Unique alternative to smp/masters

[w0344990]

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I've spent the last week or so really going over upcoming school/career decisions I'll have to make--the biggest of which being grad vs med school. I've been leaning closer and closer to med school, but I thought about entering a MS program (or taking a few post-grad research classes), sort of like a buffer to see whether I'd like grad school enough to enter a PhD.

The interesting part:

Right now I'm a double-degree undergrad (soph). I'm on track to graduate with two degrees after 9 semesters of undergrad work. Last night, the idea popped into my head of pursuing a third undergrad degree to go along with the two already planned. I found out that the research involved the the areas I'd potentially study would cover about half of the research work of an average MS program at my school. The best thing is that it would only take me six full years of undergrad work, compared to the 6.5 years of undergrad + MS program. Please note that this would be a triple-degree program, not a triple-major. That means more classes that would generally contribute to a more well-rounded education.

I know this might sound kind of odd (it did to me when I first thought of it), but the more I'm looking into it and checking all of the individual classes, the more it seems like a fun and worthwhile undertaking. Any thoughts?

My adviser is gonna shoot me tomorrow when he finds out about this.

 

[Xcited392]

Look, you're only a sophomore. You have PLENTY of time to figure out what you want to do. I was in your position couple years ago, and honestly, it screwed me up. All I could think about was planning for this and that, instead of really focusing on what I had to do now.

MD vs. PhD-- As you take more classes, you'll figure out what you want to do, but just so you'll know, you can do both MD/PhD at the same time at most medical schools.

Multiple degrees-- I really believe that you would be wasting your time, money, and energy, if you were to pursue three undergraduate degrees. It is absolutely normal for someone to get a graduate degree in a different from what they studied in undergrad. So don't feel like you need to get a degree in "this" because you might do graduate research on it, in the future.

My advice: take it easy!

 

[w0344990]

Look, you're only a sophomore. You have PLENTY of time to figure out what you want to do. I was in your position couple years ago, and honestly, it screwed me up. All I could think about was planning for this and that, instead of really focusing on what I had to do now.

MD vs. PhD-- As you take more classes, you'll figure out what you want to do, but just so you'll know, you can do both MD/PhD at the same time at most medical schools.

This is basically the consensus of what people are telling me. I know about MD/PhD programs and all, but I also know they're extremely tough to get into. That's why I'm taking this week (and last week) to really focus on what I'm going to be doing while there's a break and a lull in class assignments. After this week, it's back to regular school stuff.

Multiple degrees-- I really believe that you would be wasting your time, money, and energy, if you were to pursue three undergraduate degrees. It is absolutely normal for someone to get a graduate degree in a different from what they studied in undergrad. So don't feel like you need to get a degree in "this" because you might do graduate research on it, in the future.

My advice: take it easy!

As for time, I planned to do a MS program, so everything was equaling out at ~6 years. Money isn't a problem. The scholarship refund checks I get will cover for the extra two years of school. Energy--I'd still only have to take about 16 hrs/semester, which I have no problems with. I'm not doing these programs because it looks good, it's because I'm generally interested in the fields of study, and I'm having fun in school. Basically now, it's more of a situation of an extra BS versus an MS. From what I've read on here, that would also help my GPA, something a regular MS wouldn't.

 

[Perrotfish]

I know this might sound kind of odd (it did to me when I first thought of it), but the more I'm looking into it and checking all of the individual classes, the more it seems like a fun and worthwhile undertaking. Any thoughts?

I did a double major which required me to take about 180 credits of almost exculsively hard engineering and science courses. It killed my GPA and was no where near as fulfilling as you might imagine. It also wasn't a huge resume booster the way a Masters would have been.

My advice: shoot for 1 undergrad degree with the highest grades possible. That is my advice regardless of whether you want a doctorate, med school, or just a masters. What you're looking at is definitely an option, but at least in my experience it wasn't a particularly good option.

 

[DrMidlife]

How about getting really great grades doing one undergrad degree? Or would that be too easy.

 

[w0344990]

I did a double major which required me to take about 180 credits of almost exculsively hard engineering and science courses. It killed my GPA and was no where near as fulfilling as you might imagine. It also wasn't a huge resume booster the way a Masters would have been.

My advice: shoot for 1 undergrad degree with the highest grades possible. That is my advice regardless of whether you want a doctorate, med school, or just a masters. What you're looking at is definitely an option, but at least in my experience it wasn't a particularly good option.

Thank you for the advice. I'll definitely keep it in consideration. I think my current program totals out at 155 hrs.

How about getting really great grades doing one undergrad degree? Or would that be too easy.

Who says I'm not getting good grades? It's not that it's easy, I just don't like being limited to one area of study (speaking loosely). The three degrees I'm looking at are all things I'd like to learn about extensively. It's not really about looking good for medical or graduate school--I want to do this for me.

 

[Perrotfish]

As for time, I planned to do a MS program, so everything was equaling out at ~6 years. Money isn't a problem. The scholarship refund checks I get will cover for the extra two years of school. Energy--I'd still only have to take about 16 hrs/semester, which I have no problems with. I'm not doing these programs because it looks good, it's because I'm generally interested in the fields of study, and I'm having fun in school. Basically now, it's more of a situation of an extra BS versus an MS. From what I've read on here, that would also help my GPA, something a regular MS wouldn't

To be clear, my advice is to do neither the third BS, the Masters, or even just the second BS. Go directly to your MD/PhD program and study your extra interests there. You are right that MD/PhD programs are competitive, but if that's your problem just do the PhD and then do the MD afterwards. That's no more competitive than admissions to a normal MD program. The only difference is that you'd need to take on debt to pay for your MD, whereas MD/PhD students get their MDs paid for.

As for the GPA thing: yeah, you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive for allopathic MD schools (3.7 to be no-worries competitive), regardless of how many credits you've taken, and yes an extra major can help you recover a bad GPA. However, if you're 3 semesters into school you shouldn't be looking at a third major to bring up your GPA, because it shouldn't yet be down. Keep your GPA at a 3.5 or above and avoid the hassle.

Again, the triple major is an option (and I did finish my double) but just make sure you REALLY want it and make sure it doesn't hurt your GPA. It's not just the number of hours per semester that hurts your GPA, it's also burning out from going so many consecutive semesters without a break. Just my opinion.

 

[w0344990]

To be clear, my advice is to do neither the third BS, the Masters, or even just the second BS. Go directly to your MD/PhD program and study your extra interests there. You are right that MD/PhD programs are competitive, but if that's your problem just do the PhD and then do the MD afterwards. That's no more competitive than admissions to a normal MD program. The only difference is that you'd need to take on debt to pay for your MD, whereas MD/PhD students get their MDs paid for.

That route would be great except for that fact that the MD schools I'd be interested in don't have the PhD programs I'd rather take part in--maybe one. I guess it's just that I'd rather do a sure thing now and enjoy it, rather than hope I can do something later that could be out of my hands. If I do something that turns out to be uninteresting to me, I'm not only creating a disservice to myself but to others I could potentially help, as well.

As for the GPA thing: yeah, you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive for allopathic MD schools (3.7 to be no-worries competitive), regardless of how many credits you've taken, and yes an extra major can help you recover a bad GPA. However, if you're 3 semesters into school you shouldn't be looking at a third major to bring up your GPA, because it shouldn't yet be down. Keep your GPA at a 3.5 or above and avoid the hassle.

Again, the triple major is an option (and I did finish my double) but just make sure you REALLY want it and make sure it doesn't hurt your GPA. It's not just the number of hours per semester that hurts your GPA, it's also burning out from going so many consecutive semesters without a break. Just my opinion.

My GPA is fine, lol. It's >3.7 and won't be dropping anytime soon, presumably never as long as I have a say.

I think I'll consult with the MD/PhD program heads of the schools I'm interested in when the semester is over and make a decision from there. I'll definitely keep that emboldened part in mind. I appreciate everyone's advice so far, along with the fact that no one's called me crazy. 👍

 

[DrMidlife]

I don't get why this is in the postbac forum, nor why SMP is in the title.

 

[w0344990]

I don't get why this is in the postbac forum, nor why SMP is in the title.

Because I thought it was the most relevant to the topic that I posted. It's kind of in between forum topics, and I thought I could get some insight in this forum that would be a little more specific and helpful than in another forum. I do appreciate everyone's advice and help, though. 👍

 

[Isoprop]

i have taken a lot of grad level courses and have enough units to finish 3 undergraduate degrees (i only have 1). it has taken me 6 years of schooling (8 years total; i took a break) to finish my courses and i'm graduating soon.

trust me, by the middle of your 4th year, you're gonna be itchin' to graduate.

if you really want to expand your horizon, and you have 2 years to kill, join the peace corps after graduation. there's only so much you can learn from school.