Help!!

[ch0sen1]

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I am taking the MCAT in January-February and applying next year in May-June 2010 (Following my spring semester senior year). Therefore, I will have 1 year off for which I wanted to get my masters in (at my university, you can get a non-thesis masters 1 year after you graduate - course load is 15 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters). Major = Biomedical Engineering.

My course load required to graduate in spring of 2010 is extremely difficult. 19 hours of generals in the summer, followed by fall and spring sumesters loaded with core engineering classes up to 16 credit hours. During this time, it is crucial I being studying for the MCAT to do well on that.

I have been thinking of forgetting about getting my masters during the year I apply, and just take 1 extra semester during that free year to even out my required course load so I have more time to study for the MCAT and get A's in my classes as well. Therefore, I will most likely end up with a better GPA and MCAT, HOWEVER, I really also wanted to get my masters in 1 year during the year off.

What do you guys think? Should I just take the 1-2 extra courses a semester from here on out to graduate in spring 2010 so I can get my masters in the following year while I apply to medical school, or should I take my time and spread things out and forget about my masters...it would be a much stronger app. if I was finishing up a masters degree while applying (and its also something i wanted to do), but if it is gonna hurt my gpa and mcat..i dont know. I need help deciding..

 

[pianola]

What is your GPA? It's hard to advise you whether or not you should try to improve it without knowing what it is.

 

[236116]

Take your time.

 

[ch0sen1]

I have a 3.5 GPA and my science is probably 3.45. I am progressing, hopefully by the time I graduate I have a solid 3.6-3.65 in this tough major..

 

[pianola]

I have a 3.5 GPA and my science is probably 3.45. I am progressing, hopefully by the time I graduate I have a solid 3.6-3.65 in this tough major..

Yeah I definitely respect that it's a tough major. Personally, though, for my own tastes, I would take whatever route gives you the highest GPA and highest MCAT. High GPA + High MCAT > Masters. Depending on who you ask, a 3.45 science GPA might be seen as precariously low (although I do respect that you may be taking some very difficult courses).

I'm getting a master's degree right now myself, and, while it's an interesting talking point at interviews, I haven't really gotten the feeling that it's seen as more than "a nice EC".

But it's your call, obviously.

 

[BrickHouseMD]

I have fellow classmates with PhD's that have become nothing more than table-talk and I know PhD's that can't even get an interview. My suggestion would be to take your time, ace your current courses, rock the MCAT, and most importantly, enjoy yourself a little. Your MD will trump any masters (only useful masters for an MD being MPH or MBA) so the only use it would be is for med school entrance, and in all reality grades and MCAT are more important anyways.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Once you get your MD, the masters in engineering is essentially useless.

Take your time and maximize your gpa and MCAT.