Urgent advice for Vandy MD vs Suny Upstate MD PhD

[Doctorsoontobe]

I would appreciate any input.... really mean it. I just got a phone call from SUNY Upstate admission. I didn't expect to get in so I already accepted Vandy MD. I always intend to do research even with the MD program, though I don't want to do strictly research for my career.
My scholarship for Vandy is only 50% and I am dirt poor so the money from the MD PhD program would mean alot, though I understand that it's not the right reason to go with MD PHD. I am supposed to give them my answer tomorrow. Any advice?

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[MSTP?]

I would appreciate any input.... really mean it. I just got a phone call from SUNY Upstate admission. I didn't expect to get in so I already accepted Vandy MD. I always intend to do research even with the MD program, though I don't want to do strictly research for my career.
My scholarship for Vandy is only 50% and I am dirt poor so the money from the MD PhD program would mean alot, though I understand that it's not the right reason to go with MD PHD. I am supposed to give them my answer tomorrow. Any advice?

Go to Vandy - you can always re-apply to MD/PhD once you get there. It's a better program and better location as far as I'm concerned.

 

[OddNath]

If you are pretty sure that you want to have a career both practicing medicine and doing research, take the MD/PhD spot. That way, you won't have to waste a year of med school tuition, and you'll end up where you want to be.

Personally, I think that prestige of med school would be more important if you were MD-only, but as an MD/PhD student you'll have many doors open to you at either school. So, my vote would be for the SUNY program. Congratulations, whichever you choose!

 

[echod]

I would appreciate any input.... really mean it. I just got a phone call from SUNY Upstate admission. I didn't expect to get in so I already accepted Vandy MD. I always intend to do research even with the MD program, though I don't want to do strictly research for my career.
My scholarship for Vandy is only 50% and I am dirt poor so the money from the MD PhD program would mean alot, though I understand that it's not the right reason to go with MD PHD. I am supposed to give them my answer tomorrow. Any advice?

I think you should do the MD/PhD if you're really sure you want to go into academia. I think most pre-meds (at least I didn't when I was applying) don't know how many doors are open to MD/PhD students in terms of residency programs. SUNY MD/PhD has been sending people to Hopkins for internal med, so don't worry too much about their reputation. The money is indeed very attractive. It was for me. I mean how are you going to take a 50% pay cut in academia when you owe tons of money?

David