Research for non-traditional field?

[closertofine]

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Hi, I'm new to this forum...I usually post in the pre-allo section, but I have recently begun considering the possibility of an MD/PhD. I am most interested in a program in medical anthropology for the PhD and had been debating between grad school in that, or a straight MD...but I think a combined program might be the best way to go.

I had been planning to apply this year (yes, I know it is late to be up in the air still about what I want to do!), but I am kind of confused about one thing. I know that med schools usually want to see a lot of research for people applying MD/PhD. I definitely don't have a huge amount of lab research (I worked in a lab for only one semester, plus co-author of one article).

But if I'm applying for a program in medical anthropology, it doesn't seem like lab research would be that relevant. So I have two related questions: would MD/PhD programs reject me outright because I don't have a lot of basic science research, without considering which field I want to go into? Second, what kind of "research" would I even do for medical anthropology? My undergrad doesn't even have a program in this field, and so I don't have any idea what MD/PhD programs would look for.

Thanks! I may start hanging around on this board a little, since I don't want to ask too many questions that have already been asked!

--Karen

 

[Neuronix]

Karen I think you have a legitamate course of study, however I think that you will need to do some research to come up with a list of potential schools. What I would recommend is that you take the list of MSTPs and any other MD/PhD programs that come to mind, and compare that to schools with a strong anthropology graduate program. From there you can check the websites of the MD/PhD programs and see if they allow it. In the worst case, call or e-mail them. Most programs are very responsive to questions. I know Penn allows it since they have had students do Anthropology MD/PhDs in the past.

If you are set on medical anthropology, I would agree that you don't necessarily need alot of bench research. However, I think it would benefit your application to gain more experience in a medical anthropology setting. I would suggest checking out anthropology departments to evaluate positions in physical anthroplogy, such as comparative homonid evolution or physical anthroplogy (e.g. identifying human remains at dig sites, assisting in crime scene investigations like many PIs do). I guess you could go back to doing lab research as well. Only one semester of research will not look good on your application and many will question your reasoning and commitment to such a non-traditional track.

There's always the option of doing a PhD first, however obtaining funding for a social science PhD is near impossible. This would cost you a small fortune, then the additional cost of a MD would cost you another small fortune.

I'm sorry I cannot be of more help. Is there anyone at your University in the Anthroplogy Dept. or medical school you could talk to about this? I think a clued in person could be very helpful for you.

Good luck!

 

[closertofine]

Thanks, Neuronix...I think your advice to compare lists of schools with MD and anthropology PhD programs is good...I'm getting on that now. I also found out just recently that my undergrad school, even though it doesn't have a program in medical anthropology, does have a medical anthropologist on the faculty, so I've sent out an email to get in to talk to her.

I know that my lack of research experience will be a major problem for getting in anywhere...I have considered doing just a PhD, or at least starting out on that track...but as you said, that's probably a really expensive way to go.

I wonder if I might do better to apply straight MD, and then see if I can get in to a combined program later...though I've heard that some people decide against that when they see how much work med school is!

It's hard to know what kind of job to look for in this in-between year...especially since my options are very limited, with the economy as it is (the classifieds are very thin!). I did have an interview today for a part-time position managing volunteers at a women's shelter...though that isn't really relevant to what I want to do...and of course it's completely irrelevant to the research part of an MD/PhD...hmmm...so many things to think about! 🙁

Thanks again for your help...any more ideas? 🙂

 

[bailey39]

Find a med anthropologist in your specific area of interest and see if you can work for them (research assistant) for a summer/year. This way you are not limited to people at your own university.

It depends on what type of med-anthro you are interested in, but places like Berkeley (maybe you could combine with UCSF/Davis?) and Harvard are very strong in certain areas of med-anthro. Check out schools' depts of social medicine.

 

[Vader]

Hi Karen,
I agree with Neuronix's comments.

UCSF/Berkeley has a good medical anthropology program and UCSF's MSTP allows students to get the PhD in that field. There is a check box on the MSTP application you get with the secondary when applying to UCSF to indicate that you are pursuing med anthro. There was one student this year who was admitted into med anthro, in fact.

Check out the following web pages and contact the approrpiate people for more info:
UCSF MSTP site:
http://www.som.ucsf.edu/som/education/admission/mstp/

Med Anthro site:
http://www.ucsf.edu/dahsm

Good luck!! 😀