Do MS degrees help MD/PhD?

[pky463]

I'm graduating this spring with a GPA that will be between 3.1 and 3.2 (BCPM in the same range--terrible I know). I'm taking the MCAT in a few weeks--January 26th eek-- and my practice scores have been in the mid 30 range so far. I'm also in the process of applying for masters programs to fill in the lag year.

My GPA is mostly the result of a terrible first 3 semesters of college which have been tough to recover from. My last 4 semesters I've kept a 3.6+ (despite 2 C+'s, in Real Analysis and Orgo II 🙁). My app's strongest point is my research--I've been doing research in applied math/biomechanics for 3 years and I'm really passionate about it. I'd like to go for a MD/PhD, but I know how competitive the programs are so I'm banking on having to do them separately.

Will doing a regular masters program (most probably in Applied Math or BioMedical Engineering) help my case or should I just go the SMP route, apply to regular MD programs and do the degrees separately? Someone mentioned to me that I'd actually be more likely to get considered seriously as an MD/PhD applicant vs plain MD because my research is the most outstanding part of my app..but the GPA avgs for the programs seem well outside my reach. Another question: Does applying MD/PhD hurt my chances for regular MD admission at that school?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks!

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[tbo]

I'm warning you I'm giving you the safe, generic answer - It depends. If I could turn the clock back before my master's I might reconsider doing it for the sole basis of med school applications. I've had 2 admissions directors/deans tell me the Master's means little. Reading between the lines of their words, I think that means schools do not include that in their screening algorithms (note: this is speculative). I even had one blatantly tell me nearly-verbatim "Other students don't have Masters degrees, so we have no basis for comparison of your graduate record to other applicants", essentially voiding the achievement. Be advised, though that these are two bizarre reactions, so YMMV.

On the flip side, in my experience, the Master's has given me much more for my career beyond med school. The skills gained from the process of taking an idea, researching it, presenting it, defending it and publishing it make me a more confident researcher (and person, I suppose - part of my own personal evolution). There's no doubt that it helped me land a great job as well. It's still unclear how my masters and the job i got after my masters will help me in my med school pursuits, but I'll keep you posted if I get in anywhere.

So ultimately my advice to you is, if you are pursuing this degree for the sole reason of improving your chances in med school, don't do it. It's a big fat waste of time and money. It sounds like you've got a reasonable amount of research already, so it may be entirely redundant to get a Masters in BME with respect to research opportunities (and therefore MD/PhD competitiveness). If you're not convinced about MD/PhD in BME or AM, then pursue the degree for the sake of pursuing that degree (assuming you can't get into med school). Personally, I'd say kick some serious ass on your MCATs (37+) so that it washes away the aftertaste of the GPA. Then you're likely on a similar footing to a 4.0 Masters GPA. Then just apply early and state your case about why you can be a great physician scientist.

 

[gstrub]

I will speak from my experience. I graduated with a 3.3 and 2 yrs undergraduate research (no pubs yet), was told I would be not very competitive, did a 2yr masters in human genetics, got in MD/PhD top choice. My MCATS weren't stellar, but above 30. In my experience you must be competitive for medical school to begin with, and then demonstrate dedication to research. A masters degree accomplishes this, and gives you an opportunity to score some A's to asuage the fears that your grades may not be up to par.

 

[pky463]

Thanks for the replies! I'm going to apply to both SMPs and regular MS programs, and see who takes me before I try to make a decision.

Does anyone have an idea as to my second question: If applying MSTP hurts chances of a regular MD admission at that school?

 

[TheItinerantSon]

Hey, the official answer everywhere is that applying MSTP has no effect on regular admissions, but I find that hard to believe.


I'm in basically the same position so I hope you don't mind if I add a related question instead of starting a new thread...

After reading on the non-trads and reapplicant board about how little graduate gpas help, I was wondering if I should take more undergrad courses during grad school. Also, does anybody have any thoughts about getting a terminal masters from a phd program and then applying to MSTP and MD schools?

 

[Neuronix]

Hey, the official answer everywhere is that applying MSTP has no effect on regular admissions, but I find that hard to believe.

You are correct. The reality is that it does have a serious effect, but the magnitude of the effect totally depends on the school. If you do a search many people have talked about it before.

 

[pky463]

Hmm, I did a search and I couldn't find any specific information on which schools it really matters for.

Another option for my year off is the NIH IRTA..but my application needs better grades, not really more research (although if my boss could just finish writing up our paper and submit it somewhere before my apps went out 😡).

I wouldn't mind doing the degrees separately at all but right now my recs are coming from a great great lab and if I don't apply for a PhD for 4-5 years, I feel like I'll be just letting them go to waste.