Hey Guys, Need your advice, MPH/MD....

[ryan84]

I am new to this forum and need some honest imput.

I was recently accepted into the SGU MPH/MD program for Fall 2007. I have also been accepted at Ross and AUC for the same term. Do you think it's worth doing the extra year at SGU instead of going to AUC or Ross. What is your imput on these schools and what do you think is the best decision, as far as education, residencies, and island life. Also, what are the pros/cons of doing the MPH.


Thanks!!

[McGillGrad]

Are you interested in an MPH or do you only want your MD? That should make the decision for you.

[jameslynton]

The cost of the MPH is pretty high to add on to your loan for medical school. If you are accepted at Ross and AUC, you can expect about the same residency placements as SGU. This is a tough call that depends on project about 5 years into the future as to what you would like to do with your career. Generally, a MPH from SGU will help if you work in the public sector hospitals in hospital Admin. However, my son said the MPH program from SGU was not as respected as getting one from a US school like Emory or Tulane. I think and you need to research this - it is lacking some certifications they have. This is an area I don't know much about. So this is just food for thought and worth a few grains of salt...

[jaywalk81]

sgu mph isnt accredited but is going thro the accreditation process now.
dont let the "US accredited",part matter too much IMO, b/c many other MPH programs around the world isnt accepted in the US such as Oxford just to throw a world known university. does it matter? i have no idea and cant say. if you are concern about the program itself, i cant really compared it to others as i never experience others, but for the US accreditation board to come and start their prcess of accreditating SGU MPH, it probably is doing something right

[ryan84]

I would just be using the MPH route to get into their MD program since I didn't get accepted into the 4 year MD. The MPH degree would not really be an issue to me since my ultimate goal is MD. I was just wondering if it's worth going to SGU knowing that I have also been accepted at Ross and AUC.

Thanks

[McGillGrad]

I would just be using the MPH route to get into their MD program since I didn't get accepted into the 4 year MD. The MPH degree would not really be an issue to me since my ultimate goal is MD. I was just wondering if it's worth going to SGU knowing that I have also been accepted at Ross and AUC.

Thanks

Personally, I would choose AUC or Ross if the MD was the only goal, although I would think about the MPH if I were not 100% sure of my abilities and needed a change to get into the studying groove.

[AizenBaby]

I have a quick question about this MPH/MD route. Do you need to apply separately for this program? Or do they offer it to you once you're denied the admission to the regular MD program? Do you know how much it costs? Thanks!

[jaywalk81]

MPH as with any graduate course is by credits, ithink it is about 48 credits in total, and about $550/credit give or take. you can find the cost on sgu website

[tralfaz]

I would just be using the MPH route to get into their MD program since I didn't get accepted into the 4 year MD. The MPH degree would not really be an issue to me since my ultimate goal is MD. I was just wondering if it's worth going to SGU knowing that I have also been accepted at Ross and AUC.

Thanks

I feel that the "mandatory" mph degree is an unecessary hurdle for you to have to jump through. By itself, it's expensive and makes little sense to do so when us based programs are not that difficult to enter in to. As such, I would advise either going to ROSS/AUC or getting a degree of your choosing (mph... etc) in the us. If you go the latter route, you can just as easily re-apply to sgu's med program in a year.

[EpiJunky]

The total cost I got was abou 46 or 48K....its a buttload...

[ryan84]

The MPH/MD was offered to me as an option when I did not get directly into the MD. If I were to maintain an 3.5 GPA I would automatically be enrolled into the following MD term.

[jaywalk81]

MPH/MD is different than MPH to MD!
MPH/MD is a dual degree program in which you are accepted into both programs already. MPH to MD is you are only accepted to MPH, and upon the completeion of MPH and meeting the GPA, then you will be promoted and accepted in MD program.

[RussianJoo]

Yes so this person was accepted into the MPH program with the option to continue on to the medical program if he has a 3.5 gpa at the conclusion of the mph program.

I say don't waste a year of your life and $50K and just go to Ross or AUC, SGU might be slightly better than those schools but I don't think it's worth the extra time and money. Plus no one is sure if the MPH program will be accredited or not, and if the accredition will be retrograded or not. If it won't be than your mph degree is worthless, and will not be recognized by any US residency program.

[domino9]

I agree with RussianJoo. MD is your goal (not SGU). So go to AUC or Ross.

[AizenBaby]

Wow, that's expensive. Thanks for the info everyone.

[BCoop8184]

an MPH is NOT $50K...I am going into this program in Aug '07

[cavalletti]

an MPH is NOT $50K...I am going into this program in Aug '07

How much is it?

[ryan84]

One of SGU's affiliated hospitals is where I volunteered over this past summer. I know a few of the doctors there on a personal level and they each told me they would help me with residency etc. after med school. I just feel that if I were to do my 3rd and 4th year rotations there through SGU, it would make the connections that much better. Also, I feel it is much more respected than the rest of the caribbean. This is why I feel taking an extra year at SGU isn't that big of a deal knowing that it may land me a surgery residency at the hospital where I have connections.

[ryan84]

The MPH would cost $549/credit.

It consists of 48 credits, so $26,352 plus living expenses.

[McGillGrad]

Also, I feel it is much more respected than the rest of the caribbean.

That is 100% psychological. If it works for you then wonderful, but do not delude yourself into thinking that SGU is seen any differently in the US than all of the other Carib schools (even the non-"big-4")

[BCoop8184]

Ryan, come to SGU, I need a fellow GW kid there with me.

[RussianJoo]

One of SGU's affiliated hospitals is where I volunteered over this past summer. I know a few of the doctors there on a personal level and they each told me they would help me with residency etc. after med school. I just feel that if I were to do my 3rd and 4th year rotations there through SGU, it would make the connections that much better. Also, I feel it is much more respected than the rest of the caribbean. This is why I feel taking an extra year at SGU isn't that big of a deal knowing that it may land me a surgery residency at the hospital where I have connections.

most of the hospitals that are affiliated with SGU are community hospitals and their residency programs are considered less competitive than university hospital based programs. Chances are you will probably be able to match at those hospitals even if you do go to another carib school. But you're correct in that SGU is more established and if you're reasonably young an extra year is no big deal. And neither is the money in the long run.

[RussianJoo]

Ryan, come to SGU, I need a fellow GW kid there with me.

I think you should be able to find at least one other person in your class who went to GW. I know of two people that went to GW but they're almost done with basic sciences.