<p>Dear Professor,</p>
<p>I am interested in a future in medical field, with a stronger
interest in research/technology/development than clinical practice.
Please advise me on the following options I have:</p>
<li><p>Attend Columbia as an undergrad for 4 years. After that, go into
a Ph.D or PhD/MD program</p></li>
<li><p>Attend a well-reputed Medical School in Pakistan for 4-5 (while
doing some research and internships in and aboard), then come to do
Ph.D or research fellowship in US.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Do you think going to a medical school in Pakistan will give me a
disadvantage when time comes for competitive professional
fellowships/residency?</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your time,
A Rahman</p>
<p>I think that it would not be a disadvantage but it certainly would not be to your advantage. In terms of pursuing the research route - it is my opinion that the community of academic medicine is small - which means that the more prestigious the program you graduate from the more likely you are to have your "pick" of where you want to end up doing research. Having gone to a foreign medical school and knowing lots and lots of foreign med grads - if possible it would be to your advantage, especially in research, if you do all of you education in the US. There are, of course, exceptions to every case - and in some of these cases the person did have to work twice as hard to prove themselves. </p>
<p>A hint for undergrad - make sure you go to a university where research opportunities are available and where you can maintain a high GPA. The reason I mention this is I went to an undergrad program that really encouraged and supported research at all levels. It was very easy to find a mentor and get your foot in the door - stories I hve heard from others - either no research opportunities, professors were not accessible, research equated to being janitor, etc. </p>
<p>What country do you live in now? </p>
<p>PM me if you have any specific questions.</p>
<p>According to what I heave heard, going to a foreign medical school is mostly for people who seek an alternative when they can't get into U.S. medical schools. I suggest applying also to schools in the U.S. along with the medical school in Pakistan to see what options you have. Then again, I'm not a professor as you addressed or too familiar with these scenarios.</p>
<p>IMGs are at a distinct, very real, and very significant disadvantage when competing for medical residencies after medical school in the United States. Many programs specifically do not accept applications from IMG's, and given the emphasis on USMLE board scores as a factor in gaining a residency spot, IMGs have problems simply because they have problems on USMLE Step 1 (pass rate for US second years on the first try is ~93%, for IMG's ~65% or lower...if you are having problems passing, then you are going to have problems getting competitive scores).</p>
<p>Now, one thing about being an IMG and a Foreign citizen - there is much less penalty for being say a Pakastani and attending a medical school in Pakistan then trying to come to the US. That's not likely to get you completely rejected from medical residency programs, or even have residency directors look at your app and say "why did they go there!?!" But you still have the USMLE problems and the general apprehension of taking on an IMG.</p>
<p>Now, you did say that you aren't really that interested in clincal practice. If this is the case, then I think you should just avoid the MD question completely, head to Columbia and pursue your Ph.D. Even at the top medical centers, most researchers do not have an MD/PhD. The PhD. is enough to get you a researcher position somewhere (and if you get one at a Medical center a lot of times you dont' even have to teach, whereas you might if you end up at a University/College). If you end up doing something that requires clinical trials, or a new surgery technique, then you would simply team up with an MD or an MD/PhD who was also interested in your topic.</p>