<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
Ph.D/research programs in Biotech? I feel that going to medical school (instead of an undergrad) will give me a deep exposure to the medical field and lead to a focus as a PhD.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your time,
A Rahman</p>
<p>You need to go to undergrad. It will make a large difference in a competitive field. I'd like to point out, however, that several med schools do not require a full bachelor's degree to apply or matriculate. So you can attend 2-3 years of undergrad and go into a PhD/MD program. Just make sure you have a ton of experience/research under your belt.</p>
<p>Incidentally, you need the undergrad for other reasons, too. Those undergrad classes are not a waste of time, they are necessary background on which to base your research. It isn't "medical school (instead of an undergrad)", it's med school AND an undergrad.</p>
<p>if you got into columbia go there, regardless of what you study there it will open 1000 times more doors than a med school in Pakistan, if you want to continue your education in the USA.</p>
<p>foreign med schools are not regarded as being competitive in the US and you will have a very difficult time in finding a residency. plus you should have the benefits of a well rounded undergrad education before specializing, you'll find that your interests may change.</p>
<p>go to nyc....</p>
<p>I thank you for your kind replies.</p>
<p>Allow me to add that I do not want to get into a residency of a physician when I come out of AKU/PK. My interest is definately in a cutting edge medical research/PhD program.</p>
<p>I guess, Columbia has more options more in the sense that if I do not lilke it there, and if I do well, I can try to tranfer else where.</p>
<p>(I have 60 college credits from a Texas public university and have taken university writing, world literature, etc. classes so another 9 required humanities class at columbia just do not thrill me that much)</p>
<p>-ar</p>
<p>Keep in mind that as medical research is an incredibly competitive field, it is still optimal to do a residency and become board certified. It is often difficult nowadays for MDs without board certification to get a position in that field. So don't write off residency yet...</p>