dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 hi there , I applied to 14 schools last year and have been rejected by all of them due to my not so grade gpa. I have pretty much all science classes due to my bachelors in science. I was wondering if i pursue MPH would that improve my chances? i have another option to pursue masters in medical science online from university of south florida but honestly that master is quiet expensive and i really cant work with it. MPH atleast gives me some hope of finding employment after work incase if i need to . Any advice is greatly appreciated .. i am just too desperate to get into PA school now :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicinePower Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Hi there TexasGirl. If you can share with us what pre-reqs you've taken, the grades you got, and how long ago you took them we'd be in a better position to offer some advice. In general if you've gotten a B- or worse in any pre-req course then it's strongly suggested to repeat the class. You may also want to look into upper-level courses such as cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, pathophysiology, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 i have a bachelors of science in biochemistry graduated with 2.6. I have taken genetics, pathophysiology, immunology, biochemistry, orgo, A&P, cell biochemistry with As and Bs. I was able to raise my gpa upto 2.8 after taking few more postbacc classes. I believe at this time i have run out of all the possible high level science classes. Thats why i was thinking of MPH now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicinePower Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 What is your sGPA vs cGPA? What happened that your GPA dropped so low? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 well not sound cliche but i had financial troubles and working 72 hours didnt really help with couple of semesters and by the time i cut down work it was too late and all the decent grades did not compensate for bad gpa. my sgpa is 2.9 cgpa is 2.8 . I am an EMT-B and CNA and have around 3000 hours of HCE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 11, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 11, 2014 An MPH is a great idea and useable on it's own if you don't get into pa school right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 ya thats the reason i am more inclined towards MPH over medical masters. Atleast will give me a job but im just scared if it will improve my application any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 11, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 11, 2014 ya thats the reason i am more inclined towards MPH over medical masters. Atleast will give me a job but im just scared if it will improve my application any it will help if you do well with a > 3.0 gpa. It shows you can do grad level work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 ok perfect. Thanks alot for the encouragment :)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I think you'd be better off going for a second bachelor's in nursing or an allied health specialty. You'll make more than with an MPH most likely and it will give you good HCE to strengthen your app in addition to raising your GPA. Clinical laboratory science can be done as a 1 year accelerated track and provides tons of sciences like hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, etc that you haven't taken before. Getting into these programs or the MPH may be a challenge in itself, though. You might have to look towards post-baac or master's programs designed for low GPA folks to enhance your app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 actually i am already accepted into MPH program starting in september Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 actually i am already accepted into MPH program starting in september Well that's a plus. I guess now you need to compare the curriculum to CASPA's course subject list and make sure you will be able to raise both your cgpa and sgpa, since both are low. It would suck to go through the MPH and still have your app automatically tossed in the round file due to a sub-3.0 sgpa. Maybe some current/former adcom members can chime in as to how they view an MPH in the application process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 11, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 11, 2014 Maybe some current/former adcom members can chime in as to how they view an MPH in the application process. I was always impressed by folks who managed to get an MPH with a solid GPA. having an MPH opens lots of doors as a PA including ability to work for doctors without borders, work for govt at higher rate of pay, more teaching options, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyblue3 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I have an MPH and the courses are not considered as a part of your science GPA, so since your GPA is low, I would take courses that can help both your cumulative and science GPA. And take it from personal experience, securing a well-paying job is not guaranteed at all, especially if you want to be in the federal government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted June 11, 2014 Moderator Share Posted June 11, 2014 And take it from personal experience, securing a well-paying job is not guaranteed at all, especially if you want to be in the federal government. my point was, many jobs with the govt as a pa(state dept, etc) will pay more if you ALSO have an MPH. so if you are going to live/work in central Africa for 2+ years for the state dept, why not make 100k/yr instead of 80 k/yr for doing the same job. see here: http://careers.state.gov/work/opportunities/vacancy-announcements/hp specifically this: Two additional steps may be given for a doctoral degree in a work-related field, awarded before the date of the appointment. One step may be given for a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health. This is one reason I decided to go back to school to get a doctorate in health science/global health Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 public health courses count as "other science" on CASPA and thus can be used to raise your science GPA OTHER SCIENCE:Acupuncture Animal Science Astronomy Athletic Training (not PE courses) Atmospheric Science Audiology Bioarchaeology Biobehavioral Health (BBH) Bioengineering Bioethics Bio-mechanics Biomedical Engineering (BME) Biotechnology Chemical Engineering Chinese Internal Medicine Chiropractic Clinical Chemistry Clinical Hematology Clinical Immunology Clinical Lab Sciences (CLS) Clinical Microbiology CPR Cytology/Cytotechnology Dentistry Dietetics Earth Science Electronics Emergency Med-Tech (EMT/EMS) Engineering (Civil, Electrical, etc.) Environmental Science Epidemiology Exercise Physiology Exercise Science First Aid Food Science Forensic Anthropology Forensic Archaeology Forensic Science Geology Gerontology Gynecology Health Science Herbology Kinesiology Marine Science Medical Lab Tech (MLT) Medical Technology (Med Tech) Meteorology Natural Science Nursing Nutrition Occupational Therapy Oceanography Optometry Oriental Medicine Osteology Paramedic Pharmacology Phlebotomy Physical Anthropology Physical Geography Physical Science Physical Therapy Physician Assistant (PA) Podiatry Public Health Radiology Respiratory Therapy Sonography Speech and Hearing Science (SPHS) Sports Medicine Surgery Tech Toxicology Veterinary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 public health courses count as "other science" on CASPA and thus can be used to raise your science GPA It depends on the individual course and not the fact that it's part of an MPH degree. Courses like biostats will count under math. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 If the course is offered by the public health department of the college or university, it will likely count as other science. My biostats course was offered in the department of public health (PCH 5XX) and it counted as other science for me. If it is offered through a different department, then it would probably depend on what department it was in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 well honestly I don't really care if I don't work directly with mph my main goal is to just have a masters degree and show the ad com that I can handle master level courses other than that I have an option to do a medical masters from University of Florida Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 but I was thinking mph with pa will open more doors for me in future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktheshark89 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 MPH would probably open more doors than a post-bac program designed to get people into other graduate programs, like the one at USF, especially if it were to not work out and you were just left with that degree. I think whether or not your MPH classes can count towards your science GPA is a big deal though, given that you need to get that above 3.0 to be competitive at most programs. If the MPH classes will not count towards science GPA, even if you can improve your overall cumulative GPA, and get Master's level credit showing you can handle such work, you still may be weeded out by several programs just because of science GPA issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hmm makes sense I think I should pursue medical masters than from USF it offer courses like medical biochemistry , medical anatomy etc and not only it will help me boost my sgpa it will also raise my cgpa. I really appreciate everyone's input you guys are really awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timon Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I'd check out MHS programs that offer a guaranteed interview to a PA program. I know at my program there is a high rate of acceptance from our MHS program into our PA program (over 95%). The program is 1 year and will prep you for PA school very well. Just throwing that out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hmm makes sense I think I should pursue medical masters than from USF it offer courses like medical biochemistry , medical anatomy etc and not only it will help me boost my sgpa it will also raise my cgpa. I really appreciate everyone's input you guys are really awesome I think that's the wrong way to go if you aren't doing the MPH, unless it's one of those virtually guaranteed pathways like Timon mentions. You should get a second bachelor's in nursing, paramedic, or an allied health field so you have something that gives you an avenue to earn HCE and a real income while you're going through the PA admission process(or if it doesn't pan out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream2pa Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 I do have 3000 hours of direct patient care experience . My priority is to improve my gpa either thru mph , post bacc or medical masters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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