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I'm finishing my B.S. this May. I worked as a surgical technologist for six years before going back to school, and part-time while finishing my degree.
Now that I have four years of solid research experience and I'm just taking my MCAT and applying this summer, I realize I only have a month or two to decide what I should do in my time off. I could go work as a surgical tech making decent money with benefits. But I've also been offered a position in my lab that will probably pay less but guarantees at least one or two more publications. Our results this week pretty much guarantee at least one publication anyway, if all goes well.
I found out this week that my program has a dual "BS/MPH" agreement. I'm applying so late that that they can't promise that I'll finish the MPH in one year, but it's possible. If I start an MPH program, I know I can't realistically apply to med school unless I'm sure that I'll finish before I matriculate in fall 2011. But if I do the MPH, it's an evening program that will allow me to work in the lab during the day.
So here's my question: assuming I get into the MPH program (the program director basically told me I will) AND get a 30+ on my MCAT, should I just work in the OR and hope I get into med school this year and turn down the MPH in case it will hold me back?
Background: my GPA is solid (3.8+) and I've volunteered in medicine for years, including medical missions before I even started the "pre-med" track. I've presented research at almost twenty conferences, including three major national conferences. I have a solid application, but I haven't taken my MCAT, which I know will make or break it for me. A 30 will probably give me a decent shot at getting in somewhere, and a 35 will practically guarantee that, since I plan to apply broadly and I'm not being picky.
I'll post an abbreviated version of this when the results are all in this summer, but I'm trying to get an idea of what you think is a good idea. If I get a 35, I'll take my chances on just working and interviewing. If I get a 27, I'll do the MPH, study for the MCAT, and apply next year. But if I get a 30 or 31, is it worth skipping the MPH and hedging my bets on getting in this year?
Sorry so long and complicated. I warned you 🙂 I know I have to wait until I KNOW this July, but I'm "older" and have a lot of responsibilities, and I just wanted to get some feedback on what this forum thinks is practical in the hypothetical situation where I end up with a 30-31 MCAT. I know what I'll do in either of the "outlying" situations.
Now that I have four years of solid research experience and I'm just taking my MCAT and applying this summer, I realize I only have a month or two to decide what I should do in my time off. I could go work as a surgical tech making decent money with benefits. But I've also been offered a position in my lab that will probably pay less but guarantees at least one or two more publications. Our results this week pretty much guarantee at least one publication anyway, if all goes well.
I found out this week that my program has a dual "BS/MPH" agreement. I'm applying so late that that they can't promise that I'll finish the MPH in one year, but it's possible. If I start an MPH program, I know I can't realistically apply to med school unless I'm sure that I'll finish before I matriculate in fall 2011. But if I do the MPH, it's an evening program that will allow me to work in the lab during the day.
So here's my question: assuming I get into the MPH program (the program director basically told me I will) AND get a 30+ on my MCAT, should I just work in the OR and hope I get into med school this year and turn down the MPH in case it will hold me back?
Background: my GPA is solid (3.8+) and I've volunteered in medicine for years, including medical missions before I even started the "pre-med" track. I've presented research at almost twenty conferences, including three major national conferences. I have a solid application, but I haven't taken my MCAT, which I know will make or break it for me. A 30 will probably give me a decent shot at getting in somewhere, and a 35 will practically guarantee that, since I plan to apply broadly and I'm not being picky.
I'll post an abbreviated version of this when the results are all in this summer, but I'm trying to get an idea of what you think is a good idea. If I get a 35, I'll take my chances on just working and interviewing. If I get a 27, I'll do the MPH, study for the MCAT, and apply next year. But if I get a 30 or 31, is it worth skipping the MPH and hedging my bets on getting in this year?
Sorry so long and complicated. I warned you 🙂 I know I have to wait until I KNOW this July, but I'm "older" and have a lot of responsibilities, and I just wanted to get some feedback on what this forum thinks is practical in the hypothetical situation where I end up with a 30-31 MCAT. I know what I'll do in either of the "outlying" situations.
