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Dual-Degree pathway

Iboro UmanaKunmi SobowaleJessica Portillo

Chris Smyre

Why Dual Degree?

Diverse Interests Obtain skills Research focus Not just to add letters to your name

MD/MHA

Master of Health Administration Senior managerial and organization skills Multidisciplinary degree

MD/MPP

Master of Public Policy Policy analysis and program evaluation Focus on economic and political factors

MD/MPP

David Blumenthal, MD/MPP

National Coordinator for HIT

MD/MBA

Master of Business Adminstration Provide solid foundation for business management Diverse applications Usually have to take GMAT

MD/MBA

 Regina Marcia Benjamin, MD/MBA 18th Surgeon General of the U.S Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic

Master of Public Health • Time Line• Before Medical School• 1-2 year program

• After Medical School• 1 year program

• Areas of Study • Biostatistics• Epidemiology• Health Services Administration• Health Education• Behavioral Sciences• Environmental Health

“the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals” Charles-Edward Amory Winslow

What can you do with an MPH?

• urban planning• policy, advocacy, • community organizing • communications, • integrated health• social work • social sustainability.

Only get one life enjoy, maximize, and tailor it to the opportunities

and experiences you want to have

My timelineMed Med Med Div Div

Keys to Success

Knowledge Know your self Know the expectations

Communication and Planning Confidence

Different is “Novel”, “Innovative”… Open Mind

Modification and Change are OK

Good Better BestNever let it rest

Not until your good becomes your better

And your Better becomes Your Best

MD/PhD*

Why would anyone want to get a MD/PhD? Commitment to research Dedication to improving patient quality of life Love of teaching Being able to see both sides of the picture

MD/PhD facts

MD/Phd commonly referred to as Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

44 NIH-funded MSTP programs Length of program can vary. Average is 8 years.

2 years of pre-clinical training 4 years of PhD 2 years of clerkships Above is the traditional way. Not all programs follow it.

MD/PhD perks

You pay nothing. You receive money to go to class. Having a PhD on your CV opens a lot of doors

MD/PhD bummers

You don’t graduate with your medical school class It will take at least 7 years It could take 8 years. As an academic physician, you won’t make as

much money as a full-time clinician

What can I do to be a good MD/PhD applicant?

RESEARCH!!!!!

Not much difference compared to how you would prepare for medical school (refer to medical school admissions workshop)

Just have to fit in time for a lot of research Also have to understand what you did in your

research and its relevance in the real world

Summer after freshman year

Work in a lab or try to take pre-med classes Taking classes earlier can free up more time for

research later. This means you have to plan ahead!

Set up meetings with professors who are doing cool stuff NOW!

If you have time before sophomore year starts, document your research experience: what you did and found out- Will make things easier when you apply

Summer after sophomore year

Consider taking the MCAT during this time Start thinking of professors who could write you great recommendations.

You typically need research 1-2 professors you did research with 2 basic science professors you took classes from that can attest to your

academic ability (you need to do well in those classes) Strongly encouraged: 1-2 recommendations from extracurricular advisors

Continue doing research Can either stay at your home institution or apply to do research at another

program Common question: Which is better? There is no right answer. Start planning on how you can do research during the schoolyear document your research experience: what you did and found out

Junior year and summer before senior year

Continue doing research document your research experience: what you did

and found out Make sure you’ve shadowed a doctor enough that

you can reflect on its importance in your desire to be a docor

Take MCAT Make a list of schools that you are interested in

When thinking about schools…

Think about location, strength of department you are interested in, cool research going on at that school, unique aspects of that MSTP program that you like

List schools in 3 tiers: Top tier – “reach schools” (e.g. top 10 -15 MSTP programs in the country). Middle tier – “feasible schools” – solid MSTP programs that you’re fairly confident you could get into. Next tier are “safety schools” – schools you are very confident you can get into and would be okay attending if you can’t get in anywhere else

Make sure you look at your GPA, your MCAT score, your “academic” portfolio – have a college advisor/someone with medical school admissions experience look over it to make sure your list of schools are realistic

Tips for applying

There’s no harm in recycling secondaries, but you must PAY ATTENTION to the essay prompts

When writing essays, try to get at least 3 people to look over your essay. Example: Premedical college advisor Professor who has experience with admissions Your Research Mentor

More tips

Before interviewing at a school, make sure you know why you want to go THAT school and can articulate it clearly.

You need to have and practice a 1 minute piece on why you want to be MD/PhD

Have a list of questions ready that you can ask your interviewers After interviewing, always write thank you cards to every professor who

interviewed you. It’s just courteous and makes sure you don’t stand out for the wrong reason.

If you have the opportunity to schedule interviews, try and schedule your safety schools early to dust the cobwebs out. Schedule your top schools in the middle of your interview season so you won’t be burnt out yet.

When deciding

Don’t discount lifestyle! You will be there for 7-8 years! City Stipend amount Housing

Did you like the students? Do you want a MSTP program with a lot of structure

and oversight, making sure you’re progressing or one that is more hands-off?

Timing

Anytime! Consider finances Speak to people with dual degrees

MD

MD is a powerful degree by itself  Charles J. Limb, MD

Questions?