Master's Program at DO School

[camshark]

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Would it make sense to do a Masters program at a DO school to gain admissions? I heard they like that. Im applying this cycle but if it doesnt go well then Im thinking of getting a masters starting fall of 2013, then applying at the same time for fall 2014 matriculation. My gpa isnt terrible...c3.2, s3.4 and I retake the MCAT on Thursday. I just would like to do something worthwhile on my year off if I dont get admitted.

 

[Temperature101]

Would it make sense to do a Masters program at a DO school to gain admissions? I heard they like that. Im applying this cycle but if it doesnt go well then Im thinking of getting a masters starting fall of 2013, then applying at the same time for fall 2014 matriculation. My gpa isnt terrible...c3.2, s3.4 and I retake the MCAT on Thursday. I just would like to do something worthwhile on my year off if I dont get admitted.

If you can manage to get 27+ mcat, you wont need a master program. If your goal is to become a physician, almost anything would make sense as long as it will get you to your career goal.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Would it make sense to do a Masters program at a DO school to gain admissions? I heard they like that. Im applying this cycle but if it doesnt go well then Im thinking of getting a masters starting fall of 2013, then applying at the same time for fall 2014 matriculation. My gpa isnt terrible...c3.2, s3.4 and I retake the MCAT on Thursday. I just would like to do something worthwhile on my year off if I dont get admitted.

What kind of masters did you intend on getting?

 

[BB8730]

Would it make sense to do a Masters program at a DO school to gain admissions? I heard they like that. Im applying this cycle but if it doesnt go well then Im thinking of getting a masters starting fall of 2013, then applying at the same time for fall 2014 matriculation. My gpa isnt terrible...c3.2, s3.4 and I retake the MCAT on Thursday. I just would like to do something worthwhile on my year off if I dont get admitted.

If it's a Master's program specifically designed for entry into a health professional program (SMP), then yes, medical schools would like that. If it's a Master's in Biotechnology or something unrelated to medicine, then no, it won't look as good to medical schools.

Also, just being enrolled in the 2013 program won't help your chances if you're applying for fall 2014 matriculation. You'd have to complete the program, take a year off, and apply for fall 2015 matriculation so medical schools can see how you performed in your Master's program.

As Temperature said, your GPAs aren't bad enough to need an SMP. Take a year off and work/volunteer in medical settings. That's the most worthwhile thing you can do IMO. 👍

 

[Goro]

For you, no, if you do well on your re-take. But for someone who did poorly as an undergrad, these programs are a way to show us one can handle a medical school curriculum and to get to know the person. Our own program is a back door into acceptance for those who have done well.

Would it make sense to do a Masters program at a DO school to gain admissions? I heard they like that. Im applying this cycle but if it doesnt go well then Im thinking of getting a masters starting fall of 2013, then applying at the same time for fall 2014 matriculation. My gpa isnt terrible...c3.2, s3.4 and I retake the MCAT on Thursday. I just would like to do something worthwhile on my year off if I dont get admitted.

 

[camshark]

Thanks for the replies. I dont feel I need a gpa boost as my last 4 yr cgpa is 3.6 with the very last 2 (only upper division sci) at 3.8 (HS credit brings me down) and my MCAT will improve so Ill just cross the bridge of what to do if I dont get in if I dont get in 🙂

 

[dollarbill]

I just wanted to give you my 2 cents coming from someone who is in a masters program at a DO school. First, I love the program, its much more then a "GPA boost" in my opinion. You learn quite a bit about yourself and it definitely has a maturing effect on you. From thesis writing to research to tons of presentations and thesis defense you learn quite a lot of tools that the regular joe doesn't have. Also, maybe you are like me, where in my undergrad, I did research but it was not human related. So this gave me experience in human related research as well. Furthermore, it real gives you a up close look (and motivation) at the life of a medical student. We've shadowed doctors, done volunteer work, etc to see what the medical field is all about...but has anyone ever thought of shadowing a medical student...seeing them take 23 credits a semester, watching how they react when they have 4-5 exams in one week, seeing them when they come out of the anatomy lab at 11:30 at night, seeing them go into the library at 9am and leaving the library at 8pm to see that they are still there, seeing medical students cry when they fail a exam. These things are reality and will be the same things we go through when were in medical school. Finally, in the end a masters degree will make you more qualified then a person without one. Which is always something to think about when you are applying for possible residency positions sometime down the future. So, I just wanted to add another perspective. It will ultimately come down to what you feel is best for you. I'm sure you'll get in this cycle so there no worries. Good luck to your future goals!

 

[milosavljevic]

I just wanted to give you my 2 cents coming from someone who is in a masters program at a DO school. First, I love the program, its much more then a "GPA boost" in my opinion. You learn quite a bit about yourself and it definitely has a maturing effect on you. From thesis writing to research to tons of presentations and thesis defense you learn quite a lot of tools that the regular joe doesn't have. Also, maybe you are like me, where in my undergrad, I did research but it was not human related. So this gave me experience in human related research as well. Furthermore, it real gives you a up close look (and motivation) at the life of a medical student. We've shadowed doctors, done volunteer work, etc to see what the medical field is all about...but has anyone ever thought of shadowing a medical student...seeing them take 23 credits a semester, watching how they react when they have 4-5 exams in one week, seeing them when they come out of the anatomy lab at 11:30 at night, seeing them go into the library at 9am and leaving the library at 8pm to see that they are still there, seeing medical students cry when they fail a exam. These things are reality and will be the same things we go through when were in medical school. Finally, in the end a masters degree will make you more qualified then a person without one. Which is always something to think about when you are applying for possible residency positions sometime down the future. So, I just wanted to add another perspective. It will ultimately come down to what you feel is best for you. I'm sure you'll get in this cycle so there no worries. Good luck to your future goals!

Thank you for your helpful insight. I've never heard it phrased in such a way, but I think you have a very valid point. I don't like it when people say "getting a master's degree in X won't help you at all". Even if it might not pay off initially (like people expecting instant acceptances to med school just because they went and earned a master's), I think there are many long-term, positive aspects of going for a master's degree such as the personal development and critical thinking parts that people (especially on SDN) seem to overlook.

 

[DrMeows]

Thank you for your helpful insight. I've never heard it phrased in such a way, but I think you have a very valid point. I don't like it when people say "getting a master's degree in X won't help you at all". Even if it might not pay off initially (like people expecting instant acceptances to med school just because they went and earned a master's), I think there are many long-term, positive aspects of going for a master's degree such as the personal development and critical thinking parts that people (especially on SDN) seem to overlook.

I've also completed a masters program at a DO school - wouldn't trade the experience for anything! +1 to everything the person above said! 🙂