when we check MDPhd in AMCAS, are we commiting or simply expressing interest?

[Sonya]

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Hi,

When i entered schools in AMCAS to apply to, It asked about the great debate, to do or not MD PhD (basically, i'm not yet ready to commit, but am leaning against it).

So, if I check MD PhD am I saying i definetly want MD PhD? Which is to say, I will not later decide i want MD alone. Or am I just saying, i'm curious about MD PhD, send me an application.

I thought AMCASs instructions were a little ambigous.

Do I have to look up all the fields each school has when I select the MD PhD major? My interests: BioEng, BioPhysics, or Neuroscience, may not be offered at many schools. Can i just check those majors, or do i need to see exactly which one a school offers.

Thanks,
Sonya

 

[Mutterkuchen]

I think that when you apply on AMCAS as MD/PHD you are really applying for that. It is not just expressing interest.

 

[Sonya]

hmm... i didn't think so. But, i want to know for sure.

A lot of schools ask for the MD PhD secondary. So, if you don't fill that out, you haven't filled a full application. I called stanford this evening and they said you can back out until the secondary.

So, do all schools MD PhD Secondary? If so, we can always reject the phd part there. I suppose I can try to get a hold of AMCAS tommorow and get an answer. but, i think it's just that I did not understand the instructions. Anyone who is/has considered/applied MD PhD, do you understand the application.

Thanks...
Sonya

 

[vixenell]

I don't believe that its binding; but all of the schools that you apply to will see that you are interested in/intending to apply MD/PhD. They may or may not wonder why.

I'm pretty sure that all(MD/PhD) schools have MD/PhD secondaries, but I'm not 100% sure; try asking in the MD/PhD forum, or ask neuronix.

 

[Sonya]

hi,
If people see my application, they will know why. They will wonder why NOT.

I guess you're saying it does show non commital on my part.

Thanks.
sonya

 

[DarkChild]

i agree its a little confusing...
but from what i saw last year, the MD/PhD applications are just one page inserts (more or less) to the regular secondaries. so its really on the secondary that you indicate MD/PhD and therefore commit.
With that being said though, my AMCAS to cornell was MD-only. When I got their secondary, i thought "why the hell not?" and dropped mudphud there. A few weeks later I got a panicked call from the Cornell MD/PhD office complaining about me doing that. They said that I need to contact AMCAS and get them to change it, and then AMCAS said no, the school's the only one that can go in there and change it... this went on for a little while.
so to be safe: just decide now. ultimately it didnt hurt me, but why cause yourself unnecessary strife? 🙂

 

[Sonya]

yeah, but if I indicate yes on the application, it can't hurt me . I can always turn down at the secondary.... right?
You know, if they give you MD Ph D admission, you have to take that admission or no admission, usually.

Sonya

 

[Desdemona]

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but I do have some advice. I was going through a similar debate last year. (This was before I decided that I hate research.) I went back and forth about whether or not I should apply, especially when a bunch of my professors encouraged me to do it. But in the end, I decided that I shouldn't, simply because I kept debating it and wasn't totally gung-ho and excited about it. I think if you are not TOTALLY sure that you definitely want to do it, and you apply for it, when you interview, they will sense it and think that you're just in it for the money. Also, some schools (Pitt, for one) allow you to apply for it in your first or second year of med school, which will give you more time to think about your career goals.

 

[Sonya]

that's why i'm saying no to research. I have been very gung ho excited about research, and very bored by research. I've done research throughout three years of college, and now full time after for a whole year. in the end, i know i will be wasting myself if I don't do research, but if i don't find the right area, i'm going to be bored. And, if i don't do MD PhD, i'll go on some path after medical school that will allow me to do research. Because, after medical school, i'll know my specialty and can choose more relevant research.

It's not thinking time. It's finding the right research area where i am excited the same way i felt about research in undergrad. And knowing if there is ANY research that exists where i will be excited.

Anyway, this is huge debate in and of itself for me that i have given a lot of thought to, and this isn't the place for an entire PS on it. But, thanks for the input.

Sonya