Re-Applicants and the MPH

[ArcherM2]

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I am wondering if anyone has re-applied after obtaining a master's in public health. At present, I am accepted at a medical school that I am not very enthusiastic about attending. I was accepted into the MPH program at the University where I would like to attend medical school. My only worry is that I might not be accepted anywhere after an MPH. Any help is greatly appreciated, TIA.

 

[ntmed]

I am wondering if anyone has re-applied after obtaining a master's in public health. At present, I am accepted at a medical school that I am not very enthusiastic about attending. I was accepted into the MPH program at the University where I would like to attend medical school. My only worry is that I might not be accepted anywhere after an MPH. Any help is greatly appreciated, TIA.

An MPH will obviously show that you can do work at the graduate level, so it may help some. But if you're trying to increase your chances of getting accepted, it's probably not the best degree to get. Most medical schools want to know that you can do well in science courses. Because of this, the best graduate degree to get is probably a masters in biology, chemistry, or physics.

The other thing you should consider is what to do with an existing acceptance to medical school. My general feeling is that, unless there is something very wrong with this school, you should attend. There is no guarantee that you will get accepted anywhere next time, with or without an MPH. Also, I'm not sure that getting a degree at a particular university will do much to increase your chances of getting into that school's medical program.

 

[Learfan]

I am wondering if anyone has re-applied after obtaining a master's in public health. At present, I am accepted at a medical school that I am not very enthusiastic about attending. I was accepted into the MPH program at the University where I would like to attend medical school. My only worry is that I might not be accepted anywhere after an MPH. Any help is greatly appreciated, TIA.

You were accepted. Congratulations. That is an impressive accomplishment.

Acceptances are a bit of a crap shoot. Unless you are a combination of stellar grades, high MCAT scores, great ECs and fine interviewing skills, there is no guarantee of obtaining admission to another med school. Turning down an acceptance to pursue another med school application or an MPH which will not open doors to truly high paying jobs is not the best choice. Check out the jobs open to someone with an MPH since that may prove to be your only option if you choose to decline your acceptance. The MPH does not give you that many options. Do not discard the opportunity to attend med school since another may never become available.

I had to make peace with this type of situation as well. I obtained admission to a school that was not my first choice. So be it. The school is an in state low tuition allopathic institution. I will still be an MD and still have a good chance to obtain entry to the specialty of my choice. Focus on your future treating patients, not on a few years at a school that may not be optimum for you. It will still open the doors that matter.