Reapply now or after MPH?

[Scherbatsky]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian applicant and applied to about 12 American MD schools and a few Canadian ones. I'm currently on one waitlist at a Canadian school. I'm a little surprised that I haven't had any interviews in the States, so I was hoping you all could see if I had any holes in my application.

My stats: 31Q balanced MCAT, 3.81 cGPA/sGPA
ECs: -TA for 1.5 years
-volunteer in lab for 2 years (~5 hrs/week)
-interned/shadowed in genetics clinic for 8 months, worked there full-time for 4 months
-volunteered in kids hospital over 4 years
-volunteered abroad at a clinic for 3 weeks
-some tutoring and one-day volunteer things here and there
I think my Personal Statement was good and have no idea about my reference letters.

I've had this year off and have been taking a painting course, continuing my volunteer work at the hospital 2x per week, worked part-time for 3 months running after-school programs for kids, and auditing a class "for fun".

Anyway, assuming I don't get into med this cycle, I'm wondering what to do next. I've been accepted to an MPH program, which I think I'll accept. Should I apply to MD/DO schools again this June? If I do, would I defer a year to finish my MPH or just leave after 1st year of my MPH if I get into med? Or should I just take the year off from applying to med and just do my MPH? Please advise, I'm so confused! Thanks!🙂

 

[Buzz Me]

(1) Did you apply as early as possible?
(2) Did you only apply to top programs? 12 med schools isn't a whole lot
(3) You should be confident your LORs are strong
(4) Did anyone look over your personal statement?

 

[Scherbatsky]

I applied in July to:
-Rosalind Franklin
-GWU
-Jefferson
-MCW
-NYMC
-SLU
-Wayne State
-AECOM
-MSU
-Penn State
-SUNY Upstate

 

[wholeheartedly]

Don't plan on starting the MPH and not finishing if you get into medical school. A lot of medical schools in the US have policies that if you have a graduate degree in progress when you apply, that you finish before you can matriculate. It hurts grad programs to have a bunch of people planning on medical school come in for only a year and just leave.

Only do the MPH if you really want it. If you do then go for it. Personally, I'm loving my MPH program 🙂

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I agree wholeheartedly with wholeheartedly...

I would look at your other stuff before deciding for a program, your stats are pretty solid, so look to the other things like PS, secondaries, etc... Also, there are many other schools that will accept international students, and I know MN and ND are friendly to Canucks... I know the UMN veterinary school used to take people from MB as residents... just a thought!

 

[Scherbatsky]

Don't plan on starting the MPH and not finishing if you get into medical school. A lot of medical school's in the US have policies that if you have a graduate degree in progress when you apply, that you finish before you can matriculate. It hurts grad programs to have a bunch of people planning on medical school come in for only a year and just leave.

Only do the MPH if you really want it. If you do then go for it. Personally, I'm loving my MPH program 🙂

I have no problem completing the MPH, I think it would be a great complement to an MD/DO.

However, if I apply this cycle before beginning my MPH classes, would this hurt my chances getting accepted to an MD/DO if they see I'd have to defer a year? (Is there somewhere on AMCAS that I would indicate I'd be beginning a grad program in the fall?)

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I am not sure how this would work, since the degree isn't in progress, I am not sure you would actually have to start at all...

 

[help2]

However, if I apply this cycle before beginning my MPH classes, would this hurt my chances getting accepted to an MD/DO if they see I'd have to defer a year? (Is there somewhere on AMCAS that I would indicate I'd be beginning a grad program in the fall?)

I would NOT apply this cycle if you are doing an MPH. It is a toss up whether a school will even allow you to defer if you are accepted. Some schools will, some won't. This will also limit your choices.

Additionally, an MPH will help your application a LOT. I applied without one after a year off to all MD's and was rejected everywhere with no interviews. Last cycle, I applied to half MDs and half DOs (~20 schools total) with my MPH and was offered 7 interviews.

I'd wait until your second year to apply because your application will be a lot stronger.

 

[Scherbatsky]

How did the MPH focus/change your narrative, add to your application, etc.

Typically an MPH isn't considered a particularly good stepping stone to medical school, but that is because some students with weak academic records try that path. But I presume that you (as the OP) had a good GPA/MCAT prior to MPH.

So, how did you use it in application, narrative, research, LOR, to improve and reapply?

I have not yet started the MPH, so I don't have the experience to draw upon if I reapply this cycle. I am not particularly trying to boost my GPA/MCAT. However, pursuing an MPH would give me time to strengthen my ECs, perhaps would show my interest in health, and just show progress (I hope).

I am also considering SMPs now because they are typically 1 year.

 

[help2]

How did the MPH focus/change your narrative, add to your application, etc.
So, how did you use it in application, narrative, research, LOR, to improve and reapply?

For me, the MPH strengthened my desire to go into preventative medicine and provided me with a sense of direction in terms of the future impact I wanted to have. My overall narrative basically told a story about how I came to understand health in a broader context. It has certainly given me a different perspective on clinical medicine that I think will stick with me through medical school and training.

I'm not sure about those who say an MPH is not helpful to the application, since I've only heard personal stories to the contrary. If anything, people tell me all the time that it will reflect well on both my med school apps and later on in residency. I guess it's one of those things that makes people "well rounded."

Either way, I wouldn't advocate that everyone go get an MPH- it's up to the individual. I was just sharing how I felt it helped me. There are pros and cons, but at the end of the day med school apps can be quite the crap shoot.

I am also considering SMPs now because they are typically 1 year.

I would not suggest an SMP- your GPA is very high already, and this wouldn't end up adding to your application. If you want to stick with one year, I'd suggest trying to find a job working in a hospital or doctor's office as an MA or doing research or something along those lines.