Second B.S. in Health Science from Rush - thoughts?

[DoctorDrewOutsidetheLines]

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In lurking around these forums, I've discovered Health Science is frowned upon by adcoms for some weird reason. There were even AMCAS tables that showed Health Science majors didn't get in by far (I don't remember the statistics). But I already have a humanities bachelors and a Masters degree.

As a nontrad career changer, it looks to me that getting a degree in Health Sciences from Rush would demonstrate:

1. Commitment to health care and a career in a medical field.
2. A way to improve my uGPA (Rush's program is 21 months)
3. A way to get recommended upper division science classes out the way (genetics, microbiology, biochemistry).
4. A way to get more lab exposure and personal time shadowing health care professionals
5. Rush is a great medical facility so wouldn't the Rush name look favorably rather than getting a BS in Health Sciences from some random college?
6. The program is still really new and relatively small (first class was 5 or 7 people, and that began in 2012 I believe), and word has it there's a substantial endowment from some philanthropic donors which is always a big plus - apparently this program is/was originally designed for disadvantaged students of all types in Chicago to get into healthcare.

I still have to take some pre-reqs, and I'm either going to take those concurrently at CC or at during summers at the post-bacc program I was accepted into, but I applied to Rush and I'm waiting to hear back; they pretty much told me to go for a Master's in Science and that I'm a shoe-in for their program, but from what I've read on here, med schools primarily look at your uGPA, not any graduate study.

So...to Rush or not to Rush? Would it look better to get a BS in Health Sciences or should I just stick to the post-bacc programs?

I'm also interested in Rush because I haven't 100% decided yet whether to go for PA school. Lately I've been doing a cost/benefit analysis in addition to time and money, and PA school might be more aligned with my financial goals, though DO/MD is definitely more aligned with my need for autonomy.

Sorry for the novel. Grateful for any advice.

 

[Goro]

This won't prove a commitment to a career in Medicine. Clinical volunteering and service to others does. Use this major only if a career as a doctor or PA doesn't pan out.

1. Commitment to health care and a career in a medical field.


A better way will be to simply do a DIY post bac.

2. A way to improve my uGPA (Rush's program is 21 months)

See above
3. A way to get recommended upper division science classes out the way (genetics, microbiology, biochemistry).

But you need to shadow doctors, not phlebotomists or respiratory techs.

4. A way to get more lab exposure and personal time shadowing health care professionals

Adcoms don't think this way.
5. Rush is a great medical facility so wouldn't the Rush name look favorably rather than getting a BS in Health Sciences from some random college?


Small class sizes are always good.
6. The program is still really new and relatively small (first class was 5 or 7 people, and that began in 2012 I believe), and word has it there's a substantial endowment from some philanthropic donors which is always a big plus - apparently this program is/was originally designed for disadvantaged students of all types in Chicago to get into healthcare.



I don't think that you need this.
So...to Rush or not to Rush? Would it look better to get a BS in Health Sciences or should I just stick to the post-bacc programs?

I'm also interested in Rush because I haven't 100% decided yet whether to go for PA school. Lately I've been doing a cost/benefit analysis in addition to time and money, and PA school might be more aligned with my financial goals, though DO/MD is definitely more aligned with my need for autonomy.

Sorry for the novel. Grateful for any advice.[/QUOTE]

 

[DoctorDrewOutsidetheLines]

Thank you for your response @Goro

 

[GreenDuck12]

This seems like a really round about way of trying to switch into medicine and I'm not sure I understand the rationale. Medical schools are fairly transparent in that they tell you exactly what they are looking for through required/recommended classes, shadowing, volunteering, and familiarity with medicine. There is a reason that medical schools say applicants can major in a field that interests them as opposed to saying applicants must major in bio/chem/health/physiology/etc.

As a nontrad career changer, it looks to me that getting a degree in Health Sciences from Rush would demonstrate:

1. Commitment to health care and a career in a medical field.

I agree with Goro, volunteer and shadow physicians to demonstrate a commitment to health. Look for opportunities working with low income communities/hospice (I do both and it is hard but it is worth the gut check to find out if this is what I want to do).

2. A way to improve my uGPA (Rush's program is 21 months)

You can improve you cGPA by taking a whole bunch of 100 level political science/english/history classes but is that really going to help you with medical schools? Probably not. If GPA is an issue, look at grade replacement. If you aren't willing to do that, start by doing the science coursework slow and steady and see where you end up. A sustained high post bac GPA from many semesters of science heavy coursework is a good way to demonstrate that you can handle the medical curriculum.

3. A way to get recommended upper division science classes out the way (genetics, microbiology, biochemistry).

It is a way to get the classes out of the way because you are required to take them. You could also just decide to take these classes at a local university because they are recommended.
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