Is an MPH degree worth it?

[DrDork]

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Hey everyone, this is my first post here...

I applied to 35 schools and felt pretty confident about it, but didn't get a single interview. 🙁

Here's a summary of my stats: I got a 34 on the MCAT last August and have about a 3.3 GPA. I've got a lot of volunteer experience (none of it really clinical though), some solid recs, and some entry level work experience at a medically based drug rehab. Not a lot of ECs, and oh yeah I'm a white male

It looks like I could be accepted into an MPH program but I'm not sure I want to go. Here's what I'm wondering. My ultimate goal is an MD; though I'm certainly interested in public health, its not in itself really what I want to do for a career. If I did go for an MPH it would really be just as a way to help me get an MD.

Should I just reapply directly to the MD programs and hope for the best, or should I go ahead and get an MPH first? How much would that help, do you think?

 

[PhillyGuy]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here...

I applied to 35 schools and felt pretty confident about it, but didn't get a single interview. 🙁

Here's a summary of my stats: I got a 34 on the MCAT last August and have about a 3.3 GPA. I've got a lot of volunteer experience (none of it really clinical though), some solid recs, and some entry level work experience at a medically based drug rehab. Not a lot of ECs, and oh yeah I'm a white male

It looks like I could be accepted into an MPH program but I'm not sure I want to go. Here's what I'm wondering. My ultimate goal is an MD; though I'm certainly interested in public health, its not in itself really what I want to do for a career. If I did go for an MPH it would really be just as a way to help me get an MD.

Should I just reapply directly to the MD programs and hope for the best, or should I go ahead and get an MPH first? How much would that help, do you think?

You should definitely talk to your premed advisor. Your numbers alone are good enough. There must be a deficiency somewhere. You should figure that out before trying it again.

 

[Faraaz23]

regardless of helping you get into med school or not (i've heard both yes and no for this question), it will help out later on down the road. My sister is in academic medicine and said that whenever they are interviewing residents and fellows, an MPH is always an added plus to the applicants profile.

 

[DrMom]

As I recently said in another thread, you should only pursue an MPH (or other advanced degree) if you actually are interested in it.

I also agree with PhillyGuy: there must be something else at issue in your application. Is that 3.3 your science GPA or overall? Are your LORs great? Did you apply to schools where you were at or over their average stats?

 

[DrVanNostran]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here...

I applied to 35 schools and felt pretty confident about it, but didn't get a single interview. 🙁

Here's a summary of my stats: I got a 34 on the MCAT last August and have about a 3.3 GPA. I've got a lot of volunteer experience (none of it really clinical though), some solid recs, and some entry level work experience at a medically based drug rehab. Not a lot of ECs, and oh yeah I'm a white male

It looks like I could be accepted into an MPH program but I'm not sure I want to go. Here's what I'm wondering. My ultimate goal is an MD; though I'm certainly interested in public health, its not in itself really what I want to do for a career. If I did go for an MPH it would really be just as a way to help me get an MD.

Should I just reapply directly to the MD programs and hope for the best, or should I go ahead and get an MPH first? How much would that help, do you think?

Im currently an MPH student and LOVE it. But in all honesty, I did it because various adcoms said I needed the extra boost---but now I think its the best thing that ever happened to me, I love it. However, in your case like theprevious thread said, talk to your premed advisor. A 34/3.3 is solid. Did you apply to some "non-elite" schools?

Good luck!

 

[DrDork]

Thanks for the replies!

I applied to a wide variety of schools, including plenty of 'non-elite' ones. I'm actually still on hold for Albany, but I can't imagine they'd give me an interview this late into the year. My 3.3 is a sum total of everything, I think my science GPA is 3.2 something and my non-science is closer to 3.7. I know that two of my LORs were stellar, and the other two were probably a little impersonal but positive.

The only thing I can think of is my undergrad track record was very rocky, lots of highs and lows. I explained this in my personal statement as a result of a struggle with addiction, one that I've come out on top of and now have nearly five years clean and sober. Maybe they see that as too much of a risk? I'm not really sure what kind of attitudes admissions comittees have about recovery... 😕

Anyway, I am interested in the MPH program, and probably will do it, but just wanted to get a feel for how it migh improve my odds. DrVanNostran, are you planning on going on for an MD? What do you like about the program you're in?

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

My MPH is worthless. I only did it because my work paid for it.

 

[49erDoctor]

regardless of helping you get into med school or not (i've heard both yes and no for this question), it will help out later on down the road. My sister is in academic medicine and said that whenever they are interviewing residents and fellows, an MPH is always an added plus to the applicants profile.

Interesting note about how an MPH is an added plus for applicants. I wonder, how would an MPH compare to having a research degree or an MS or MA in a science field in helping an applicant?

 

[nvshelat]

I would do the MPH if you're interested in the statistical/quantitative background it can give you - experience in epi, etc. Likewise if you want to do hc policy. Otherwise, if you're going into administration, get your MBA. As a grade booster, i think a postbac would be much more impressive, bc you're actually taking science classes.

 

[deuist]

I won't comment on the MPH issue as I have no experience in that field. About the rest of the application though...

During the summer, contact the medical schools that are closest to your house. Some of them will allow you to come in so that adcoms can discuss your application. In all instances that I am aware of, they will be very frank and will tell you exactly what you should change. A 34 MCAT is great, but, as you already mentioned, a 3.3 GPA is not. Further, there seems to be a wide disparity between the GPA and MCAT scores. The adcom might recommend post-bac work to boost your grades, graduate school, or a set of new extracurriculars.

One thing I realized when I re-applied is that I needed to state very clearly my reasons for getting an MD and then go about building an application to support my claims. In your case, you said that you do not want to do public health as a career, but then say that you might pursue an MPH. This kind of disparity is something you need to examine to see if the extra degree is worth the 1-2 year commitment.

 

[liverotcod]

Wow, tough luck on the application trail this time around. Sorry to hear it. One possibility is that your PS just turned readers off for some reason. PM it to me if you would like, and I'll let you know what I think. As a recovering drunk who was very successful (7 acceptances) last cycle, I have some perspective.