Concerns of Prospective MD/MPH

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hi,
I'm currently going into my sophomore year at University. I wanted to do my undergrad for 3 years and do a dual-degree program for a bachelors/mph at my university (so I'd take a total of 5 years to graduate college basically).
I had a lot of credits coming into college and a good number of experiences. I wanted to ideally start my MPH before applying for medical school (I find the topic, practicum, opportunities pretty exciting).
But now I've just learned that there's to be a new MCAT and that all the students going into Medical School in 2016 are to have taken that new MCAT (by the way, do all new 2016ers need the new MCAT?). For me, this throws my graduating schedule off track (as it adds all these classes on), and I really just don't want to take this new MCAT.</p>

<p>I wanted to ask, do you think I should just apply for an MD/MPH program and graduate undergrad in 4 years? (so i'd be medical class of 2015)
or just wait to do the MPH later?</p>

<p>I already have all these books bought for the current MCAT, and adding a number of sociology/psych/bio classes into my schedule seems a bit hectic.
What do you think I should do?</p>

<p>This is also the only thing I found on AAMC:
<a href="https://www.aamc.org/students/download/262752/data/mcat2015timeline.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://www.aamc.org/students/download/262752/data/mcat2015timeline.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Thank you in advance!!</p>

2

<p>AAMC was supposed to issue a policy decision in July 2012 about whether med school applicants for Fall 2016 would be required to take the 2015MCAT. But so far, there’s been no announcement.</p>

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</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/faqs/[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/faqs/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Supposedly the new MCAT only requires the addition of 2 social science classes ( intro to sociology, intro to psych) and Biochem. </p>

<p>The AMCAS 2015MCAT site already has sample study materials for new Human Behavior section if you want to see the types of questions that will be included on the new exam.</p>

3

<p>I’m getting a PhD in social science, but it’s been a while since I’ve taken intro to psychology (and although my PhD is most closely related to sociology, I’ve never taken an official intro class). </p>

<p>Do you know if there’s a “test out”/other degree/life experience (?) option for the social science requirements?</p>

4

<p>So far there are no specific social science course requirements at most medical schools.* </p>

<p>A knowledge of sociology and psychology is needed for the Human Behavior section of the 2015 MCAT.</p>

<p>Link to AMCAS 2015 MCAT preview guide-</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf[/url]”>https://www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Chapter 6 discusses the material that will be include on the exam.</p>

<p>*Please check the admissions website of any medical school you’re interested for specific admission requirements. Or check the MSAR.</p>

5

<p>Hey everyone, thank you! I have looked at the other exam which is why I’m so anti-taking it (I also know a lot of college counselors are highly petitioning against it); I don’t think it will realistically only add 2 classes; the physiology questions on the practice exam for instance seemed way beyond anything my 200 college physiology class ever talked about.
Lots of people I’ve read predict that it’s way more than just 2 classes being added on.</p>

<p>I really just wanted to give my MPH the full 2 years which I believe it deserved but I don’t think that’s a wise choice given the new MCAT anymore.</p>