WHICH IS BETTER: MSc with crappy grades or no masters at all?

[TheOne]

You are applying to medical schools in Canada with a fairly strong undergraduate GPA. In your opinion, which is better? 

Having a 2 yr masters of science with crappy grades (low 70s)

... or no masters at all?

[Anon-e-mous]

2 hours ago, TheOne said:

You are applying to medical schools in Canada with a fairly strong undergraduate GPA. In your opinion, which is better? 

Having a 2 yr masters of science with crappy grades (low 70s)

... or no masters at all?

Depends on what schools you want to apply to.

If you are IP for or are applying to schools out West, I'd say no masters is better than one with crappy grades because some of these medical schools will factor in this GPA (hurting your high undergrad GPA).

If you're mainly applying to schools in Ontario, a masters with a crappy GPA should be OK because it will not contribute to your GPA calculation.  In Ontario, the advantages of a masters are: a % boost at Mac, GPA boost at NOSM and the graduate stream for UofT with productivity (although you already have a high undergrad GPA...) Indirectly, it will help to build research and other experiences. So it depends on your target schools and your potential application weaknesses that could use work.

Ideally, you should aim for high grades in a masters program anyways to leave your options open. But I can understand the desire let grades go in a masters if you haven't begun yet, running at 110% in undergrad can be exhausting.