I am a biochemistry major (pre-med) applying for REUs this summer. After undergrad, I want to pursue a MD/PhD degree. Is it okay to include my medical interests in my personal statement? I was told to not mention going into medicine, as these programs are looking for future scientists; however, I want to do both. Thank you!
I’d focus on your research interests Being premed will be of no help.
You can mention your interest in medicine IF you make it clear that your interest is research-based and that you intend on a research career. Wanting an MD/PhD is not unusual, especially for biomedical sciences summer research programs; it always seems like every third undergrad in these programs wants an MD/PhD. BUT you have to be really careful about indicating that your interest is in being a physician-scientist, emphasis on the SCIENTIST part.
You may want to take some time to read up on what being a physician scientist really means and potentially doing some informational interviews with some MD/PhDs who are practicing physician scientists. since you’ll want to come from a place of knowledge when writing that statement. It’s not as simple as just doing “both.” Lots of physician scientists only treat very small and specialized patient populations with the primary goal of conducting research with those populations, for example. Their primary focus is still research, and their medical training aids them in that research. If you write about wanting to do ‘both’ as if you could evenly split your time between a private practice as a ‘regular’ doctor and doing cutting-edge medical research, you’ll weaken your statement.