Hello, I am looking for some advise. I have combed through dozens and dozens of threads on SDN & reddit and did not see any that related closely to my situation, hence why I am posting here.
I am looking to apply to the Big 3 Carib schools for the January start date but I am a little concerned with even getting accepted into those.
My background:
Early 30's, male, caucasian
BA in Philosophy from a top-50 school with a whopping 2.3 cGPA
Spent a few years out West fighting wildfires on a Type 1 Hotshot crew as lead EMT
~200hrs volunteering
~4000+ hrs clinical experience: EMT/CNA/scribe during height of COVID/caregiver
0 hours of research
2 rock solid MD LOR from my scribing time
Just finishing pre-reqs now from a CC all while working full-time
Prereq GPA: 4.0
A's in OChem 1&2, GChem 1&2, Bio 1&2, Stats, Physics, Med Terminology. Will be able to get good LOR from any of these teachers.
489 MCAT (121/121/123/124)
Background on the background:
I was a ****head in undergrad but have had an upward trend since working out west. When I started this 'journey' I did not approach it in the best way. For some odd reason, I took the MCAT before taking OChem/GChem/Physics/Biology. So the 489 is literally me signing up and self studying for a month. Plus I was 30 minutes late because someone was literally shot outside the testing center and the police cordoned off the area of entrance.
As mentioned, I am finishing up with a 4.0 in my pre-reqs all the while working full-time. It was not easy, by any means. I live in a major city and I am most certainly not swimming in the money. Each CC course puts me out a grand on top of paying a grand in rent for a studio each month. Recently had to go on food stamps but, chugging along.
Although I am always strapped for cash, my situation is a little odd. My grandpa, who is now diseased, started a 529 ages ago and now the value is up to 350K. Although I cannot use it for prereqs, I'll be able to for med school. The beneficiary being any one of his 102 grandchildren (yes, you read that right) who have been accepted into medical school, US or abroad. I'm the 98th grandkid and no one was/is/will be interested in ed school, besides me. So if all doesn't work in the Carib, I'm not out a cent. Just time.
I know, now having taken my prerequisites, that I could do far better on the MCAT then I did before. I would be very confident, with enough time, I could get above 500. I am a good test taker. The problem is time and money. The hours at my job are going to start shrinking rapidly in August. That is why I am shooting for the January acceptance. If I had to take more time, and apply later, it would be a struggle. I'm not sure if I'd be able to give studying for the MCAT all my attention, or any attention at all.
Conclusion:
If you've made it this far, thank you very much. With the Big 3 claiming to take each applicant holistically, is it realistic to think I could get in for January (usually the easiest time to get in) based off my background? I have been told, personally, by Big 3 Carib grads, whom I have worked for, that they think I could succeed there based off my work ethic. (means little in grand scheme, but gives confidence) I did the calculations and to get above a 3.0 cGPA, I'd have to take courses full-time for the next 3.5 years with perfect 4.0 grades. No USMD and only a handful of DO's would consider me till then. And continuing another 3.5 years, on the 6 I've already invested into this 'journey,' living the stagnant life I am living, financially, I don't think I'd make it. I am already stealing toilet paper from public bathrooms and napkins from restaurants. That is why I think the Carib is my only option. And if I have assessed objectively enough, might not be a bad one given my circumstance. Specifically that if I go to the Carib and drop, I will not have a penny of debt.
What do you think?
I am looking to apply to the Big 3 Carib schools for the January start date but I am a little concerned with even getting accepted into those.
My background:
Early 30's, male, caucasian
BA in Philosophy from a top-50 school with a whopping 2.3 cGPA
Spent a few years out West fighting wildfires on a Type 1 Hotshot crew as lead EMT
~200hrs volunteering
~4000+ hrs clinical experience: EMT/CNA/scribe during height of COVID/caregiver
0 hours of research
2 rock solid MD LOR from my scribing time
Just finishing pre-reqs now from a CC all while working full-time
Prereq GPA: 4.0
A's in OChem 1&2, GChem 1&2, Bio 1&2, Stats, Physics, Med Terminology. Will be able to get good LOR from any of these teachers.
489 MCAT (121/121/123/124)
Background on the background:
I was a ****head in undergrad but have had an upward trend since working out west. When I started this 'journey' I did not approach it in the best way. For some odd reason, I took the MCAT before taking OChem/GChem/Physics/Biology. So the 489 is literally me signing up and self studying for a month. Plus I was 30 minutes late because someone was literally shot outside the testing center and the police cordoned off the area of entrance.
As mentioned, I am finishing up with a 4.0 in my pre-reqs all the while working full-time. It was not easy, by any means. I live in a major city and I am most certainly not swimming in the money. Each CC course puts me out a grand on top of paying a grand in rent for a studio each month. Recently had to go on food stamps but, chugging along.
Although I am always strapped for cash, my situation is a little odd. My grandpa, who is now diseased, started a 529 ages ago and now the value is up to 350K. Although I cannot use it for prereqs, I'll be able to for med school. The beneficiary being any one of his 102 grandchildren (yes, you read that right) who have been accepted into medical school, US or abroad. I'm the 98th grandkid and no one was/is/will be interested in ed school, besides me. So if all doesn't work in the Carib, I'm not out a cent. Just time.
I know, now having taken my prerequisites, that I could do far better on the MCAT then I did before. I would be very confident, with enough time, I could get above 500. I am a good test taker. The problem is time and money. The hours at my job are going to start shrinking rapidly in August. That is why I am shooting for the January acceptance. If I had to take more time, and apply later, it would be a struggle. I'm not sure if I'd be able to give studying for the MCAT all my attention, or any attention at all.
Conclusion:
If you've made it this far, thank you very much. With the Big 3 claiming to take each applicant holistically, is it realistic to think I could get in for January (usually the easiest time to get in) based off my background? I have been told, personally, by Big 3 Carib grads, whom I have worked for, that they think I could succeed there based off my work ethic. (means little in grand scheme, but gives confidence) I did the calculations and to get above a 3.0 cGPA, I'd have to take courses full-time for the next 3.5 years with perfect 4.0 grades. No USMD and only a handful of DO's would consider me till then. And continuing another 3.5 years, on the 6 I've already invested into this 'journey,' living the stagnant life I am living, financially, I don't think I'd make it. I am already stealing toilet paper from public bathrooms and napkins from restaurants. That is why I think the Carib is my only option. And if I have assessed objectively enough, might not be a bad one given my circumstance. Specifically that if I go to the Carib and drop, I will not have a penny of debt.
What do you think?