MPH vs. MMS during app process

[Dave_D]

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Ok here's the deal. I didn't get in the first time I applied.(I know, it absolutely blows. I've talked to premed advisors from my undergrad school and my post-bacc school and both are actually surprised by how little response I got given how well I did post bacc and my MCAT.) Anyway I've been told getting a masters would help me out during the reapplication process. So there's 2 masters I've heard of that might be good for me, a masters in public health or a masters of medical science. The problem is what you could probably guess, one kind of pushed me toward the MPH and away from the MMS, the other thought the MMS was the better bet. So anybody have any ideas which would look better to a medical school?(I mean if they simply agreed it'd make things so simple 🙂 ) Actually if anybody has made this decision for themselves could you tell me how you picked one over the other.(I won't say which way I'm leaning right now, don't want to bias the answers.)

 

[prncvegita]

Ok here's the deal. I didn't get in the first time I applied.(I know, it absolutely blows. I've talked to premed advisors from my undergrad school and my post-bacc school and both are actually surprised by how little response I got given how well I did post bacc and my MCAT.) Anyway I've been told getting a masters would help me out during the reapplication process. So there's 2 masters I've heard of that might be good for me, a masters in public health or a masters of medical science. The problem is what you could probably guess, one kind of pushed me toward the MPH and away from the MMS, the other thought the MMS was the better bet. So anybody have any ideas which would look better to a medical school?(I mean if they simply agreed it'd make things so simple 🙂 ) Actually if anybody has made this decision for themselves could you tell me how you picked one over the other.(I won't say which way I'm leaning right now, don't want to bias the answers.)

I'm assuming that you weren't premed as an undergrad and that you didn't actually get a degree at your post-bacc school (in other words, you were simply fulfilling premed requirements)? I believe a lot of post-bacc schools will give you a masters of medical technology or something like that. If you didn't get that sort of a degree, I'd suggest enrolling in another post-bacc program that'll give you that masters of medical technology degree. Some of those post-bacc programs have linkages with local medical schools so if you do well, you've got a good shot of getting into them directly. I know UPenn has linkage, I think UMDNJ also has linkage, I'm not sure about the other programs.
Otherwise, I'd say just do what interests you most. Med school admissions people want to know that you've thought about the reasons why you took a certain path. Especially when you're writing your essays and you're going into interviews, it really helps to have concrete reasons as to why you enrolled in a certain program or were a certain concentration.
Hope this helps, PM me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

 

[sappho_sapphics]

Ok here's the deal. I didn't get in the first time I applied.(I know, it absolutely blows. I've talked to premed advisors from my undergrad school and my post-bacc school and both are actually surprised by how little response I got given how well I did post bacc and my MCAT.) Anyway I've been told getting a masters would help me out during the reapplication process. So there's 2 masters I've heard of that might be good for me, a masters in public health or a masters of medical science. The problem is what you could probably guess, one kind of pushed me toward the MPH and away from the MMS, the other thought the MMS was the better bet. So anybody have any ideas which would look better to a medical school?(I mean if they simply agreed it'd make things so simple 🙂 ) Actually if anybody has made this decision for themselves could you tell me how you picked one over the other.(I won't say which way I'm leaning right now, don't want to bias the answers.)

Hi Dave,

I will be honest and say that if you are going to pursue either Masters, that you consider what you would do with the degree in the future. I mean, let's say you do not get accepted in medical school -- could you use the Masters for another "back up" plan? I suggest this only because I am in the MS program in Public Health, and plan to eventually pursue the MD/PhD. I love public health and envision myself pursuing advanced studies/opportunities with public health. If your interest is not in public health or in the MMS program, I would strongly suggest one of the many post-bac. programs.

Good luck!

 

[mshheaddoc]

Public Health won't help you much by improving your "record" for medical school. If you need to boost the amount of science classes go for the medical science masters programs. There are a number of them out there. Search the forum. I wouldn't go with the MPH. My $.02 just from what I know though ...