Taking classes during MPH

[orthosurghopeful]

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[Phile98]

Or should I just focus on the MPH coursework and use the extra time to add to my clinical/nonclinical volunteering hours (also a little low on this - 100/25 hours in each)

I would do this. Need more experience in these fields. Also, as adcoms (I believe) expect a 4.0 in masters programs, I would focus on your masters classes.

 

[theKingLT]

If you can do consistent volunteering, ace your MPH classes, and find time to take an upper level bio class at your associated UG institution then do it, but maybe wait until after your first semester of MPH because like Excalibur said, straight A's in MPH and volunteering is more important at this point

 

[orthosurghopeful]

Great! Thanks for the help, that's pretty much what I was thinking.

- I chose to do the MPH for a few reasons: interest in the field and wanting to learn more, I've had a year out of school and got some experience as a scribe and doing research, wanting to go back to school and learn more but wasn't really interested in most MS programs. I've also worked with some MD/MPH physicians and found some of their research in population surgical outcomes and global/community health really interesting. For the fieldwork/research experiences during the MPH, and also just to be a more well-rounded physician in my future practice.

 

[LizzyM]

You are inadvertantly presenting a weaker picture to medical schools by doing an MPH instead of a postbacc or SMP. This is because there is a history of weaker candidates using MPH to try to make their UG record appear better. So be aware of this perception as your MPH will in someways hurt and not help your chances as MD acceptance with your below par GPAs

On the other hand, given the weak GPA, the MPH has more market value than a SMP if the candidate never achieves MD admission.

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

Hi! I'm going to be starting my MPH this upcoming fall. My undergrad GPA is a bit on the lower side for MD (c - 3.44, s - 3.3), but I did a double major and have a strong upward trend. The MPH schedule is fairly light, is it worth trying to add on an extra science class like physiology or something to raise my sGPA a little? Or should I just focus on the MPH coursework and use the extra time to add to my clinical/nonclinical volunteering hours (also a little low on this - 100/25 hours in each)

Note: I'm not interested in SMP or post-bac programs, I chose to do the MPH because I'm interested in the field and planning to use it as a future MD

Thanks!

FWIW, I did the exact thing you did with only a slightly higher GPA, and recieved a couple of acceptances. The MPH degree actually helped a lot during interviews. I don’t even think there was a single school that didn’t mention my degree. But then again, I only interviewed at mission-heavy schools. Best of luck this cycle!

 

[orthosurghopeful]

You are inadvertantly presenting a weaker picture to medical schools by doing an MPH instead of a postbacc or SMP. This is because there is a history of weaker candidates using MPH to try to make their UG record appear better. So be aware of this perception as your MPH will in someways hurt and not help your chances as MD acceptance with your below par GPAs

Thanks for the advice, that's certainly something I hadn't thought of. I'll make sure to keep this in mind while writing essays, as I want to present the picture that I chose to do the MPH because the experience is important to me and it is relevant for things I want to do throughout my career, rather than just to compensate for a lower undergrad GPA.

 

[orthosurghopeful]

On the other hand, given the weak GPA, the MPH has more market value than a SMP if the candidate never achieves MD admission.

I considered this as well - obviously the worst case scenario would be I don't get any MD/DO acceptances, but I figured at the very least I would have a useful graduate degree in a field I'm passionate about. I'm not planning on applying until the 2019-2020 cycle but I expect that my relatively minimal volunteering at this point is the bigger issue than my GPA. My MCAT is pretty solid (514, well-balanced) and my GPA isn't significantly low so I figured the MPH degree would be a better investment of my time & money. Thanks for your response!

 

[orthosurghopeful]

FWIW, I did the exact thing you did with only a slightly higher GPA, and recieved a couple of acceptances. The MPH degree actually helped a lot during interviews. I don’t even think there was a single school that didn’t mention my degree. But then again, I only interviewed at mission-heavy schools. Best of luck this cycle!

That's really encouraging to hear! I was definitely curious if there were any other pre-meds out there who chose to go this route also, and how things turned out for them. I'd be interested to hear more about where else you applied and what you've done with the MPH so far, I'll PM you!

 

[MedicineN'Jazz]

That's really encouraging to hear! I was definitely curious if there were any other pre-meds out there who chose to go this route also, and how things turned out for them. I'd be interested to hear more about where else you applied and what you've done with the MPH so far, I'll PM you!

I actually did the MPH in one year (my gap year). So, I recieved interviews while class was in session, and only just now finished. As for where I applied? Every school that I felt was mission heavy. Given that my application had thousands of volunteer hours, I chose to apply based on fit to mission as opposed to fit to stats. My school list, however, was oddly concentrated in the MidWest. But luckily, everything still worked out 🙂

I plan to use the MPH degree later on in my career, and hopefully do an almagation of public health and clinical research while in school!

 

[DrGainzzz]

I did a 2 year MPH and took some upper div science courses while in the program. I’ll be starting medical school in 3 weeks. It’s possible to get into MD/DO programs with the MPH courses if planned properly.

 

[orthosurghopeful]

I actually did the MPH in one year (my gap year). So, I recieved interviews while class was in session, and only just now finished. As for where I applied? Every school that I felt was mission heavy. Given that my application had thousands of volunteer hours, I chose to apply based on fit to mission as opposed to fit to stats. My school list, however, was oddly concentrated in the MidWest. But luckily, everything still worked out 🙂

I plan to use the MPH degree later on in my career, and hopefully do an almagation of public health and clinical research while in school!

Great! That's really helpful. Congrats on your acceptances, and good luck in school!

 

[orthosurghopeful]

I did a 2 year MPH and took some upper div science courses while in the program. I’ll be starting medical school in 3 weeks. It’s possible to get into MD/DO programs with the MPH courses if planned properly.

Cool, that's pretty much what I was getting at with my original question - whether its worth it to try to fit in an extra upper-level science classes during my MPH (2 years as well) to bump up my sGPA a little. I think I'll probably plan on taking a few, but most likely will hold off at least during the first semester to get a feel for the time commitment of the MPH, make sure I can ace the classes I am required to take and still have time to work & volunteer on the side. Congrats on the acceptance into DO school, good luck next year!