Masters in Public Health?

[havefaith]

Hey guys!

I didn't get into any med schools this time around (GPA was high, but my first MCAT score was a 29, which clearly didn't help).

Anyway, I'm taking a year off (I decided NOT to proceed directly into a masters of science program, because I'm not that keen on science research and don't want to do it simply because I think it'll help me get into med school if I re-apply).

Anyway, something I am interested in is a masters in Public Health, particularly global/international health and epidemiology. Has anyone taken this route and got into a med school after they finished? I realize that I would lose three years if I was to reapply (my year off + 2 years of an MPH) and would be considered a mature student, but at the same time, I think that doing an MPH would give me a lot of great experiences that I can use as a physician. I am also more interested in researching the social aspects of health, rather than the purely scientific part of it (as a MSc would lead me to do).

I'm also thinking of getting into a U.S. school for my MPH just because there are more options there and more accredited programs. Any thoughts/advice?

[future_doc]

Isn't there a one yr program at Queen's I think?

[havefaith]

Yea, but I want to go to one that is actually accredited and based at a school of public health rather than a part of some other faculty, since if I don't get into med school, there will be other avenues open for me.

[silvrsleuth]

public health 'accreditation' is a tricky thing, and in canada, it doesn't really mean much. most schools here are going for our own version of accreditation though, so if you stay, you're in good company. i'm doing my MPH right now here in C-country, and my suggestion is don't give up on canadian schools entirely (especially if you plan to practice medicine here) but do your research and contact the schools regarding their programming.

after all, an MPH doesn't actually 'accredit' you to do anything specific anywhere really; accreditation is more about a standard of learning available in most schools. and since money for professional programs is sparse both here and in the US, you're looking at some hefty fees (plus what you'll eventually owe for med school) if you go abroad. MPH's here are not the same as US or UK MPH's (which do have their own accreditation systems, and which differ from each other). i've gone to many international conferences in public health, and people have MHSc's, MSc's, MIH's, MHI's, MPHSc's, and all sorts of variations on that theme. no one cares.

[future_doc]

Sounds like excellent advice from someone willing to share his/her knowledge!

[shannn]

Originally Posted by havefaith

Hey guys!

I didn't get into any med schools this time around (GPA was high, but my first MCAT score was a 29, which clearly didn't help).

Anyway, I'm taking a year off (I decided NOT to proceed directly into a masters of science program, because I'm not that keen on science research and don't want to do it simply because I think it'll help me get into med school if I re-apply).

Anyway, something I am interested in is a masters in Public Health, particularly global/international health and epidemiology. Has anyone taken this route and got into a med school after they finished? I realize that I would lose three years if I was to reapply (my year off + 2 years of an MPH) and would be considered a mature student, but at the same time, I think that doing an MPH would give me a lot of great experiences that I can use as a physician. I am also more interested in researching the social aspects of health, rather than the purely scientific part of it (as a MSc would lead me to do).

I'm also thinking of getting into a U.S. school for my MPH just because there are more options there and more accredited programs. Any thoughts/advice?

I am in the exact same situation as you.
I'm taking a year off right now, have a really good GPA (last 3 years = 3.93), but mediocre MCAT that won't get me anywhere but Saskatchewan (but my GPA isn't even high enough to get an interview there)

You may also want to consider an MHSc (Masters of Health Science) - Degrees such as epidemiology and biostatistics. My friend said she had some great experiences doing her MHSc at UT studying epidemiology (16 months).

If I don't get in for 2010, I may end up doing the Biostatistics MSc at UT (a 1 year program), but its course based

From what I've been reading, MPH's are geared more towards people already with professional degrees.

[havefaith]

Hey shann, nice to hear from another person in the same boat as me!! It doesn't help that my parents think a year off is the worst possible thing I can do to myself.

Anyway, what sort of things are you planning on doing during your year off? I definitely want to try and get some volunteering experience abroad, as well as re-write the MCATs.

As for the MPH, I do know that a lot of programs do accept students with only a bachelors degree, here in Canada as well as in the U.S., where I have also looked into some programs. I started the application process for Public Health Schools in the U.S. using SOPHAS, but again, one thing to think about is the tuition costs etc as silvrsleuth said. I think my reasoning is that I want to do a masters program that will allow me to get a job easily, if my med school plans do not pan out, and it has to be something I am interested in (which is why a Masters in Micro/Molecular Biology does not sound appealing).

[A-Stark]

Originally Posted by shannn

I am in the exact same situation as you.
I'm taking a year off right now, have a really good GPA (last 3 years = 3.93), but mediocre MCAT that won't get me anywhere but Saskatchewan (but my GPA isn't even high enough to get an interview there)

You may also want to consider an MHSc (Masters of Health Science) - Degrees such as epidemiology and biostatistics. My friend said she had some great experiences doing her MHSc at UT studying epidemiology (16 months).

If I don't get in for 2010, I may end up doing the Biostatistics MSc at UT (a 1 year program), but its course based

From what I've been reading, MPH's are geared more towards people already with professional degrees.

Note that the Biostats MSc at UofT is not a funded program. Though I recall receiving some kind of partial scholarship. Do not go into (much) debt for a grad degree! You're right about MPHs and I think the same holds for MHSc's.

[Rayven]

Originally Posted by shannn

I am in the exact same situation as you.
I'm taking a year off right now, have a really good GPA (last 3 years = 3.93), but mediocre MCAT that won't get me anywhere but Saskatchewan (but my GPA isn't even high enough to get an interview there)

You may also want to consider an MHSc (Masters of Health Science) - Degrees such as epidemiology and biostatistics. My friend said she had some great experiences doing her MHSc at UT studying epidemiology (16 months).

If I don't get in for 2010, I may end up doing the Biostatistics MSc at UT (a 1 year program), but its course based

From what I've been reading, MPH's are geared more towards people already with professional degrees.

3.93 on a 4.0 scale?
Are you OOP or IP?

That's insane... I thought USask cutoff for OOP was 3.9/4.0

[shannn]

Originally Posted by A-Stark

Note that the Biostats MSc at UofT is not a funded program. Though I recall receiving some kind of partial scholarship. Do not go into (much) debt for a grad degree!

Sigh, unfortunately you are correct, the MSc at UT for Biostats is not funded, and I'll have to fund it myself.
Luckily, I have been working since the age of 13, have never gotten into debt even after 5 years of undergrad, and have ~$25K saved up.

Tuition is ~9K + I'm guessing ~$1K books. Almost half my savings, but...still very tempting. I enjoy stats and research (but I don't want to get into it as a career though, lol).
I guess the main thing that is drawing me to the program is that it is 1 year

Originally Posted by Rayven

3.93 on a 4.0 scale?
Are you OOP or IP?

That's insane... I thought USask cutoff for OOP was 3.9/4.0

USask uses a %age scale
My 3.93 / 4.0 converted to a 90.3% when the cutoff was 92.4%

Originally Posted by havefaith

Hey shann, nice to hear from another person in the same boat as me!! It doesn't help that my parents think a year off is the worst possible thing I can do to myself.

Anyway, what sort of things are you planning on doing during your year off? I definitely want to try and get some volunteering experience abroad, as well as re-write the MCATs.

As for the MPH, I do know that a lot of programs do accept students with only a bachelors degree, here in Canada as well as in the U.S., where I have also looked into some programs. I started the application process for Public Health Schools in the U.S. using SOPHAS, but again, one thing to think about is the tuition costs etc as silvrsleuth said. I think my reasoning is that I want to do a masters program that will allow me to get a job easily, if my med school plans do not pan out, and it has to be something I am interested in (which is why a Masters in Micro/Molecular Biology does not sound appealing).

Don't worry about the parents =p
My parents were pissed when I transferred universities for undergrad, pissed that I took my time getting my degree and that I'm taking a year off. But in the end of the day, it is our lives. We'll be working for the next 30 - 40 years, time off here and there is okay

With my year off, I'm trying to get a research position somewhere. It is proving to be a little more difficult than I thought though. I was offered a couple positions, but I had them rescinded because I couldn't start them on time.
But I'm looking into other options. Volunteering abroad is appealing to me as well. I also want to earn enough this year so that I won't be in debt while in Med school (I'll need probably around another $40K or so, and I'll have to invest it properly).

MCAT is another thing, really bumming me out, I really need to amp up my score (crossing fingers, score gets released on Tuesday, but I am registered to write Sept 4 if the score doesn't turn out the way I need it to)

I believe Epidemiology and Biostatistics are pretty good fields to get into (MHSc and MSc degrees). They will basically allow you to get a job at the majority of research positions at hospitals, or even lead into government health positions (from my understanding)

Take a look at UT's programs, lots of interesting options (and within Canada!)
http://www.dallalana.utoronto.ca/AppInfo_Prog.asp