Masters Program Before Med School Question

[hu2017]

Hi, I have a few questions regarding Masters programs prior to applying to medical school. I recently was admitted to a program at Johns Hopkins that combines genetic and cellular biology with health and health policy. I also was admitted to a community health program at Stanford, which is offered by their school of medicine. A little about myself: I have a cGPA of 3.5, sGPA of 3.2, avg. MCAT (500) but I plan to retake it this summer and am hoping to score a 510- 515 or above. I also have 3 years of research experience at a top 5 school that resulted in 2 publications (1 being 2nd author). I have heard a lot about taking extra science courses to boost my GPA, but was thinking if either of these programs would be a good choice since they also offer higher level biology and chemistry courses and I would be able to get an actual degree in something I’m extremely interested in instead of just taking a few courses at the local college. I plan to incorporate clinical research into my future career as well, so that is why I also thought it may be helpful to gain some more scientific and research experience before applying to medical school. I would love the opinion of someone working in medical school admissions and from @Goro about what you think about the masters programs based on my stats and my future plans. Thank you so much!

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[Goro]

IF they are research MS programs, they are unlikely to help you be more competitive for MD, but will be fine for DO.

IF they are SMP-like in that you take med school (like) coursework, then they will help for both MD and DO.

 

[thissuckslol]

IF they are research MS programs, they are unlikely to help you be more competitive for MD, but will be fine for DO.

IF they are SMP-like in that you take med school (like) coursework, then they will help for both MD and DO.

how would research not help for both? this doesn't seem like good advice. I would say that since he already has a research experience (and a seemingly good one) that he shouldn't be focusing on just doing a research program for the sake of research. SMP like programs do help for both but beware....if you don't do well in it or alright in it you're going to be seriously in trouble when it comes time to apply.

 

[Goro]

how would research not help for both? this doesn't seem like good advice. I would say that since he already has a research experience (and a seemingly good one) that he shouldn't be focusing on just doing a research program for the sake of research. SMP like programs do help for both but beware....if you don't do well in it or alright in it you're going to be seriously in trouble when it comes time to apply.

Research-based Ms programs have too much grade inflation, and this is why MD schools do not count them for GPA purposes.

Taking classes in DNA techniques, or Neuroscience seminars or Journal Club, does not help prepare one for medical school nor does it convince admission committee members that one can handle the rigors of medical school.

 

[thissuckslol]

Research-based Ms programs have too much grade inflation, and this is why MD schools do not count them for GPA purposes.

Taking classes in DNA techniques, or Neuroscience seminars or Journal Club, does not help prepare one for medical school nor does it convince admission committee members that one can handle the rigors of medical school.

Then avoid these altogether. This doesn't seem beneficial even for DO schools. I haven't done one myself, nor do i know anyone who has. However, I do know people who have done the SMP route and it's worked out in the end for them.

 

[PentuPenguin]

Have you considered a record-enhancing program? I pursued this option and I received 2 acceptances to medical school this cycle (note: first time applying)! PM for details if interested !! I believe that the benefit of the post-bacc is that it can enhance your undergrad GPA and it will expose you to coursework that is rigorous in basic sciences, like advanced bio for instance

 

[meronebib]

If you’re looking to make your med school app more competitive, MS programs are a waste of time and money.

 

[Goro]

Then avoid these altogether. This doesn't seem beneficial even for DO schools. I haven't done one myself, nor do i know anyone who has. However, I do know people who have done the SMP route and it's worked out in the end for them.

This is my point.

 

[hu2017]

Thank you all SO much for your responses! The course through JHU offers courses very similar to SMP-like programs. These include: virology, advanced cell biology, cancer biology, molecular bio and stem cell bio to name a few. They also include a lot of options for "public-health like" courses like policy and ethics. So if I were to do one program I would choose the JHU option based on your responses and just load my schedule with more science courses than policy. Would this be a good idea as a way to design my own SMP-like program in a way that is much more cost effective that actual SMPs? I would like to know if this would be a competitive addition to my application or would it be better to self-design a post-bacc at the local college instead? I would love to hear from @Goro about what you think about both of these options.

 

[riverrunner]

Is the JHU MS program online or on campus? What is the consensus regarding online versus in-person MS and other course work (even at JHU) for the purpose of applying for MD programs? Would it be better to take undergrad upper-division science classes in a local university classroom? @Goro ?

 

[Goro]

MD schools don t factor in MS programs, but DO will.

Strongly suggest in classroom programs

 

[hu2017]

The JHU program is a mix of online and in-person. Their lab courses are offered on-campus only and the other courses are offered online.

 

[Perseverance7779311]

It is simply not true that med schools do not look at masters GPAs as some people have stated. I am in a masters program now, and I know plenty of people who have gotten accepted to medical school, who had a high masters gpa. Some schools don’t care what type of bio masters it is, whereas other schools want to see classes like histology or embryology, for example. It is best to contact the schools that you are interested in, and get their input. Michigan state considers 16 credits of grad gpa as one’s redemption, whereas Wayne state considers 20. LSU does something similar as well. However, you must do well.