Working on Ph.D. and applying to med schools, is it allowed?

[fant 2]

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I didn't get into med school last year and am applying again. I had also applied to one graduate school at the same school where I got my b.s. I had applied for the spring, but there were not any openings until the fall. After I had already began my application to med school for 2011, one of my professors(who I had done research under and wrote me a LOR) (who is also the dean of the graduate deparment I would be studying under) called me up and offered me a spot starting in the fall to work on my Ph.D. I accepted the offer. I am still applying to medical schools. I am not for sure going to leave the grad school program, but there is a chance if I do get accepted to med school that I may quit part way through the grad program.

>Is this frowned upon, not allowed or pretty common?
>Do you think this is going to piss the proffessor off and cause problem if he finds out I am applying to med school?

I have been out of school for 6 months and I don't want to take another year off between now and august 2011 waiting for med schools. I want to be working on something in the mean time.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

It isn't allowed. Many schools will ask if you are in a graduate program and will require a letter from your dean stating that you were awarded the degree.

 

[GellaBella]

It isn't allowed. Many schools will ask if you are in a graduate program and will require a letter from your dean stating that you were awarded the degree.

Yep, while applying (albeit to veterinary schools) they required letters from both my dept and my advisor saying that I will have finished my PhD prior to matriculating at their school. Some required it during the application process and some required it after I was accepted but they definitely made it very clear that if you are already in a graduate program you are expected to complete it before moving on to the next school.

 

[fant 2]

I guess the next questio would be, what is the best solution?
I have already sent my transcripts to TMDSAS, but they have not been fully processed and transmitted. Should I put the application on hold and withdraw from the grad program? then retransmit my transcript after I have withdrawn?

What can I do over the next year before august 2011? It is too late to apply to SMPs for this year.

 

[swamprat]

OP, I can understand your frustration in that time off from school with out a satisfying job or project/goal in sight sucks. Who wants to volunteer and shadow for another whole year, I mean really? But like the others have said and from what I've read throughout the years going back and forth between grad school and medicine, if you start a program you generally have to finish it. Why don't you see if you can change it to an M.S. program? You could possibly complete it within a year (some of them you can at least) and be all set to start in fall 2011. I know its probably not an option, but figured I'd throw that out there.

 

[austinap]

Yep, while applying (albeit to veterinary schools) they required letters from both my dept and my advisor saying that I will have finished my PhD prior to matriculating at their school. Some required it during the application process and some required it after I was accepted but they definitely made it very clear that if you are already in a graduate program you are expected to complete it before moving on to the next school.

I actually never encountered this. Though I did put "expected date of completion" on my AMCAS, I was never asked about the date of completion any other time. I didn't apply to many schools so that may be part of it, but nobody seemed to care. Both schools that ultimately accepted me also didn't require proof of completion of my graduate degree. In fact, both flat out told me that my admissions offer was not contingent upon finishing my PhD.

That being said, I wouldn't apply before you're fairly sure you'll be able to finish. Do you have any feel for what is the weakest area of your application? I personally would avoid going to an SMP at all costs unless your uGPA really needs the boost. It also won't look great for you to leave your program, or apply without expecting to get a degree. If you absolutely hate grad school, then arrange to leave with your masters by the time you'd be matriculating, and fill out the applications accordingly.

From my own anecdotal evidence, people with masters degrees don't really stand out, while people with PhDs (particularly in relevant fields) do. For one, we tend to be able to talk about research much more competently than almost all of the other applicants. In addition, we're usually considered non-traditional applicants, which tends to give us a bit of a boost. I just got done going through the cycle, so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[BozoSparky]

Hey, you should sit down and talk to your PhD advisor about what you really want to do. Med schools won't like you bailing on a graduate program with nothing to show and they definitely won't like you keeping it all from your research advisor!

You might be surprised to find some support from your research advisor.

For others...a PhD program shouldn't be a backup plan for not getting into med school...you have to want it.

 

[chman]

Hey, you should sit down and talk to your PhD advisor about what you really want to do. Med schools won't like you bailing on a graduate program with nothing to show and they definitely won't like you keeping it all from your research advisor!

You might be surprised to find some support from your research advisor.

For others...a PhD program shouldn't be a backup plan for not getting into med school...you have to want it.

This. Aside from the logistics of it, the real question is which one do you want to do? If it is med school then give the PhD spot to someone who really wants to do that.