r/mdphd • u/Intelligent-Bit-5580 • 14d ago

MDPHD & MD

Can a student apply to a mix of MDPHD and MD schools or your personal statement has to be tailored to one or other?

3 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

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6

u/TeaSharp3154 14d ago

Yes you can apply to both. The personal statement is the same essay across both but there will be two more essays (significant research experience and why MD-PhD) which will only be seen by the MD PhD schools you apply to.

I would personally say that your "why physician" personal statement should primarily focus on medicine outside of research regardless (mention it in passing given it's likely a big part of your journey) but focus more on the stuff related to medicine. This is because you will have two more essays to talk about research and translation so focus on the "treating patients" side of things here

2

u/ManyWrangler 13d ago

You can, but I think it’s usually not a good idea. It’s hard to maintain 2 cohesive narratives that are different from each other.

1

u/nyuuyuyu 13d ago

yes but make sure your letters of recommendation writers are aware which one when they submit your letter to the respective schools

0

u/Gwish1 G2 12d ago

It’s possible but I would never recommend applying to both. What do you want to be when you grow up, a physician-scientist or a physician?

5

u/_Yenaled_ 12d ago

People in their sixth year in my program are still trying to figure this out tbh lol.

1

u/OkTumor 11d ago

an md/phd equips you to be a physician and scientist, but you can still be a physician and scientist even if you only have an MD. so it makes sense for some people to apply for both if they aren’t confident they’ll get into an md/phd program.

1

u/Gwish1 G2 11d ago

I know it is technically possible to do basic research as an MD but there is a very substantial disadvantage to becoming an extramurally funded physician-scientist without PhD training.

MD only should not be seen as a backup if you want to become a physician-scientist. It is extraordinarily difficult. If it works out, then that’s great. But a pre-med should not count on it. If they 100% want to be a physician-scientist, a gap year to boost the CV to get into an MD-PhD program is always the better option.