Does Graduate School Improve Your Medical School Chances?

Getting accepted into medical school is no walk in the park. With fierce competition, applicants often look for anything that can give them a strategic advantage. One question many pre-med students ask is: Should I go to graduate school first?

Let’s break down how grad school could help—or hurt—your med school application, and what better alternatives might exist, such as clinical internships and global health programs like those offered by Go Elective.

Will Earning a Graduate Degree Make You a Stronger Applicant?

Some students pursue a graduate degree to improve their credentials. Others aim to gain research experience or explore a specialized area of science or healthcare. While a master's degree can show academic maturity, it isn’t a guaranteed ticket to med school.

Graduate school might help if:

• You need to strengthen your academic profile. 
• You’re seeking exposure to research or advanced biomedical coursework.
• You want to test your preparedness for the rigor of medical education.

But if your primary goal is simply to stand out, graduate school might not be the most efficient route. You can boost your application in other ways—such as post-baccalaureate programs or real-world clinical experience.

What’s the Difference Between Grad School and Med School?

Medical school is considered a professional school, not traditional graduate school. While both require a bachelor's degree, they serve different purposes:

• Graduate programs (e.g., MSc, PhD) focus on academic research.
• Professional programs (e.g., MD, DO) prepare students for licensure and clinical practice.

That said, med school and grad school both demand intense focus, high-level coursework, and independent learning.

What Is a Special Master’s Program (SMP), and Is It Worth It?

Special Master’s Programs are designed for students who want to improve their academic standing before applying to medical school. These programs usually:

• Mimic first-year med school curriculum.
• Offer access to clinical and lab-based experiences.
• Take 1–2 years to complete.

Well-known SMPs are affiliated with universities such as Boston University School of Medicine, Tulane University, and Georgetown University.

There are typically three types of SMPs:

• Career Changers (CC) – For non-science majors who need to complete med school prerequisites.
• Academic Enhancers (AE) – For students with a low GPA looking to prove academic growth.
• Disadvantaged Applicants (EED) – Targeted support for underrepresented and low-income students.
  
  

Pros of SMPs for Pre-Meds

• Exposure to advanced coursework similar to med school
• Opportunity to show resilience and commitment
• Research and shadowing opportunities that enrich your application
• Potential linkage to medical schools
  
  

Cons of SMPs

• High cost, often $30,000–$60,000+
• No guarantee of med school acceptance
• Risk of a poor GPA that could lower your overall profile
• Additional time added to your journey
  
  

Why You Should Think Twice Before Jumping into Grad School

Grad school is rigorous. Unlike undergrad, you’re expected to conduct original research, write a thesis or dissertation, and self-direct your learning.

And don’t underestimate the time and cost:

• Master’s programs: ~2 years
• Doctoral degrees: 4–6 years
• Average cost of a graduate degree: $60K–$100K+
• Med school afterward: another 4+ years and $200K+ in tuition

Unless you're genuinely passionate about a specific field of study or research, it may not be worth the added debt and delay.

Better Alternatives to Consider Before Med School

There are effective, lower-risk options to boost your application:

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

These non-degree programs are ideal for:

• Students with low undergraduate GPAs
• Career changers needing science prerequisites

Post-baccs can often directly impact your undergrad GPA, unlike SMPs, which create a separate graduate GPA.

Clinical Internships and Global Health Exposure

Hands-on experience is essential. If your application lacks real-world clinical exposure, consider joining a medical internship abroad with Go Elective.

Through internships abroad, students gain:

• 100–200 hours of shadowing physicians in Kenya or Tanzania
• Rotations in top public hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital
• Experience treating patients in resource-limited settings
• Cultural immersion and mentoring in global health environments

Programs are open to pre-med, medical, PA, nursing, dental, and even high school students.

Research Internships

If your goal is to strengthen your research background:

• Look into university research internships.
• Consider NIH-funded programs or Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP).

These experiences are valuable if you want to combine medicine with academic research.

Taking a Gap Year for the MCAT

If your MCAT score is weak, consider taking a gap year to prepare and retake the exam. During that time, you can:

• Shadow doctors through Go Elective
• Volunteer in clinics
• Study more effectively without school distractions
  
  

Should You Pursue a Dual Degree Instead?

Some students opt to apply directly to dual-degree programs:

• MD/MPH – For careers in public health
• MD/MBA – For healthcare management and entrepreneurship
• MD/PhD – For physician-scientist tracks

These degrees are often built into the med school curriculum and may align better with long-term goals.

What’s the Right Path for You?

Admissions committees are looking for more than a resume. They want:

• Evidence of compassion, service, and commitment to medicine
• Diverse healthcare exposure
• Strong academic and MCAT performance

It’s not about having a perfect profile—it’s about showing you’re ready.

Final Thoughts: Focus on Experiences That Truly Add Value

Graduate school can be part of your journey, but it shouldn’t be a default step. Think strategically.

If you’re looking for meaningful, application-enhancing experience, consider a medical internship abroad through Go Elective. Our programs give you the chance to make a difference in global communities while growing personally and professionally.

Ready to strengthen your med school application the smart way? Apply Now to join Go Elective’s shadowing and clinical internship programs.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 10, 2025