No problem, I can handle that no but as I am now building my personal statement I am having trouble.

Truth: I didn't put the time into figuring out what I wanted to do when my parents were paying for my undergrad studies and now I am stuck in a PhD program waiting to graduate.

I have done research for 2 years in undergrad and now about 4 years in grad school and I enjoy it, but realistically I can't see myself being an academic clinical researcher. From a common sense standpoint I should use my PhD as leverage as to why I want to be more of a clinician than a researcher but like I said in 15 years I do not want to 1. be in a research lab and 2. nor do I want to manage a research lab.

In the personal statement do I butter up the ADCOM (which I know is possible through my many conversations with physicians here on campus) saying I am highly interested in research based medicine or do I say I've had a change of heart. With a PhD in biochemistry the field of cancer research is a very popular topic in my specific field and I think I can swing a nice personal statement that way; BUT... It would not be the truth. I will say this, I have had many physicians (whom I play golf) say that the PhD/MD will open doors and they think having both degrees is invaluable but for the purposes of being a researching physician which as time moves on I seem to become less interested in.

 

[hithere3387]

Well, tell us why you actually want to be a physician. Personal statements and interviews should be about why you want to enter the position/profession, not about why what you're doing or the course you're pursuing no longer suits you. The ADCOMS will notice that you're a PhD student, and you will likely be asked about it. When this comes up, you have to be able to spin your reasoning for why you want to be a physician into the conversation in a positive light. Ultimately, the amount of graduate school that you've taken is going to help you significantly. You just need to be able to set them at ease during the interview process.

 

[catswym]

I agree with hithere.

I have my PhD in biochemistry as well. I think it is extremely important to be POSITIVE about things and not dwell too much on what you don't like, what you don't want to do, etc. Tell them what you do want to be doing, what you do like, what your PhD made you realize about who you are and what you want in life. I don't think you need to lie/ butter up the adcoms, just don't dwell on the negatives.

 

[filisbug]

hey there-

i am finishing up my PhD in sociology and starting med school in aug. I also had a really hard time crafting the personal statement because, like most non-trads, we don't have that "i always knew i wanted to be a doctor" thing going on. i think the key is to make your timeline seem like a really natural progression, like you started on this path (research) and it sort of led you naturally to medicine. i do epidemiological research on neighborhoods and health, and i just talked about how doing research made me realize that i wanted to be more hands-on. BUT, i did say that i would like to work in academic medicine and continue doing research on health disparities, but that i wanted the majority of my work to be clinical practice. and that's true, i didn't just write it 🙂

i think if you're coming from another profession, what they really look for is your ability to create connections between the work you've done and the work you will do as a physician. that's really the benefit of non-trads in general.

i think saying that you don't want to be primarily a researcher is honest, and, quite frankly, what they want to hear. otherwise they might just think you're looking for ways to stay in school forever 🙂

 

[tremulousNeedle]

I also had a really hard time crafting the personal statement because, like most non-trads, we don't have that "i always knew i wanted to be a doctor" thing going on.

I would expect the PS for non-trads to be easier to write because you have a journey, a maturing process you can write about. I can promise you that after reading numerous PS's, there is nothing more God-awful (pardon my language) than reading a PS that reads, "i always knew i wanted to be a doctor ..."

Obviously, there are things to include and to avoid when writing a PS. Always spin everything into a positive light. Never leave the reader with a negative thought about you. Flash your strengths even if you're not going to utilize them in your future as a doctor. Above all else be honest. For example, instead of saying "I hate research, I only want to be a clinician," you could say, "While my experience in biochemical research has been educational and rewarding, I feel my true passion lies in clinical medicine. After I have gained more clinical exposure, I will determine how I will incorporate research into my future endeavors." Of course this is a blatant example of good and bad phrasing; but even subtler improvements to a PS can make a big difference.

 

[GatorPhD]

I think everyone has hit the high points and provided great advice. I'm a PhD to MD (finished PhD in 2007 and starting med school this year). Like others have said, nontrads have a unique advantage when it comes to the PS because you can tell your story (which by definition is different from most others). Having a PhD will help you beyond running a lab. You have learned how to analyze problems, develop interesting solutions, interpret data, etc. No doubt this will be extremely useful in medical school regardless of your choice of specialty afterward.

I think it's best to be honest and not complain. Other than that let your story speak for itself.

Good luck!
Gator

 

[QofQuimica]

I have my PhD in biochemistry as well. I think it is extremely important to be POSITIVE about things and not dwell too much on what you don't like, what you don't want to do, etc. Tell them what you do want to be doing, what you do like, what your PhD made you realize about who you are and what you want in life. I don't think you need to lie/ butter up the adcoms, just don't dwell on the negatives.

I agree with this completely.

OP, trying to fudge on a PS and/or during an interview has major potential to backfire--most people aren't nearly as good of actors as they think they are. Plus, it's completely unnecessary. Lots of people change their minds about careers, and that includes all of us nontrads who have had former careers. Presumably you have a better reason for making the switch than just waking up this morning and exclaiming, "hey, I think I will apply to med school!" Use your PS to explain how you came to decide that medicine is the right career for you, and what steps you have taken (clinical experience, etc.) to make an educated decision.

Best of luck with your apps. 🙂