ADVICE: MPH vs MA vs MS

[Edenbook85]

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Ok hears the situation.

im about to start my senior year and i'm hoping to apply to med school in the spring of 2008. that leaves me with a year to kill during the application cycle. im thinking of doing a MPH or some other kind of masters program so if i dont make it into med school i'll have a stronger application next time around. Here are my Questions.

1. is it better to get an MPH as opossed to a masters in cell bio or biochem?

2. is a MA just as good as a MS ( i don't really like research- i did it for a year and hated it - and the only reason i want a Masters is to keep busy and improve my application)?

3. Does anyone know of any good MPH programs abroad, and would i have to fly back to the states for med school interviews in november ( if a get one) or will most med schools be ok with a phone interview or via internet ?

also i have a 3.31 gpa but hope to raise it to at least 3.5 by may 2008

 

[jace's mom]

Earning my MPH was one of the best things I've ever done. I learned tons about community health, health policy, and epidemiology. I also did a (program required) internship with a state department of health that gave me interesting statistical research to discuss during interviews. Also, those "biggest problems in healthcare" and "what should we do to fix healthcare" types of questions? Much easier to answer with a boatload of health policy and administration classes under my belt. Finally, just having the degree helped me grow as a scholar and develop a global view of society. I've had one interview so far, and both of my interviewers spoke about my MPH and said it would help me in my medical career.

I don't know anything about MPH programs abroad, but I believe Florida International University has an MPH program that's completely online.

 

[Instatewaiter]

MS is the best in terms of weight for admissions w/ a low GPA. You can't get an MS in 1 year. Sure some bull**** programs that will give you an MS in 1 year but a real MS entails both a solid foundation in the basic graduate sciences (generally 27-30 credits ie a years worth) and on top of that a research thesis which usually entails fulltime research. Perhaps this can be finished in a year and a half but that is pushing it.

I find an MA in a science discipline to be an obsurd idea. However, if it is the course work of an MS it should give you a boost for admissions and will give you a leg up on the first year of med school.

MPH probably is going to be the best in terms of practicality toward medicine and giving you perspective on your future carreer. This will no doubt help with admissions but probably not as much as a masters in a basic science discipline.

Dont do online courses