<p>I've been seriously pondering the last few weeks applying for MD/PhD instead of just MD-alone this summer. I work in a major U.S. research hospital on my own independent project (should <em>hopefully</em> be publishing end of the summer or next fall)...I've lately just come to accept the fact that I really would miss research and the environment of academic medicine if I just did clinical work, but also the fact that I want to see patients and impact individual lives while at the same time learning about how the human body works. I love the idea of getting to work on bigger idea things in medicine, while also possessing the skills to practice. Anyway, i'm vaguely aware that admissions standards seem to be higher for MD/PhD programs and the fact that you can enter academic medicine without a PhD. I also acknowledge the fact that you don't necessarily need to be a P.I. in order to be involved in research as a physician, which I think MD/PhD students are encouraged to become...and that I've been swaying between clinical and research work for a while and that I'm ill-defined it what ultimate role I'd like to have in research. </p>
<p>I have a relatively strong research background (2.5 years undergraduate research, thesis through scholars program at my college), and 1 years post-graduate research at a Top 5 U.S. academic medical center. Also have considerable volunteer experience in both the U.S. and abroad and I think I have a good grasp on the life of a doctor. Worried my GPA and MCAT are too low though (MD/PhD seems to need astronomically high stats) </p>
<p>find out MCAT soon (expected? 33 or 34?).... Overall GPA: 3.64, BCPM GPA: 3.75</p>
<p>Any thoughts on MD vs. MD/PhD and ultimately entering academic medicine in some way. Also been thinking about applying for a one-year masters program in sort of the business/political/science side of biotechnology before going to medical school through the Gates Cambridge Scholars program.</p>
<p>University</a> of Cambridge: Institute of Biotechnology - Masters in Bioscience Entrepreneurship</p>