What should I do?

[skbirdie510]

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So here is my story in a nutshell:

I graduated last December (a semester ahead of schedule) from an Ivy League school with a not-too-impressive GPA (hovering just under 3.0). I started my MPH in January, but I knew that I had to address my low science GPA if I wanted any chance of getting into medical school. I decided to apply to a masters program instead of a postbacc, and I chose to apply to NYU. I got accepted to their M.S. in biology program recently.

I'm not sure whether it would make sense to take a year off from the MPH program to pursue the MS, or to finish the MPH and then start the MS. I am two semesters into my MPH program, and I was hoping to start AMCAS next year so I could potentially start medical school in 2010.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[Bizznet]

debt or bust huh?

I think the best case senario would be to finish the mph and if necessary then start the m.s.

I think the worst think you could do now is to not complete the mph and start another program. You will have a tough time explaining to the adcoms both your sub par gpa and your lack of commitment to a program. I think the last thing you would want to tell them is that you didn't research your options before applying to the mph program.

Perhaps other people would see it differently.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and keep us updated.

 

[Perrotfish]

1) finish your MPH

2) Take and kill the MCAT

3) Apply to an SMP

4) Go to the SMP and do well

Honestly the MS might do it but reports from others on this board indicate that normal graduate level work didn't do a whole lot to improve their applications. If you've got time I'd try for an SMP.

If if you choose to do the MS, I'd say finish the MPH first. Other second hand info seems to indicate that MD programs hate it when you don't finish something.

Good luck

 

[skbirdie510]

I was originally planning to finish the MPH after the MS. The MS can be completed within a little over a year and I was planning to apply next summer for medical school. I would go back to finishing my MPH after the MS. At least, that's how I see it all playing out.