-
The 2026-2027 MD School Specific Threads are now live in the School Specific Discussions forum. The 2025-2026 cycle threads can be found here. -
Scholarship Access: Becoming a Student Doctor course
Free access to comprehensive medical school prep. Eligible students include AAMC FAP recipients and HS graduates from underserved areas. Apply today.
columbia nutrition MS program
Started by DORK7
2
201155
Hey! So did you end up going? I got in for the fall but don't know too much about it!
It's a pretty expensive program for an MS program. Did you get a scholarship or financial package for it? Do you take classes at the main campus or medical center on 168th street?
in the US, you have to pay to be in a masters?!!??
Hey, I am thinking about applyinh to the masters program at columbia in nutrition and was wondering if you dont mind(so I can have an idea) what your undrgrad GPA and GRE scores were or what you think theyll take
Yes, in the US, you have to pay for the privilege of obtaining an advanced degree in lucrative fields such as medicine (MD) or law (JD). There are exceptions to this when you apply for a Ph.D. where the school or the government might provide a stipend. The government usually doesn't pay for MS or MDs. I've noticed that people from Europe and other countries which have socialized programs are shocked when they hear this, but in the US, an advanced degree is seen more as a personal investment than as a public service that the government should provide.
I didn't apply to the program, but I know someone who was an undergraduate apply to the program. I think he had a 3.5 GPA and a 650 Verbal, 700+ Math on the GRE. I think their program accepts a wide range of scores and GPAs since the grade and scores are formalities that they have to accept in order to have an accredited program.
Haha, I just got a letter from them "Thank you for your interest in the Columbia nutrition MS" or whatever. I never expressed any interest, so I'm pretty sure they send it to everyone who applies to their med school and gets rejected.
They say that the avg student in the program has a 3.5 and a 30 mcat. And they accept med school committee letters as their recommendation letters (so basically they're marketing themselves as a back up plan). I went to Columbia, and a lot of their MS programs are just money makers-if you're willing to pay them 38,000 for a one year program they'll basically accept you.
They say that the avg student in the program has a 3.5 and a 30 mcat. And they accept med school committee letters as their recommendation letters (so basically they're marketing themselves as a back up plan). I went to Columbia, and a lot of their MS programs are just money makers-if you're willing to pay them 38,000 for a one year program they'll basically accept you.
Yep, that seems to be the general consensus. Columbia has like half-dozen post-bac, MPH, MS programs that are geared towards getting you in medical school (or so they say although their real purpose is to make as much money has possible off their medical school rejects). Don't bother applying, it's expensive and overrated anway. Find a cheaper MPH or MS program at your state school or see which school offers you a scholarship. You'll save money in the long run and be in no worst shape when you apply to medical school.
I kind of have to agree with margaux here. I've never heard of columbia's program before. Georgetown's SMP is pretty well known but I'm sure there are a few good ones in your state.
But seriously on paper getting an MS from Columbia carries a lot more clout than georgetown or some other more relevant program from a less prestigious institution. If ultimately you fail to gain admission to a medical school having a degree from Columbia is going to mean a hell of a lot more than doing a smp at wherever. I am not one who typically plans for failure yet having graduated from the best university (dollar for dollar) and having experienced the respect received for having studied where I did from random people and employers. I feel that ultimately this is the best most itelligent investment one can make to be able to add an ivy league institution to your resume. Especially considering the exorbitant tuition costs that are similar to what many private universities charge, must only be paid for 1 year as opposed to undergrads at private universities (including Columbia undergrads) that spend that much x 4.
Ivy leagues don't graduate so many successful people because they inherently deliver superior education (see us news biology rankings) it is merely that becoming a member of these social clubs provides networking opportunities with people of means.
I'm just saying..
Ivy leagues don't graduate so many successful people because they inherently deliver superior education (see us news biology rankings) it is merely that becoming a member of these social clubs provides networking opportunities with people of means.
I'm just saying..
Sorry this doesn't directly answer your question. But I have a couple friends who did the nutrition program the last couple years and both ended up in top 10 med schools.
This may be indicative that the program does actually look good on apps or that students in this program are on the competitive side of premedworld.
Nutrition isn't a hardcore sience master nor a smp. I talked to someone who gotten into medical school with master in nutrition but he already has a very good mcat score. It won't help much.
