<p>If an interviewer in a Phd, what should I say if I’m asked" Why not MD/Phd?"</p>
<p>Do you have enough research experience that this is going to be a problem?</p>
<p>Yes, I did undergrduate research for an year and currently I’m involved in honors research which will last for an year and a half :(</p>
<p>it’s reasonably rare that you’ll be interviewed by PhD (though it does happen, and MD/PhD’s doing interviews are quite common)</p>
<p>I’ve been asked that question at about three interviews so far by MDs, so it does come up</p>
<p>As far as what you should say - you should answer the question honestly unless you’re answer would be something like ‘it’s less competitive to just apply for the MD’</p>
<p>surely there’s something in your resume that would make it look like you’d be interested in MD/PhD (most likely a lot of lab research), and most likely this question will follow ones asking about the nature of your research.</p>
<p>in framing your answer, the only thing you must be careful of is to not be disparaging toward those who choose to pursue a career in research - it’s ok to say that you want to treat patients more than you want to do basic research, just make sure you focus on your reasons for wanting to be patient -focused rather than on your reasons for not wanting to be research-focused.</p>
<p>EDIT: I’m not sure a year of research plus a thesis is enough to really bring up that question, I think that’s pretty typical. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.</p>
<p>1.) PhD-only interviewers happened to me pretty commonly. Definitely the majority. They’re the ones that have time, after all.</p>
<p>2.) My answer: “I’m appreciative of the role that basic research plays in modern medicine, but the in-the-trenches involvement and chaos of the practice of medicine is much of the appeal. Being there at the worst moments of another person’s life and doing our best to salvage what we can – that’s why I’m going into medicine, and that’s something I’d have to cut back on if I were entering an MD/PhD track.”</p>
<p>3.) Of course, my answer only works because that’s basically what I said in my personal statement and it’s something I really mean. You’ll have to find something on your own.</p>
<p>Also, this question is less likely to come up at more research-oriented schools, as they often expect MD students to do a fair amount of research anyway (though I think I remember it coming up during one of my Pitt interviews)</p>
<p>all of the interviews I’ve had so far have been with MDs except for one who was a MD/PhD, and I’ve spoken to several PhD’s who say they don’t do MD interviews because they don’t feel comfortable evaluating candidates for a degree they don’t have. I’ve certainly heard of PhD’s doing interviews, just in my experience and that of friends who have applied this year has been primarily with MD interviewers</p>
<p>Depending on your field, and as a med school applicant, most will not have picked fields, a PhD is not required to do research. </p>
<p>If you plan to do research, then at least the question makes sense. There are lots of people with MD only who do research as their main activity. You should speak with some to know how they do this, so you don’t sound uninformed. </p>
<p>On the other hand if you plan to do clinical care, but not research, then just tell them that you are more excited about clinical work than research, wonderful work, needed for progress in medicine, etc, but not for you.</p>