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Hi everyone,
I'm currently finishing my M.Sc. in Medical Physics at McGill. This year I only applied for MD/PhD at McGill, as my wife is in 2nd yr med here, and I hope to stay on in the same lab for the PhD portion. My stats aren't bad for the US (MCAT 39Q, uGPA ~3.6 at McGill, M.Sc. GPA ~3.8, decent ECs, ex-army, no publications yet but soon to come), but as there's no such thing as a sure thing, I'm contemplating my options for next year if I don't get in. My chances are mediocre in Canada at best, although will improve next year with a few publications.
1. My M.Sc. thesis work is in MRI physics, but the program is accredited and would allow me to work as a clinical physicist in radiation oncology, probably starting at about 90K in the US.
2. Alternately I could stay in my current lab as an RA and put out a few more papers while I apply for next year.
3. I can start a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in my current lab.
4. Come up with something completely different.
Problems:
With 1., I wouldn't feel honest applying as a junior physicist if I really didn't intend to carry on in the profession, although it is great clinical exposure, money, and could potentially get me residency status in the US,( although I don't know what the timeline is on this, or how much this weighs in on MD/PhD applications). It might be seen as moving away from academia, and could hurt MD/PhD chances while improving MD chances.
With 2., It seems like I'd be seen as stagnating, although it would improve my shots at funding down the line.
With 3., I'd be throwing away a great MCAT score, as it would expire by the time I finish, plus my pre-reqs would be ancient and I would probably have to redo some of them at least. The pros are stability, and less worry about my wife matching in the right place. Also, I'm in a great place and have a really productive project lined up.
I've thought of some other less specific ideas, but I figured I'd put my situation out there while I anxiously await news from McGill on interviews. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
I'm currently finishing my M.Sc. in Medical Physics at McGill. This year I only applied for MD/PhD at McGill, as my wife is in 2nd yr med here, and I hope to stay on in the same lab for the PhD portion. My stats aren't bad for the US (MCAT 39Q, uGPA ~3.6 at McGill, M.Sc. GPA ~3.8, decent ECs, ex-army, no publications yet but soon to come), but as there's no such thing as a sure thing, I'm contemplating my options for next year if I don't get in. My chances are mediocre in Canada at best, although will improve next year with a few publications.
1. My M.Sc. thesis work is in MRI physics, but the program is accredited and would allow me to work as a clinical physicist in radiation oncology, probably starting at about 90K in the US.
2. Alternately I could stay in my current lab as an RA and put out a few more papers while I apply for next year.
3. I can start a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in my current lab.
4. Come up with something completely different.
Problems:
With 1., I wouldn't feel honest applying as a junior physicist if I really didn't intend to carry on in the profession, although it is great clinical exposure, money, and could potentially get me residency status in the US,( although I don't know what the timeline is on this, or how much this weighs in on MD/PhD applications). It might be seen as moving away from academia, and could hurt MD/PhD chances while improving MD chances.
With 2., It seems like I'd be seen as stagnating, although it would improve my shots at funding down the line.
With 3., I'd be throwing away a great MCAT score, as it would expire by the time I finish, plus my pre-reqs would be ancient and I would probably have to redo some of them at least. The pros are stability, and less worry about my wife matching in the right place. Also, I'm in a great place and have a really productive project lined up.
I've thought of some other less specific ideas, but I figured I'd put my situation out there while I anxiously await news from McGill on interviews. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
