Best Masters Program to help with Medical School

[fawad25]

Does anyone have any ideas about what kind of masters program is better suited to help with getting admission into medical school? I have been looking into the masters in public health program as well as the masters in medical sciences with a focus on pharmocology. I would greatly appreciate any input on this topic.

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[RuthP]

I'm finishing up my masters right now at BU (masters of medical science) and have nothing but praise for the program. I applied directly out of undergrad twice with no success, then did BU's masters, and now have two acceptances. I've heard countless times that one should only do a MPH if it interests them, and not to help get a leg up in getting into med schools. Who knows how much truth there is to this, but regardless - I've recommended BU's program to countless other pre-meds struggling to get a foot in the door. The past year in the program was anything but a cakewalk - it was tough as heck - but satisfying in the end!

 

[frozenajd]

also, there's the applied anatomy program at case western reserve...it's a 2yr program and you take histology, anatomy, neuroanatomy and embryology as core classes with few electives...the good part is that you are in classes with med students b/c they use as a dual degree...in my interviews, i always see the excitement in my interviewers faces when i explain it. i've been accepted at 3 schools and hold/waitlisted at 2 others.

 

[jwnduke]

I was pleased with the Masters of Physiology program at NC State Univ. It is a two yera, non-thesis masters. They don't take many students each year but good results for those who do go through the program.

 

[Lindyhopper]

The OP may be interested in this sticky thread in the post-bacc forum. It's called something like "The official SMP thread".
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=346106
The other posters might also add their experiences to that sticky thread.

 

[morriske]

I started in a Ph.D. program and ended up leaving after 2 years with an M.S. in Biochemistry. I think a Master's in a physical science is not as relevant to medicine as a Master's in a biological science. However, earning good grades in a Masters program in a physical science is impressive.

I didn't explore other Masters options because I ended up with an M.S. by default. My interviewers have seemed impressed with my biochem degrees and research background...

 

[dutchman]

Don't do a masters program for the sole purpose of getting into medschool. Choose what you like, and if you don't get accepted you can at least have an alternate fulfiling career.

 

[JohnMadden]

I agree with the previous post. I think the best Masters Program is one that you will enjoy and do well in.

 

[TSK]

I agree w/ruthp about the MPH thing... A lot of reapplicants, who may have not gotten in due to GPA or MCAT, think that an MPH will help them the next time around. The MPH addresses neither of those issues, not that ad comms don't like MPH's in general...

🙂

 

[julie29524]

I agree with jwnduke, if you have one of these, you'll breeze through 1st year of med school with flying colors.

Don't get an MPH, there is a back lash because so many people are doing it this way, you want to stand out above the rest. Also, if you tell your faculty for MPH that you plan to go to med school afterwards, they'll treat you like dirt because they think you don't truly care about public health, you are just using it as a stepladder.

I was pleased with the Masters of Physiology program at NC State Univ. It is a two yera, non-thesis masters. They don't take many students each year but good results for those who do go through the program.

 

[NewKidin2block]

I am in the same boat right now. How many courses did you ended up doing for the Master program? I have a feeling if my program only require 6-7 courses, then school would still focus on undergrad gpa. any advices would be helpful

I started in a Ph.D. program and ended up leaving after 2 years with an M.S. in Biochemistry. I think a Master's in a physical science is not as relevant to medicine as a Master's in a biological science. However, earning good grades in a Masters program in a physical science is impressive.

I didn't explore other Masters options because I ended up with an M.S. by default. My interviewers have seemed impressed with my biochem degrees and research background...

 

[Rowdy]

I agree with jwnduke, if you have one of these, you'll breeze through 1st year of med school with flying colors.

Don't get an MPH, there is a back lash because so many people are doing it this way, you want to stand out above the rest. Also, if you tell your faculty for MPH that you plan to go to med school afterwards, they'll treat you like dirt because they think you don't truly care about public health, you are just using it as a stepladder.

I have to disagree. I'm in the MPH program at Tulane, and told my advisors righ off the bat that I was applying to medical schools. They supported it. They're probably assuming i'll USE the MPH in my career, rather than a stepping stone towards that career (and they'd be right).

PS - I just got into Drexel for med, and may finish my MPH there. I'm still getting support from my Tulane advisors.

 

[medanthgirl]

i think why a lot of med schools may not look as graciously on an mph as an smp or science masters is because, a lot of med schools, if not the majority offer them as a dual program that can be completed while in med school or as a partial extra year. furthermore, some fellowship specialities also offer or even require that as well during the time you are there. b/c they are completed soooo quickly in this setting (8 months or so), it may mean that students that spend 2 or more years completing an mph degree, they're not neccessarily that impressed. and then there is the fact mph classes don't really line up with traditional medical school classes so it is harder to compare, whereas intensive graduate coursework in pathology, physio, biochem whatever is a better indicator. i do have friends that went the mph route after not getting in to med school the first time around, but all were remarkable in the sense that they really did dynamic things while they were in that program....international work, cdc research, etc. a few others i knew that just did their mph classes and that was it weren't as successful. i love public health classes, don't get me wrong, i've taken several, but i chose to go the smp route (in physiology) to for med school application.

 

[jsoh432000]

I'm finishing up my masters right now at BU (masters of medical science) and have nothing but praise for the program. I applied directly out of undergrad twice with no success, then did BU's masters, and now have two acceptances. I've heard countless times that one should only do a MPH if it interests them, and not to help get a leg up in getting into med schools. Who knows how much truth there is to this, but regardless - I've recommended BU's program to countless other pre-meds struggling to get a foot in the door. The past year in the program was anything but a cakewalk - it was tough as heck - but satisfying in the end!

Do a lot of BU MAMS students end up being admitted to BU med school?

 

[DrVanNostran]

Do a lot of BU MAMS students end up being admitted to BU med school?

bump

 

[Deathiel]

If I am submitting my recommendations via interfolio, I dont need to add references on the applications for my application to be considered complete right? I just sent my recommendations via interfolio and I cant submit my application because it keeps saying I need to add references