MD/PhD vs MD vs PhD: Why I chose MD/PhD

[@aladir-fc5cb]

Thanks for doing this video! I'm currently struggling between MD/PhD vs. PhD alone and this definitely helps!

[@DaKuawn]

The best way to decide is to get the experience!!! Things to think to yourself: 1) Would I be happy and fulfilled if I am solely a clinician? - You can answer this question after volunteering in the hospital and seeing simply how a hospital is run. Then this can be supplemented by what you see by shadowing physicians. If you dislike being in a hospital or being around sick people (or people can irritate you easily, definitely rethink your desire to become a physician) 2) Do many people that you see with the job title that you desire have an MD/PhD or PhD? - don't try and reinvent the wheel, see who has already had success with want you want and emulate what they did. you may not need both degrees 3) Most people who are PhD prone like logic and reasoning through content. Are you willing to go through a training process that focuses predominately on memorization and very little to deep understanding. The classwork and success academically in the clinical landscape looks VERY different than in undergrad and graduate courses. In many cases thinking like a researcher or graduate stuent will hurt you in medical school (I had to learn the hard way lol).

[@closetcleaner]

@@DaKuawn #3 is very true and important.

[@ezbakeovenhands]

@@closetcleaner sorry I didn't fully get number 3..saying MDPhD hurt them in med school?..

[@TA-oj1rg]

side note, the background lighting is really nice!

[@isaiahwhitten3939]

This is an amazing video! It’s exactly what I was looking for regarding all things MD/PHD.

[@alexiskelley8821]

OMG I FINALLY FOUND THE VIDEO I NEEDED Edit: Hi I am reconsidering doing this program, I already want to do a PhD, and graduated with my BS in May 2021 (Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in Computational Biology). The reason I am reconsidering is because with thinking about my career i have a couple of things I want to do. 1. Teaching at a medical school ( how to provide care to patients, and as well as my research ( math biology) ) 2. Using my research to potentially connect with my patients ( How does my research directly impact with the patients I am caring for ,is that is something this career path seriously does. ) I would like to talk more, and I am really sorry for the long comment! I hope you can answer some of my questions!

[@FreddyWangNX]

So in china,(the place where I currently live) , there is an 8/9 yrs combined program for students straight out of highschool called an 8 year track MD program(basically it's 5 yrs of MBBS studies + 3 years of residency/research trainings) which is actually pretty similar to a MD/PhD in the US but the PhD is actually the MD in this part(since ecfmg acknowledges MBBS as MD equivalent ) thus it actually saves a med student 4 yrs of undergraduate studies compared to schools in north america

[@lorenzoplaserrano8734]

I am so happy for you. Your video has strengthened my decision to apply.

[@DaKuawn]

Programs have been expanding there seats with reapplication to their T32 grants, so the country needs more physician-scientists. I wish you success on your application process!

[@lorenzoplaserrano8734]

@@DaKuawn Thank you!

[@nolanhanna]

This was very helpful, I am a chem pre-med wanting to get a pharmacology doctorate, but lately I've felt like being a physician and interacting with patients is an important part of what I want to do with my career so I've been looking into MSTPs/MD-PhD programs but wasn't sure if it was the right thing

[@clydevy3257]

My❤❤cvwwd

[@clydevy3257]

😊😊😊 been

[@jordanvodonos4726]

I am only a high school junior, but I am technically also taking enough units to qualify as a full-time college student. I plan to be a doctor at some point in my life and this video really helps in starting to think about the paths I can pursue. I'm applying to a high school research internship next summer for a Standford med school professor. Do you have any tips for getting research opportunities at my age? I guess I technically qualify as a freshman undergrad...

[@worldwildmed]

The best thing to do is apply for as many opportunities as possible. For example, you can try emailing professors at your school. I sent out about a hundred or so emails my freshman year and heard back from maybe five and ended up joining one of those labs. If you do well in classes, professors take note and are often more likely to let you into their labs if you just approach them and ask. Also look out for available research opportunities (REUs, etc.) available at your institution.

[@DaKuawn]

I started doing research my junior year in high school as well. I would suggest doing the following: 1) identify a topic you are interested in (cancer, hormones, the heart, etc) 2) find researchers at universities near you that study things in those areas 3) look at their lab website and see what they study and try to get a good understanding of the basic premise of the lab. 4) cold email those professors. Tell them about yourself. Tell them what you like about their lab (i.e. i see that you are stuyding how heart cells metabolize certain drugs and I think that is really cool. I am interested in becoming a cardiologist later in life and I think working with your lab would be a wonderful opportunity. Would you be willing to meet with me about possibly working with your lab or provide some colleagues that are willing to mentor a high school student.) 5) Be very responsive to those emails

[@worldwildmed]

Hey just came across your page but this was a very well done video! I have a similar video on my page about why I chose MD/PhD and I feel like we had a very similar breakdown! Great video and am looking forward to what's next!

[@JEENIE4448]

Wow thank you so much this really gave me an great insight on what I want to do

[@crystalmcleod2651]

This video is giving me life! Doing my mcat tomorrow and I would love to get where you are! Thanks for sharing 💕

[@Ana-yc4nu]

Goodluck!!!!!!!

[@dylanp3084]

Good luck!!!

[@crystalmcleod2651]

Thank you! 🌸

[@haileyli8605]

Good luck!

[@Ahn-mu3db]

Hey how did it go Crystal? 😊

[@yousifabdulhussein]

I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH HELL YES!!! I WANTED MORE VIDEOS ABOUT MD/PhD AND NEVER FOUND MANY

[@DaKuawn]

Yeah they are few and far between! MD/PhD students tend to be flaky youtubers 😂. We get busy and balancing everything goes out the window lol.

[@yousifabdulhussein]

@@DaKuawn unbalanced, as all stem fields should be

[@SKARTHIKSELVAN]

All your videos are very helpful. All the best to do well in your MD/PhD program.

[@razasyed575]

you're gonna be a fricking genius homie

[@jonathantlphan8389]

Yes! Been waiting for this.

[@adebimpeonikan9631]

this is so interesting, we don't have this option in Ireland. but I might do biomed then med school :)

[@usmans.8218]

This is the exact question I've been thinking about!

[@DaKuawn]

I feel like that is the decision that most people have to go through at some point. The reason for choosing the pathway is different for many people to be honest. I definitely do not like be a student, but I definitely cannot imagine a career in research without my questions being based in clinical observable phenomena.

[@Ana-yc4nu]

Thank you for this video I was debating on which path I should take so it helps to hear another perspective!!!😭

[@DaKuawn]

The best way to decide is to get the experience!!! Things to think to yourself: 1) Would I be happy and fulfilled if I am solely a clinician? - You can answer this question after volunteering in the hospital and seeing simply how a hospital is run. Then this can be supplemented by what you see by shadowing physicians. If you dislike being in a hospital or being around sick people (or people can irritate you easily, definitely rethink your desire to become a physician) 2) Do you like basic science/do you desire running a lab? - if you do not plan to be doing a large amount of research, planning the experiments, doing the statistical analysis, etc you do not need the PhD. Many clinicians can publish case reports, become supervising clinicians in studies, etc. Work in a lab for an EXTENDED period of time (like 1 or 2 years if you are expecting to do MD/PhD), understand what it feels like to fail at something for months on end and see how you stay motivated and how you deal with frustration. this will tell you very quickly whether or not you really want to do research. 3) Do you feel like you have a timeline? - family planning, etc. Picking an unnecessarily long training path could be difficult to justify 4) Do many people that you see with the job title that you desire have an MD/PhD, MD, or PhD? - don't try and reinvent the wheel, see who has already had success with want you want and emulate what they did. you may not need both degrees

[@davidlakhter]

great analysis!

[@emmancedrickgalido3201]

Can an MD PhD can have: Cardiothoracic Surgeon Neurosurgeon Plastic Surgeon General Surgeon Opthalmology Doctor Oncology Doctor Is it Depends to specialties you would get?

[@two341]

Can you do an MD/PhD, be a surgeon and be able to do research?

[@sum6198]

how did u fit all the pre reqs in your two years before u took the mcat. i am in the same position as you and im graduating in three yrs instead of four (incoming freshman here). im honestly not a fan of taking 2 gap yrs for mcat and applying and i have NO IDEA as to when im taking the mcat and how i fit it in before my pre reqs.. pls help king 🤩

[@DaKuawn]

Is it imperative that you finish in 3 years (i.e. financial, etc)? I had the choice of finishing my degree in about 2.5 years or going for the full 4 yeats and I ultimately decided on taking the full 4 years and picking up a minor. I definitely do not regret making that decision because so many great things came from that extra time. If you look at the profiles of incoming MD/PhD students (and even medical students) most are taking gap years (either to do research or to get subsequent research based degrees like a masters). Finishing early will not necessarily be a benefit when looking at the weight of your application. From the other side looking from an admission's committee view (for MD/PhD specifically) we tend to look for more mature students for the simple fact that mature individuals are capable of making long term commitments (like making an 8 year commitment to a rigorous program). Cutting off that extra year means that you have 1 year less of research, 1 years less of volunteering in a medical environment, 1 year less of service to your community, and 1 year less of well-developed relationships that would turn into strong letters of recommendation. To directly answer you MCAT question: It is typically suggested that you take the MCAT the spring semester prior to the summer you plan to apply (i.e. take the MCAT Jan 2021 to submit primary in June 2021). That timing allows you to get your scores back and possibly retake if necessary. I would advise against taking the MCAT prior to all of your pre-requisites because it is far easier to do well on the exam when you have had time to master all of the topics individually and then go back and review to brush up on those skills. Rushing can just lead to a much more expensive application process (at least from what I have seen in my own personal circle of influence). Hopefully that helped :)

[@carloswaddle89]

@@DaKuawn I also agree applying super early to medical school is extremely stressful and honestly if youre graduating in 2 years you'll feel somewhat obligated to apply right after which does not give you time to allow yourself to experience your "youth" in all of its glory as well as college. For example, I'm graduating in two years and I personally want to apply after 3 years in college so I've decided to pursue a fast track program and pursue a masters degree that'll allow me stay for at least another year maybe year and a half. Some people may ask why dont you start applying to medical school right after your second year , well I enjoy my sanity and would rather not put myself under that amount of stress at such a young age.

[@jay7331]

Awesome video! Do you know anyone doing an MD/MBA could you talk about that option too?

[@DaKuawn]

Many medical schools allow their students to spend 1 year to do an additional graduate degree (varies depending on the school). But similar to MD/PhD students these students are called dual degree students. Look at the websites of the medical schools you are considering and see if they offer that pathway. Not all schools have an associated business school, so keep that in mind when selecting programs. I currently know of an MD/PhD student who is also getting her MBA (against our program's policy), but it is very doable.

[@stephanie_love01]

Hi, I am about to start med school and I was thinking of transferring into an MD/PhD, the last 2 years of med school are for med training?

[@historyhongkong7521]

May I ask what if one do if someone have a master degree but still unemployed for that particular working sector, but he cannot turn back to the starting point because he has already overqualified and job skills mismatch for another field's starting position. What should he do?

[@Funmiawobiro]

Will I need to go for residency after an MD/PHD program?

[@sekkekkyuu_eng]

hi, i have a quick question. do physician-scientist get to see "regular" patients, not just clinical trial patients?

[@DaKuawn]

It depends on the specialty, but yes physician-scientists can be involved in longitudinal care (what you call "regular" patients). Most MD/PhDs actually don't desire to oversee clinical studies (we can), but we mostly get our inspiration and ideas for lab from our patients we see in the clinic.

[@sekkekkyuu_eng]

@@DaKuawn Thank you so much for your input! I understand now :))

[@DaKuawn]

@@sekkekkyuu_eng not a problem. Glad I could clarify!!

[@sebastiancastro21]

Hi, great channel, one question, Is it possible to get a Doctoral degree during your medical residency?

[@WinnieThePoohTJ]

I'm not in that experience but my boss who is Prof. at Harvard Medical School he did residency and postdoc at the same time

[@theblackclassic1]

is it possible to do md-phd in humanities?

[@sheldoncooper0]

PhD is right at the bottom. MD is higher.

[@asiagreen5658]

Also, poeple trying to get in hardest residency program spots or earning another graduate college degree during research time in the residency like MPH, M.ed, etc.

[@jacobbornstein3273]

First

[@Scriabin_fan]

Jacob Bornstein congrats bro