MPH/MD: Question about admissions

[ajnak182]

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I was wondering if applying MD/MPH is more competive than applying solely to an MD program? I really would like to get an MPH, but if applying MD/MPH is going to make it more difficult for me to get into med schools, I'll pursue the MPH during or after med school (that is if I get into med school). Also, if applying MD/MPH is more competitive, when applying on AMCAS, can you apply to both the reg. MD program of a school and to the school's MD/MPH program as well? If you get rejected for the MD/MPH program and only applied to the MD/MPH program, do they still consider you for the regular MD program? Any info on this would be tits 👍

AJ

 

[ChantillyLace]

I haven't heard that it would be more competitive to get into an MPH/MD program rather than just an MD program. then again, I don't know of too many MPH/MD program. Sorry I'm of no help. Call the school's admissions and ask them about it...I'm sure each school has different guidelines.

 

[Heal&Teach]

Usually this is only as hard as it is to get into an MD program. You generally don't apply to the second of the dual degree until you've been accepted to medical school, in most cases.

 

[Zweihander]

I was discouraged from applying dual by my health careers advisor. Her logic was that once you are admitted to a med school with an MPH program, you have almost guaranteed admission to that program, so really what you have to do is get accepted by the med school. However, she wasn't sure if it somehow put you in competition with other MD/MPH applicants or otherwise made applying more complicated, so she suggested not to do it.

I don't know if she's right, but anyway that's something to think about.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

if you're interested in eventually getting an mph, why not apply for it now anyway? i applied to 5 dual md/mph programs this year, and with my background i hope applying jointly will actually make me more competitive and stand out from the regular md-only applicant.

on the other hand, i could see how if you have limited public health exposure you might not benefit from applying jointly. in that case, i'd consider applying to md-only programs at universities with schools of public health so if you decide it's really what you want to do, you have that option.

 

[babyface]

If you're strong enough of a candidate to get into a MD program, you are definitely strong enough to get into a MPH program. So I don't think applying MD/MPH would hinder you nor make it harder to be admitted. At my Northwestern interview, they mentioned specifically that, saying that they have some spots reserved in the MPH program for medical students. And the number of spots reserved typically is significantly lower than the demand. Good luck!

 

[ajnak182]

Thanks everyone for your help... I did a little research, and at the schools I checked out (Northwestern and UT Houston), they state that if you apply MD/MPH, you are first accepted as an MD and then are put into the application cycle for the MPH program. Thus, it appears is really has little effect on your chances for acceptance to the MD program. If anything, it just makes you a bit different amongst all the MD applicants. Later

AJ

 

[rockstar2525]

I applied only to schools that have dual degree (MD/MPH) programs, so far I haven't found any where your chances for admission would be hindered by applying to both. Most schools admit you to the MD program, then after your first year you apply to the MPH program (which you are almost guaranteed to get into). At schools where you start the MPH right away, you have to apply and be admitted to both programs seperately, then your advisor helps work out your class schedule. It's annoying because you have to send two app fees, two sets of rec, etc, but it doesn't hurt your chances for admission. Good luck!

 

[calstudent]

hey rockstar, (or anyone else): what schools are there that you have to apply to MPH at the same time as MD. I am considering MPH, but don't exactly want to say that for sure yet.

Thanks a ton

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Interesting question - I have spent the last several hours talking to admissions officers at business (MBA) schools all around the country. I did my best to cut through what I thought was BS - that each school (MD and MBA) seperately considers your application and does not speak to each other concerning your admission to either school. From the conversations I've had with ADCOM members at Stanford, UCLA, Northwestern, UPenn, etc., I think it really is the case that applying to an MD program with a joint degree in mind neither hurts not helps your application. I think that you may be able to use your app to set yourself apart, talking of your deep interest in improving public health. But on a procedural level, joint degree applications dont change your application strength at all.