PhD to MD - should I wait?

[BruceWaynMD]

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I mean a lot of people say no but I say you don't know unless you try I'm a grad student and really grad schools GPA don't really matter because it's research etc that gets you out of there. I got accepted and I had similar stats but I am getting my masters. It also depends on the school my state school and my school that I got accepted to care about graduate degrees just read up on the school contact your state school admissions director. But there is no chance until you take one.

 

[MDviaMBB]

Since you have a PhD in pharmacology and research in the areas you described, along with your goal of staying in research, I'd suggest considering alternatives to medical school in the pharmaceutical industry; that is, of course, assuming that your work is translational and business-oriented. If it isn't and/or you need more preparation, there are quite a few degrees and fellowships designed for people with PhDs in pharmacology which would allow you to do so.

If you're set on attending medical school, if I were you I'd still pursue one of the above instead of a post-baccalaureate/special master's program. Your degree is in an applied medical science, and learning the same basic science in one of those programs that you will in medical school won't make you a better clinician or help you professionally. And, with your publications and grants, adcoms will not care about your GPA, IMO; they want to see you building on your interests toward becoming an independent clinician scientist.

For what it's worth, I earned a 3.83 in a masters in Pharmacology (1 publication pending), have a 3.42 undergraduate GPA (low due to receiving a C after an injury), and had 4 allopathic interviews. I declined my last interview before doing something similar to the above.

 

[rectangles]

Hi OP,

First of all, congratulations on your decision to pursue medicine.

I wanted to suggest you take a serious look at NYIT. I know most of us, especially with research backgrounds, feel there are more research opportunities at MD schools but don't overlook what is on offer at some DO schools. NYIT has a program that in exchange for a research year (i.e. a 5th year of medical school) students receive a 50% scholarship for their entire medical education. Research is already a strength of yours, and I believe you might be interested in the NY area, so this kind of tuition reduction is nothing to sneeze at.

None of the postings above are personal and you shouldn't get too wrapped up in these sorts of forums, but there is wisdom to be gleaned if you can sort signal from noise. I wish I'd done as you and others have done and posted my background (and school list when you have it) here prior to applying. A few people, including my mentors and a pre-med advisor told me that with a PhD and a 520+ MCAT I'd have no problem getting into medical schools. However, my uGPA wasn't anything to write home about (3.6) and, of greater concern, the bulk of my clinical volunteering was a few years old (pre-PhD) and I was light on shadowing primary care providers (make sure to do this too and don't just shadow surgeons or other specialists). You will thank yourself later. Best of luck!

Hey is there a name of this progam? I think this is a great option and would be really greatful if you could give me some info to check it out