AUC vs. Columbia MPH

[DC kid]

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I need help to decide on which to do. I applied to both American University of the Carribean and Columbia MPH to start in May and was accepted to both. I am very interested in the MPH program and will pursue an Public Health degree even after I get an MD but I don't know whether to go to Columbia and reapply to MD schools or go straight to AUC. Money is a huge issue - the MPH will tack on another $60K in loans. Also, would the MPH improve my chances of being accepted into a U.S. med school? I put myself in a very difficult position. There are alot of financial/time reasons that factor into my decision. Please help.

 

[secretwave101]

Doing well in a well-respected public health program can help you get into medical school. As with anything, there's no sure thing.

But it did help me, both in terms of recommendations and "overall" GPA improvement.

 

[skypilot]

If you were borderline, a MPH will probably push you over the top if you get good grades. Med schools would get even more excited by a Masters degree in microbiology. Plus good grades from Columbia will go a long way. I would pick St Georges over AUC if you are going to the Carribean.

Good luck

 

[secretwave101]

I meant to mention that I think its important to know who you will be working with and learning from - especially at a graduate level. Many of the teachers in highly regarded public health programs have really solid reputations and are usually willing to at least write a good rec for you once they get to know you. Unless you know of a well-published/known person at the Caribbean school, I'd opt for the Columbia program. Plus, NY has so many opportunities to really get your hands wet in the public health profession.

I'm not sure I agree with the "Microbiology" over MPH thing. I think schools are looking for intellectual honesty more than higher learning to get into their school. I think they will look highly on either program if you do well in it and can convince them that the additional learning meshes with your plans to be a doc.

 

[Spartan Doc]

If I were you, I would do the MPH at Columbia, then apply to medical schools in the US once you are done. The MD from any US school makes it a lot easier to obtain a residency position in nearly any specialty that you want. Foreign medical schools should be your very last resort. (Since you were admitted this year, they will most likely admit you again should you fail to obtain a spot in a US school.)

I received my MPH, still was unable to get into a US medical school and went to a foreign medical school. But the MPH still did wonders for my residency application and I think gave me an advantage over other applicants.

Also the MPH opens up other avenues for you once you finish residency. The extra income potential from the MD/MPH will justify the tuition you paid for the MPH in the long run.

 

[redleft123]

Heck....if you were accepted into Columbia, I would -- without a doubt -- go that route first. If you do well, it will improve your chances of getting into a US school later. Just remember, if you can get into a US school and avoid the stigma (and licensing hassles) of IMG (especially a Carib school), you'll be much better off in the long run.

I think it's real cool that you got into the Columbia MPH program; take a bow!

Cheers

 

[Spiralmind]

Hey Spartan Doc,

I saw in your profile that you did your MPH from BU...what concentration did you choose? I'm a physician trained in India, now living in L.A, and I've been accepted to MPH programs at both UCLA as well as Columbia, and am torn between the two. Choosing UCLA would be significantly less expensive since I'm a CA resident. The UCLA concentration is in Health Services, vs. Health promotion and disease prevention at Columbia.
I'm doing this as a means of improving chances of getting into a good residency program. What's your opinion?

Any advice or suggestions from others would be appreciated as well.

 

[Spartan Doc]

Hello Spiralmind,
My concentration was in Health Promotion and Disease prevention, and did a second concentration in Epi. I chose this cuz I was interested in prevention and thought it would be helpful for me as a General practioner.

You should choose the concentration most interesting to you and most relevant to your career goals. Many program directors saw some value in my MPH, but never asked me what my concentration was in.

The health services concentration will be most helpful with administration and most likely lead to a higher salary compared to the health promotion and disease prevention concentration.

Both are great schools, and it is possible to change your concentration once you are enrolled. Good luck, hope this helps.