Stuck between wanting MD or PhD - Not competitive for MD-PhD Programs

[numbersloth]

This might end up being a bit long-winded.

I really love bio - from molecular bio to ecology. I also really like using computational tools and mathematics to model systems and analyze data. I've had two computational research experiences - one in molecular systems biology and one in infectious disease bio (with fieldwork, which I loved!) - and I really really loved doing research. I also love to teach and could see myself as a professor.

However, I also really love helping others and the healthcare system. I find medicine and health really intriguing, both from a humanitarian as well as scientific perspective. I really like volunteering in the hospital environment. However, I currently do free health screenings in underserved areas and after a couple hours I'm pretty exhausted, but this may also be due to the fact that most of what I do is repetitive and many of my patients don't speak English so communication is always a struggle (we offer BP, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, etc).

I'm not a competitive applicant for MD/PhD programs due to a low freshman and first semester sophomore GPA since I took a lot of weed-out math and cs classes in those years alongside my pre-med requirements: I have a 3.5cGPA/3.4sGPA at the moment. (please correct me if I'm wrong about my competitiveness or if there is anyway I can drastically improve my chances).

Has anyone been in a similar boat making a decision? I think I would really enjoy the school part of medical school, but I'm worried about liking clinical practice unless I'm able to get a gig with a large research time allocation. But I'm also worried about not having any patient interaction if I don't get an MD at all!

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[RunawayGrape]

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[link2swim06]

Sounds like you would be more happy as a PhD.

A lot of being a physician is dealing with those social issues that made you exhausted in your limited experience.

 

[y123]

Most MD-PhDs I know said they either do MD-PhD or PhD only. Very few said they were choosing between MD and MD/PhD.
MD is definitely a safer choice with higher job security. However, PhD is financially safer because it is free. A top-tier PhD program is worth it. A lower-tier one may not.

 

[benjamin94559]

Most MD-PhDs I know said they either do MD-PhD or PhD only. Very few said they were choosing between MD and MD/PhD.
MD is definitely a safer choice with higher job security. However, PhD is financially safer because it is free. A top-tier PhD program is worth it. A lower-tier one may not.

I wouldnt say they are financially safer but really they are financially safe in different aspects.
Overall I would say an MD is financially safer.

 

[Doggo]

I was under the impression that MD/PHD is easier to get into than just MD since most people only apply for MD

 

[Wiesal]

I was under the impression that MD/PHD is easier to get into than just MD since most people only apply for MD

MD/PhD applicants are self-selecting. students will usually only apply if they feel they are strong applicants and not if they don't as with OP's case. this is why there may be higher acceptance rates. the standards are still there, though and md/phd programs probably have more demanding standards than MD

 

[Fancy_Feast]

I was under the impression that MD/PHD is easier to get into than just MD since most people only apply for MD

I believe the average MCAT for an MD/PhD matriculant is about 5 pts above that of an MD matriculant
https://www.aamc.org/download/321548/data/factstableb10.pdf
https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstablea16.pdf