<p>Is this joint program worth it for somebody who likes science research but still wants to go into medicine? I am a high school student and would appreciate any advice on this topic, especially since I have not really talked to a medical scientist about why they chose this program path.</p>
<p>Let me ask you a question: are you fine with seeing your classmates go through med school in 4 years while you have to stay for 7 years and seeing them make 3x as much as you after med school? If you love research so much that what I just said didn’t phaze you, then MD/PhD is for you! Seriously, MD/PhD’s are passionate about their research. And they’re willing to sacrifice a lot of salary for it.</p>
<p>Do MD/PhD’s really make that little? Or is it that MD’s make a lot? I mean, according to this article, the average med school professor makes 250K, and my understanding is that A) most MD/PhD’s go for med school faculty positions and B) MD/PhD’s generally go through the professor “ranks” much more quickly.</p>
<p>[M.D</a>. Faculty Salaries in Psychiatry and All Clinical Science Departments, 1980-2006 – Haviland et al. 33 (2): 157 – Acad Psychiatry](<a href=“http://ap.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/33/2/157]M.D”>http://ap.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/33/2/157)</p>
<p>Maybe 250K is bad for an MD? I actually have no idea, just curious :)</p>
<p>MD/PhD’s are often faculty but the converse is NOT true. The vast vast vast majority of medical school faculty are just MD’s. So, the 250k figure you are quoting is really a reflection of MD salaries than MD/PhD salaries. The more clinical work you do, the more you make. The more research you do, the less you make. MD/PhD’s generally do a 70/30 split of research/clinical work (although this variable). Do a google search for “MD PhD salary.” Generally, your income will be in the 100k range. Better than a postdoc. Not nearly as good as most physicians (average physician salary is in the 230k range).</p>
<p>And 250K is high even for academic physicians. Note that the 250k salary applies to FULL professors. You don’t start out a full professor. You are an associate and assistant professor first.</p>
<p>Yeah, I understand that most med school faculty are only MD. Are you saying that MD faculty do more clinical stuff as a professor and that’s the reason they earn more money? And about the full professor thing, I get that too, but I’ve heard that as an MD/PhD you have a much easier time going through the ranks. Thanks for the info though.</p>
<p>Yes, on average, academic MD’s do much more clinical work than academic MD/PhD’s and less research.</p>
<p>The best route to both degrees is through the Medical Scientist Training Program, administered by the NIH. Admission to the program is very selective, and it offers free medical school, and a monthly stipend for trainees. Applicants with both degrees are generally more attractive to top residency programs, and can ‘fast track’ through medicine into cardiology or heme-onc for example. Individuals with both degrees and good residencies are sought after by top med schools, and industry. In no way does your earning potential decline after taking a Ph.D.</p>
<p>It’s not the degree that leads to a lower salary, it’s what people do with the degree after medical school. If you’re a MD/PhD and you chose to do exclusively clinical practice, you’ll make the same amount as a MD, but the question then becomes why did you get a PhD in the first place? The PhD takes a minimum of 3 years and often 4 years. That’s 4 years of a physician’s salary you’re forfeiting (the average physician makes somewhere around 200,000+ per year). In addition, you are subject to all the politics of getting a PhD. There is currently a student at my school that cannot progress to her third year of medical school because her PhD PI refuses to let her go from his lab. She’s been working on her PhD for 6 years! It’s tough for MD/PhD’s to have to function as M3’s under their classmates who are now attendings, senior residents, and chief residents. These are all of the things you have to consider if you’re going to go for a MSTP program. </p>
<p>The one area where a MD/PhD might give you a leg up is in the research world. It’s easier to get grants as a MD/PhD than as a MD or a PhD alone. That’s why MD/PhD’s gravitate towards academics and research. That’s where their passion is.</p>
<p>does anyone know if I’ll have to take MCAT or GRE or both?</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I have looked into NIH’s MSTP, and am not too scared away by salary, staying in school longer, etc. I guess this means I’m still considering, but I have a better picture.</p>
<p>My dad got MD/PhD and did research and clinical for about 10-15 years then did only clinical for 15-20 and is now VP (has been for a while) of the board at his hospital. He might be the exception to the rule, I guess, but in truth if you put hard work and effort into it, anything will pay off.
I personally feel that an MD/PhD is an extremely powerful degree to have. It gives you valuable insight into the biochemical aspects of medicine that most doctors aren’t privy to. It is possible to do research without a PhD, though, and gain that same insight. SO it’s up to you in the end.</p>