[B]PhD or Medicine?

**biomed12** · 28-02-2010, 08:59 PM

Yazoo ''What would you do if you didn't get a place at med school ever? Would research be your back-up plan? If so, complete the PhD. And apply in your last year. You can make it 3 years if you are disciplined''

i have thought about this too. What if i never get in, quit my PhD.. 2-3 years down the line.. i would have nothing but a biomedical degree.
If that was the case i think i would then apply for jobs in the hospital which allows me to contact with pateints, or work upwards in the biomedical science field and aim to become a biomedical consultant which gives me time with doctors discussing pateints case. But this is like the lease ideal fall back plan. because i really want to get into medicine... do you think with the grades i have now.. it may be possible that i would ''never'' get in?

I asked about the phd and bettering my chances in the future. and my university told me that having a phd doesnt mean its easier to get into medicine. in fact soetimes more difficult because the person becoms too research based and less people based.
so... if i was to have a bit of confidence in myself, i think i should spend all the time i have improving on the things which failed me last time.. PS, UKCAT, work experience?

**dreamyrover** · 18-03-2010, 02:11 AM

hello,

I completely understand your problem, I think your very right about not wanting to waste your supervisors money and resources if you don't plan to finish and write up the thesis. I have been trying to get into medicine for many years in the meantime I've stacked up a degree list which includes a BSc antomical sciences, MSc tissue engineering, PGCE (only because a surgeon who was also doing the MSc course I was one had done one) I worked my head off for GAMSAT for sept 2010 entry medicine and fought for work experience in every single major clinical field I could get into. And finally yesterday I got my only offer for graduate entry medicine. So the point is I think if 100% work to improve your ps, gamsat it WILL PAY OFF eventually.

My problem now is, that I also applied for a PHD for april 2010 entry (As a back up in case I failed for med again) and have been awarded it. The PHD isn't lab based, it's analysing a huge data set that's already been collected and I was wondering whether any one thinks it would be possible to do it alongside medicine??? I know it will be extremely time consuming and demand alot of hard work but does anyone think it's at all even slightly possible?

any comments will be much appreciated!!!!!

**yazoo** · 18-03-2010, 03:49 AM

It is not possible to do both at the same time. Medicine cannot be done partime. A PhD can be, but only with protected time.

**Genetubbs** · 14-04-2010, 04:18 PM

The same question has been dominating all my other thoughts for a while as well. In my point of view,
a phD is more like a qualification compared to a profession like "Doctors". My supervisor back in the college
tried very hard to persuade me to take up a phD under her but I rejected it because I didn't feel a strong call
for doing it from deep within. Doing a phD requires great commitment and time investment, and it will only
get worse especially when u lack motivation to propel you in the research field. I turned the offer down and
started working as a medical technologist at clinical setting in the hope of knowing what I want later on.
After a year, I am trying to apply for medicine this summer for 2011 entry. I think you should go ahead with
the application :-)And you have my supports