<p>I'm a pre-med Rhetoric major at UC Berkeley. I did some biomedical research this summer and I love loved LOVED it. I can't change my major to biology now because I'm a junior (and I don't have enough room in my schedule to take more science courses required for a PhD). So after med school, can I still do basic research full-time? Or, should I apply to a PhD school after med school (would I have a chance of getting in even if I majored in Rhetoric)?</p>
<p>I’m not an expert, but I have been amazed at the number of opportunities for research opportunities/fellowships after med school.</p>
<p>If you think research is what you want to do, a PhD would be much more useful to that end than an MD. You could also apply to a combined MD/PhD program.</p>
<p>But aren’t PhD/MD programs super competitive to get into? The only science classes I’m taking are general bio, chem, o.chem, physics, and calc…</p>
<p>I heard MD/PhD programs are more competitive to get into.</p>
<p>Is the money an issue if you become a “professional researcher” right after you get your MD? </p>
<p>Unlike PhD students, many (most?) medical students are burdened with heavy debts in order to get through their medical school years, but most professional researchers may not be paid well enough for them to pay off their debt. (Some MDs may not be able to become a primary doctor because of their debt level.) I think this is a reason why you often see a lot of post-docs in many research labs, but rarely see a post-MD working there long-term wise. (unless he is a tenured professor/PI.)</p>
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<p>Yeah - where roughly 1 in 2 students who apply are accepted into an MD program, that number is something like 1 in 4 for MD/PhD programs.</p>
<p>But again, if you aren’t as interested in the clinical aspect of medicine, why not go directly into the research side (i.e. PhD)? You’ll typically have your schooling paid for, plus living expenses. PhD is the standard for research anyway.</p>
<p>I actually know a gastroenterologist who also does some research on the side who works in my lab. Really interesting and busy life!</p>
<p>@Icarus: I’d love to get a PhD, but the only science classes I’ll complete other than the pre-med track are 1) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 2) Genetics and Cell Biology. Is that enough to be competitive for a PhD school? I’m applying to a med school because I don’t think I’ll be accepted to a PhD program, but I really don’t know…</p>
<p>Hey ecullen, if you wanna do research, don’t get an MD. Research careers don’t pay extraordinarily high (it’s not bad, but it’s not great either), and it’ll take you forever to pay back the loans on that MD degree without an MD salary.
The Ph.D seems much more suited to your interests. Not only that, in a Ph.D program, they pay YOU to get the degree! In most science Ph.D programs, they will generally waive your tuition and give you a stipend (~25k/year) to do your research and TA.
You might not have enough courses to go directly to the Ph.D program, though, although it’s worth a shot. If not, do a Master’s degree first, then reapply. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>I agree with many of the previous posters, there’s a lot of good advice.
-It would take a long time to repay medical school debts if you work as a researcher/post-doc.
-MD/PhD sounds like a good option if you want to do biomedical research, the only way you don’t have a chance is if you don’t apply.</p>
<p>What type of Ph.D. programs would you want to apply to?</p>