Columbia University M.S. Program: Designed for Pre-Dent/Med

[Columbia07]

I know that some of you may be considering a master's program, so I thought I would start a thread pertaining to Columbia University's M.S. program in Human Nutrition. This program is through the Institute of Human Nutrition at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. It offers a wide array of both "hard science" and clinically oriented courses. In addition to the courses required for the degree, students are eligible to take course in the Mailman School of Public Health, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Teacher's College. Some of these courses include "History and Philosophy of Public Health," "Molecular Toxicology," "Cellular Physiology of Disease," "Cancer Epidemiology" as well as many others! The Institute also offers a seminar in obesity research during the final weeks of the spring semester.

I can speak from experience as I am in my last semester of the program. I can tell you that it definitely helped improve my application, and anyone considering a master's program should strongly consider this route. The experience I've gained from this program has been first rate. In addition, being the only "pre-dent" in the program of 72 students I was able to bridge the gap between the institute and the dental school to allow for research in a dental related area. Nutrition is fundamental and many of the oral disease that you will be presented with in dental school will be interrelated to the nutritional health of the patient. Dental schools lack nutrition education in their curriculum and this is one of the main reasons why I believe this helped my application so much.

I will answer any questions you have so feel free to post! Good luck!

Main site:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/ihn/

FAQ sheet:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/ihn/student/faq.html

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[Columbia07]

No one cares to know anything about this program....?

Good luck!

 

[IcemanDDS]

I'm sure people would be interested, like myself, but the simple fact that it would cost $$$$ compared to other masters programs locally is a big turnoff. Relocating, cost of living, tuition, etc. I'm doing a masters in biology at a nearby university which allows me to take a wide range of biology classes that I choose. Its not tied with any medical or dental school like the columbia program, but it will help improve application like any science masters program. Good luck with yours

 

[jackbauer!]

I'm sure people would be interested, like myself, but the simple fact that it would cost $$$$ compared to other masters programs locally is a big turnoff. Relocating, cost of living, tuition, etc. I'm doing a masters in biology at a nearby university which allows me to take a wide range of biology classes that I choose. Its not tied with any medical or dental school like the columbia program, but it will help improve application like any science masters program. Good luck with yours

👍 agreed.

i'm looking into a biomedical MS at my state univ. i will get a tuition reimbursement + (small) stipend if i teach.

true, a degree from columbia has the "wow" factor, but being an additional $40k in debt is not worth the "wow", IMO 🙂

i am a realist, unlike many others on this site that assume they will be able to pay off their $400k debt & live comfortably.

i'm sure it's a great program, just not for meee.

jb!🙂

 

[IcemanDDS]

I paid this semester out of pocket, but for fall and next spring Im going for a teaching assistantship. If I get it, full tuition will be waived and I will get paid for teaching undergraduate biology labs. So all in all, its a great gig.

 

[SoMD]

Columbia07,

I'm actually very interested in this program. I'm a pre-medical student with good MCATs but a horrible science GPA, so I was looking into this program to help boost my academic record. Do you have any thoughts about the program for pre-med students? I'm more than willing to dish out the money if it's something that'll really help me get into medical school, and (more importantly) make me a more well-rounded physician.

Any advice is highly appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

SoMD

 

[Columbia07]

The program is designed for pre-meds. In fact, I was the only pre-dental student in the program this year. I think it certainly helps your application as long as you're still within the acceptable range to qualify for admissions to medical school. There are a number of students that have been accepted this year because of the program. Off the top of my head, two are going to Tufts Med., two to Vanderbilt Med, one PhD for Penn, one PhD for Columbia, maybe 8-10 for various D.O. schools, etc. If you have any specific questions I can definitely help answer them.

Good luck!

 

[Columbia07]

The subject material focuses almost solely on how nutrition affects the human body. What I mean by this is that with each new topic we learned in biochem/physio we would also learn the diseases associated with the topic and how to clinically fix the problem (make sense?). The surrounding area is Washington Heights (168th street). It's not amazing but it is safe. You will be on the same campus as the medical students, dental students and public health students. In fact, for your growth and development course (fall semester), each week is a new "lecturer" that is the best in the topic being discussed that week, and often these lecturers are Columbia Medical/Dental Faculty.

The program is challenging, but definitely doable. I worked my ass off and got straight A's. Your hardest classes in the fall will be Biochem/Physio, Growth and Development and Readings in Human Nutrition. The first two courses I'm sure your know what they're about, but the readings course is a very unique sort of course. For the readings course, you are given a packet of research articles (topics range from, retinal synthesis, cholesterol, cancer, myocardial infarctions, etc) and you need to read the articles and come to the class (the class of of 72 students is broken up into groups of 18 for this course) and be able to discuss the papers in detail. Sort of like a journal club. It's very intimidating but you learn a lot!

The Research required for the thesis must be research based and it cannot solely be a literature review. Your first semester will consist of finding your research topic and mentor (the person that will guide you through your research project). However, the institute does a wonderful job having "potential" mentors come in each week in the "special studies course (thesis course)" and present their research topic and ask if any students are interested to join. I, on the other hand, wanted something dental related, so I had to really work to make it happen. But, now that I've made the contacts, it will be much easier for new "pre-dents" to come and do research in a dental related field.

The program has helped a lot of people get in to the programs they wanted to. some of the programs people have gotten into are: Tufts Med (2), Vanderbilt Med (2), UPenn PhD (1), UCLA PhD (1), Columbia PhD (2), UIC Med. (1) to name a few off the top of my head.

I would definitely apply. Nutrition is something that most people brush off as being sort of like a "soft" science, but I can tell you that it will definitely help me in dental school and in my practice. In fact, the spring semester is all about clincial diagnosis (clinical nutrition course) and how to solve clinical problems pertaining to nutrition. Very interesting stuff--we have GI docs, dentists, neursurgeons, cancer pioneers, pioneers in the field of AIDS come in and lecture to us about the newest and most advnaced knowledge in the field. It's Columbia University and that is probably reason enough to respect the program.

 

[deleted100801]

This program looks amazing, but seriously, 36000 is a shiet-load of mula. Any insight into this program: M.Sc Dental Sciences at Mcgill, 2-year 45 cr. thesis-based, opportunity to be involved in dentally-related research, and possibility of getting published. What is the best masters program to take with an undergrad gpa in the 3.2 range...thesis, non-thesis, or doesn't really matter? (i'm canadian so we don't have non-thesis masters/SMP in this fine nation)

Thanks

 

[Tygerm9]

I have a quick question about masters programs in general. I've been looking at my state school's programs and the deadlines for applying passed a while ago. Has anyone else run into this problem, I can't find a program in Oregon that will still let you apply. Anyone have any thoughts on this or tips on how to find programs that have late application deadlines? Thanks

 

[Drill2Fill]

Relocating, paying 40g's, and no guaranteed admission. Unless you are from the area, it doesn't seem like it is much better than getting your masters at your local state uni.

 

[Niceguy23]

I recently got into the Columbia MS Human Nutrition program but after reading posts I've been having second thoughts. I would like to know the real tuition separately and cost of living (like rent for a 1-2 bedroom on avg.) separately. Also I would like to learn more about the teaching (T.A. job) that I have heard about in other posts, how much do they pay. I would appreciate anyones help who knows a lot about the program especially someone who has attended.

thanks

 

[blooh]

im actually very interested in this program, but whats the requirements for entry?

i mean this is my back up plan i dunt make it into the 2008 rounds
- Danny

 

[sndMe]

columbia 07-

how competitive is the admissions process for this program? good gpa, low verbal mcat score-- what are my chances? i am very interested in learning about nutrition and incorporating that into my career as a doctor. thanks!

 

[lindell12a]

bump.

Also, do they allow DAT scores instead of MCAT or GRE for admission?

 

[Columbia07]

Hey,

Here's the deal. (1) Your pre-dental/pre-medical classes will suffice (but to make sure, check out the prerequisites page on the IHN website). (2) The cost of tuition is exactly what they advertise; however, if you want to live a lavish lifestyle on the UES then look to take out a lot more. (3) There is a T.A. position but I believe it's open to those who have completed the program (not sure, just call and ask). (4) The program is fairly competitive but not out of the ordinary (Average is something like a 3.4 gpa). (5) Yes, they will take your DAT, GRE or MCAT score. (6) The program has a RESEARCH-based thesis along with the regular coursework. (7) The program will definitely open doors for you (you would be surprised what a Columbia degree can do... actually kind of absurd) if you do well (3.7+ gpa). (8) The faculty, research capabilities and learning experience are hard to beat. (9) Columbia's Human Nutrition program was rated #1 this past year (Chronicle of Higher Education). If the money scares you, work your arse off so you won't regret it 😀

 

[lindell12a]

Thanks Columbia, very helpful. I'm actually very interested in the program and applying for Fall 2008. I suppose my only concern is getting in. When I graduate, my GPA will be something around 2.9 -- which I know is terrible. I'm hoping some great DAT scores will get me into the program. Hoping! 🙄

 

[cppsam]

I was just accepted to this program and would like to know if it does anything to boost undergrad GPA. Does it have any linkage?