<p>Hello all. I wasn't exactly sure where to post this, but I believe that this forum is the most appropriate. A little background: I am currently a senior in college graduating this summer with a degree in psychology from a large state university that is not very prestigious. I have applied to several public health programs in my state and I am hoping to be able to start one soon after I graduate. My ultimate goal, however, is medical school. The problem is that my grades are abysmal. I have a 2.8 gpa and of my medical school prerequisites I have only taken biology 1 and 2 and statistics. I planned to do the rest of my pre-requisites while obtaining my MPH. Since the MPH takes two years and I need to complete chemistry 1 and 2, organic chemistry 1 and 2, and physics 1 and 2, I think that I will be able to fit all of these in within 2 years if I take summer classes. Once I finish my MPH (most likely in spring of 2016) I plan to start prepping for my MCAT that summer and take it in September of 2016 giving me about 5 months of prep time. I would then apply to med school during the 2017 cycle to enter the following year. If all goes as planned, I will be 27 upon entering medical school, but this doesn't bother me because this is truly all I want and I am not willing to give up, despite the fact that it will take so long. I am passionate about public health, but if I felt that I could get into medical school straight after undergrad then I would do it. Anyway, what I am trying to get at is, with my horrible GPA, will the MPH give me a little bit of a better chance at getting into medical school if I get good grades in my grad classes and the rest of my science pre-recs? I am 100% open to DO schools and even Caribbean schools. Although neither would be my preference, all I really want at the end of the day is to be a physician and save lives. Thoughts? Do I still have a chance? </p>
<p>Bump……</p>
<p>Don’t forget you’ll need biochemistry and statistics as well since you’ll be taking the new 2015 MCAT.</p>
<p>Grad school grades get calculated & reported separately from undergrad grades and adcomms are aware that there is considerably grade inflation in grad school classes. The MPH may help you slightly or not at all.
What will matter is your performance in the rest of your math & science pre-reqs.</p>
<p>Stay away from Caribbean schools. Chances of getting a US medical residency (required to obtain a medical license in the US) after attending a Caribbean school are poor and getting poorer by the year.</p>
<p>You got to figure out the stats for the DO / Caribbean / Europian - some go to Ireland. Most people here will not know them. Just Google. Most on CC are either in Med. Schools (MD) or thier parents or pre-meds who plan to apply. I do not believe that CC is a good source of info for you. I would say that 2.8 is way too low for the Med. Schools (MD) in the USA.<br>
One advice. There were several students at D’s Medical School with the Masters in Anatomy. This one is great for the future Medical Student. Nobody knew specifics of why some of them were not getting in trying several times. Eventually most of them (all?) got in. D. was praising them of being very helpful to others with Anatomy.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. What If I were to finish up my science pre-recs while doing my MP then take another year to do an MS in biomedical sciences. I know of some programs in my state. They are only one year long and it includes upper level science classes such as microbiology, biochemistry, A&P, etc. Undergrad is almost over for me, but if I am able to do well in all of my post grad stuff and MCAT, would I still have a shot? I just don’t want to waste my time trying if the ship has already sailed for me. If that’s the case, my backup would most likely be a phd in epidemiology. </p>
<p>The rest of your pre-reqs with stellar grades, a MPH followed by a MS in biomedical sciences (both with stellar grades) and a strong MCAT will make you an viable candidate to those med school which appreciate reinvention. (Assuming you have all the other ECs required for med school.) Apply widely to both MD and DO programs.</p>
<p>But please be aware that each year 60% of applicants get rejected everywhere. Admission to med school is never a sure thing.</p>
<p>RE: epidemiology. How’s your math? A PhD in epidemiology requires heavy duty statistical and mathematical analysis skills. </p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I will keep that in mind and strive for excellence from here on out. I know that even with the best record, med school admission is a shot in the dark, which is why I am trying to be realistic and plan ahead so that I have other arrangements in case things don’t work out. </p>
<p>I took an epidemiology class during undergrad and did great in it and enjoyed it. In fact, my epi professor wrote me one of my recommendation letters for grad school. I have taken two statistics courses as well and also did pretty well. There are people who are better than me when it comes to math. It is not naturally something that just clicks for me, but with hard work I have been able to do well in it. I think that I can do epidemiology, but would definitely prefer medicine. </p>