Please Read: PhD-to-MD problems!!!

[phd2mds]

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Okay, ladies and gents...here is my situation..

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD student who was anticipated of defending his PhD thesis this summer. So, I applied to medical school this past cycle and got in. Although I am submitting a paper now and i think i am ready to graduate, my PI is giving me a hard time. He said he got his phd in 5 1/2 years and my 4 years in his lab is not enough. I am convening my advisory committee soon about this matter, but most of the time the members side with the PI. Anyhow, i ask the medical school for deferment and they say it's too late as class start within the next 3 weeks.

Because I am pretty far in the game, if i quit the PhD now, I will get my masters, which is a very appealing option. However, because when I was applying, I wrote in my AMCAS application that I would get a PhD this summer, but now i may have to settle for my masters.

My question is: what would that medical school do to me when i wrote on my AMCAS that I would obtain a PhD this June, when in fact I got my masters! Would they ask me to leave the program?

What would you do?

 

[ILikeDrugs]

It's not like you lied to them. Your situation changed. You thought you would be able to attain your PhD, but you simply could not and instead were awarded a masters so you could attend medical school. If I were you, I would try to get into the MD/PhD program if your new med school has one. Maybe there is a way that you could transfer into it and pick up your PhD pursuit where you left off.

 

[The Poet Sings]

Okay, ladies and gents...here is my situation..

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD student who was anticipated of defending his PhD thesis this summer. So, I applied to medical school this past cycle and got in. Although I am submitting a paper now and i think i am ready to graduate, my PI is giving me a hard time. He said he got his phd in 5 1/2 years and my 4 years in his lab is not enough. I am convening my advisory committee soon about this matter, but most of the time the members side with the PI. Anyhow, i ask the medical school for deferment and they say it's too late as class start within the next 3 weeks.

Because I am pretty far in the game, if i quit the PhD now, I will get my masters, which is a very appealing option. However, because when I was applying, I wrote in my AMCAS application that I would get a PhD this summer, but now i may have to settle for my masters.

My question is: what would that medical school do to me when i wrote on my AMCAS that I would obtain a PhD this June, when in fact I got my masters! Would they ask me to leave the program?

What would you do?

i think your only option is to talk to the med school. they may be understanding, they may not be. how are we to know?

 

[WNT Signaling]

Okay, ladies and gents...here is my situation..

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD student who was anticipated of defending his PhD thesis this summer. So, I applied to medical school this past cycle and got in. Although I am submitting a paper now and i think i am ready to graduate, my PI is giving me a hard time. He said he got his phd in 5 1/2 years and my 4 years in his lab is not enough. I am convening my advisory committee soon about this matter, but most of the time the members side with the PI. Anyhow, i ask the medical school for deferment and they say it's too late as class start within the next 3 weeks.

Because I am pretty far in the game, if i quit the PhD now, I will get my masters, which is a very appealing option. However, because when I was applying, I wrote in my AMCAS application that I would get a PhD this summer, but now i may have to settle for my masters.

My question is: what would that medical school do to me when i wrote on my AMCAS that I would obtain a PhD this June, when in fact I got my masters! Would they ask me to leave the program?

What would you do?

This is a troll post: if this were legitamite, you would be sorting this out with the med school and not on SDN

 

[NFkappaB]

I went through the same thing, Ph.D to M.D. except I had post-docs in between.

I did apply through during my last year of Ph.D., and from what I gather, the fact that I will be matriculating with a Ph.D has alot of weight on their admission decision.

So, there is a possibility that its not OK for you to not get your Ph.D before you matriculate.

 

[The Poet Sings]

This is a troll post: if this were legitamite, you would be sorting this out with the med school and not on SDN

i'm not quite sure why i feel like someone needs to break out the sdn bingo... but yea, why do they think we're supposed to know how the school will handle it? beats me. but some people do need to be told "hey, go talk to the school(s)" so, i did, just in case they're legitimate (ps note spelling of legitimate😉)

 

[phd2mds]

This is a troll post: if this were legitamite, you would be sorting this out with the med school and not on SDN

not true...i am writing a paper, looking for an apt 200 miles away, getting married soon and you're telling me i have the luxury to write a troll post?

 

[phd2mds]

i'm not quite sure why i feel like someone needs to break out the sdn bingo... but yea, why do they think we're supposed to know how the school will handle it? beats me. but some people do need to be told "hey, go talk to the school(s)" so, i did, just in case they're legitimate (ps note spelling of legitimate😉)

The reason i start this thread is simple: see if people had gone through the same process that i am going now and how it was handled...of course, at the end of the day, this will be discussed with the school...i thought by going to SDN, i might have gotten a strategy on how to handle this!

 

[causalinference]

Your PI might be playing hard ball with you to get you to drop your medical school acceptance and stay. Don't let him mess with you. Do everything you can to get the PhD, but if you can't then forget about it and take the master's degree. Explain your situation to your medical school. They will understand.

 

[sah]

The Ph.D. is not contingent on time spent. It depends on when your work is done.

I assume your major professor is the "PI" (acronym unknown to me). You need to discuss where your research needs to go with this person. After getting a better feel for how much longer you need to finish, you can look at your two options. One, postpone medical school until your Ph.D. is complete. Second, start medical school and complete your research later.

Students in the MD-PhD program often knock out the first two years basic science, then dive into the lab before the clinical rotations. You might finish your research after the basic sciences.

Your medical school experience may also push you into a different direction from research or teaching. My Ph.D. is of little value to my present work.

 

[The Poet Sings]

The reason i post this thread is simple: see if people had gone through the same process that i am going now and how it was handled...of course, at the end of the day, this will be discussed with the school...i thought by going to SDN, i might have gotten a strategy on how to handle this!

well you have already handled it how i would. you talked to your current school to see if you can reason with them. you talked to your med school to see if they'd grant you a deferral. since you can't reason with the phd people and the md people won't give you the deferral... your only option is to ask them if you having only a masters would be a problem. when you tried to get the deferral, did you explain why? i'm not familiar with the deferral process, but if you already explained and they said no you have to start, then maybe they are ok with just the masters. BUT double check because different departments or whatever might not consult with each other on you like they're supposed to. congrats on the wedding.

 

[phd2mds]

well you have already handled it how i would. you talked to your current school to see if you can reason with them. you talked to your med school to see if they'd grant you a deferral. since you can't reason with the phd people and the md people won't give you the deferral... your only option is to ask them if you having only a masters would be a problem. when you tried to get the deferral, did you explain why? i'm not familiar with the deferral process, but if you already explained and they said no you have to start, then maybe they are ok with just the masters. BUT double check because different departments or whatever might not consult with each other on you like they're supposed to. congrats on the wedding.

Thanks bro! Truly appreciate it!

When I asked for the deferral, i made it clear that i would need at least 6 more months to finish and they said nope...when i spoke to the dean, he said i could finish it next summer which is great...but the problem is this a/s/s/h/o/l/e PI is complaining that i am graduating my PhD in 4 years when in fact he did his in 5 1/2yrs. I thought he was kidding, but he was dead serious! I have a complete story from a to z...not sure why he is doing this to me! He said he could only grant me a PhD if i come back to his lab for 2 years after STEP 1! this m@ther****@r

So, yeah, i haven't told the dean of that latter described above (that this guy thought i am finishing my phd early)

 

[The Poet Sings]

Thanks bro! Truly appreciate it!

you can call me ma'am/miss/hey lady 😉
and you're welcome.

 

[phd2mds]

Your PI might be playing hard ball with you to get you to drop your medical school acceptance and stay. Don't let him mess with you. Do everything you can to get the PhD, but if you can't then forget about it and take the master's degree. Explain your situation to your medical school. They will understand.

Thanks man! I am very frustrated right now!

 

[BozoSparky]

did you ever tell your advisor you were applying to med school?

...sorry if you already answered this.

 

[EUpremed]

Finish your PhD! My boss didn't want me to finish and had a similar reason. So, I scheduled individual meetings with my committee members, discussed the situtation and gave a presentation with my data. They eventually came around and if they don't find new people who will be sympathetic to your situation. It is not worth throwing away the years of incredibly hard work. They were the hardest years for me.

I would press hard to finish and go to medschool. You could offer to defend in the winter or next summer but I wouldn't take an MS and run. Go to medschool but get your PhD, unless you really don't care. But if you care at all, then don't waste all of the long nights, miserable failed experiments, and weekends that you spent in lab for an MS.

 

[Ischemic]

If this lab is in the same school as your med school and the PI is really adamant about it just come back after 2nd year and finish it off and get the MD/PhD. If not, I'd say screw it and get my MD, after talking it over with the med school of course. Lab work is not worth not going to med school for. It's ****ing boring.

 

[phd2mds]

Finish your PhD! My boss didn't want me to finish and had a similar reason. So, I scheduled individual meetings with my committee members, discussed the situtation and gave a presentation with my data. They eventually came around and if they don't find new people who will be sympathetic to your situation. It is not worth throwing away the years of incredibly hard work. They were the hardest years for me.

I would press hard to finish and go to medschool. You could offer to defend in the winter or next summer but I wouldn't take an MS and run. Go to medschool but get your PhD, unless you really don't care. But if you care at all, then don't waste all of the long nights, miserable failed experiments, and weekends that you spent in lab for an MS.

EUpremed...yes, my advisory committee chair is well-informed of this and he is VERY supportive of me. I told him EVERYTHING and he seems to be very sympathetic to my plight...He even suggested me to come back this summer to finish, but my PI seems to think if I ever to come back to his lab, i would have to stay there for at least 2 years because in his eyes me doing 4 years in a PhD program is not enough..I even asked him if hypothetically i have 2 more papers within 1 year, would that be enough? He said no and he is the one who will decide when to defend.....

....The committee chair even suggested to switch lab if this guy is still giving me a hard time (so i think i have his support), but my main problem is how to explain this to med school that I am not yet defended my thesis, oh by the way, i may return at some points to "complete" my thesis. What would the med school think? would they be supportive? That is my biggest worry at this point!

ps: 1) what is even more frustrated, I have a complete story for my thesis...there is nothing more to do except starting a new project!
2) I have a committee meeting within 2 weeks

 

[phd2mds]

did you ever tell your advisor you were applying to med school?

...sorry if you already answered this.

Yes! In fact, my thesis advisor, the dude in my story, wrote a very NEGATIVE letter that my premedical committee had to remove!!! When i was informed of this, i knew then that this guy would give me a hard time

BTW, is it legal for someone to write a negative letter? because if you cannot write a POSITIVE recommendation letter, you should be honest with the person asking you!

 

[phd2mds]

If this lab is in the same school as your med school and the PI is really adamant about it just come back after 2nd year and finish it off and get the MD/PhD. If not, I'd say screw it and get my MD, after talking it over with the med school of course. Lab work is not worth not going to med school for. It's ****ing boring.

No! Thanks for the advise though! My problem is really how to present this to the med school without appearing like a loser or whiner!

 

[Ischemic]

No! Thanks for the advise though! My problem is really how to present this to the med school without appearing like a loser or whiner!

Well why don't you approach it through the idea of deferment. Ask your school for a deferment and it'll give you a venue to talk about your dilemma and what they think the best approach is. Or you can go to their admissions office and "update" them on recent developments that may hinder your ability to come in with your stated degree. Probably more than willing to work things out with you.

 

[phd2mds]

Well why don't you approach it through the idea of deferment. Ask your school for a deferment and it'll give you a venue to talk about your dilemma and what they think the best approach is. Or you can go to their admissions office and "update" them on recent developments that may hinder your ability to come in with your stated degree. Probably more than willing to work things out with you.

I did the former, but they said because school starts within 3 weeks, you wouldn't be able to do it. Either matriculate or stick with my PhD..lol...they didn't say harsh like that of course!

But, I would have to eventually update them...but how would i say that! That is where i need YOUR HELP THE MOST!!!

 

[phd2mds]

The Ph.D. is not contingent on time spent. It depends on when your work is done.

I assume your major professor is the "PI" (acronym unknown to me). You need to discuss where your research needs to go with this person. After getting a better feel for how much longer you need to finish, you can look at your two options. One, postpone medical school until your Ph.D. is complete. Second, start medical school and complete your research later.

Students in the MD-PhD program often knock out the first two years basic science, then dive into the lab before the clinical rotations. You might finish your research after the basic sciences.

Your medical school experience may also push you into a different direction from research or teaching. My Ph.D. is of little value to my present work.

PI = principal investigator

Actually, MD-PhD is very different than PhD-to-MD although both lead to the same degree at the end of the day. It is the process that is different. Most students in the MD-PhD program obtain both of these degrees in the same institution, whereas it is not necessarily the case for a PhD-to-MD or MD-to-PhD student. Second, there is no support system for someone doing PhD-to-MD; you are on your own! That's totally different for someone doing a joint program!

 

[Ischemic]

Ok, my bad, I wasn't clear.

I mean you're in a tough pickle pal. Personally, I would go back to the admissions office and tell them that I want to matriculate in their school but due to unfortunate circumstances out of my control (maybe say you were misled by your PI/thesis committee) that I would not be able to complete my PhD as stated in my application. Then ask if this will change anything regarding my enrolled status. This is a big deal, you HAVE to tell them because they will rescind your acceptance if they find out you din't get your PhD and you didn't update them. The one thing I wouldn't do is rejecting the MD to finish your PhD... DEFINITELY UNWISE!! You can get a PhD anytime, not true with an MD a one time deal.

 

[sah]

PI = principal investigator

Actually, MD-PhD is very different than PhD-to-MD although both lead to the same degree at the end of the day. It is the process that is different. Most students in the MD-PhD program obtain both of these degrees in the same institution, whereas it is not necessarily the case for a PhD-to-MD or MD-to-PhD student. Second, there is no support system for someone doing PhD-to-MD; you are on your own! That's totally different for someone doing a joint program!

I would talk with your medical school. As a Ph.D. is not a requirement for admission, I would think your enrollment is not contingent on same.

As your PI is fighting you on many fronts, lining up a new one is likely the way to go. Assuming the medical school takes you anyway, think about going back into the lab later.

Some Ph.D. work has taken up to 15 years before the work is done. Hopefully you will not set a new record.

 

[sustentacular]

If it's too late for you to defer to next year maybe it's also too late for them to rescind your acceptance and choose another student too. Telling the school sounds like your only option. If the committee usually sides with your PI they probably wont go against him in defense of someone who is just leaving (you) while they'll be stuck with him.

Do you have an ABD option?

 

[phd2mds]

If it's too late for you to defer to next year maybe it's also too late for them to rescind your acceptance and choose another student too. Telling the school sounds like your only option. If the committee usually sides with your PI they probably wont go against him in defense of someone who is just leaving (you) while they'll be stuck with him.

Do you have an ABD option?

What's an ABD? i hope that the school won't rescind my acceptance...that's my only fear at this point!

 

[phd2mds]

I would talk with your medical school. As a Ph.D. is not a requirement for admission, I would think your enrollment is not contingent on same.

As your PI is fighting you on many fronts, lining up a new one is likely the way to go. Assuming the medical school takes you anyway, think about going back into the lab later.

Some Ph.D. work has taken up to 15 years before the work is done. Hopefully you will not set a new record.

That's what I would think too, Sah, that my enrollment is not contingent on completing my PhD! I am crossing my fingers! But the whole scenario sucks...why do people take the pleasure of making others' life miserable?

 

[phd2mds]

Ok, my bad, I wasn't clear.

I mean you're in a tough pickle pal. Personally, I would go back to the admissions office and tell them that I want to matriculate in their school but due to unfortunate circumstances out of my control (maybe say you were misled by your PI/thesis committee) that I would not be able to complete my PhD as stated in my application. Then ask if this will change anything regarding my enrolled status. This is a big deal, you HAVE to tell them because they will rescind your acceptance if they find out you din't get your PhD and you didn't update them. The one thing I wouldn't do is rejecting the MD to finish your PhD... DEFINITELY UNWISE!! You can get a PhD anytime, not true with an MD a one time deal.

Thanks for the advice! No way on earth that i would reject the MD to finish my PhD...Heck, i still can do research with a MD degree!

 

[phd2mds]

At this point, here is what i am planning to do!

I would NOT voluntarily bring the PhD saga to the med school...I would wait and see...if they ask about it, then i would of course talk about it...otherwise, i would keep my mouth shut and wait and see!

What do you guys think?

 

[sustentacular]

What's an ABD? i hope that the school won't rescind my acceptance...that's my only fear at this point!

It stands for All But Dissertation and it's used to designate when you've taken all the coursework towards a PhD but are still in the process of finishing a dissertation. It's regarded as higher than the master's degree.

Can you ask your PI to reconsider? Maybe he's just being a baby because he's upset that he spent 4yrs working with you and now you're leaving for an MD.

 

[phd2mds]

It stands for All But Dissertation and it's used to designate when you've taken all the coursework towards a PhD but are still in the process of finishing a dissertation. It's regarded as higher than the master's degree.

Can you ask your PI to reconsider? Maybe he's just being a baby because he's upset that he spent 4yrs working with you and now you're leaving for an MD.

If that's the case...i have reached that status since 1 1/2 ago...done with everything (classes, seminars, etc)...i mean EVERYTHING...plus i am submitting a paper with a complete story...so, all he has to do is to agree that i would defend...i know many many people who defend with just 1 paper...so, yes, i suspect that he is upset that i am leaving him and maybe he is just jealous...he only got his PhD...he once told me that he has 13 across on his mcat and didn't get in...well, i told myself, something must have been wrong with your application...i have high 20 on a MCAT plus a NIH F31 with an excellent priority score, a NIH T32, and countless other fellowships, internships, shadowings, etc...in short, my application was well balanced...have a bunch of interviews and was accepted to many schools! It might be grudges...but who knows! The man is a mystery to me!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

The Ph.D. is not contingent on time spent. It depends on when your work is done.

I assume your major professor is the "PI" (acronym unknown to me). You need to discuss where your research needs to go with this person. After getting a better feel for how much longer you need to finish, you can look at your two options. One, postpone medical school until your Ph.D. is complete. Second, start medical school and complete your research later.

Students in the MD-PhD program often knock out the first two years basic science, then dive into the lab before the clinical rotations. You might finish your research after the basic sciences.

Your medical school experience may also push you into a different direction from research or teaching. My Ph.D. is of little value to my present work.

what kind of attending with a PhD doesn't know what PI stands for?

Yes! In fact, my thesis advisor, the dude in my story, wrote a very NEGATIVE letter that my premedical committee had to remove!!! When i was informed of this, i knew then that this guy would give me a hard time

BTW, is it legal for someone to write a negative letter? because if you cannot write a POSITIVE recommendation letter, you should be honest with the person asking you!

yes it's legal...
you should be thankful your committee had the dubious ethical standards that it does to take the letter out and inform you of its contents after you've presumably waived your rights.

 

[sah]

what kind of attending with a PhD doesn't know what PI stands for?

When I was in graduate school, PI was associated with Tom Selleck.

I have never used PI to describe a principal investigator.

 

[The Poet Sings]

Yes! In fact, my thesis advisor, the dude in my story, wrote a very NEGATIVE letter that my premedical committee had to remove!!! When i was informed of this, i knew then that this guy would give me a hard time

BTW, is it legal for someone to write a negative letter? because if you cannot write a POSITIVE recommendation letter, you should be honest with the person asking you!

legal, yes, as a letter of recommendation is supposed to be their honest opinion of how you'd perform in the program you're trying to get into. now is it NICE (or even ethical?) to write a negative letter after saying they'd write you a good one? no. that's lying and that ain't right. i also don't know how i feel about this "wait and see" approach with not telling the med school. that could get them very upset. your pi needs to stop being a ___ and suck it up that you're on track to finish in a shorter time than he did. it isn't a race. he won't lose if it took him longer to get his phd than you. how childish is that? if you've done all the work, you need to get what you deserve. everyone has a boss and you need to talk to his and get this dealt with.

 

[austinap]

It sounds like you didn't really talk about your plans with your PI before pursuing them. People definitely graduate in 4 years or less, but it's almost always with the blessing of their PI. If you planned to graduate in four years and didn't clear that with your boss, I think you're the one to blame for the current situation.

If your work really went well, you may be able to convince another professor to take over as your committee chair and sign off on your degree. With only three weeks to spare, that's going to be a hard sell, but it's definitely something to look into.

From my experience, med schools don't seem to care if you finish your PhD. Both schools that accepted me this cycle made it clear that my admissions offer was not contingent on completing my PhD. At the same time, I think it would be a mistake to not get the degree after spending four years working on it. If you ever plan on doing research or writing scientific literature, the degree will help you. It certainly won't hurt you if you decide to match into competitive residencies either.

I'd suggest talking to the dean of the medical school again. Make it clear that you just won't be able to start this fall, and that he'll be making a choice between letting you defer or having you not attend their institution at all. Either way, they'll having to fill a position. In the meantime, sit down with your PI and work out a deal. Let him know you're willing to work your ass off for a year to "earn" your degree. If he isn't willing to come to a compromise, work on switching labs to someone that is going to sign off. Most professors understand these sorts of conflicts, and are willing to do these sorts of things on occasion to make things work.

 

[Parts Unknown]

What would you do?

I would:
1. Call school and see if they care.
2. If no, take Masters degree and never look back.

It sounds like your PI is bluffing in order to wring some more labor out of you, so don't play along. There is a whole new world out there.

 

[causalinference]

It sounds like your PI is bluffing in order to wring some more labor out of you, so don't play along. There is a whole new world out there.

Exactly.

As I said before, it definitely sounds like your PI is doing everything he can to sabotage your departure. Who would agree to write a letter of recommendation and then fill it with negative comments? He clearly has a lot to lose. A good graduate student with 4+ years of experience is hard to replace. And not only that, but you're leaving to do something that your PI tried and failed to do when he was in school.

 

[austinap]

Exactly.

As I said before, it definitely sounds like your PI is doing everything he can to sabotage your departure. Who would agree to write a letter of recommendation and then fill it with negative comments? He clearly has a lot to lose. A good graduate student with 4+ years of experience is hard to replace. And not only that, but you're leaving to do something that your PI tried and failed to do when he was in school.

I don't buy it. Basic science professors are a fickle bunch. I'm sure he wants the OP to stay in lab and work for a while longer, but I'm not sure he's just bluffing about it. It sounds to me like the OP didn't entirely clear this with him ahead of time, in which case it isn't even that odd of a demand. Unless you've cleared it ahead of time, assuming you're going to leave after four years is a bad idea.

 

[swamprat]

I don't get why the school won't let you defer... I am sure they have tons of people on the waitlist to fill your position regardless of whether classes start in 3 weeks or 3 days, someone would come. Plus, I think schools would like the fact they'd be graduating a doctor with a PhD, even if its not from their own institution.

 

[amine2086]

Okay, ladies and gents...here is my situation..

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD student who was anticipated of defending his PhD thesis this summer. So, I applied to medical school this past cycle and got in. Although I am submitting a paper now and i think i am ready to graduate, my PI is giving me a hard time. He said he got his phd in 5 1/2 years and my 4 years in his lab is not enough. I am convening my advisory committee soon about this matter, but most of the time the members side with the PI. Anyhow, i ask the medical school for deferment and they say it's too late as class start within the next 3 weeks.

Because I am pretty far in the game, if i quit the PhD now, I will get my masters, which is a very appealing option. However, because when I was applying, I wrote in my AMCAS application that I would get a PhD this summer, but now i may have to settle for my masters.

My question is: what would that medical school do to me when i wrote on my AMCAS that I would obtain a PhD this June, when in fact I got my masters! Would they ask me to leave the program?

What would you do?

If there is no way your PI would allow you to graduate with the PhD, ask him if you can take two years of leave of absence. Start medical school in August, finish the first two years and then take a leave of absence from the med school for a year or two to finish your PhD.

 

[Parts Unknown]

If there is no way your PI would allow you to graduate with the PhD, ask him if you can take two years of leave of absence. Start medical school in August, finish the first two years and then take a leave of absence from the med school for a year or two to finish your PhD.

Nah. The moment the OP starts med school this whole PhD thing will vanish in the background. Spending years of your life to appease some jerk and obtain three largely useless letters is just silly.

 

[Ischemic]

At this point, here is what i am planning to do!

I would NOT voluntarily bring the PhD saga to the med school...I would wait and see...if they ask about it, then i would of course talk about it...otherwise, i would keep my mouth shut and wait and see!

What do you guys think?

I would be wary of doing this. I know for a fact that if anything, especially degrees you listed on AMCAS you will have/complete by start of school changes you MUST tell the school. Because think about it, it may have factored into their decision to accept you and if you don't get that degree it amounts to lying your way in. So I feel you MUST tell them frankly.

Maybe this is anecdotal but my friend frantically called me about how the school had contacted her about a degree that she claimed to finish but due to factors out of her control was unable to. The school wanted explanation. I've also heard of people getting their acceptance and even their MD degree rescinded because the school found out they lied about something in their application.

So be very careful on the things you "don't bring up" with the school. This is major stuff man and you should err on the safe side, they arent' gonna take back their acceptance if you're straightforward and truthful about the ordeal upfront otherwise it just looks like you're trying to cover up something.

 

[fant 2]

OP, this is a simple matter. Your are very cheap labor right now. You probably make less than $25,000/year right now. You also have 4 years of experience and the Prof doesn't want to train new ppl The prof is just using it as leverage to keep you around. His funding depends on him producing results. A new student won't be able to do that.

Call the school, don't tell them your name, just tell them the situation. If you had no trouble getting in before, you won't again if you take the time to get your Ph.D.

 

[ronaldo23]

Okay, ladies and gents...here is my situation..

Currently, I am a fourth year PhD student who was anticipated of defending his PhD thesis this summer. So, I applied to medical school this past cycle and got in. Although I am submitting a paper now and i think i am ready to graduate, my PI is giving me a hard time. He said he got his phd in 5 1/2 years and my 4 years in his lab is not enough. I am convening my advisory committee soon about this matter, but most of the time the members side with the PI. Anyhow, i ask the medical school for deferment and they say it's too late as class start within the next 3 weeks.

Because I am pretty far in the game, if i quit the PhD now, I will get my masters, which is a very appealing option. However, because when I was applying, I wrote in my AMCAS application that I would get a PhD this summer, but now i may have to settle for my masters.

My question is: what would that medical school do to me when i wrote on my AMCAS that I would obtain a PhD this June, when in fact I got my masters! Would they ask me to leave the program?

What would you do?

I think it depends mainly on your ability to convey to the medical school that you genuinely and rightfully thought you would receive the PhD in this period of time. If you had some knowledge that completing the PhD in 4 years was a longshot, and med schools find this out, then they may give you problems. But honestly I don't forsee the schools making that big a deal after you explain yourself...after all, you expected to complete in this period of time. Things change and PhD is different than other degrees in that you don't necessarily have a concrete timeline of when things will play out (I think?)

 

[whatbout2morrow]

1. The dude's jealous of you. He tried, he failed. You tried, you've gotten a chance. He just can't bear to see you succeed.

2. He completed his Ph.D in 5 and a half years, you've got the chance to complete it in 4. He wants you to suffer that extra 1 and a half year like he had to, and he feels entitled to your help for that amount of time.

Get the farthest away you can from this guy. He'll ruin you.

Explain your situation to your school, but try not to complain too much about your PI while doing so. Else, it may be quite easy for the tables to turn and for you to look like the bad guy who lied on his application.

 

[Dr Love]

I don't get it. Your PI must've written you a letter of recommendation for your applications, and if you got in to a bunch of places, it must have been good. Why is he acting like this now?

 

[bonsaitree1]

I don't get it. Your PI must've written you a letter of recommendation for your applications, and if you got in to a bunch of places, it must have been good. Why is he acting like this now?

OP said before that his PI's letter was negative and that his premed committee removed it from the letter package.

Although I'm surprised that med schools didn't red flag your app due to a lack of grad supervisor reference.

 

[ownage]

At times, you have to use your head. Take the MD and drop the phd even if it means dropping years of hard work. With MD, you ll clearly have a brighter future. I wouldn't return for phd either because I am sure you want to start earning money as soon as possible. its experience that is important and with MD you can do any research you want if you would like to do in future.

 

[phd2mds]

OP said before that his PI's letter was negative and that his premed committee removed it from the letter package.

Although I'm surprised that med schools didn't red flag your app due to a lack of grad supervisor reference.

To solve this, I immediately obtained a letter from my Advisory Committee signed by all of the members of that committee! Plus, I also included one from my rotating prof. Maybe the latter fool them...lol..who knows!