Switch to MD/PhD during med school

[ramblinwreckie]

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Hey, I was wondering if anyone has gone through this process during medical school. I'm sure it's institution-dependent, but how accepting are MSTP programs to current med students?

 

[RxnMan]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone has gone through this process during medical school. I'm sure it's institution-dependent, but how accepting are MSTP programs to current med students?

Check out the FAQs on this forum. You'll see there's a difference with MD/PhDs and MSTPs. One of which is that it's much easier to get into a MD/PhD than a MSTP as a med student, mainly because of the finances.

It also occurs to me - you aren't trying to apply to an MSTP at one school while attending a different school, are you? I don't think that would fly. You're going to be limited to what you can get through your current institution.

 

[Circumflex]

I decided during my second year of med. school that I wanted the PhD, so I applied for the MD/PhD program - my school does not have a MSTP.

I did not have a problem because they had fewer than the budgeted number of people in the program. This is the limiting factor. However, the way my school worked was that the MD/PhD program paid for the medical school years while the basic science department/mentor paid me during the PhD portion.

Check with the school - sometimes they will work with you, like taking one less person the next year to let you go ahead. It all depends on the money, but it can't hurt to talk with some people in high places (Deans and Department Chairs).