Please help...

[neuropsy]

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It seems almost as if most MD/PhD canidates are interested in the MD side - but I'm more interested in the PhD aspects so I'm not sure if this type of program is for me? - especially since my weakness is in science...

Future aspirations:
to make or work in a clinic that will come up with a specific treatment for the each individual and that also does research looking for new treatments.

Background:
I'm currently a soph neuroscience and behavioral bio major at a somewhat prestigious university- I will have VERY extensive research background in cognitive psychology/neuroscience and will have a couple publications by graduation.
But I'm only subpar in sciences (~ 3.1 average) and a horrible test taker.

(Also I will have a very strange background- from transferring to studying abroad in a Tibetan Buddhist program)

Please give me advice if this program is fit for my goals. And if I don't seem fit for this program- then please give me advice on a degree that can integrate clinical neurology/psychology/research without the MD.

 

[Jorje286]

I think on the contrary, MD/Ph.D is (at least theoretically) more geared up towards the Ph.D than towards the MD. The MD should give you a clinical background that you can utilize when conducting research. So if you want to have a primarily research career with some clinical duties, than an MD/Ph.D is most certainly for you.

I do share many of your interests, if not the exact same ones. I also want to do research in cognitive neuroscience.

Maybe some of the more experienced posters here can correct me, but I think having a medical background is important for cognitive/behavioral neuroscience, as a lot of the knowledge in this area is dependant on human subjects and on human cognitive disorders. So I think the blend works pretty well.

 

[strangeglove]

It seems almost as if most MD/PhD canidates are interested in the MD side - but I'm more interested in the PhD aspects so I'm not sure if this type of program is for me? - especially since my weakness is in science...

Future aspirations:
to make or work in a clinic that will come up with a specific treatment for the each individual and that also does research looking for new treatments.

Background:
I'm currently a soph neuroscience and behavioral bio major at a somewhat prestigious university- I will have VERY extensive research background in cognitive psychology/neuroscience and will have a couple publications by graduation.
But I'm only subpar in sciences (~ 3.1 average) and a horrible test taker.

(Also I will have a very strange background- from transferring to studying abroad in a Tibetan Buddhist program)

Please give me advice if this program is fit for my goals. And if I don't seem fit for this program- then please give me advice on a degree that can integrate clinical neurology/psychology/research without the MD.

Your goals are not that different from all MD-PhDs, though, as stated, they are somewhat generic-seeming (hint for personal statements/interviews in your future). I just finished my PhD in cognitive neuroscience and am interviewing for residencies in psychiatry - an area that is ripe for research in cognitive neuroscience (even of the buddhist/tantric/yogic type). Your grades in sciences are the most important issue at this point. There is little that can be done to overcome a 3.1 GPA. Therefore, you should consider applying to a PhD program in neuroscience, or, if you feel that you will always be "subpar" in the sciences, then you may want to consider a PhD in clinical psychology, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology. Neuropsychologists are frequently consulted by psychiatrists and neurologists and are considered experts on brain-behavior relationships. They also engage in research. Any PhD program will want to see some research background.