Simultaneous but Independent MD & PhD

[Akilah712]

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Hi 🙂,

I am new and seeking some advice. Here goes.

The concept of Bench-to-Bedside is really appealing to me. I realize I have taken a non-traditional route but I believe this was best for me as I now have a better idea of what I want and why I want it.

Here is my education background:
1. BS - Biology. Chem minor, pre-med
2. MS - Bioinformatics - Biology
3. MS - Bioengineering - (Electrical Engineering)
4. PhD (in progress)

My question is do you think it would be feasible and wise to apply to start my MD program next year (Fall 2010)? By next Spring I will be working solely on the dissertation. My research for my second MS and PhD is centered around vaccine design and development.

I am planning to apply to Med school this year and if accepted attend both.

Is there a disadvantage to doing separate MD and PhD degrees?

I have done my research and I have seen that the the first couple years of med school consist really of basic science which I believe I could tackle while doing my dissertation research.

I really don't want to finish the PhD first. At the same time it would be really nice to receive my PhD stipends, scholarships, etc. while attending Med School. Presumably I would finish my PhD at least by the end of my second year or Med School.

One more thing. Do you think that my current enrollment in a PhD program would hurt my chances of being accepted to Med School?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Neuronix]

Do you think that my current enrollment in a PhD program would hurt my chances of being accepted to Med School?

Everyone is well aware that graduate school often takes longer than planned and that medical school is a full-time occupation.

Finish your PhD first and then apply to medical school. Nobody is going to accept you to medical school while you work on your PhD.

 

[itsallthesame]

Seconded, and many schools specificially say that they will not even entertain an application if you have a degree in progress (unless you can present proof of graduation prior to enrollment).

 

[DrJekyl]

Does your school have a medical school you can transfer into? Perhaps you can apply as an MD/PhD student and complete your PhD before clinicals. Don't count on having time to complete your dissertation while taking your basic science courses. Depending on your school's curriculum, the first two years of medical school will most likely not afford you the time to successfully complete a dissertation.

 

[Akilah712]

Yes, there is a MD program in place there. You are right I could try that approach.

That might be the best approach.

Originally I was thinking that I could be a full-time Med student while doing PhD research especially since I would be in the same buildings for the most part.

Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[BozoSparky]

There are a few of us who did the PhD->MD. I planned on finishing and I was told directly that I had to finish in order to matriculate. This came up in interviews as well. I have heard of people officially defending and still working in the same lab during medical school. Not sure if they received any $$$.

 

[Tradewind]

Whether it's true for you or not, many programs will wonder if you are looking to escape from research to the stability and higher incomes associated with medicine. This has happened to PhD's before, so the skepticism is based in reality.

If you're on good terms with your PhD mentor, that individual can vouch for you as a potential physician-scientist, if you've done well in graduate school and can convince the medical school that you want to use both degrees, I think it's a possibility. Financially, you may very well not get funded through medical school, so I'd be prepared for that. Would you want to go to medical school if you received no MSTP funding?

Out of curiosity, would you then consider yourself a "PhD, MD" or an "MD, PhD"? There are nuances..

 

[Akilah712]

There are a few of us who did the PhD->MD. I planned on finishing and I was told directly that I had to finish in order to matriculate. This came up in interviews as well. I have heard of people officially defending and still working in the same lab during medical school. Not sure if they received any $$$.

Oh, so there are people who have managed to pull it off. I imagine that they were likely not funded.

Whether it's true for you or not, many programs will wonder if you are looking to escape from research to the stability and higher incomes associated with medicine. This has happened to PhD's before, so the skepticism is based in reality.

If you're on good terms with your PhD mentor, that individual can vouch for you as a potential physician-scientist, if you've done well in graduate school and can convince the medical school that you want to use both degrees, I think it's a possibility. Financially, you may very well not get funded through medical school, so I'd be prepared for that. Would you want to go to medical school if you received no MSTP funding?

Out of curiosity, would you then consider yourself a "PhD, MD" or an "MD, PhD"? There are nuances..

I will definitely have a chat with my mentor. I do know a lot of disgruntled PhD students who probably would feel that way unfortunately. At the end of the day we are all on the same team - PhD or MD. The MD carries out the practical application of the PhD's research.

I honestly couldn't imagine not using the PhD. I would attend medical school without funding, especially since the PhD was funded.

That is an interesting question. I've never seen or heard it referred to as a PhD, MD before. My guess is that the latter refers to the physician-scientist who is more concerned with the basic science research as opposed to the clinical aspects of his or her work.

I would go with MD-PhD, since this justifies the concept of a doctor who does research. Or I could have two sets of business cards to use depending on where I am