MPH to MD/PhD

[MW1251]

Hey everyone,
I'm currently a Junior Public Health major. I'm taking my pre-med reqs along with the required Public Health courses I need to graduate but due to financial reasons I will have to focus only on my Public Health courses to graduate. I will most likely apply to a MPH program in order to complete the remaining 3 pre-med reqs I need to apply to medical school. I figured why not just a degree and take stronger science courses along the way to medical school. My main goal is to apply to an MD/PhD program (MSTP). If anyone has did the same or no others who received an MPH before applying to an MD/PhD program please tell me the steps taken in order to do so. Any feedback would help.

Thank You

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[cactusman]

Why not just do post-bacc work? It would be much cheaper and probably take you less time, which is important since you want to take a long path into lower-paying academic medicine.

What is your current research experience? If it's weak, you'd again probably be better in another (probably paid) program that's more research-focused.

I think @flapjack3d got their MPH first but I don't think they're going MD/PhD.

 

[eteshoe]

Why do a MPH then MD/PhD? I'm not understanding your motivation for the PhD. Unless you're trying to do it in a school of public health. There are also MD/MPH programs.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Unless you have a very specific career goal where all three degrees would be highly beneficial I don't really see a point in getting the MPH. if you need 3 prereqs do a DIY post bacc

 

[flapjack3d]

PhD in what? It's true that some public health PhD programs require a prior MPH, but I know that's been waived for med students before. PhD is not necessary for most public health work. Be clear about why you need a PhD for whats you want to do. You won't even get into a program if you can't explain that clearly.

 

[MW1251]

Why do a MPH then MD/PhD? I'm not understanding your motivation for the PhD. Unless you're trying to do it in a school of public health. There are also MD/MPH programs.

No, I don't want to get my PhD in Public Health. I just thought an MPH would be great while finishing the last few pre-reqs.

 

[MW1251]

PhD in what? It's true that some public health PhD programs require a prior MPH, but I know that's been waived for med students before. PhD is not necessary for most public health work. Be clear about why you need a PhD for whats you want to do. You won't even get into a program if you can't explain that clearly.

I want to get a PhD in Cancer Bio (unrelated to Public Health) but since I'm already a Public Health major as an undergrad I figured it would be okay if I got my masters in it along with finishing my pre-reqs. I would have applied to a science related masters program but I didn't complete Bio II + Lab and Orgo II + Lab. My main goal is to get into an MD/PhD program with a focus on Cancer Bio.

 

[MW1251]

Why not just do post-bacc work? It would be much cheaper and probably take you less time, which is important since you want to take a long path into lower-paying academic medicine.

What is your current research experience? If it's weak, you'd again probably be better in another (probably paid) program that's more research-focused.

I think @flapjack3d got their MPH first but I don't think they're going MD/PhD.

My research experience includes two internships and a regular research volunteer position. I did Alzheimer's research (wet lab), Cancer Epidemiology (dry lab, mostly health records and statistics), and Radiation Biology (wet lab).

 

[cactusman]

I want to get a PhD in Cancer Bio (unrelated to Public Health) but since I'm already a Public Health major as an undergrad I figured it would be okay if I got my masters in it along with finishing my pre-reqs. I would have applied to a science related masters program but I didn't complete Bio II + Lab and Orgo II + Lab. My main goal is to get into an MD/PhD program with a focus on Cancer Bio.

Of course you could, but I think the bigger question isn't why PhD but why MPH? Given the time and money you would spend getting it, it won't add much to your app, so only do it if you really believe you will use the MPH.

 

[flapjack3d]

I want to get a PhD in Cancer Bio (unrelated to Public Health) but since I'm already a Public Health major as an undergrad I figured it would be okay if I got my masters in it along with finishing my pre-reqs. I would have applied to a science related masters program but I didn't complete Bio II + Lab and Orgo II + Lab. My main goal is to get into an MD/PhD program with a focus on Cancer Bio.

"it would be okay" isn't a good reason to get an MPH 😉
Sounds like from your comments, you would be much better served finising your pre-reqs while working hard in a basic science lab on the side.

 

[eteshoe]

No, I don't want to get my PhD in Public Health. I just thought an MPH would be great while finishing the last few pre-reqs.

The MPH will not be that helpful for the MD/PhD, especially since you're trying to do molecular bio research for your PhD. From what I understand, the best thing you can do for the MD/PhD (especially cancer bio) is having wet lab (or computational) research experience depending on the types of labs you're looking to get into.

 

[MW1251]

The MPH will not be that helpful for the MD/PhD, especially since you're trying to do molecular bio research for your PhD. From what I understand, the best thing you can do for the MD/PhD (especially cancer bio) is having wet lab (or computational) research experience depending on the types of labs you're looking to get into.

Okay, thanks. After the Fall semester we'll see what happens. More than likely I'll aim at finishing Bio II and Orgo II then apply. Thanks for all the info guys.