<p>I am currently a pre-med junior at Boston University and I was wondering about applying to an MPH program (not the dual md/mph program). I don't want to apply to med school until I can strengthen my application. I wanted to know what a good applicant looks like (what I can do to become a good applicant), what are the requirements, and will having an MPH make me look like a better candidate for medical school? In particular, I am looking at the MPH programs at Columbia, BU, Tufts, Tulane--any students here? can you tell me your student profile? Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I had that idea when I was just about in your situation. Do you actually want to do public health? If not, it seems you're just looking for something to do while killing time til you apply, and it seemed silly to me to pay 80-100k in tuition for a degree I would never use. Lots of recent college grads get lab jobs for a year or two before going to med or grad school, so maybe look into that? The MPH will only help your application if you can explain to the admit committees just why you think the MHP degree will help you be a better doctor, or can explain how it fits into your career plans. Otherwise you'll just look like you could'nt make up your mind.</p>
<p>It was my impression that MPH students usually already had an MD?</p>
<p>Was told in some cases it worsed MD chances, but it could just be what my friends undergrad adviser told her.</p>
<p>Its def not for "already M.D.'s" (although they can of course get it). I have a number of friends in the program, none have MD's, nor were they even pre-med majors in undergrad.
Seems like a good degree if you want to work for the dept. of community health/your local state or federal community agency. Not if you want to go to med school.</p>
<p>ummm actually for top programs you're definitely expected to have an MD or other doctorate. see Harvard's qualifications page:</p>