I've never heard of anyone transferring between MD/PhD programs, but why is that so? It's fairly feasible in the undergraduate arena, but why not early on in the MD/PhD track (assuming you haven't started a thesis project)?
transferring between programs
- Thread starter neoserenity333
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That's an interesting question. I've heard of medical students transferring from one school to another all the time between second and third year, but never of an MD/PhD transferring. My guess is that the biggest roadblock is the funding issue. Many MD/PhD students are funded under institutional MSTP training grants, which are allocated to schools. So if one were to transfer to another MSTP program, they would have to be picked up on the grant at the new institution-- which is probably not eager to pick up a new student halfway through training (taking funds away from someone they could choose themselves).
I would think, though, if you are a real superstar and every program desperately wanted you when you were applying, *and* you had a good reason for wanting to transfer, you *might* be able to convince another school to take you on *and* continue your funding. Even so, I don't think I'd start at one program counting on transferring to another.
I would think, though, if you are a real superstar and every program desperately wanted you when you were applying, *and* you had a good reason for wanting to transfer, you *might* be able to convince another school to take you on *and* continue your funding. Even so, I don't think I'd start at one program counting on transferring to another.
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Basically the only reason people transfer is if their PI moves during the grad years. This has happened in recent memory out of our program. The same would apply if a PI with an MD/PhD student moved to one of the three institutions here. Some schools have written policies about these matters, and some play it by ear.
It is difficult to transfer between medical schools because of curricular differences, class size issues, and it is much more feasible to transfer to certain schools if there are compelling personal reasons (for example a student transferred from Cornell->Stanford to be with his wife, whereas the converse was not feasible for whatever reason).
It is difficult to transfer between medical schools because of curricular differences, class size issues, and it is much more feasible to transfer to certain schools if there are compelling personal reasons (for example a student transferred from Cornell->Stanford to be with his wife, whereas the converse was not feasible for whatever reason).
conrad said:
Transfers between MD-PhD programs are rare, but they do happen. As Habari noted, there needs to be a compelling personal reason for doing so; at our school, it almost always must involve either the exchange of a ring or an incapacitating illness of a member of one's immediate family. Our program has had 4 individuals transfer in, and one transfer out; all were due to marriage. Those wishing to transfer usually have completed the preclinical training at their original institution, and do not have to repeat that work.
Programs can appeal to the NIH to provide extra funds to cover the transfer student. These funds will come out of some discretionary money at NIGMS, and the school that is losing the student will not lose the training grant slot held by that student.
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neoserenity333 said:
There was definitely a student at UT Southwestern who transferred from Case Western due to fiance / wife being at UT Southwestern. It is possible and it happens and apparently the process is not too bad.
This does not mean that you should get into one place and then transfer to the place you really want. It does mean that you have the flexibility to do so should outside circumstances demand it.
