Was told not to do MD/PhD...

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

A couple of questions that hopefully someone here can help with. I recently met with a former MD/PhD director to discuss my application-in-progress and my interest in MD/PhD programs. She discouraged me from applying MD/PhD for several reasons:

• My main interests lie in epidemiology. This will limit me to a few number of schools that offer epi as part of their funded program. Even then, she said there is a large bias in programs to select in favor for basic science due to funding politics.
• My application is very "social justice" oriented, which would be a huge plus for MD only programs but she said it wont help me one way or another for MD/PhD.
• Most of my research experience is not in basic science. She said I would definitely need to do something like the NIH IRTA post-bacc program to be competitive.
• My state school only has 4 MD/PhD spots every year, and given that it is my top choice for many reasons, this would limit me greatly because of the timing that MD/PhD applications are reviewed in comparison to MD only and I would lose in-state advantage.

Research experience:

• 1 year (still involved) in epidemiological study about medically underserved community .
• 1 year (still involved) in longitudinal case study regarding same medically underserved community - first authorship on manuscript that has been submitted.
• 6 months (still involved) as paid research assistant for sociology professor - upcoming authorship on manuscript that has been submitted.
• 10 week fully funded summer research fellowship with NIH, basic science - possible authorship.
• 2 year upcoming research program through undergrad school that is fully funded by NIH, will be doing clinical research.

Other things about my application:

• Rising junior.
• 4.0 GPA
• Approx. 300 hours of clinical volunteering with direct patient contact in free clinic
• Serve as board member on two medical committees for aforementioned medically underserved community.
• 50 hours of shadowing in urology and primary care.

My question is this: does this much research become an issue when applying to MD only programs? I decided that for what I want to do with research, a PhD isn't necessary. Is it worth applying MD/PhD to schools that will also consider you for MD only or that offer an epi program?

I am considering MD/MPH, but for similar reasons to the MD/PhD program at my state school, applying to the MD/MPH will limit me in both seat availability as well as losing the in-state advantage.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mansamusa]

Nope. I have as much or more research and I did fine applying. MD schools like research.

Usually MPH programs are applied to after (or while) you get accepted to the school, so I would double check to see if it really will limit the seat availability for the MD program.

Congrats on the gpa and I definitely agree that MD/MPH or MD alone is your best course of action!

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

Nope. I have as much or more research and I did fine applying. MD schools like research.

Usually MPH programs are applied to after (or while) you get accepted to the school, so I would double check to see if it really will limit the seat availability for the MD program.

Congrats on the gpa and I definitely agree that MD/MPH or MD alone is your best course of action!

Thank you. My state school has an option to apply to an MD/MPH program. Typically, this school has a strong in-state bias (upwards of 80% of matriculants are in-state I believe), but it doesn't apply to the dual degree programs. That being said, I can always apply internally if I get in.

 

[Mansamusa]

Thank you. My state school has an option to apply to an MD/MPH program. Typically, this school has a strong in-state bias (upwards of 80% of matriculants are in-state I believe), but it doesn't apply to the dual degree programs. That being said, I can always apply internally if I get in.

Sounds like a good plan. You may find that you don't even need a MPH and that the research you do during school/by taking a research year will be enough. And don't forget Miami's 4yr MD/MPH (their tuition is $45 for all 4 yr, so it may end up not being much more expensive than a state school + MPH tuition depending on which state you are from).