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- Pre-Medical
Hi! Okay, so here is my sitaution. Actually, I am extremely similar to another girl who posted on this site, but I'll go ahead and explain.
I am a south asian female and will get my BS in Biology this coming May. I am preparing for the GRE currently, and will be taking the MCAT next May. Knowing how difficult it is to get in, I know that I need much more experience. I currently volunteering at a nursing home and have been volunteering at the Hospital, but don't feel like I have enough hours (since I just started all of this extra stuff about 6 months back) and do realize that I need to do much, much more. For some reason, the past three years of my life have just flown by academcially, it's been difficult to get anything else done. In terms of my grades, I have definitely shown an upward trend in my science classes, but my overall science GPA counting all of my other major Biology classes as well as the 'core' med school sciences is probably about a 2.73. My overall GPA is about a 3.1, but I have 2 more semesters of school to go (this fall specifically I am taking some more science classes).
My question is, I have been planning on doing a two year MPH program. I am in no rush to get into medical school; I am also an Indian Classical Vocalist and would actually prefer having two extra summers off to work on my music. Because of this, I figured a two year MPH was a great idea: I would work on getting my degree, continue volunteering at the nursing home and at the hospital, and get in some clinical research which i have not done yet. There is also a winter study abroad program that one of the grad schools I am looking into offers in Africa for three weeks, it is a great opportunity to volunteer and experience the healthcare system in another country. I was also planning on getting an EMT degree from a local community college next summer.
With that said, I have currently been hearing rumors that an MPH is probably not going to help. Is this true? I have been told that doing a Postbacc program is probably a much better idea. However, I've sort of missed the boat this year, since I have so much going on and cannot take the MCAT till May of 08. Now I'm extremely confused, since I sort of had this all thought out.
At this point I'm not sure if
1) I should go ahead with my instincts and do the two year program, and do all of the 'stuff' I stated about. If i don't get in, I would have to look into options in the Carribbean
2) I should try to cram in a 1 year MPH program and spend my second year doing a post-bac if i dont get in somewhere
3) If I should try to do a 1 year MPH program and spend a year doing research only?
At this point, I'm pretty sure I am going to get an MPH. The question is doing a one year or a two year program, and what else I could do to raise my chances..seeing as many people believe that may not help so much. Would it hurt to get the MPH if I did a lot of other stuff along side?
If you could offer me some advice, that would be great!
I am a south asian female and will get my BS in Biology this coming May. I am preparing for the GRE currently, and will be taking the MCAT next May. Knowing how difficult it is to get in, I know that I need much more experience. I currently volunteering at a nursing home and have been volunteering at the Hospital, but don't feel like I have enough hours (since I just started all of this extra stuff about 6 months back) and do realize that I need to do much, much more. For some reason, the past three years of my life have just flown by academcially, it's been difficult to get anything else done. In terms of my grades, I have definitely shown an upward trend in my science classes, but my overall science GPA counting all of my other major Biology classes as well as the 'core' med school sciences is probably about a 2.73. My overall GPA is about a 3.1, but I have 2 more semesters of school to go (this fall specifically I am taking some more science classes).
My question is, I have been planning on doing a two year MPH program. I am in no rush to get into medical school; I am also an Indian Classical Vocalist and would actually prefer having two extra summers off to work on my music. Because of this, I figured a two year MPH was a great idea: I would work on getting my degree, continue volunteering at the nursing home and at the hospital, and get in some clinical research which i have not done yet. There is also a winter study abroad program that one of the grad schools I am looking into offers in Africa for three weeks, it is a great opportunity to volunteer and experience the healthcare system in another country. I was also planning on getting an EMT degree from a local community college next summer.
With that said, I have currently been hearing rumors that an MPH is probably not going to help. Is this true? I have been told that doing a Postbacc program is probably a much better idea. However, I've sort of missed the boat this year, since I have so much going on and cannot take the MCAT till May of 08. Now I'm extremely confused, since I sort of had this all thought out.
At this point I'm not sure if
1) I should go ahead with my instincts and do the two year program, and do all of the 'stuff' I stated about. If i don't get in, I would have to look into options in the Carribbean
2) I should try to cram in a 1 year MPH program and spend my second year doing a post-bac if i dont get in somewhere
3) If I should try to do a 1 year MPH program and spend a year doing research only?
At this point, I'm pretty sure I am going to get an MPH. The question is doing a one year or a two year program, and what else I could do to raise my chances..seeing as many people believe that may not help so much. Would it hurt to get the MPH if I did a lot of other stuff along side?
If you could offer me some advice, that would be great!
