<p>I'm strongly considering applying to the accelerated BS/MD program at Drexel, but I do not want to be a medical doctor. I want to be a scientific researcher, but I think that starting out with a medical degree at 24 would help be in the biological sciences research field. Would getting my BA in bio and then getting the MD (if I'm accepted of course) be a good option for me even though I'd be studying with people who want to be doctors?</p>
<p>Typically if you are trying to become a researcher you would go for a PhD. Medical school is designed to teach you how to diagnose and treat patients, not how to research. If I were you, I would look at just completing a Bachelors or BS/MS program and then doing graduate studies to get a PhD.</p>
<p>Instead of the BS/MD accelerated program, you may want to consider getting your bachelors and then applying to an MD/PhD program instead. You’d get your MD and be able to concentrate on research. University of Miami has a good program and the vast majority of the researchers in our department had there MD & PhD. Some had also earned masters degrees along the way (many in public health).</p>