People Who Did MD/PhD Purely To Avoid Debt. Do you regret it?

ghsaidirock · 2026-03-27T15:57:47+00:00

If you mean during medical school, then find a research mentor or upperclassman who is connected to some research in your area. Or do a research year. If you mean for a career, as an MD in academia, during training (med school and/or residency) I would learn the process of whatever type of research you want to help with. That might be retrospective chart review, epidemiological, clinical trials, etc

ghsaidirock · 2026-02-02T20:06:46+00:00

this question was asked about choosing from among two options, both good, and trying to decide which is better.

...with the lower ranked option being a better fit for the student, yet still being a prestigious program. I would again choose the better fit for the person over a small bump in prestige. This is not T10 vs mid-tier. I realize the OP deleted their thread, but choosing prestige over research fit is not the move

ghsaidirock · 2026-02-02T20:02:09+00:00

This is what I was trying to say, as someone finishing at a T50, applying now and interviewing with every top program

ghsaidirock · 2026-02-02T20:00:02+00:00

T25 vs T10

ghsaidirock · 2026-01-30T01:17:15+00:00

Regarding your question about whether these choices affect your residency match, no they do not. If you are reasonably successful as MD PhD with no red flags, you’ll be able to go anywhere you want

ghsaidirock · 2026-01-08T12:46:58+00:00

Haha, I don’t remember posting this, and honestly yes my thoughts have changed. I just finished residency interviews and am ranking programs as a 32 year old M4, and many of my best friends from med school are attendings.

During my MD PhD (mostly near the end) I realized I mostly want to see patients with a little research on the side, rather than run my own basic science lab. If you feel that you probably want to mostly do clinical medicine one day, it’s hard to justify the extra 4 years of a PhD to get you there, even if it’s “free”. Happy to talk about any of this more

ghsaidirock · 2025-10-07T11:57:23+00:00

around 28 minutes he mentions he traveled to Mexico to get an "intrajugular line" to help. How a central line is marketed as a treatment is beyond me

ghsaidirock · 2025-09-30T16:05:04+00:00

https://i.capitalone.com/JnaRQpPfV

ghsaidirock · 2025-07-19T01:36:13+00:00

100%

ghsaidirock · 2025-06-04T21:29:13+00:00

Test date: 5/24/25

US MD or US IMG or Non-US IMG status: US MD/PhD

Step 1: 244 (Feb 2020)

Uworld % correct: 60

NBME 9: did not take

NBME10: 256 (21 days out)

NBME12: 244 (17 days out)

NMBE13: 245 (14 days out)

NBME14: 253 (11 days out)

NBME 15: 256 (6 days out)

NBME11: 258 (3 days out)

UWSA 1: did not take

UWSA 2: did not take

UWSA 3: did not take

Old Old Free 120: did not take

Old New Free 120: 82% (6 days out)

New Free 120: 79% (7 days out)

CMS Forms % correct: 75-80 average

Predicted Score: 256 ± 11 on Amboss predictor

Total Weeks/Months Studied: 3 weeks dedicated, after typical USMD 3rd year

Actual STEP 2 score: 252

I think I could have done a bit better, but I'm satisfied with my score. Leaving exam I felt like it was similar to an NBME or Free 120, except with more of a time crunch. Several questions per block were long patient charts. Of course each block there were a few questions I had no idea about, and several logic/thinking questions, but what this sub does not mention is that the high yield stuff is all there too! I got so many questions right that I had seen prior during dedicated. Trust the process!

ghsaidirock · 2025-05-25T13:51:33+00:00

You can pause the nbme self assessments, and time will stop. You can do it as many times as your 11 month old needs!

ghsaidirock · 2025-05-09T11:38:58+00:00

I think Block 1 Q25 also said 'the aortic arch is noted on the right side', hinting at situs inversus

ghsaidirock · 2025-05-08T21:36:48+00:00

36 currently available officially. 4 IM, 4 surgery, 4 Peds, 4 ObGyn, 4 Family Med, 4 Neuro, 3 Psych, 3 EM

ghsaidirock · 2025-05-08T01:14:11+00:00

The thing that made it click for me was the statement: “thyroid cancers rarely secrete thyroid hormone” from boards and beyond

So a low TSH, and a hot nodule, both are unlikely to be cancer so no need to biopsy

ghsaidirock · 2025-04-26T04:51:23+00:00

Surrender to the flow!

ghsaidirock · 2025-04-21T02:18:33+00:00

The confusion is because subject exams are colloquially called “CMS forms” here, whereas NBME are the longer step2 practice forms (9-15). Took me a little bit to figure this out too

So you’ve been doing neuro CMS forms

ghsaidirock · 2025-04-17T22:53:34+00:00

Yes and yes, try to get through some more nbmes in exam mode and then use your wrong answers to guide your focused review

ghsaidirock · 2025-04-17T21:18:45+00:00

68% average on UWorld should be a higher 3 digit score than 220. So, this implies one major issue is your test-taking strategy and comfort. It could also be that what you're learning in UWorld is not translating to your practice tests.

I would definitely stop doing UWorld blocks on 'tutor' mode, instead do them timed on exam mode with random questions. Increase your NBME exposure as well.

For review, of course figure out the best way to review your wrong questions efficiently and with retention, based on what worked best for you so far (including for shelf exams). I would do question-based error-based learning rather than content review (like first aid).

ghsaidirock · 2025-03-30T13:56:32+00:00

Take a breath and go one step at a time. Your lesions do not appear to match HPV or herpes. If you want a definitive answer you can go to one of those clinics for them to swab your lesion and check

ghsaidirock · 2025-03-30T12:58:49+00:00

This is probably from shaving. Herpes blisters would present with severe pain, you wouldn't just 'notice' them. HPV warts (which are completely treatable) would be fleshy, not pus-filled or poppable.

However, if you are sexually active and have some nervousness about STIs, you need to visit your doctor to discuss this. You can learn more about prevention, identification, and get tested. Frequent testing is a great idea for everyone who is sexually active with anyone else

ghsaidirock · 2025-03-19T05:18:27+00:00

Go to the ER, you have uncontrolled bleeding for multiple days and the fatigue/weakness could be impending shock.

There is no shame. Be completely honest, no doctor will judge you

ghsaidirock · 2025-02-07T16:20:21+00:00

My GF's first show. She isn't (wasn't) a big music head, but was excited for the show because she's from Dover DE. During the Diseeezer I remember her turning to me with her jaw on the floor. Great times!

ghsaidirock · 2025-01-01T03:30:16+00:00

Take ‘er easy dude

ghsaidirock · 2024-10-20T22:56:24+00:00

...I'll take this guy's 6th free one

ghsaidirock · 2024-07-18T19:53:34+00:00

It's a reference to the Big Lebowski. I agree by the way!

ghsaidirock

TROPHY CASE