<p>I am currently a senior in high school, and I will be going to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities next semester. I would like to get into an MD/PhD Joint-Degree program to earn an MD with a specialty in Neurology and a PhD in Neuroscience. Last summer, I shadowed a Neurologist and I fell in love with the specialty. Also, I conducted research at a medical school for a journal, and I fell in love with research. I would like to practice as a clinician in Neurology for a few years, then research and teach at a medical school. I am fully aware that all of this could change. I could take a course that could completely blow my mind, and I could change my career choice. But for now, I love medicine and Neurology. If I want to get a PhD in Neuroscience, do I need to major in Neuroscience. I know that majors don't matter when it comes to med school as long as you take the pre-reqs, but I am concerned about the PhD portion. Do I need to major in Neuroscience and work in a Neuroscience lab if I want to get my PhD in Neuroscience? I am not using Neuroscience as a pre-neurology course for med school. Honestly, if I didn't want to get into an MD/PhD program with a PhD in Neuroscience, I would probably major in English Literature and just take the med school pre-reqs. Please let me know what course I should take if I want to complete a PhD in Neuroscience and an MD with a specialty in Neurology. Thanks!</p>
<p>Just happened to be browsing this forum and came across your post. I’m a neurology resident, so I figured I’d reply. First off, congratulations at getting into U Minnesota! I’m delighted that you’ve shown an interest in neurology at such an early stage and definitely think you are already on the right track. The fact that you are aware that you could change your mind is really an understatement. Indeed, even medical students frequently change their minds about their specialty of choice. </p>
<p>There really isn’t a right or wrong major in college. I recommend pursuing classes that interest you, regardless of whether or not you feel it will help you in your future career. Most important, is to excel in all of your classes. GET STELLAR GRADES. Frankly, the subject name of the classes doesn’t matter as much as your performance in those classes. That as well as your score on the MCAT (think SAT’s for medical school).</p>
<p>I can’t speak too much about the MD/PhD programs, outside of the fact that they are usually similar in competitiveness to regular MD programs (at some places, it may actually be easier to get into an MD/PhD because most medical students prefer to finish their training sooner rather than later). I believe you can pursue just about any biomedical subject you wish to, once you get accepted into the MD/PhD program. Also, I strongly suggest continuing your participation in research. Publications and/or presentations at major conferences are a huge plus.</p>
<p>With regard to neurology… I highly recommend continuing your shadowing experiences with a neurologist! Also, consider volunteering at a nearby hospital. Find out if the hospital is a dedicated stroke center. Inside most hospitals, neurologists take on the role of a consultant and provide input on the treatment of various disorders of the nervous system (e.g. stroke, seizure, dementia/delirium).</p>
<p>Finally, I recommend you consider browsing [Student</a> Doctor Network Forums | An educational community for students and doctors spanning all the health professions.](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■%5DStudent”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■) Its an online forum for pre-medical students/medical students/resident physicians to talk about… well, everything. A warning, some of the posters in there can be salty and even elitist at times, however I think you will find most answers regarding medical school. I advise making use of their search engine and trying to find the answers to your questions prior to starting a new thread. Most of your questions are likely to have already been asked and addressed there. Also, you can look me up. I have an account there with a similar id of Terpskins99.</p>
<p>Anyhow, good luck and welcome to the world of neurology!</p>