Input on a condundrum: MD vs. MPH

[Aiicha]

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I definitely want a dual degree (md/mph). It fits into my career plans. Was accepted to Hopkins for MPH, and Temple/Tufts for MD. I can do duel degree at both schools, but Hopkins is one of the best. However, then I have to go through the pain of MD applications another year. Any thoughts?

 

[ksmi117]

I definitely want a dual degree (md/mph). It fits into my career plans. Was accepted to Hopkins for MPH, and Temple/Tufts for MD. I can do duel degree at both schools, but Hopkins is one of the best. However, then I have to go through the pain of MD applications another year. Any thoughts?

I'd go with one of the MD acceptances. That is, unless the other MPH programs are harder to get into than Hopkins' MD.

 

[witness23]

Md?

 

[LizzyM]

Isn't Tufts a combined 4-year program? That saves you two years of living expenses (gets you out into the workforce earning $ sooner) in addition to saving the aggravation of reapplying for admission to an MD program.

 

[medhearter]

I'd go with one of the MD acceptances. That is, unless the other MPH programs are harder to get into than Hopkins' MD.

That doesn't make any sense in response to the OPs question

You should realize that you are probably qualified enough that if you reapply you'll get into SOME kind of an MD.

Getting into Hopkin's MPH straight out of undergrad is no joke.

So go with where your gut feels good.

Heck, maybe the reapplication will get you more MD acceptances!

good luck!

 

[drizzt3117]

I think that's the first time I've heard the words "Tufts" and "saving money" used in the same sentence 🙂

 

[witness23]

Isn't Tufts a combined 4-year program? That saves you two years of living expenses (gets you out into the workforce earning $ sooner) in addition to saving the aggravation of reapplying for admission to an MD program.

if its a 4 year program, i'd do that.

you can even do a MPH during residency or take a break and do a MPH anyway

 

[beachblonde]

I would imagine that the OP is not coming straight from undergrad, since the Hopkins MPH requires (I believe) at least two years of work experience.

Take the MD acceptance, there's no guarantee that you'll get in to Hopkins for your MD and hence you'll have to put off med school while finishing up the 2 year MPH degree.

Go to Tufts, do the dual degree, and it'll all work out.

 

[Aiicha]

I really want to go to Tufts, but I'm scared of the $. But I suppose if I did Hopkins then med school, I'd about break even with Tufts. I should just stop being so indecisive, or should i?

 

[ksmi117]

Ah, I see what I misread. I thought you wanted to do Hopkins MPH and apply for Hopkins MD the next year. But yeah, go with the dual degree at one of the MD acceptances. I can't imagine you'd want to go through the MD application again.

 

[drizzt3117]

I'd just go to Tufts. It seems like what you want to do anyways. Don't worry about the money, you'll be at worst break-even with a 4 year dual degree program.

 

[Handy388]

wait, am I seeing a debate between attending a MD school vs. MPH school for someone who want to become a clincian?

 

[searun]

Are you kidding? Get started on your MD immediately and pick up the MPH along the way. That is a no brainer. No one is going to fall over in a dead faint because you got a MPH at Hopkins. Get the MD and then pick up the other degree as you progress.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I think that's the first time I've heard the words "Tufts" and "saving money" used in the same sentence 🙂

🤣 😆
🤣 😆

 

[scarletgirl777]

Do the MD. If you decide you need the MPH to be more "prestigious" or whatever, you can always take a leave during med school to do the MPH somewhere other than Temple/Tufts. There are lots of "top" public health schools that will let you do that MPH in an abridged time too since you are in medical school. Hopkins has arguably the best MPH in the country, so if you can get in to a school like that at this stage in your life, I'm sure you can get into another school like that during med school.

 

[DukeMurken]

I already had my public health degree before applying to medical school, so I thought I'd give my 2 cents really quick because i think I'm going against the majority (might be 4 cents):

1) I have heard that getting your public health degree after you've done some medical courses gives you a better perspective on the public health degree and the rest of your medical education. This is in contrast to doing it first, where people tell me that I have to be cautious about not losing what I've learned in public health when I'm in medical school for 4 years and trying to integrate it into my education since I did them separately.

2) Cost is obviously a huge factor, you save money doing them combined because they will let you cut off time. Let alone the cost to reapply and fly to interviews, etc.

3) If you are getting into Hopkins now, you can always go get an MD, take a year off between your 3rd and 4th year and go get your degree from Hopkins then. Public Health is a lot less competitive to get into than medical school, so you will probably get in again.

4) On the flip side to that, I think having a public health degree can help you get into more medical schools in the future if you take the time to really distinguish yourself during the next 2 years through research, service, or whatever else. (Not to say Tufts isn't awesome!!!)

Everyone's situation is different. I've been working in public health for a while and have saved up enough money to handle the extra cost associated with doing them separately, so that becomes less of a factor for me, and I am very thankful for the schools I got into, which I think is attributed to what I did during my public health degree/career. Therefore, I chose, and am happy with my decision, to pursue public health first. However, in the end, you gotta do what's right for you. Good luck!!!!!