2 answers
Larissa
Student
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2
Questions
Updated
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What are the best MD/PhD programs in the United States and how competitive are they ?
What recommendations do you have to get into such program? Is there a certain MCAT score needed? What do you recommend I put in my personal statement? What are my chances of getting into such program?
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1220
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Larissa,
MD/PhD programs are an interesting alternative to "normal" medical school if you are headed into a combination of patient care and medical research. You'll earn a medical MD and a non-medical PhD to become a physician-scientist. The education is going to be even more demanding than "just" medical school since you'll have additional course work in e.g. biochemistry and not only clinical rotations but also rotations in research labs. While medical school earns you a medical doctorate, the research component for that is minimal. The non-medical PhD requires a research thesis on par with other PhDs in the sciences.
There are many such programs in the US, but they tend to be even more competitive than just getting into an MD or DO program. The average GPA and MCAT score of students admitted into MD/PhD programs are higher than those of students going into "just" a regular MD or DO program. The expectations for medical experience and research experience are also much higher if you want to be competitive. There are additional essays and more letters of recommendation requested. You'll need to check with individual schools that you would consider what their requirements are.
Nobody can tell you what to put into your essays or what your chances are. You'll need to explain why you chose this particular program and how it matches your vision for you career. You'll also have to explain your interest and experience in research.
One of the perks of MD/PhD programs is that many or most are NIH-funded and come with tuition wavers and a stipend to cover living expenses. One of the drawbacks is that MD/PhD programs are 7-8 years long and therefore make your education path even longer. You will be looking at 4 years for an undergraduate degree, 7-8 years for the MD/PhD program, residency (3-7 years) and possibly fellowships.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://mdphdassociation.org/table-of-all-md-phd-program
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/research-rankings
MD/PhD programs are an interesting alternative to "normal" medical school if you are headed into a combination of patient care and medical research. You'll earn a medical MD and a non-medical PhD to become a physician-scientist. The education is going to be even more demanding than "just" medical school since you'll have additional course work in e.g. biochemistry and not only clinical rotations but also rotations in research labs. While medical school earns you a medical doctorate, the research component for that is minimal. The non-medical PhD requires a research thesis on par with other PhDs in the sciences.
There are many such programs in the US, but they tend to be even more competitive than just getting into an MD or DO program. The average GPA and MCAT score of students admitted into MD/PhD programs are higher than those of students going into "just" a regular MD or DO program. The expectations for medical experience and research experience are also much higher if you want to be competitive. There are additional essays and more letters of recommendation requested. You'll need to check with individual schools that you would consider what their requirements are.
Nobody can tell you what to put into your essays or what your chances are. You'll need to explain why you chose this particular program and how it matches your vision for you career. You'll also have to explain your interest and experience in research.
One of the perks of MD/PhD programs is that many or most are NIH-funded and come with tuition wavers and a stipend to cover living expenses. One of the drawbacks is that MD/PhD programs are 7-8 years long and therefore make your education path even longer. You will be looking at 4 years for an undergraduate degree, 7-8 years for the MD/PhD program, residency (3-7 years) and possibly fellowships.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for letting me know! This is all very useful information and I will take a look at the links you provided.
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
266
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
I would just add to Karin's answer that there are no bad MD nor MD/PhD programs in the United States. We are blessed with many fabulous physicians and professors, and there are regulations in place that prevent mediocre programs from continuing. Athough you will hear a few names more often than others, do know that you will be fine and successful if you go to lesser-talked about schools. For the medicine part, I found that my Kansas University MD degree prepared me for residency better than most of my colleagues who graduated from the big name schools.
I hope you have great success, and thank you for thinking about devoting yourself to help others.
I hope you have great success, and thank you for thinking about devoting yourself to help others.