Thoughts On Getting A Master Before Applying

[loveuganda]

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What are medical schools thoughts on getting a Masters before applying to medical school? If good, What programs are the best route? Or even thier thoughts on MS in Nursing before?

 

[Mobius1985]

A masters degree is considered to be no more than a nice extracurricular. The GPA you earn would not improve the undergraduate GPA by which you are primarily judged (along with MCAT score) for a med school admission. Get a masters if you enjoy the subject and really want to learn about it, or if it would lead to a backup career in case you don't gain a med school admission, but not primarily because it would help get you into med school. If you have a low undergrad GPA, you'd be better served to take more undergrad classes (a post-baccalaureate) and get straight As.

 

[213965]

A masters degree is considered to be no more than a nice extracurricular. The GPA you earn would not improve the undergraduate GPA by which you are primarily judged (along with MCAT score) for a med school admission. Get a masters if you enjoy the subject and really want to learn about it, or if it would lead to a backup career in case you don't gain a med school admission, but not primarily because it would help get you into med school. If you have a low undergrad GPA, you'd be better served to take more undergrad classes (a post-baccalaureate) and get straight As.

I completely agree with this assessment. I made the mistake of enrolling in an SMP (special 1 yr master's) that I also thought would help my chances for medschool admissions, and it looks like it's hindering the process more than helping (classes are ridiculously difficult and consume all my time -- I am also arguably an unhappier person because of all this). Not to mention very expensive as well. So yeah, don't do it unless it's for another career you are considering as a backup and/or you are really interested in the subject.

I should also add that this special master's will probably do nothing for me in terms of gaining employment should medical school not work out.

 

[Flushot]

Well, about the SMP: would an SMP masters help the applicant? I'm actually considering posting my story soon regarding this...

If the OP is considering completing an entire SMP before applying, would it help the application more than just a good EC?

 

[213965]

Well, about the SMP: would an SMP masters help the applicant? I'm actually considering posting my story soon regarding this...

If the OP is considering completing an entire SMP before applying, would it help the application more than just a good EC?

I think posting the story would be very helpful to a lot of people... I think for the OP it would help if the BCPM GPA is in the low 2-high 3 range but a post-bacc could serve the same purpose and is arguably easier grade-wise (maybe?); anyway at least you have some acceptances you can rest on despite the SMP 😉

 

[Flushot]

Oh, I didn't want to hijiack the OP's thread, but I hope if there's a solid answer on how the SMP degree helps, it would help the OP too.

My story is probably going to be posted here, which means I'm considering running it again, but if you want to know, just PM sometime.

EDIT - Actually, nevermind, there's a concurrent thread about this topic:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=574272

So, I think I have my answer.

 

[213965]

Oh, I didn't want to hijiack the OP's thread, but I hope if there's a solid answer on how the SMP degree helps, it would help the OP too.

My story is probably going to be posted here, which means I'm considering running it again, but if you want to know, just PM sometime.

EDIT - Actually, nevermind, there's a concurrent thread about this topic:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=574272

So, I think I have my answer.

But why does it concern you so much considering you already have multiple acceptances?

Unless like me you're considering applying that 3rd cycle, then poor performance in our program could really hurt.