How to get a Medical Physics PhD?

[LJH]

Hi all!

I have been following this forum for a few months and this is my first post.

I am a junior UG majoring in Math. And I heard about the medical physicists in a few months(a group cool guys).

Currently, I am shadowing a medical physicist in the radiotherapy.

Also working on some research projects with another medical physicist, and we focus on simulations on the Geant 4.

I discussed this with my academic advisor, who suggested that I could switch my major to Physics.

However, if I want to graduate in Spring 2026, I can only enroll in the BA Physics, not the BS Physics.

I am a non-traditional student, and I worked for three years before college. So, trying to finish the degree in two years (because my university charges by the semester, and I don't want to have too much debt).

My solution was to take classes at a community college at the same time, and my overall GPA was 3.8, but my Science GPA was 3.95.

I would like to know if there are any suggestions to improve my chances of being admitted?

I know that the average acceptance rate of a PhD in Medical Physics is 10-15%, so I plan to use BME as a backup plan.

And I want to know if a BA in Physics can give me a better chance?

 

[gleem]

First, what country are you in? You will only have three semesters of physics courses before you apply to grad school. Even with a BS, you will be short of courses compared to a regular physics major. As you noted, medical physics is quite competitive. I suppose you can leverage your research to some extent. I know debt seems ominous at this point, and there is no guarantee that accepting more would get you into a program.

However, I do not think you have a great chance without a BS.

 

[LJH]

First, what country are you in? You will only have three semesters of physics courses before you apply to grad school. Even with a BS, you will be short of courses compared to a regular physics major. As you noted, medical physics is quite competitive. I suppose you can leverage your research to some extent. I know debt seems ominous at this point, and there is no guarantee that accepting more would get you into a program.

However, I do not think you have a great chance without a BS.

In the US, and I totally understand this.

My lack of physics courses could be fatal. I tried to get a BA Physics instead of a BS Math, showing more interest in physics.

And although I couldn't get a BA Physics + BS Math, I could get a BA Physics + BS Statistics.

Assuming the average acceptance rate is 10-15%, then I am below the average, maybe 5-8%, which means my final acceptance rate for even 7-10 PhD programs is 30-50%.

So I plan to use BME PhD as a backup plan.

I think BME is more flexible, and I can keep the research direction related to medical physics.

One more thing, my professor is working on getting CAMPEP accreditation. And this might be a lottery.

 

[gleem]

So I plan to use BME PhD as a backup plan.

Aren't you in a similar situation this time with engineering courses?

 

[CrysPhys]

@LJH. If you are highly motivated to pursue a PhD Medical Physics, you should seriously consider tacking on an additional year to your undergrad program. Remember, the goal is not to meet minimum requirements and hope to squeak by the graduate admissions committee. The goal is to have a strong enough background to successfully complete the PhD program.

 

[Choppy]

I want to know if a BA in Physics can give me a better chance?

The devil lies in the details here. What's the difference between a BA and a BSc in physics at your school?

Generally speaking, most CAMPEP-accredited medical physics programs only require entering students to have the equivalent of a minor in physics. This allows the programs to accept students from a diverse range of backgrounds including engineering, and even mathematics. Individual programs may vary in both minimum requirements and of course, who ultimately is accepted. It is worth noting that regardless of the actual requirements, a strong foundation in physics will ultimately help you in your medical physics career.

One more thing, my professor is working on getting CAMPEP accreditation. And this might be a lottery

For what it's worth, individual professors are not accredited by CAMPEP. It's the graduate programs themselves as a whole. The point is that there is a base level of coursework and training that student entering the profession need to have. CAMPEP makes sure that the courses in the program meet that bar. They also make sure that those teaching them have appropriate backgrounds, the facilities are sufficient, the teaching methods are effective, etc.