Would it look bad if you were an Amgen Scholar and you applied to MD programs?

[shindotp]

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The reason being that Amgen Scholars is a program meant for people pursuing PhD's or MD/PhD's, so it would seem as if you lied on the Amgen app if you apply to medical school MD-only but list being an Amgen Scholar.

I'm asking this because I don't want to end up having the experience hurt me if I decide not to apply MD/PhD. Anyone apply MD-only after having participated in the program?

 

[mdmarty]

Since you are interested in the program, odds are you are considering doing an MD/PhD. That's really the only prerequisite: having a desire to play around with bench research, not necessarily devote your life to it. I did the program some time ago, applied only MD, got into some great research schools, and really enjoyed the experience.

You don't need a PhD to be a scientist or researcher. Just don't say that when you apply...

 

[ar2388]

although i didnt do AMGEN, I did a SURP program at mt sinai which is also geared towrds phds and md/phds, but I am only applied MD.. dont worry. it wont hurt you

worst case scenario: youll be asked why not a phd during an interview? and a simple "full time research is not for me" usually suffices

 

[shindotp]

Wow, thank you guys for the answer I was looking for!

 

[fizzle]

When I did the Amgen program, there were a couple others who were planning to go the MD-only route, although most were planning to go straight PhD. It's for people who are interested in pure research; I myself am interested in going the academic medicine route, which is why I participated in it.

 

[TraderDoc]

I can't see how being an Amgen Scholar could hurt anyones application. Even though the proogram is geared towards those who want to pursue a Phd or MD/ PhD, the primary goal is to introduce students to research at the graduate level or broaden one's research experience. Your interest to do research is what they were hoping for, not the fact that your professional goal is the Phd route. Hell, some of the faculty at the Amgen Program at Stanford only had an MD.

 

[tardyturtle]

How about adding a little twist onto the situation: what if you apply to MD-only programs before you start the research program?? (AMCAS opens in the beginning of June, and some research programs don't start until after then)

 

[madamebovary]

well then the research program wouldnt be really factored into your AMCAS app

 

[madamebovary]

How about adding a little twist onto the situation: what if you apply to MD-only programs before you start the research program?? (AMCAS opens in the beginning of June, and some research programs don't start until after then)

well im pretty sure that the research program wouldnt be helping you AMCAS app if that was your case.

 

[creativekat]

Personally, I'm very interested in academic medicine, so this summer will be my 2nd summer doing a SURF-type program while applying (pray for my sanity, guys). I don't think there's anything wrong with it. If I get questioned about it, my honest answer is that I want to do research as an MD.