MD Masters Necessary?

[lazybutt26]

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Hello everyone,

Where I live(MA) has a lot of strong candidates from all over the country. It's got a lot of great schools and one trend that I have noticed is that almost every pre-meds are pursuing a one year of biomedical masters program. I know that only students with low/average GPA used to go for the masters before applying to medical schools to show continued strong academic traditionally but is it really necessary?

I am thinking of getting a masters myself because I went to a state school. I didn't come from a wealthy family and have any financial means to go to a private school. Went to a state school and pulled of a strong GPA while working full time to pay for my education.

I didn't do well on the MCAT and think this is why I never got an interview for this cycle with a few rejections letters.

Otherwise, my GPA is 3.7-3.8 range science, total, overall and have clinical experience of working with doctors for 3 years with some research experience at my school.

I am preparing for the next cycle and trying to improve my chances of getting in. Do you guys think it's necessary for me to get the masters? My other friends just suggested nailing MCAT as this seems to be the only factor that didn't get me in this cycle. By the way, for those who would ask, "what was your MCAT score or how low was it? " It was pretty low like a little over 500.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Catalystik]

Where I live(MA) has a lot of strong candidates from all over the country. It's got a lot of great schools and one trend that I have noticed is that almost every pre-meds are pursuing a one year of biomedical masters program. I know that only students with low/average GPA used to go for the masters before applying to medical schools to show continued strong academic traditionally but is it really necessary?

I am thinking of getting a masters myself because I went to a state school. I didn't come from a wealthy family and have any financial means to go to a private school. Went to a state school and pulled of a strong GPA while working full time to pay for my education.

I didn't do well on the MCAT and think this is why I never got an interview for this cycle with a few rejections letters.

Otherwise, my GPA is 3.7-3.8 range science, total, overall and have clinical experience of working with doctors for 3 years with some research experience at my school.

I am preparing for the next cycle and trying to improve my chances of getting in.
1) Do you guys think it's necessary for me to get the masters?
2) My other friends just suggested nailing MCAT as this seems to be the only factor that didn't get me in this cycle. By the way, for those who would ask, "what was your MCAT score or how low was it? " It was pretty low like a little over 500.

1) Your cGPA is above the average for those accepted to med school. What is your BCPM GPA?

2) Unless you have a low BCPM GPA, I agree with your friends. Hopefully, you also have nonmedical community service, dedicated physician shadowing, and possibly some leadership and/or teaching experience.

 

[lazybutt26]

1) Your cGPA is above the average for those accepted to med school. What is your BCPM GPA?

2) Unless you have a low BCPM GPA, I agree with your friends. Hopefully, you also have nonmedical community service, dedicated physician shadowing, and possibly some leadership and/or teaching experience.

Thanks for your quick reply! So my overall GPA is actually 3.89 and the science GPA is 3.76. I found the state school courses way too easy so I actually took the last six courses including physics, biochemistry and endocrinology, organic chemistry at Harvard Extension and all got As. I am a non-traditional student so I do have a leadership in my company. I did tutoring. I guess I am lacking some nonmedical community service. So even if I went to a state school, as long as my MCAT is good, hopefully I will get some love from schools? 🙁 Not being able to apply broadly/nationally also does not help I bet.

 

[Catalystik]

So my overall GPA is actually 3.89 and the science GPA is 3.76. I found the state school courses way too easy so I actually took the last six courses including physics, biochemistry and endocrinology, organic chemistry at Harvard Extension and all got As. I am a non-traditional student so I do have a leadership in my company. I did tutoring. I guess I am lacking some nonmedical community service.

1) So even if I went to a state school, as long as my MCAT is good, hopefully I will get some love from schools? 🙁
2) Not being able to apply broadly/nationally also does not help I bet.

1) Yes. And you'll really need to rock your next MCAT considering that some schools average multiple MCAT scores. You might look into the policy regarding that at the schools you'll target.

2) I agree with you. Being geographically limited is a negative. How far are you willing to commute? I am assuming you have an SO with a nontransferable job or school, other family responsibilities, or own a house?

A lack of nonmedical community service will decrease your appeal to many private and some public schools. Any kids?

 

[chemdoctor]

Multiple degrees will not get you into medical school. Pursue a graduate masters if you are genuinely interested in a field of study. DO not pursue a graduate level masters degree if you think it's going to get you into medical school. Hell that's what post-baccs and SMPs are for (but those are for students with GPAs significantly lower than yours). Work on some clinical experience and take the MCAT again. Good luck! Stay positive. The MCAT is a beast. Your cGPA is great

 

[lazybutt26]

1) Yes. And you'll really need to rock your next MCAT considering that some schools average multiple MCAT scores. You might look into the policy regarding that at the schools you'll target.

2) I agree with you. Being geographically limited is a negative. How far are you willing to commute? I am assuming you have an SO with a nontransferable job or school, other family responsibilities, or own a house?

A lack of nonmedical community service will decrease your appeal to many private and some public schools. Any kids?

Thanks for continuing this conversation. I really appreciate it. I needed someone I could talk to about this for a long time. So I am married and my husband has already established his career here. As you know, MA is the ocean of many biotech companies and he needs to stay here. Not to mention the last thing I want is to make him move due to my career. We are both from here and will need the family support once we have kids, although we do not even dare to entertain the thought of it at this point in my life. NE has total of 8 schools and if I include New York, I may be able to get away with applying to 12-13 schools. But this is not anywhere close to my other friends applying to 20-30 schools nationally. 🙁 On a side note, I will work on improving non-medical volunteer experience.

Thanks again for your time!

 

[lazybutt26]

Multiple degrees will not get you into medical school. Pursue a graduate masters if you are genuinely interested in a field of study. DO not pursue a graduate level masters degree if you think it's going to get you into medical school. Hell that's what post-baccs and SMPs are for (but those are for students with GPAs significantly lower than yours). Work on some clinical experience and take the MCAT again. Good luck! Stay positive. The MCAT is a beast. Your cGPA is great

Thanks for your reply! What a relief to hear that my GPA is good enough and I do not need a masters degree. That will definitely set us back financially as well. I am, however, genuinely interested in learning so I will be taking one or two upper level biology courses at Harvard after taking the MCAT. Thanks for your encouragement! I realize that preventing myself from going into the rabbit hole itself is a challenge on somedays.

 

[Catalystik]

I am married and my husband has already established his career here. As you know, MA is the ocean of many biotech companies and he needs to stay here. Not to mention the last thing I want is to make him move due to my career. We are both from here and will need the family support once we have kids, although we do not even dare to entertain the thought of it at this point in my life. NE has total of 8 schools and if I include New York,
1) I may be able to get away with applying to 12-13 schools. But this is not anywhere close to my other friends applying to 20-30 schools nationally. 🙁

2) On a side note, I will work on improving non-medical volunteer experience.

1) Average number of schools applied to is 14. So you may not be far off. Your job will be to make your application appeal to as many of them as possible, per the school's stated mission.

2) Good. It's never too soon to start this.