Johns Hopkins MS in biotechnology before MD/PhD

[want2beadoc92]

I have been looking around for MS programs recently and the MS in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins seems really appealing. It is appealing to me because I won't have to take the GRE in addition to the MCAT and it offers an online option. My ultimate education goal is to attend/complete a MD/PhD program. I am currently working as a lab tech at a highly ranked school and I'm wondering if I could do this program online part time while continuing to get research experience at my current job. I still have some questions about the program:

• How well is it looked upon compared to other MS programs at Johns Hopkins? The best comparison I can think of is comparing it to Harvard Extension where a degree from Harvard Extension isn't looked as well upon as a degree from Harvard. Is this program something similar or is the degree comparable to any other at Johns Hopkins?
• When are the online classes usually held and do they need to be attended at the time they are broadcast (via skype or some other program) or can they be viewed later?

Thank you and any advice regarding this program is very much appreciated.

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[eteshoe]

There's no real point in pursuing an online MS if you already work in a lab setting. I had completed a MS before my program in order to get exposure to graduate level research (and additional skills) and since it was free.

 

[want2beadoc92]

There's no real point in pursuing an online MS if you already work in a lab setting. I had completed a MS before my program in order to get exposure to graduate level research (and additional skills) and since it was free.

I have my reasons for pursuing a MS degree. I am asking about this particular program, not whether I should pursue a graduate degree or not.

 

[Mwooster]

I have been looking around for MS programs recently and the MS in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins seems really appealing. It is appealing to me because I won't have to take the GRE in addition to the MCAT and it offers an online option. My ultimate education goal is to attend/complete a MD/PhD program. I am currently working as a lab tech at a highly ranked school and I'm wondering if I could do this program online part time while continuing to get research experience at my current job. I still have some questions about the program:

• How well is it looked upon compared to other MS programs at Johns Hopkins? The best comparison I can think of is comparing it to Harvard Extension where a degree from Harvard Extension isn't looked as well upon as a degree from Harvard. Is this program something similar or is the degree comparable to any other at Johns Hopkins?
• When are the online classes usually held and do they need to be attended at the time they are broadcast (via skype or some other program) or can they be viewed later?

Thank you and any advice regarding this program is very much appreciated.

The program is offered through the Advanced Academic Program (AAP) of Johns Hopkins University. Basically Johnny Hops lite. Every med school knows this. It carries little, if any value, to your med school app. Use the $50,000 and take your SO and/or Mom out

 

[Mansamusa]

I have my reasons for pursuing a MS degree. I am asking about this particular program, not whether I should pursue a graduate degree or not.

In case your reasoning is to bring up your gpa/make your gpa look better, a masters would not be as good as just taking more undergrad post-bac classes. Grad school grades are seen as inflated and bio is one of those fields where a masters isn't really impressive/useful without a research or thesis component (which an online program won't have).

I think it would be better to spend the time you would waste on online classes in the lab trying to complete projects for pubs- pubs are a lot more impressive than a masters degree for MD/PhD programs

 

[inky]

I just wanted to chime in as I have a slightly different view.

I did that program. My undergrad GPA was very low (<3.0 for science) due to one bad year (unfortunately, it was my Junior year so I did not have much time to show an upward trend), and I had not excelled in science courses throughout. My pre-med adviser told me that a Master's like the Hopkins one was the only way to really prove that I could do the science classes consistently. I continued working full-time throughout the program, taking 2 classes a semester and made an effort to attend as many in-person courses as possible because I knew that many med schools do not like the online courses.

My view going into the program was similar to what everyone has been saying about it here. I was worried it was viewed badly and not a good use of money (I had looked on SDN to decide if I should take it) but I could not continue working full time and take the post-bac classes I wanted, so I figured that if I didn't get into medical school it would at least be a useful degree.


I applied this cycle having completed the program in May, and I have had 5 IIs (2 from MD/PhD programs and 3 from MD programs). At the interviews I have attended so far (3 of 5) I had 2 schools where the interviewers explicitly said that they would have been worried about my undergraduate grades but the fact that I completed the MS and did well throughout was enough to remove their concerns.

I do not think this is the right path for everyone, but I am definitely glad I did it. If you have more specific questions about the program feel free to message me.

 

[itsogre]

I did that program. My undergrad GPA was very low (<3.0 for science) due to one bad year (unfortunately, it was my Junior year so I did not have much time to show an upward trend), and I had not excelled in science courses throughout.

were you asked in any MSTP/combined program interviews about that? Do you know how you got past the GPA filter - if there was a GPA filter?

 

[inky]

were you asked in any MSTP/combined program interviews about that? Do you know how you got past the GPA filter - if there was a GPA filter?

I was asked about it, the same way I imagine most people who had even 1 low grade were asked about that. I had already explained the reasons for the drop in my grades in AMCAS because the grade drop resulted in an IA. During most interviews, I was asked what I had learned from the experience and my answer included what I would do differently in the future etc. That was about it.

I do not know about the GPA filter. I know that some places look at the graduate grades before screening completely based on undergrad. I also had just over a 3.0 cGPA so that might have helped.

 

[URHere]

Many MD/PhD applicants have MS degrees, but the major benefit of such programs is the research (complete with mini-PhD milestones like thesis proposal, defense, etc), not the graduate coursework. If this degree is all online classes, it will cost you money without any real benefit. If you have a low undergraduate GPA, there is a small chance that the courses will help you - just know that grade inflation is very common in graduate programs, so your undergraduate grades will still carry significantly more weight.

What are your responsibilities in your current lab, and how long have you been there? The best advice I can give to prospective MD/PhDs is to be as independent in your research as possible and try to present/publish as often as you can. If you don't yet have your own research projects, you need to find a way to make that happen, even if it means changing labs. You want at least 2-3 years of good (non-dishwashing, non-buffer-making) experience before you apply.

 

[itsogre]

I was asked about it, the same way I imagine most people who had even 1 low grade were asked about that. I had already explained the reasons for the drop in my grades in AMCAS because the grade drop resulted in an IA. During most interviews, I was asked what I had learned from the experience and my answer included what I would do differently in the future etc. That was about it.

I do not know about the GPA filter. I know that some places look at the graduate grades before screening completely based on undergrad. I also had just over a 3.0 cGPA so that might have helped.

thanks!

 

[outdoorsmen1994]

Just got accepted to the program, want to know if it's worth it or not? Thanks.

 

[sat0ri]

Just got accepted to the program, want to know if it's worth it or not? Thanks.

Personally, I think it's a scam, as someone who was considering this myself. It takes the Hopkins branding to make a ton of money off of unsuspecting people--they accept virtually everyone, and the only reason names/brands are associated with prestige is by virtue of competitiveness/selectivity or resources, so the name really does mean nothing in this case on both accounts. It has a terrible reputation among people that actually know the program (you're basically hoping someone erroneously conflates that program with a veritable Hopkins). Also the quality of material is supposed to be very bad because they're always changing staff and faculty. It's not the notable Hopkins professors you might want to associate with. It took a lot in me to turn this down after being accepted but I'm really glad I did, looking back.

EDIT: details and clarity

 

[mdattheend]

I was asked about it, the same way I imagine most people who had even 1 low grade were asked about that. I had already explained the reasons for the drop in my grades in AMCAS because the grade drop resulted in an IA. During most interviews, I was asked what I had learned from the experience and my answer included what I would do differently in the future etc. That was about it.

I do not know about the GPA filter. I know that some places look at the graduate grades before screening completely based on undergrad. I also had just over a 3.0 cGPA so that might have helped.

a somewhat random question: do you have an MDapp with a detailed timeline of the schools you applied to?

 

[Lalalalaaaa]

I just wanted to chime in as I have a slightly different view.

I did that program. My undergrad GPA was very low (<3.0 for science) due to one bad year (unfortunately, it was my Junior year so I did not have much time to show an upward trend), and I had not excelled in science courses throughout. My pre-med adviser told me that a Master's like the Hopkins one was the only way to really prove that I could do the science classes consistently. I continued working full-time throughout the program, taking 2 classes a semester and made an effort to attend as many in-person courses as possible because I knew that many med schools do not like the online courses.

My view going into the program was similar to what everyone has been saying about it here. I was worried it was viewed badly and not a good use of money (I had looked on SDN to decide if I should take it) but I could not continue working full time and take the post-bac classes I wanted, so I figured that if I didn't get into medical school it would at least be a useful degree.


I applied this cycle having completed the program in May, and I have had 5 IIs (2 from MD/PhD programs and 3 from MD programs). At the interviews I have attended so far (3 of 5) I had 2 schools where the interviewers explicitly said that they would have been worried about my undergraduate grades but the fact that I completed the MS and did well throughout was enough to remove their concerns.

I do not think this is the right path for everyone, but I am definitely glad I did it. If you have more specific questions about the program feel free to message me.

Hi, I am in this same position right now and wanted to know if you could please give me an update on this! Were you able to get into a medical school because of this program?