Many college pre-meds consider getting a masters before applying to medical school, and there are a number of programs specifically designed for pre-med students planning to go onto medical school. These programs are sometimes referred to as “special masters” or “pre-professional masters” programs.
As American medical schools become more and more competitive, some students could really strengthen their applications with the additional coursework and credentials. Read our list of 1-year pre-med programs here. And our list of 2-year pre-med programs here. Here are 3 signs you should consider applying for a masters program before medical school.
Should You Get a Masters Before Medical School
Students can complete any masters degree before applying to medical school. But most pre-med students choose masters programs with a medical science focus, particularly students with low undergraduate science GPAs. There are dozens of intensive programs specifically designed for pre-med students to improve their medical school applications, some that can be completed in as little as one year (read our list here).
Students that complete pre-med post-bacc programs generally have higher rates of admissions to medical schools compared to the average- considerably higher. Most pre-med post-bacc programs state medical school admission rates of their graduates between 80-90%. Read more about average medical school admissions rates here.
Generally, there are 2 kinds of masters programs pre-meds can consider:
- Pre-Professional (“Special”) Masters Programs. These programs are designed to prepare students for further study. Good for students who know they want to go onto a further degree program after their masters, but have not yet decided between medical school, dental school, or PhD. (no worries, these programs are usually a good foundation of any of these career paths).
- Regular Masters Programs. These programs are designed to prepare students for the job market. Good for students who aren’t sure they want to go onto medical school (or any professional program) and need a backup plan. Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, or Pharmaceutical Development are great options.
Here are 3 signs you should think about getting a masters before you apply for med school:
1. The Weakest Part of Your Application is Your GPA
For pre-med students with a low undergraduate GPA, performing well in a medically-focused masters program demonstrates the ability to handle med school level coursework. Students can always retake the MCAT to make up for a low MCAT score, but making up for a low GPA requires additional coursework.
Especially for students with a low undergraduate science GPA, intensive masters programs in medical or biomedical sciences shows a student is capable of graduate-level science courses. Many pre-medical masters programs even include a number of courses taken alongside current medical students.
Medical schools care about upward trajectory. A good graduate-level science GPA shows a student is ready for medical school, regardless of undergraduate grades.
But students should note that many pre-professional masters programs can be quite competitive require a 3.0 GPA. Students with a low GPA should probably apply to multiple programs.
2. You Need Letters of Recommendation
Most pre-professional masters programs include coursework taught by medical school faculty. This means students not only have the opportunity show that they can perform well in medical school, but they also have a chance to meet and network with medical school professors.
Many programs (usually longer 2-year programs) provide students with the opportunity to get involved in research as well. This is another great way to develop relationships with medical school and other research faculty. A letter of recommendation from one of the medical schools own faculty is an enormous advantage on an application. For this reason, students should consider completing a masters program at a medical school they’re interested in applying to in the future.
3. You’re Not Certain About Medical School
Most pre-professional masters programs are designed to cover basic graduate-level health and medical sciences (often alongside current first-year med students). Because this coursework is relatively broad, these programs can also strengthen student applications for dental school, PA school, or PhD programs.
While generally most students in these programs are pre-med, there are also a number of students that pursue these masters programs with the goal of applying to other professional programs. So these programs are good for students who want to go onto a higher degree program, but aren’t certain yet about it being medical school.
Regular masters programs prepare students for the job market, instead of for further study. So these programs are also a good option for students who are not yet certain about going to medical school. The masters degree can serve to bolster a students med school application, if they choose. Or it can serve as a “backup plan” career course if a student decides not to pursue med school.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing a masters program before applying to medical school can seriously strengthen a student’s chances of acceptance. If a pre-med student isn’t sure about medicine or healthcare, read more about other career options for students with biology degrees or backgrounds in biology. Or, if a student knows they want to go into healthcare but isn’t sure if medical school is right for them, read more about other career options in healthcare that don’t require medical school.
