MD, MS? Need advice ASAP

[biojunky]

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Hi guys,
I'm not sure if this is where I should be posting this, but I figure you medical students might be the most informed about the results of decisions like this.
Here is my situation:
I will be receiving my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in June.
I was accepted to two programs this cycle:
1- MD at a low ranking medical school (high primary care ranking though). It is located on the other side of the country from where I live.
2- 1-year Masters of Science in Global Medicine at a higher ranking medical school (top 40 in research but low ranking in primary care). This school is about 1 hour of a drive away from my home.
I was thinking of deferring my acceptance to the MD, so that I could finish the MS. I am genuinely interested in both. Is this a good idea? I'm not sure if my request for deferring will be accepted by the MD program, but I want to make sure that completing the MS beforehand is a good idea before I ask for deferment. Please give me your opinion about whether or not I should pursue the Masters program before starting medical school. Would it help with my chances at getting into a good residency program or job opportunities later in life?
Thanks,
-biojunky

 

[Dwindlin]

Hi guys,
I'm not sure if this is where I should be posting this, but I figure you medical students might be the most informed about the results of decisions like this.
Here is my situation:
I will be receiving my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in June.
I was accepted to two programs this cycle:
1- MD at a low ranking medical school (high primary care ranking though). It is located on the other side of the country from where I live.
2- 1-year Masters of Science in Global Medicine at a higher ranking medical school (top 40 in research but low ranking in primary care). This school is about 1 hour of a drive away from my home.
I was thinking of deferring my acceptance to the MD, so that I could finish the MS. I am genuinely interested in both. Is this a good idea? I'm not sure if my request for deferring will be accepted by the MD program, but I want to make sure that completing the MS beforehand is a good idea before I ask for deferment. Please give me your opinion about whether or not I should pursue the Masters program before starting medical school. Would it help with my chances at getting into a good residency program or job opportunities later in life?
Thanks,
-biojunky

If your ultimate goal is be a doc take the acceptance. You can always to a masters program later (or some schools have dual degree programs). In terms of residency competitiveness dual degree students don't appear to have much of an upper hand (although that could be just because there are significantly fewer dual degree students applying).

 

[biojunky]

I do want to be a physician, but I also want to be involved with research and academia. Although I'm sure my outlook could change during medical school, currently I don't see myself as a physician in private practice. My ultimate goal would be to be a clinical professor, so that I can treat patients, do research, be involved with community health efforts, and teach (if this is what being a clinical professor would entail!). Is it possible that having a Masters in a field related to public health might enhance my chances of being able to do all of that.
[I understand that this may be naive and resemble my 4 year old cousin's plea that she wants to be a professional tennis player, a shop keeper, a doctor, and a model when she grows up. I just want to make sure that I take advantage of all of the good opportunities I am given and hopefully set my best foot forward for a career in medicine.]

 

[IHeartNerds]

If you have been accepted to an MD program in this country, you need to go to it. No deferring. Just go, and succeed. 👍

The Masters to which you refer sounds like an SMP. If you want to get an MPH or something similar in medical school, there will be avenues (1 year long) to do so.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Completing the MS is only worth it if you plan to use the knowledge in your career path (research, etc.). If you see any benefit with residency programs, it will be very minimal. Think about it as if you were a residency program director - Does a MS degree make someone a better doctor? No.

If you plan to do a lot of research or overseas work, do it for yourself.

If you are doing this to benefit yourself some how, it will not help you get into a better residency or increase your future earnings potential. If anything, the tuition and time will just decrease your net worth in the long run.

A low ranking MD school can get you wherever you want to go in life. Get good USMLE scores and good grades, and you can write your own ticket.