Too late to aim for MD/PhD program?

[Woyzeck]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,

I am 22 have just graduated with a BS in Psychology specialized in Clinical Research (Overall GPA 3.87 and PSYC GPA 3.9). I have just recently taken an interest in Translational Medicine and am considering applying to an MD/PhD program. However, I do not have my math, biology, chemistry, and physics pre-reqs. I do intend to take them in a community college part-time as soon as possible. Most of my cohorts have gotten into med schools and grad schools already. Some even told me that it is too late to get into med schools because it would be in my late 20s and med schools don't tend to favor "older" applicants so I shouldn't even bother trying.

I have done three years of research and two years of TA in behavioral and psychological statistics (focused on the social sciences) in my university and am currently and independent statistics and methodologies consultants for psychologists and students. So unlike other typical MD/PhD applicants, I do not have experience in biomedical research and I've been told I missed out on the opportunities to do so due to my age.

My question is that would it be wise to invest and take my med school pre-reqs and aim for MD/PhD programs when I don't have any research background in medicine? I have a very strong interest in the exciting emerging field of Translational research but my institution does not have much resource or research projects that has to do with medicine or biology.

So far from the peers and faculties that I talked with, they told me this would be a financial and time risk and that I should stick within the social science research. However, I would like to hear any opinions and insights outside from my small, southern state circle.

 

[SynBio]

IMO

Hello,
However, I do not have my math, biology, chemistry, and physics pre-reqs. I do intend to take them in a community college part-time as soon as possible. .

I think this is a bad idea. You should aim for taking these at a university (your undergraduate university or otherwise) whether you apply MD-only or MD-PhD.

Hello,
Some even told me that it is too late to get into med schools because it would be in my late 20s and med schools don't tend to favor "older" applicants so I shouldn't even bother trying.

For medical school this is false. There are many successful non-traditional applicants. And applying when your 23-24 btw is closer to a traditional applicant than a non-traditional applicant.... 30-35 after a career change would be a better fit of a non-traditional.

Hello,
So unlike other typical MD/PhD applicants, I do not have experience in biomedical research and I've been told I missed out on the opportunities to do so due to my age.
.

You have definitely not missed out due to your age. The thing stopping you would be your persistence and dedication to get involved in such research. Many many successful applicants take time of between college to extend upon their research before applying, especially in biomedical research. Although not the most numerous in numbers, I would say there are a fair share of MD-PhD students out there that started around 24 (based on my limited experiences), some even older.

Hello,
My question is that would it be wise to invest and take my med school pre-reqs and aim for MD/PhD programs when I don't have any research background in medicine? I have a very strong interest in the exciting emerging field of Translational research but my institution does not have much resource or research projects that has to do with medicine or biology.

Have you shadowed? Volunteered in a clinic? Do you have the typical medical exposure experiences?
What type of PhD would you be interested in?

Interest in translational research is very vague. What do you mean by translational research? Anti-microbials for infectious diseases? Drug-discovery for KRAS inhibitors? This field itself is multi-faceted and covers a wide spectrum of topics that can be implemented in different specialties of medicine.

There are no basic science labs that deal with biology at your school? I find that hard to believe at an accredited university.

Hello,
So far from the peers and faculties that I talked with, they told me this would be a financial and time risk and that I should stick within the social science research. However, I would like to hear any opinions and insights outside from my small, southern state circle.

It can be, if you are not prepared to stick with the path. IMO, I think the main point of dual degree programs is to train physicians in basic science. Do you want to pursue basic science or social science? I know there are a few programs out there for social sciences, I just don't think the marriage of topics is as harmonious as in basic science and medicine.

Why not pursue an MD and get a masters?

 

[Neuronix]

However, I do not have my math, biology, chemistry, and physics pre-reqs. I do intend to take them in a community college part-time as soon as possible. Most of my cohorts have gotten into med schools and grad schools already. Some even told me that it is too late to get into med schools because it would be in my late 20s and med schools don't tend to favor "older" applicants so I shouldn't even bother trying.

Good thing you posted.

1. SynBio is right. Take your pre-reqs at a University.

2. Your cohorts are wrong. Ignore them. If you're applying before the age of 30 nobody cares, and many wouldn't even care after that.

I have done three years of research and two years of TA in behavioral and psychological statistics (focused on the social sciences) in my university and am currently and independent statistics and methodologies consultants for psychologists and students. So unlike other typical MD/PhD applicants, I do not have experience in biomedical research and I've been told I missed out on the opportunities to do so due to my age.

In my mind you really have two sane options:

1. You could apply MD/PhD to do your PhD in behavioral and psychological statistics focused on the social sciences. There are a limited number of places that will let you do it, but you're the right kind of candidate for it given that you already have extensive experience in the area and a high GPA. If you can put together a compelling story about why this is a good idea and how you can make an impact as a physician scientist doing this sort of research, after getting your PhD in statistics or something hardcore quantitative, you might find a program willing to take you. You'll need a high MCAT score also.

2. The more common pathway is to get into medical school and figure out the research part later. There are a few programs like CCLCM and Pitt that will pay for your med school in exchange for a year our for research that could include a master's. That might be a good compromise for you to get your feet wet in "translational research", which like SynBio pointed out could mean just about anything. If you do some basic research and decide you love it so much you can't live without it, you'll still have options later in life to explore research if you really want to.

You could go do a couple years of basic science research, but that would be dumb unless you start doing it and decide you love it and you can't imagine doing anything else. In which case I'd question your sanity, but we'll cross that unlikely bridge later.

So the insane option:

3. Still take your pre-reqs at a University and ditch the social science research. Plan to spend about 2 years in a basic lab working as a research assistant before applying MD/PhD. Your age isn't an issue. Other things are issues, like finding a lab or program that will pay you given your non-science background so that you can continue to do things like eat and have shelter. You'll still need a high MCAT score regardless, which you'll want to take soon after your pre-reqs but will have to be careful that it doesn't expire before you apply.