Looking at MPH as back-up

[Aiicha]

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Hey Everyone,

I'm looking for any input. I'm currently applying to MD/MPH programs, but I'm also planning on applying to a few individual MPH programs as a back-up in case I don't get into MD schools. Most MPH programs don't get your application until MD programs admit you,so I thought it would be wise to cover my bases. Has anyone else done this and do you have any advice? Also, I'm wondering how competitive a candidate I am, because I'm looking at Columbia. My GPA is 3.5 and my MCAT is 31 and I served 2 years as a public health educator in West Africa in the Peace Corps. Any advice on either of these issues is welcome. Thanks!

 

[dragonfly99]

Wow, you sound interesting! The Peace Corps must have been quite an experience.
It sounds like you have a good plan. Try for MD/MPH and if you don't get in right away, could just do the MPH first. I really don't think it matters much in the long run whether one does MD, then MPH, or MPH, then MD, or does them as an integrated program. It might be more convenient to do an integrated program (and cheaper?) but I don't think it's critical.

I don't have personal experience w/MPH degree, but would think you'd have a high chance of being accepted to any program. My main concern would be that if a competitive-type MPH program found out you are concurrently applying to med school, they might not like that. Personally, I wouldn't tell them. If you apply to MPH and MD/MPH at the same institution, that might get tricky (i.e. what if they found out you did that?). I still personally wouldn't tell them, and then if you get the MPH interview and they blatantly ask you, I'd probably tell them the truth. I doubt they'd care much, as long as they know you are committed to the MPH and not planning to bail out before you finish it.

Can't you just telephone the office of admissions for the MPH program, and politely ask for an evaluation of the competitiveness of your application (i.e. "I'm a 25 year old with a 3.5 undergraduate GPA and 2 years in the Peace Corps and attended 'x' university for undergraduate. Do I sound like I would be a competitive applicant for your program?").