MD/MPH REALLY worth an extra year of med school?

[Cinnameg]

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Hello SDNers,

I just invited off of the MD/MPH waitlist to the 5-year program. I was already accepted into the MD program, so I am already planning on going to the school. But I am in a dilemma whether to accept the offer or not.

The main issue is age and momentum. I am just ending two post-college years "off" (in a post-bac program, then working while applying) and I feel like I have lost time. I will be starting medical school at 24, and ending at 28 . . . so an extra year puts me that much closer to the 30-mark, the age when I had hoped to already have my career, and family, set up and rolling. Also, I just signed my financial aid paperwork a few days ago, so I know how much debt I will be in for just 4 years of school, and a 5th would make my debt that much worse. Additionally, I am worried that I will be sad and envious watching my classmates graduate a year ahead of me, become actual doctors, and head off to start residency. I am already 2 years behind . . . is a third worth the extra degree?

FYI, I applied for the MPH because I AM actually interested in public health, especially in the areas of psychiatry and women's health. I have a strong research background, also, so I know I could do the master's thesis.

I am afraid to turn down the offer because I do not want to miss out on an opportunity that will not come around again; if I do not go for the MD/MPH now, I will almost certainly never get an MPH, and I do not know what career repurcussions that might have for me, or what doors that may close. I do not want to be at my medical school, interacting with the MD/MPH students, and wishing I were among them.

Any help? What would you do?

Thanks!

 

[DrMom]

It is very workable to do the MPH later--I did my MPH with 3 attending physicians from my medical school along with other medical professionals. Also, some residencies have an MPH as part of the program or can help you incorporate an MPH into your residency. This is most common with occ med programs, but not impossible with other programs at facilities that also offer MPHs.


It is also unlikely that not having an MPH will completely close doors of opportunity for you.


I wouldn't agree to do a extra year program unless you're 100% gung-ho about it. It is tough to be "left behind" by your classmates and to later join another class.

 

[jmk]

I just invited off of the MD/MPH waitlist to the 5-year program. I was already accepted into the MD program, so I am already planning on going to the school. But I am in a dilemma whether to accept the offer or not.

Knowing which school you are going to in the fall, I recommend that if you are going to do an MPH ever do it now. The MPH'ers in our class are really happy with their choice because of the support from the program, the social network and the strength of the program.

Sure it is a year but given that you will probably live a lot longer what is a year in the long run. Also don't forget that you will actually be young compared to your classmates where the average age is 25.5. So a year of MPH will put you in the middle of the class, age wise 🙂

Of course don't do it if you won't use it but if you think you will get an MPH do it now!

 

[Dr Who]

When applying for residency, an MPH will help you stand out from the crowd. It con only help you, so what have you got to lose?

 

[maharishi3383]

I wouldn't worrry about the extra year in terms of age. If you graduate at 29 and retire at 65 thats still 36 years to practice medicine. Thats longer than you've been alive at this point. One year doesn't make a difference. Do what ever you want. You're young!

 

[glp]

The main issue is age and momentum. I am just ending two post-college years "off" (in a post-bac program, then working while applying) and I feel like I have lost time. I will be starting medical school at 24, and ending at 28 . . . so an extra year puts me that much closer to the 30-mark, the age when I had hoped to already have my career, and family, set up and rolling.

im 25 and can relate to this having worked a year, done a post-bacc, and worked another year while applying. so this issue has come up for me as a look into the future and think about specialty options. they can vary from 3-7 years post md and obviously some of the shorter ones appeal to a non-trad who is eager to start earning a living again. but i keep telling myself that at 37, i will be a practicing doctor regardless of which specialty i choose and still have 25+ years of medicine to practice, so i should choose according to my passions and not pigeon-hole myself. that is my line of thought at least. take it or leave it. 🙂

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

When applying for residency, an MPH will help you stand out from the crowd. It con only help you, so what have you got to lose?

You got about $200,000 to lose - $50k in tuition, and $150,000k in forgone salary. One definitely needs a good reason to pursue the MPH, in my opinion.

 

[Cinnameg]

You got about $200,000 to lose - $50k in tuition, and $150,000k in forgone salary. One definitely needs a good reason to pursue the MPH, in my opinion.

Actually, in my particular situation the finances would be thus: about $15,000 in tuition for the MPH year (a lot cheaper than the MD years) and I think I would probably earn about $30,000 my first year of residency, so that's 30k of foregone salary. So, it is not a great financial situation -- it would take another year of spending money rather than earning it -- but it isn't quite as bad as the previous poster suggested.

 

[DrMom]

Actually, in my particular situation the finances would be thus: about $15,000 in tuition for the MPH year (a lot cheaper than the MD years) and I think I would probably earn about $30,000 my first year of residency, so that's 30k of foregone salary. So, it is not a great financial situation -- it would take another year of spending money rather than earning it -- but it isn't quite as bad as the previous poster suggested.

Actually, you need to compare the extra year in school to an average income in your eventual established career. If you do the MPH you won't be losing out on a year of residency pay because you'll still spend the same amount of time in residency...you'll be losing out on a year as a practicing physician.

 

[LO281OK]

Actually, you need to compare the extra year in school to an average income in your eventual established career. If you do the MPH you won't be losing out on a year of residency pay because you'll still spend the same amount of time in residency...you'll be losing out on a year as a practicing physician.

Yep. In fact, it is the last year before retirement that you should use to calculate the opportunity loss (assuming you will retire at the same age). Do MPHs make more money or mostly end up with different responsibilities (akin to the difference between higher level research paths)?

 

[USArmyDoc]

If the OP is interested in public health and he/she feels that it will increase their effectiveness as a physician, then go ahead and do it. Everyone is looking at the money. I, for one, will be looking to do a MPH because I believe my degree will open some doors for me. I am looking to get into the political side of medicine/public health also so it may be a different story for me.

 

[DrMom]

My standard recommendation is that if you're interested in some aspect of public health and want to incorporate the MPH into your practice/employment then definitely do the MPH.

If you're just doing an MPH to boost your CV/application, then don't.

In this case, the OP appears to be on the fence in this decision. While it would be nice to have the combined MD/MPH program, the OP doesn't have to do the MPH now if they're not sure about it. There are many opportunities to do one later if they change their mind, but if they go through the MD/MPH program and regret it they have a true financial/time loss.

 

[erock]

This might help you with the decision, esp. if money is a big factor:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-100.html

 

[Margaritaville]

My standard recommendation is that if you're interested in some aspect of public health and want to incorporate the MPH into your practice/employment then definitely do the MPH.

If you're just doing an MPH to boost your CV/application, then don't.

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