Will leaving my PhD program to pursue med school look bad?

[nielsbohr123]

Hello all, I am currently finishing my second semester in a Physics PhD program. Over the school year, I have realized that I don’t want a career in science. Pursuing healthcare is more meaningful for me and I regret abandoning the pursuit of med school.

In undergrad I was a life sciences major (yes, not physics. Took a number of courses as a postbacc) and was premed. Thus, I have an extensive number of prior clinical hours and a respectable number of community service hours. I have shadowed physicians in the past as well. Expired MCAT (510). All this to say, I applied to med school pre-covid and didn’t get in. As I began attempting to improve my application, I got sidetracked and drawn into a potential research career (worked as a lab tech/manager, got into a physical science phd program). I put away my initial aspirations because at the time I wanted to just begin a career and thought of research because I was good at it.

However, upon reflection I need to be pursuing medicine.

Since I am pre-candidate/no lab (first year), I would be at the mercy of the graduate program in being awarded a terminal masters. I believe my time would be better spent pursuing more recent clinical and community service opportunities, rather than potentially spending another year just to “master” out. I am doing otherwise fine in the program (GPA, academics wise).

I have looked around and couldn’t find any similar situations on SDN or elsewhere to draw from. Would submitting an application next cycle (2026-27) be DOA? Are there things I can do to mitigate fallout with respect to applying for MD programs?

I appreciate any thoughts/suggestions.

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[Mr.Smile12]

You aren't the first person to drop out of a PhD program as a pre-candidate, and you won't be the last.

How much shadowing, clinical exposure, and non-clinical community work have you done? MCAT prep? Letters?

 

[nielsbohr123]

You aren't the first person to drop out of a PhD program as a pre-candidate, and you won't be the last.

How much shadowing, clinical exposure, and non-clinical community work have you done? MCAT prep? Letters?

Thanks for the response. Currently my old hours are about approximately 50 hrs shadowing, 700 hrs clinical, 150 hrs community service. These hours were last updated in 2020. I need to show continued commitment, so I'm planning to work as an MA/scribe and continuing with community service, as well.

Currently prepping for the MCAT with tentative retest date in September. Letters I can ask from a current professor from the grad program, previous research PI (worked for 2 years as lab manager/tech), and will get 2 more from new clinical work and community service.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Goro]

You'll be fine.