<p>I'm not too familiar with the "path to medical school." I'm at a university right now and I'm trying to familiarize myself with all the doors open to me. </p>
<p>My first question: Is biophysics an okay major for someone interested in medical school? Is it popular?</p>
<p>Second question: Do people usually apply to medical school after the obtain a B.S. in their given area, or is it more common to apply after a masters degree?</p>
<p>Third question: I've heard about M.D./Ph.D programs, specifically at Harvard/MIT. I've also heard about how difficult it is to be accepted to the program. My question is: do people usually apply to THIS with a B.S. or is it after a few years?</p>
<p>I'm thinking about majoring in biophysics mainly because I'm drawn to it by the innovation. Biology is the path of the future, in my eyes. </p>
<p>Fourth question: Is it possible to pursue a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering after doing biophysics as an undergrad? (I know this probably doesn't belong here.</p>
<p>I'll take care of the obvious answers so the actual med students can answer the hard stuff.</p>
<p>First question: Yes, yes, yes. An art history major is okay for med school - you can major in whatever you want. Biophysics is probably as common for med school applicants as it is for any university student. There aren't many people at your school majoring in biophysics, are there? It's not uncommon, but it's not as common as plain biology or biochem.</p>
<p>Second question: I think it is still more common to go right after a B.S., but the master's-degree-first path is becoming more popular. A master's might give you a slight advantage in MCAT scores or GPA perhaps, but it's not worth the extra time and money just to pad your application. Only get a master's if you really want to study that particular subject in depth before you go to med school.</p>
<p>Third question: Correct me if I'm wrong, those of you in the know, but I think M.D./Ph.D programs have the same applicant requirements (though they probably accept more highly qualified students) as regular M.D. programs, so same answer as above.</p>
<p>Hi, as for the third, VO is right on the money about what's required - the requirements are in fact exactly the same.</p>
<p>However, because it's so much more competitive, it's much more common in this case to take some time off and do research after college first, to establish your skills. This may take the form of a master's degree, but frankly that's not all that common. Doing research for a year without a degree per se is probably the most common route.</p>
<p>Applying to an MD program has many students doing that as well, of course, but students who apply straight out of college are more common for those.</p>
<p>I should also mention that most medical schools offer MSTP programs.</p>