1. Iboro Umana Kunmi Sobowale Jessica Portillo Chris Smyre
Dual-Degree pathway
Iboro Umana
Kunmi Sobowale
Jessica Portillo
Chris Smyre

2. Why Dual Degree? Diverse Interests Obtain skills Research focus
Not just to add letters to your name

3. MD/MHA Master of Health Administration
Senior managerial and organization skills
Multidisciplinary degree

4. MD/MPP Master of Public Policy Policy analysis and program evaluation
Focus on economic and political factors
Economic factors such as cost/benefit analysis and resource allocation

5. MD/MPP
David Blumenthal, MD/MPP
National Coordinator for HIT

6. MD/MBA Master of Business Adminstration
Provide solid foundation for business management
Diverse applications
Usually have to take GMAT
Some say medicine is a business. So, there is no harm in doctors having some business savvy. Not just running your own practice, but could be consultant, work for a biotech/pharm company

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

8. 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

9. “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

10. What can you do with an MPH?
urban planning
policy, advocacy,
community organizing
communications,
integrated health
social work
social sustainability.

11. Only get one life My timeline
enjoy, maximize, and tailor it to the opportunities and experiences you want to have
My timeline
Div
Med Med Med
Div

12. Keys to Success Knowledge Communication and Planning Confidence
Know your self
Know the expectations
Communication and Planning
Confidence
Different is “Novel”, “Innovative”…
Open Mind
Modification and Change are OK

13. Good Better Best Never let it rest Not until your good becomes your better And your Better becomes Your Best

14. 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

15. 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.

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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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?

27. Timing Anytime! Consider finances Speak to people with dual degrees
Joint degree may offset costs, scholarships are available, may be fully paid for during residency or fellowship

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

29. Questions?
Joke comics to illustrate that a MD only is great as well. Having many degree is not for everyone.