Question about saying Physician Scientist on my application when applying to MD only

[nickname493]

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I am currently preparing my application for this upcoming cycle and am wondering if it is ok to say I am interested in becoming a physician-scientist within my personal statement and throughout my application when I am not applying for MD/PhD programs. I do have quite a research-heavy application and do want to conduct research as a physician in the future however, I am wondering if adding this would further push the question of why I am not applying MD/PhD and further decrease my chance at less research-focused schools. Any insight on this would be helpful.

 

[eteshoe]

IMO that's fine to mention. You will have to expand on the type of research you want to do and how you plan on getting whatever additional training necessary to get there.

 

[deleted1169403]

Some schools that aren’t research powerhouses might question whether they are your safety pick and yield protect you. If becoming a scientist is part of your future goals, I think it’s natural to question why you aren’t applying to MD/PhD programs, especially if you call yourself a future physician-scientist. But if you explain in your PS how research has motivated you to pursue medicine and you want to exist in that scientist/physician realm, I doubt it will be a major issue.

 

[helloworld172]

I would probably omit the phrase "physician-scientist" from your PS. Would be more worthwhile to include your passion for research within the activities section and lay out how you want research to be a facet of your future career. This will allow adcoms to see you want to be a clinician who does research on the side rather than a researcher who works in the clinic on the side. When you state "physician-scientist" it implies research is at the forefront of your career and not being a clinician. Just my opinion so you can take it with a grain of salt.

 

[sapphire_fire]

FWIW I used "physician scientist" quite a bit in my secondaries even though I'm in the same position as you - research heavy application, want to do research in the future in an academic hospital, but no interest in MD/PhD since I want to concentrate most of my time on patients. I never had anyone review my stuff though, so it might have been a mistake on my part (I still haven't been accepted but got IIs from research-heavy programs and places known for primary care, but still had research).
I don't think it implies research being at the forefront of your career though, only that you do both; anywhere from being a PI to collecting data and consulting for a lab you collaborate with. If you are worried about giving the wrong idea and can fit in the extra word count, you can say that you see yourself being a doctor at an academic hospital, focusing on patients but contributing to research.