Potential PhD supervisor - Medical school application

[Doogie Howser]

Should I mention my medical school application while searching for a potential PhD supervisor?

 

I have only one interview at one school, in a category in which only a third of candidates are taken. Furthermore, the candidates' grades count for 50% in the admission office's decision. I have among the lowest grades of the people invited to the interview. My chances of getting admitted are therefore slim, but not nil.

 

Do I hide my application from my potential supervisor? Or, do I mention it, but specify that my admissions chances are low and risk him rejecting me for not being dedicated to pursuing a PhD.

 

I feel uncomfortable either way. I am tempted to be honest and risk end up being without a PhD or a medical school application.

[lost__in__space]

I told my supervisor upfront about my long-term plans and he was very supportive (and had previous students go to medical school). He was also happy because he couldn't support a PhD student, just MSc so there would be no awkward reclassification talk!

[kpm]

I would not mention it out of the blue, but if questions are asked about your future career goals, you should definitely be honest. You may also phrase it in such a way as to explain how holding both a PhD and an MD will help you in your future career goals.