In need of some advice

[jlhenley]

For the past few years, I've been relatively sure I wanted to get a PhD rather than go to medical school.  Unfortunately, I let my parents pressure me into going the medical school route.  Recently, I've told them I intend to get a PhD and do not want to go to medical school.  My goal is to get a PhD in immunology or pharmacology with research interests in cancer.  I'm currently in a Master's of Medical Science program.  There is no research component to this program and it is geared mostly towards getting people in professional school.  I have another two semesters (summer and fall) left.  I also got accepted into Georgetown for a Masters in Tumor Biology for the fall.  My undergraduate GPA was a 3.02 and I did well on the GRE.  My question is how will I make myself most attractive to PhD programs?  Should I finish the masters program I'm in then try to find somewhere I can do research for a year or should I leave and attend the Georgetown program?  The biggest issue keeping me from just going to Georgetown is money.  The program will require me to take out ~$65,000 in loans.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[selecttext]

What exactly would be the point in doing the masters at Georgetown? To better your chances of acceptance into a PhD program? Don't discount your non-research masters, especially considering that undergrads often go directly into PhD programs. The 65k is a no brainer as far as I am concerned.

[juilletmercredi]

You already have a master's.  There is no reason for you to get another master's degree.

 

You should finish the master's you are in, and then spend the next 2-3 years working as a researcher in some capacity.  Given your credentials, you may be able to work as a lab technician, research coordinator, lab manager, or MS-level research associate somewhere.  Do that; that is the thing that will make you most attractive to PhD programs.

 

Do not borrow $65,000 to earn another master's degree.