<p>i would think that getting another degree in advance to applying for med school is looked more favorably upon -- this is because you will have achieved something and med schools like achievers (the huge amount of money you pay as tuition covers only a fraction of the costs it takes to educate you so quitters waste school's money)</p>
<p>as far as I understand med schools take in a variety of students and they do not harbor particular dislike or like for people from other areas of study trying to get an MD -- i remember the local med school representative was bragging about how this year they got people as young as early 20s and as old as 40s ranging from professions such as a ballerina to priest from south africa -- what they do like to see is academic success (that you're not some plain average C+/B- student), community service, exposure to medical field in some shape or form, and achievement which may range from being a star in your local soccer team to having another degree, for example</p>
<p>however, if you think you will circumvent the troubles getting into medical school by the way of getting another degree, think again how much trouble it would be getting this other degree, paying for it, and then being that 27+ yrs freshman medical student, finishing your education when you are in mid-30s</p>
<p>MD/PhD programs take shorter (i hear 8 yrs?) and you forgo the trouble of going to 2 different schools -- it is a long commitment but as opposed to MD degree, i believe you are paid as if you're doing a PhD (read free but you'll be poor for 8 yrs) -- therefore, it is very hard to get in as you're not the only smart one to think of it in the first place -- however, MD/PhD programs set you up to do medical research -- as soon as you start doing research it does not matter what degree you hold, your (average) salary goes down -- so no you will not be earning as much as your fellow MD peers who work with patients in a hospital</p>