Master of Public health vs Masters in Biomedical sciences (non thesis)

[DentalLonghorn2014]

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Hi everyone,

I was wondering if any of y'all completed either an MPH or MS in biomedical sciences or MS in biology before dental school? Which one is more beneficial?
I am also keeping in mind that an MPH would be a great back up plan in case dental school just does not pan out.

Thank you!

 

[Qtn2x]

MS in biology or biomedical sciences is a lot more beneficial in terms of gaining admission into dental/medical schools given that you earn great GPA while you are in those programs. Another plus about MS in biolgoy or biomedical sciences is that you will be taking some hard core science classes that will help make you fist year of dental/medical school a bit easier. In MPH programs, you mostly take social science classes that wont' help you much in gaining admission. This fact comes straight from the adcom of many health professional schools (dental and med schools). I was in a biomedical science MS program and they offer a seminar class in which they invite adcom of different schools to come and give talk and advice about gaining admission. So the adcom specifically talked about MPH program and said it is a mistake for alot of students to chose that route during that year off. They thought it would help in gaining admission but they said MPH is an entirely different field. It's like you fail to gain admission the first time around, you then go on and take master in history or literature or something and thinking you can earn great GPA int hat and gain admission the second time around. But truth is, if you fail to gain admission the first time because your fail to show you are capable of handling hard core natural sciences (due to your GPA or DAT score), then you gotta prove it that you can by being in MS in bio or biomedical instead of being in a MS where you take social sciences. So in conclusion, you have to decide identistry/medicine is what you truly want. If it is, commit to it and try hard. Don't think of a back up plan.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

MS in biology or biomedical sciences is a lot more beneficial in terms of gaining admission into dental/medical schools given that you earn great GPA while you are in those programs. Another plus about MS in biolgoy or biomedical sciences is that you will be taking some hard core science classes that will help make you fist year of dental/medical school a bit easier. In MPH programs, you mostly take social science classes that wont' help you much in gaining admission. This fact comes straight from the adcom of many health professional schools (dental and med schools). I was in a biomedical science MS program and they offer a seminar class in which they invite adcom of different schools to come and give talk and advice about gaining admission. So the adcom specifically talked about MPH program and said it is a mistake for alot of students to chose that route during that year off. They thought it would help in gaining admission but they said MPH is an entirely different field. It's like you fail to gain admission the first time around, you then go on and take master in history or literature or something and thinking you can earn great GPA int hat and gain admission the second time around. But truth is, if you fail to gain admission the first time because your fail to show you are capable of handling hard core natural sciences (due to your GPA or DAT score), then you gotta prove it that you can by being in MS in bio or biomedical instead of being in a MS where you take social sciences. So in conclusion, you have to decide identistry/medicine is what you truly want. If it is, commit to it and try hard. Don't think of a back up plan.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I see. Dentistry is and has always been my passion. I just wasn't too sure which path was the way to go.
When people say, "When you are in a Masters, you MUST get a 4.0. Anything else is a waste and wont be considered." Seriously?
I know you said a "great gpa" but what are you referring to? 3.6+?

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

As you said, an MPH is a great backup as it's considered a professional degree and is a pre-requisite to administrative-type jobs in academia / public health organizations (e.g. NIH, CDC, State-level, etc.) Two different adcoms I was interviewed by also had their MPH and this was brought up positively during my application experience. It is definitely not an SMP-style like the MS programs you're referring to but having the MPH can augment the DMD or MD later on in your career if you are interested in academics or public health. It's a more useful degree to have if you're looking beyond application buffing.

Thank you for responding.
Why did you choose to get an MPH if you dont mind sharing?
Did you have low stats that also influenced your decision to get an MPH?

 

[Myce]

I feel that you should do what you feel is best for you. I got an MPH because I want to help improve the health of populations, in particular, the underserved. It was because of my public health classes and my research in oral disparities that I became interested in dentistry.

I feel that public health is more practical and gives you a really good perspective into the health care system, as well as help you understand why people do or don't do certain things. This is quite helpful when you're a dentist because you are trying to help improve the well-being of your patients by helping them choose a treatment plan, educating them about good oral hygiene, etc., along with learning how to navigate the health insurance system. An MPH has lots of different focuses, such as biostats, epidemiology, health education, health administration, public health research, etc.

If you have questions about an MPH, feel free to PM me. 🙂