Would a Master in Health Sciences help me?

[mustangsally65]

Hi guys!

I'm applying for the third time this year, but I'm trying to figure out what to do with another year off. Last year I got my phlebotomy certificate, and I had applied to an MLT (Medical Laboratory Technology) program at my community college half-heartedly this spring, thinking it would be something to do if I didn't get in. Well, I didn't get in, and now I'm thinking the MLT might be just a waste of my time.

One of my biggest problems is my non-science background. I have a BS in Psychology and a BA in English. All I took were general chem classes, organic chem classes, general biology, one biochem course, and physics. My MCAT score isn't so hot either (25R, with 8P, 9V, 8B). So I know I need to show that I can handle upper-level science courses.

My university doesn't have a post-bacc program. I could just take random science classes but I'm looking for something a bit more organized. I'm looking at a Master of Health Sciences in Gerontology or Nutrition, but I have no idea how relevant these courses are (or the degree is) to helping me get into a med school.

So what do you guys think? Should I just take upper level science courses without a structured program, or should I work towards a Master's degree? And is there any benefit to going ahead and doing the MLT program I've been accepted to?

Thanks!

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[njbmd]

Hi there,
I am not sure that a Master of Health Sciences degree is going to help you that much. Graduate GPAs are weighted less than undergraduate GPAs so you probabl are not going to get the boost that you want.

That 25 MCAT is likely killing you since the average for 2004 matriculants is 30 and you are quite a bit below average with a non-science bachelor's degree. Is there any chance that you can retake the MCAT and get that score up?

If you want the Master of Health Science degree and you feel that it would provide you with a means of getting a better job etc,then by all means go for the degree. However, even with that degree, you still have the problem of that low MCAT.

Good luck!
njbmd

 

[mustangsally65]

I'm taking the MCAT for the fourth time in August. I'm doing my best to get my score up.

I didn't mention that this summer I'm doing a summer medical program and we're taking medical-school-level biochem, microbiology, immunology, physiology, histology, and anatomy classes. We also have a Kaplan instructor and I'm doing as much MCAT prep as I can fit in around my other classes.

I know that one of my weaknesses on the MCAT was my lack of science background, and I feel like these classes I'm taking have tremendously helped me understand basic concepts that I was kind of shaky on before. My program ends July 22 and I'll have a month to devote entirely to studying for the MCAT. I'm hoping it will pay off!

Besides, I'm not looking to get into super competitive schools. I want to go into rural primary care and so I'm not too worried about ranking or prestiege. And with my numbers I can't be picky!

 

[njbmd]

I'm taking the MCAT for the fourth time in August. I'm doing my best to get my score up.

My program ends July 22 and I'll have a month to devote entirely to studying for the MCAT. I'm hoping it will pay off!

Hi there,
Since this is your third re-take, you really, really NEED to do something to significantly raise your score. I hope that one month will be enough time to get this done. Unless you feel that you have significantly changed something that is going to give you a tremendous boost, delay taking the MCAT until a later time. With the computerized MCAT, you will have more time options so take advantage of this. You cannot afford not to do extremely well this time around.

P.S. No medical school in this country is a "chip shot" so get that score up.

Good luck!
njbmd

 

[mshheaddoc]

Why not EVMS post-bacc program? (sorry can't remember what we had discussed before). You're gpa is ok so doing a masters in a biomedical science program would validate your science weakness especially if you were taking classes with med students.

I agree the MCAT for a month isn't a long time. Are you applying again this year directly? How are you doing in the summer program? And are you applying to such a small range of schools because you don't want to leave the area? Have you thought about PCOM-GA?

 

[mustangsally65]

I don't want to leave the area, but it's a bit more complicated than that. My parents are older and they depend on me for a lot of things. I don't want to be so far away that my mom can't come stay with me if she ever needed to, and she can't really make long drives by herself (She hates to fly). I realize this sounds kind of stupid, but that's just the honest truth.

I have thought about PCOM-GA and VCOM and some other DO schools in the southeast but most schools require a letter of recommendation from a DO and at least some DO shadowing. I don't know any DOs (I think there are a few in my town) and so if I can't get an LOR then it's kind of useless to apply. But since the DO application process is different from MD then if I can get some shadowing in with a DO then I could still have time to apply this year.

I'm doing alright in the summer program. We won't really know where we are until the final grades are in (probably late July) and the class averages are calculated. But I'm well above passing so I hope to be above average as well. Anatomy is my best class, I've been making high A's on the tests. My biggest MCAT weakness was not having a background in the sciences, but I think these classes I've taken have really helped fill in the gaps.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Well the application process isn't that much different. I would suggest applying to some DO schools as your stats are on par with them.

 

[mustangsally65]

Well the application process isn't that much different. I would suggest applying to some DO schools as your stats are on par with them.

I think I meant that applying a little later in the year doesn't seem to hurt you as much as it does for the MD process. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but all I meant was that I could concentrate on doing some DO shadowing in the next few months and hopefully be able to get a decent LOR by September and then apply to DO schools.

It seems so fake to shadow just to get an LOR, you know? I feel like the doctor will see right through it. Not that shadowing isn't fun, of course, but I'm gonna feel like a poser.

I think OMM is extremely interesting and I'd have no problem going to either an MD or a DO school. the only thing holding me back from DO schools is that letter of rec.

 

[mshheaddoc]

blast, I had this long response typed out and LOST IT

pretty much I just said get your app in and some schools don't require DO letters just doctor letters. You can always update your app later with the letter. And its not fake as doctors understand how it is. The good ones will sit down and want to get to know you!

 

[Truth_seeker]

I read thru all that everybody has said and really couldn't say it any better. I concur that you might want to take more than a month to prepare for the MCAT. I've heard that 2 maybe three times retake should be the max. So this one needs to be the proverbial ball out of the park. I'm in the same boat as you in that I'm applying to all the schools in NC. I'm most definitely going to apply to VCOM and maybe PCOM-GA. As for shadowing, look ahead to the time when your a physician and a young student approaches you requesting face to face time in order to become the next generation physician. Personally, I love taking a mentor/leadership role so I'd take the opportunity. If you're in the Triangle, there are some DO's in Chapel Hill and Durham. Some in Raleigh and surrounding areas. Just pick up the phone and contact one. Express what your intent is and let the chips fall where they may. The worst would be they'd say no but I doubt that would be the case unless they're extremely busy or something else came up. The best way I found to locate a DO is on citysearch.com. Search for Osteopathy then start calling. Good luck.