Not sure to reapply this cycle or next- MPH Candidate

[letsgoblue2015]

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[GrapesofRath]

For me here's all this comes down to.

1) Your stats are a good bit above average for DO programs(3.4-3.5/27) If that's your end goal, if you apply broadly this cycle, youll likely be successful if the non academic parts of your app are up to par. I dont think waiting another year if DO is all your aiming for accomplishes a whole lot
2) If MD is your end goal an MPH isnt really going to do much for you. Best route here would be an SMP although the MCAT is on the lower end for that. Best programs for a 3.4/30 are the ones with unofficial linkage to the host institution; problem is the linkage at those programs has been declining pretty sharply in recent years. If you did an SMP, you would have to do rather well in one. But it's probably your best route to MD, albeit one with flaws and far from perfect
3) Your 2 MCAT attempts are below average for MD programs and above average for DO's. Unless you have a strong reason to believe something will change significantly(ie you can hit 514+ on a 3rd attempt) I wouldnt bother with a 3rd attempt unless the scores expire. Your scores kind of are what they are at this point. Retaking the MCAT again and not improving will only be a negative not a positive.

Simply depends on what your end goals are. We dont need to rehash an MD vs DO discussion but the differences and limitations in one vs the other are what they are. What your end goal is would dictate how I approach this. But I dont really think an MPH is going to do alot to help you for medical school admission. If there are other purposes beyond improving your med school app you are hoping to achieve through getting an MPH, that's a separate discussion.

 

[GrapesofRath]

@GrapesofRath I kind of find these like the BSNs who go to medical school. Making the jump from the degree to MD/DO isnt the best. Working in the field a couple of years adds much more value than simply a degree. But from a "technical" standpoint on SMP, etc, you are, of course, correct. It also shows unfortunately that MPH is not a great stepping stone to medical school, particularly in anyway helping an weaker GPA

Sure. I get that. OP has already started an MPH here as well. I think one difference is the route for what you do after a BSN is very clear and defined. It stands out not working in the field right after. You cant really spin getting a BSN in any other way other than "I wanted to work as a nurse". An MPH has alot more potential utility in different ways and it's alot less defined what you do with one specifically after graduating.

Beyond all this though, the thing is how much benefit does waiting a few years and working really add to an application? Perceive the cost of such a decision(waiting a couple years) vs the reward(ie not getting as many questions about your motivation behind medicine). From my perspective, if you are fine with the DO route and your stats are already above average for them, I dont really know if waiting a few years just to improve your candidacy doing something you dont see yourself doing for a career is really in your best interest. If MD is the end goal, those couple years could be spent actually directly improving your MD candidacy for which an MPH really isnt the best way to.

 

[Mad Jack]

I'd apply before your MCAT sunsets myself. Preparing for the MCAT all over again while completing your MPH would be unpleasant, to say the least.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I agree with you fully. It has only been the last few years that applicants asking about MPH for medical school enhancement has leveled off. I think the growth of SMPs has led to that. This OP, however, is already in an MPH and needs to use it as best as he/she can. Being that he/she were able to get interviews earlier, having an improved MCAT (risky yet needed as old will expire) and an MPH w/work experience isnt a bad applicant at all.

Sure and I actually realize I misread your post and the general point. I edited it right after above in that post. Basically, it comes down to weighing the pros of waiting at least a year/working vs the cons

Pros: Gaining valuable work experience, alleviating the concerns some might have about motivation to medicine
Cons: Using up time working in a field you dont see yourself having a career in. Waiting at least a year or more when you are already a non trad(losing attending salary, potentially at an age of starting a family while in med school or before it particularly if you wait a couple years etc). Retaking the MCAT. Using up valuable time that could be spent actually improving your app much more directly if MD is your end goal.

Key caveat is also how much time you spend working and taking off before going to med school. Waiting 1 year and working vs 3-4 obviously changes the discussion. I guess in summary though the biggest thing is you have to ask just how big the stigma there is for someone who gets an MPH but doesnt really use it and just wants to go to med school directly after. You likely wont get a consensus clear cut answer on that. It's a tough call.

 

[letsgoblue2015]

I took the MCAT in August 2015, so I still have it for next cycle