Multiple Degrees (MD/MPH/MBA)

[Anonymous01]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello guys!

I'm a rising junior in college, and I'm genuinely interested in all three of these degrees. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure which forum to post this in!

I'm considering obtaining an MPH/MBA first. Afterwards, I'm planning to pursue my MD.

I'm not looking for my chances of getting into any of these degree programs, but rather simply advice.

Next question...after/if I successfully completing the MPH/MBA, how would I go back to the premed curriculum?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[MaVieenRose]

My advice would be to not take your remaining premed requirements. You are right. You should take the time to reflect upon what has caused you to perform poorly in your pre-med classes. You'll save yourself the poor grade on your transcript and it is not difficult to take these types of course later on.

In terms of getting multiple degrees and not looking like this just a ploy to get into medical school, I think what it comes down to is proving that you are genuinely interested in the topics you are studying.

I am currently a senior in college (woot for upcoming graduation) and was worried that medical schools would feel that I was trying to finagle my way into their programs by using this "cheap" method i.e. trying to set myself apart with a degree in public health. However, I know that I am 100% dedicated to public health and do not fear that it will be reflected in my applications through activities and my plans for the next few years before I apply. I think it is all about how you spin it.

If you are interested in those degrees, go for it. If you are truly passionate about that path, I'm sure it will be evident to those who review your applications (you'll MAKE it evident).

Of course, my advice should be taken with a grain of salt. These are just bits and pieces of advice that I have gleaned from pre-med advisers and physicians during my undergraduate career.

Good luck!

 

[zeloc]

I didn't know there were undergraduate public health degrees. MaVieenRose, what is your degree, is it a master's or something else?

Anonymous1, you've asked some very interesting questions. I agree that some serious introspection is in order. I am not sure why you've been doing so poorly in college, but I think that probably know at some level what the answer is, or have an idea of what the answer is, although it's generally much easier for others who know you to see what you are doing wrong compared to yourself. Are you interested in the classes you've been taking or are you just taking them to achieve an end? I would take some time to decide what you really want to do. I've seen too many people have serious questions about career kinds of issues and instead of really exploring it they plow into another field or another group of courses or research or a graduate degree or whatever else it might be instead of really discovering what it is they want to do and then going into that with all of their motivation and being.

You've probably already discovered that there are any number of ways/orders to complete the degrees that you're interested in, and there are just as many people who have done them in those ways. The question is, why do you want these 3 degrees, what are you planning on accomplishing with them? If you are able to answer that, I think it will suggest the logical order of these degrees for you compared to someone else who wants these same 3.

 

[MaVieenRose]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I do not have an undergraduate public health degree; I am moving on to graduate school for my MPH. But I know that they do exist i.e. B.A./B.S./A.B. in Public Health. A close friend of mine just graduated with one.

 

[jkatpp]

I just wanted to say that you correct... there are undergraduate degrees in public health. I just graduated from Rutgers with a BS in PH. However, I don't think every college has an undergraduate major in PH... I think it's sort of rare. I may be wrong though. Anyone else have an undergrad in PH or know of any schools that have this major?

 

[Cster0905]

I just wanted to say that you correct... there are undergraduate degrees in public health. I just graduated from Rutgers with a BS in PH. However, I don't think every college has an undergraduate major in PH... I think it's sort of rare. I may be wrong though. Anyone else have an undergrad in PH or know of any schools that have this major?

I have my undergraduate degree (BS in PH) from UNC's School of Public Health -- from the Department of Health Policy and Administration.

UNC's experience is pretty cool as there are only a few courses specifically tailored to the undergrads. Everything else, including all electives and cores like epid, biostat, etc, are taken with the grad students. It could get pretty intense considering the caliber of grad students UNC attracts.

 

[anonymous88]

UC Berkeley also offers an undergraduate degree in Public Health.

 

[garg0032]

Hey Anonymous01,

I think many people can relate to your account of being stellar in high school and then performing lower than expectations in college. I was the same way but managed to pull through at the end, where my first 2 years were fairly bad (less than 3.0) and I pulled through the last 2 years with 3.6 etc to get a respectable 3.2 in engineering. I too did aspire towards med school but am now going to matriculate in an MHA program at the UMN. Although you have mentioned that you are already a junior, if you can indeed realize what's holding you back and turn things around for the remainder of your college career, I think that will reflect strongly on you as a person who realizes their mistakes and can learn and come out of them as a better person. I believe they may ask a question such as this in interviews and you have a good answer for that.

Also, I wouldn't say that getting an MPH and MBA, MHA or whatever slew of degrees is a cheap way of getting into med school as firstly, its costing you time and money that they should acknowledge,secondly that you have all this vital skills that allow you to complement your grades and you end up as a stronger candidate due to the skill set you possess compared to other applicants. And lastly, you do gain important experience and knowledge that can undoubtedly be applied to medicine and it is all about the way you talk about it and let them know that these are the steps you feel are necessary to pursue your passion and excel at it.

I don't know, just some advice!

 

[DrJosephKim]

MBA and MPH programs are not as scientifically rigorous. Medical schools are more interested in your academic performance focused around scientific courses, so keep that in mind.

I would focus your efforts on studying for the MCAT. If you shine on that exam, that will really help.

 

[K78]

I agree with those that suggested some introspection to figure out what you want to do. Also, maybe working in your field of interest (if you're not already) while you take some time off would help clarify your goals -and give you something to write about in your essays.
It seems that a lot of people are doing an MPH in order to strengthen their med school applications. So, that might not make you stand out so much, since so many are going that route (although I'm sure it would help), but having an MPH/MBA probably would make you stand out more.
Also, you mentioned that if the problem is procrastination or time management, you wanted to know how to go about fixing it. I have struggled for a long time with procrastination. I read a book that helped a lot called "The Now Habit" by Neil Fiore. It's not as simplistic as it sounds..it helps you learn why you procrastinate and take steps to improve. I had read other books that basically said to "do it now," (like I couldn't figure that one out!) but this one helped get to the root of the problem. Hope that helps you and good luck to you!

 

[Anonymous01]

Thank you all so much for the advice.