help! Which one will be best for my career?

[Challenge]

Which one fits best for my career to become D.O.? Going to PhD program in biomedical science until I get into med school or going to MPH program or work as researcher in biotech field. I have three options to choose what I will be doing for the next year 2003 after I get my master in biotechnology.

I would appreciate your incite. Thank you

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[jrich15]

Couple of questions: What is your grad and undergrad gpa? What is your MCAT? How familiar are you with osteopathy? What community service/hospital experience do you have. I don't think you need to go the phd route. If your grad gpa is good (above a 3.4) then there is no need to get another degree (mph included). I would just work in a science field, work on the rest of your app., and enjoy not being in school for now. Just my opinion.

 

[Challenge]

My undergrad GPA is 3.0 and grad GPA so far is 3.45 but I have a year to go to boost that up. I have approx. a year of clinical experience (full-time), approx 6 mos. at physical therapy, almost 3 years of Taekwondo teaching assistant, summer internship at NIH, and publication in Journal of Biol. Chem. I wanted to prepare something that helps me go through medical school. The reason I wanted to go to PhD program is then I could take biomedical science courses that could prepares me to go through medical school with tuition remission and stipends. But I'm not sure. I'm still hesitating. But I don't want to work in a biotech field doing research. I don't enjoy doing research that much. Getting sick of it.
I haven't taken MCAT yet.
And I'm greatly interested in MPH.
I don't know which one looks better in terms of applying to med school. In general, will the admission committee prefer me going to PhD program ? MPH? or just work and have some more experience?

 

[WishUponAStar]

Hmmm...

I had choices like yours. If you go into a Ph.D. program, the expectation is that you will finish it. That's a long haul. Also, why would you do a Ph.D. if you don't like research? That is just an absurd thing. You'll do more research as a Ph.D. student than as a bench monkey at a pharmaceutical company, and you'll make less money.

The MPH is a good program -- Especially if you like community medicine. Can you afford it though? Did you finance your Masters and your undergraduate with student loans? Your stafford lifetime borrowing limit is $189,000. Getting your MPH could set you back 30 or 40 thousand?

From my point of view, all you need is a decent MCAT score now. With your graduate GPA, you should find a D.O. acceptance somewhere. I have a feeling the MCAT is going to be problematic for you, based on your grammar in your posts. English is your second language? That is going to make the verbal section a nightmare for you. I suggest you start reading to prepare. Read alot and practice your reading comprehension. Schools like to see a good verbal score.

 

[Challenge]

Yes. English is my second-language. Sorry I wasn't checking my grammar when I posted my message. It is very frusturating though that someone be able to notice English is my second language just based on my post.
Is the MCAT writing score important ?
I find it much more difficult writing than reading.