Research focused MD programs

[zeppelinpage4]

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I have been doing a lot of research in undergrad, and I feel that I will be happiest pursuing research in my career. However, I'm not ready to commit to an MD/PhD program, and truth be told I'm not too competitive for them either.😳

So I wanted to ask if anyone knew of MD programs that gave significant research opportunities to students. I was thinking programs along the lines of Case Western's CCLCM.
http://portals.clevelandclinic.org/cclcm/Home/tabid/4257/Default.aspx

Many thanks

 

[rhysticlight]

Definitely take a look at the HST program at Harvard, very heavily research focused. Also Yale requires all MD students to complete a thesis to graduate and they have an optional tuition free 5th year which you can use for research.

Stanford also has a significant research focus. All students must complete some form of scholarly work for their scholarly concentration requirement. Many students also take a 5th year at Stanford (I am not sure if it is tuition free though, or just reduced tuition).

Also, I know that Northwestern is starting to increase the research focus in their program by adding some sort of scholarly concentration requirement. The class entering in 2012 will be the first to have this program though so all the details are not out yet.

Hope that helps!

 

[Thego2guy]

Lets not forget Duke's 1 year preclinical curriculum, and their emphasis on research.

OP, go to any top ranked school (top 50 even) and there will be substantial research emphasis, and a lot of good stuff going on.

 

[LisaFrank]

Almost all allopathic schools now have research-with-thesis/research scholar/research track options for MD-only students

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Definitely take a look at the HST program at Harvard, very heavily research focused. Also Yale requires all MD students to complete a thesis to graduate and they have an optional tuition free 5th year which you can use for research.

Stanford also has a significant research focus. All students must complete some form of scholarly work for their scholarly concentration requirement. Many students also take a 5th year at Stanford (I am not sure if it is tuition free though, or just reduced tuition).

Also, I know that Northwestern is starting to increase the research focus in their program by adding some sort of scholarly concentration requirement. The class entering in 2012 will be the first to have this program though so all the details are not out yet.

Hope that helps!

Thank you! That was very helpful. I will so some more research into these programs. 🙂

Lets not forget Duke's 1 year preclinical curriculum, and their emphasis on research.

OP, go to any top ranked school (top 50 even) and there will be substantial research emphasis, and a lot of good stuff going on.

Thank you for the advice, that's actually reassuring because I don't think I have the stats to get into some of these top ranked schools. However, I still want to have good research opportunities.

Almost all allopathic schools now have research-with-thesis/research scholar/research track options for MD-only students

That's helpful to know, so I don't need to be too worried about getting into a specific program. Would these research track options be a good start for someone wanting to go into a research focused career down the road?

 

[Nymphicus]

Thank you! That was very helpful. I will so some more research into these programs. 🙂


Thank you for the advice, that's actually reassuring because I don't think I have the stats to get into some of these top ranked schools. However, I still want to have good research opportunities.


That's helpful to know, so I don't need to be too worried about getting into a specific program. Would these research track options be a good start for someone wanting to go into a research focused career down the road?

More importantly, look into schools that emphasize research, have research money/funding, and provide their students with plentiful research opportunities. Research "track" is not necessarily required.

Some schools incorporate required (protected) research time into the curriculum. Some schools let you do a funded/tuition-free 5th year for research. Some schools don't have any of that, so, if it's important to you, research the schools. In general, schools with higher USNWR research rankings will have more research.

 

[Sophocles]

More importantly, look into schools that emphasize research, have research money/funding, and provide their students with plentiful research opportunities. Research "track" is not necessarily required.

Some schools incorporate required (protected) research time into the curriculum. Some schools let you do a funded/tuition-free 5th year for research. Some schools don't have any of that, so, if it's important to you, research the schools. In general, schools with higher USNWR research rankings will have more research.

Pretty sure that Cornell is one of the only schools that actually have an option to graduate with honors (if you do a concentration in research).

 

[plumhill]

Mt. Sinai's a pretty research-heavy school. Also, look into the clinical research track at Case Western (which might be a good option if your stats are a little lower, but still relatively strong)....I'm blanking on the exact name of that track; I'm guessing someone will know it on here

 

[dnase]

I think Pittsburgh has a MS/MD program, but I don't know a lot about it.

I would also love to know more about these programs! I am not ready to give up (basic science, not clinical) research yet.

 

[Mazdave]

I think Pittsburgh has a MS/MD program, but I don't know a lot about it.

I would also love to know more about these programs! I am not ready to give up (basic science, not clinical) research yet.

Pitt in general is research-intensive and requires a scholarly project for everybody, but there are also two programs offered that are longer than the 4-year MD, but shorter than the MSTP program: PSTP, focusing on basic science research and CSTP, focusing on clinical.

 

[OwlPower22]

Weill-Cornell is a research-heavy school. I heard from my friend's cousin who graduated there that 1st years are required to do research. Correct me if wrong. Almost all the NYC schools are research-heavy.

 

[LisaFrank]

Weill-Cornell is a research-heavy school. I heard from my friend's cousin who graduated there that 1st years are required to do research. Correct me if wrong. Almost all the NYC schools are research-heavy.

Almost all allopathic schools are research-heavy

 

[mmmcdowe]

I wouldn't say that you are totally out of the running for MD/PhD, if you change your mind about it. Research intensive schools is a relative thing. You will find research at all MD schools. Some may have more basic science stuff, but clinical research is super common. The most research-focused schools will be the top 40 or so research schools on USNWR.

 

[Guero]

Vanderbilt requires its students to complete a thesis project, offers multiple master's programs (including an emphasis in becoming a physician educator, which is very rare), in addition to a clinical/translational MSTP separate from their basic science MSTP. I wouldn't go as far to say that "nearly all" allopathic schools are heavy in research. I think "many" would be a better word choice. I can list several schools that have paltry research opportunities, which isn't a reflection of quality, but a reflection that they're much more clinically focused than research focused.

 

[LisaFrank]

Vanderbilt requires its students to complete a thesis project, offers multiple master's programs (including an emphasis in becoming a physician educator, which is very rare), in addition to a clinical/translational MSTP separate from their basic science MSTP. I wouldn't go as far to say that "nearly all" allopathic schools are heavy in research. I think "many" would be a better word choice. I can list several schools that have paltry research opportunities, which isn't a reflection of quality, but a reflection that they're much more clinically focused than research focused.

. . . anyhow

Here is an incomplete list of schools with MD-with-thesis tracks from a previous thread

Drexel
UT San Antonio
Baylor
Pritzker
Nebraska
Colorado
UCSF
Case
Cornell
Emory
Northwestern
Tulane
UMDNJ
UT Southwestern
Wisconsin

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=877119

 

[drshoes]

A lot of schools, especially the top ones, give students the opportunity to pursue research and actually encourage it too with stipends, mentors, grants, etc. Your love for research doesn't have to end just because you go to medical school.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Definitely take a look at the HST program at Harvard, very heavily research focused. Also Yale requires all MD students to complete a thesis to graduate and they have an optional tuition free 5th year which you can use for research.

Stanford also has a significant research focus. All students must complete some form of scholarly work for their scholarly concentration requirement. Many students also take a 5th year at Stanford (I am not sure if it is tuition free though, or just reduced tuition).

Also, I know that Northwestern is starting to increase the research focus in their program by adding some sort of scholarly concentration requirement. The class entering in 2012 will be the first to have this program though so all the details are not out yet.

Hope that helps!

Harvard HST, Stanford and Northwester. These programs (especially HST) are intended for students with extensive research/technical background. I know two students in the program and one of them holds a PhD and the other had 4 years of experience working for medtronic. With research usually the way it works is - you're either in or out (for top programs).

 

[wingsandfries]

Emory has a shortened pre-clinical curriculum which allows for a required 5 month research period during the third year. This can be done in any area related to health (basic/translational/clinical science, public/global health, ethics, health policy, etc). They also offer a 1 year masters of clinical research which is done between MS3 and MS4 if you are interested in translational/clinical research.

If you are into public health research, there are lots of opportunities through Emory's School of Public Health and the CDC (which is a five minute walk from the med school)

 

[dnase]

Harvard HST looks AMAZING. Too bad I didn't know about this program until now... I didn't take enough math.

 

[huihui]

Does one need to apply to HST separately from HMS?

Harvard HST looks AMAZING. Too bad I didn't know about this program until now... I didn't take enough math.

 

[Guero]

Yes, HMS has two separate programs from which you can choose on AMCAS.

 

[zeppelinpage4]

Wow awesome advice and suggestions. This is fantastic, thanks everyone.

I'm definitely gonna be adding a few of these programs to my list.

P.S. I can't seem to find the HST option for Harvard on AMCAS, there's regular MD, graduate, and MD/PhD

Any ideas on what to check off?

 

[Guero]

Wow awesome advice and suggestions. This is fantastic, thanks everyone.

I'm definitely gonna be adding a few of these programs to my list.

P.S. I can't seem to find the HST option for Harvard on AMCAS, there's regular MD, graduate, and MD/PhD

Any ideas on what to check off?

I'm sorry, it's on the secondary, not AMCAS. When they send you the secondary (all students receive one), you'll have to specify that you're applying for the HST rather than their PBL-based clinical track, the "New Pathway." The HST additionally requires a year of calculus through differential equations and linear algebra, biochem, molecular bio, and a year of calculus based physics. It's better than MD/PhD IMO because you'll be equally qualified and desirable when you're applying for residency and grants without spending the extra 3-5 years matriculating in the MSTP. The tuition is a killer, though, and the biggest downside. Good luck!

 

[zeppelinpage4]

I'm sorry, it's on the secondary, not AMCAS. When they send you the secondary (all students receive one), you'll have to specify that you're applying for the HST rather than their PBL-based clinical track, the "New Pathway." The HST additionally requires a year of calculus through differential equations and linear algebra, biochem, molecular bio, and a year of calculus based physics. It's better than MD/PhD IMO because you'll be equally qualified and desirable when you're applying for residency and grants without spending the extra 3-5 years matriculating in the MSTP. The tuition is a killer, though, and the biggest downside. Good luck!

Thank you! I hope I can qualify to apply. 🙂
I've got the year of calculus based physics, Calc I/II, Biochem, and molecular bio requirements covered with my major.
However, I'm not sure if I will be able to take differential equations, and linear algebra before I graduate, because I need Calc III to take them. If I can find a way to fit all three of these math courses I'll apply.

 

[semicharmed]

One of my mentors was on the HST admissions board and was very passionate that this is the way to go for Harvard. It's very rigorous, though, and it's kind of like being an MD/PhD with no free tuition (but you do graduate in 4 years...). Very challenging, but their grads do amazing things. You can apply to both NP and HST, you don't need to choose between the two on the secondary.

If you REALLY want to do research, Duke is an excellent choice. I was initially really skeptical about their curriculum, but they sell it amazingly well at the interview. That third year is all yours and ~90% of their students end up graduating with a publication.

 

[dnase]

One of my mentors was on the HST admissions board and was very passionate that this is the way to go for Harvard. It's very rigorous, though, and it's kind of like being an MD/PhD with no free tuition (but you do graduate in 4 years...). Very challenging, but their grads do amazing things. You can apply to both NP and HST, you don't need to choose between the two on the secondary.

If you REALLY want to do research, Duke is an excellent choice. I was initially really skeptical about their curriculum, but they sell it amazingly well at the interview. That third year is all yours and ~90% of their students end up graduating with a publication.

but if you applied for both, wouldn't that sort of dilute your chances at both since NP and HST have somewhat different goals?

I took calc based physics and calc 3 but never bothered with diffeqs; not sure if i'd qualify. and the requirement of sending in letters from all your research supervisors... could be a bit difficult for me. (not to make this into an HST thread or anything)

 

[semicharmed]

No, it will not compromise your chances at either program, my advisor told me to apply for both to increase my chances of getting accepted, period. The essay for the NP Harvard secondary is very general and short; "what you are doing now?" is typically the question.

The HST secondary will open up more questions when you select the option to apply for both. Search the thread from last year (Harvard class of 2016) to clarify, but I'm pretty sure they talk more about your research experience/interests. So it's basically 2 separate secondaries in one.

The requirement about the supervisors is tricky. I have suspicions that someone I know with an incredible application and interviews/acceptances at all of the other "top 5" schools did not even get an interview at Harvard because they didn't include recs from all of their past supervisors that they put on AMCAS.

 

[inspirationmd]

Check out Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Med. 5 years, MS/MD and full tuition scholarship. One on one research training. Have heard no complaints about the training...it is in Cleveland though.

 

[inspirationmd]

Oops just noticed that was the school mentioned in the OP. Never mind