u/blackcat_bc

Hi everyone,

I am a physician and data scientist currently in the US for a clinical observership. I am planning to apply to the Biomedical Data Science PhD program, specifically for the Master of Medicine (MoM) dual-degree track for international medical graduates.

I am hoping to get some insights from current students or alumni. I have a few specific questions about the program structure and experience:

1. For students who join this dual program, what has the experience been like? Are you treated as part of the PhD cohort from the start, or does the MoM year feel separate? I am particularly interested in how the logistics of the clinical year work and how students navigate the transition back into a full-time research focus afterwards.

2. The website lists prerequisites, but I’m curious to hear from someone who has been through the process. How strictly are the prerequisite courses in CS, math, and biology evaluated, especially for someone with a non-traditional background like a medical degree? Are there opportunities to take prerequisite courses after admission if you're accepted with a conditional status?

3. I understand that for the DBDS PhD, the primary focus is on research and finding a good faculty match. How did you approach the process of finding a lab and a PI? Is it better to reach out to professors before applying, or is that something that happens more after you are admitted to the program?

4. Are there any particular resources or events at Stanford that have been most helpful for your development as a biomedical data scientist? For example, I heard about the "Collaboration and Careers Forum" and am curious if students find events like these valuable for building connections or exploring future career paths.

Thank you for your time and any advice you can offer. I understand admissions is very competitive, and I am trying to learn as much as possible about what it's actually like to be a student in the program.